Makita XSR01Z 36V (18V X2) LXT® Brushless Rear Handle 7-1/4" Circular Saw, Tool Only

I'm a contractor and this thing so far is up to the professional requirements of a jobsite. It's noticeably lighter than a corded magnesium worm drive, but not so light that it can't push through material. Seems like the perfect balance. A rear handle saw needs to have some weight, but doing a lot of repetitive work with a standard corded saw can be hard on the arms and wrists, so it's nice to shed a few pounds with this thing.Using two 5ah batteries this thing seems to go all day, though if you were to do a lot of rips though you'd probably have to change the batteries once during the day.I do have some criticisms about it though, one being that the rafter hook is awkward. I think it's designed to be able to hang off of a 3x material or an LVL, just something larger than the 1 5/8" you'd need for 2x, but since most of us are most of the time hanging things off of 2x the extra play in the hook can leave the saw hanging a bit loosely. I prefer the way a worm drive hook hangs the saw, but maybe I'll find a day when the larger hook really earns its keep? The other thing, more of a nuance, is the safety button needed to engage the trigger. Still not quite used to it. I'm all for safety's as much as possible, but I'm very used to only needing one finger to start a skill saw.There's really not a whole lot more that can be said about it, it performs very well for its intended purpose. I do think the DeWalt is also a very good saw, and I'd like to try them both side by side, and one thing that I believe the DeWalt has on this thing is the way that the dust is ejected from the housing. I saw a side by side comparison of the two and I could see how well the DeWalt dealt with the dust, while the Makita shoots it straight down onto the workpiece. Not a deal killer, but definitely a leg up when doing rips. These small details matter if you use this tool a lot, so just something to consider. While we're on the subject, it would be nice to only have to deal with changing one battery, instead of two. I'm not going to dock any stars for these things, but basically, there's competition :)

If you're a fan of the old worm drive skilsaws, then you'll like this; they're nearly identical, but this one doesn't have the cords or any need for oil. It's powerful, relatively lightweight (compared to my skilsaw with 50' cord), holds a great charge, and is very well built. I am not a tradesman, but this tool would excel in a jobsite environment because of how versatile and powerful it is - this can do anything a worm drive saw can do. I've been using it in a remodel doing framing and absolutely love it. Makita sells another cordless circular saw (6 1/2" blade) but it's underpowered and designed for ripping thin sheets. This saw will cut anything!If you've already accumulated a few 18v Makita tools (and batteries), then the $200 price tag is nothing. If you don't have Makita batteries then the $450 price tag is daunting.Just FYI- this tool will work with any amp/hour batteries... from the 2Ah to the 5Ah; they all work.

I finally killed off my old Skilsaw by somehow letting it fall off my saw shelf which broke the handle. It would still have worked I guess if I would have repaired it, but it was long in the tooth and I kind of hated it - it was getting loose and on its best day wasn't ever a very good saw. Kind of a homeowners special.After paying the pile of gold bars for this sweet saw, I am in love. This thing is well thought out and tight. With a good straight edge to follow, I can wafer off a 4x8 sheet of plywood and have it look better than the same cut on my #1 table saw.I am worn out and calling it a day long before the two 5 amp hour batteries. Yeah, I am old and fat and that may be part of the amazing long battery life I think I am getting, but I am serious when I say that I could go days between charging and not notice, using the saw much of the time.This thing feels balanced, cuts straight and everything really just feels right about this saw. I may be a woodworking moron relative to the construction DaVinci's out there, but I know a good saw when I use it. This is a good saw.

I have had many cordless 20ish volt circular saw, makita 18v, dewat 18v, and hilti 18v. and usually i reserve them all for plywood cutting, or 3/4 lumber. not 2x4 and up. recenty i tried the 60v dewalt monster for a more applicable saw,it has nice power but heavy, and agressive with its power as most direct link circular saw are to me, also i hated the blade being on the right side view, not sure why alot of cir. saw are this view when most people are right handed. but this makita fits the bill. cuts anything my worm drive Skilsaw 7 1/4 does, not as much power ofcourse but still it does it, and does it smoothly. i love how the power comes on this thing, it feels soft but its cuts is almost as solid as plug in. its lightwieght at least compare to the dewalt, or perhaps its just better balanced, but to me it feels lighter. also gotta love the fact that you dont need new batteries, 18v lxt battery works perfect! ofcourse best part is the blade is veiwable when cutting with your right hand. since i got it, i really dont even use my worm skilsaw at all, it feels so much heavier now next to this thing and and i got the ligther mag version of skilsaw. one down side, for me atleast is battery doesnt last anywhere near advertised.i am currently running on lxt 3.0 battery fairly new set, but i still give it 5 stars. its good of makita to take a risky design first, and honestly i am not sure why none came earlier, makes sense to me, but perhaps maybe cost? technical challenge? not sure, but hopefully other companies will come out with similar cordless worm drive circular saw in the near future. oh also the default blade is decent for framing, rough cuts, if switch to a thin kerf blade with higher tooth count, it can cut very smooth too, i used it to cut 1/2 plexiglass to seamed.