In the first in our series of buyer’s guides for power tools, Makita offers some advice on the features to look for when choosing a new circular saw to add to your kit.
Any professional tradesperson will know the value of having a high-quality circular saw in the back of the van for carpentry and woodworking tasks. However, with so many options available it is not always clear which one is the right one.
Cordless and brushless technology
For circular saws, cordless is often the best option as it allows a greater degree of flexibility and improved safety by removing the need to route and manage power cables. With the latest generation of tool and battery technologies, there are now options that match even powerful corded versions in terms of performance. For example, the Makita XGT 40VMax battery platform, which includes more than 100 products, has been designed to deliver the power and run-times professionals require for even the most demanding tasks.
Furthermore, it is worth investing in a circular saw that includes brushless motor technology, such as the HS011G XGT 40VMax 270mm Circular Saw. Motors with brushes rely on contact between carbon brushes and a rotary electrical switch on the rotor to drive the tool. While this is effective, the contact causes friction that generates heat and wastes energy. In contrast, brushless motors instead use contact-free electromagnetism to rotate the rotor shaft, which in turn drives the tool.
Eliminating this wasted energy means a brushless motor can produce more torque, allowing the same results to be achieved with less power used. In fact, choosing a tool with a brushless motor can extend run times by up to 50% per battery charge for greater productivity and fewer recharges throughout a job.
Safety features
To create a safer and healthier working environment it is important to utilise dust extraction. However, it can be considered time-consuming and it may be tempting to disregard it, especially when time is tight or for those ‘quick jobs’. Therefore, selecting a circular saw that makes dust extraction as simple as possible will be a good investment. As an example, the Makita Auto-Start Wireless System (AWS), which is included on the HS011G, connects the tool to compatible dust extractors via Bluetooth to run the dust extractor automatically when the tool is in use.
To streamline dust management further, it is also worth considering high-performance cordless dust extractor units, which complement the flexibility and ease offered by cordless tools. The Makita VC006G XGT 80VMax (Twin 40VMax) M-Class Dust Extractor, which also includes AWS technology, achieves airflow and suction power comparative to corded models.
Another consideration when selecting a circular saw is looking for one with safety features that will protect the user and the machine in the event that the blade jams in the material. For example, the HS011G includes Active Feedback Sensing Technology (AFT) that shuts down the tool if the blade rotation speed suddenly slows.
Guide rail compatibility
Guide rails are a very versatile piece of equipment and an invaluable part of any tradesperson’s kit where a high degree of precision and quality of cut are required. Freehand cuts using a pre-marked line are not usually that accurate and the rip fences often supplied with circular saws are useful but have limitations, especially when dealing with larger pieces of material. As such, easy compatibility between the circular saw and guide rails is a useful feature. While in some cases, tools and guide rails of different brands can be made compatible, usually with an adaptor, it is beneficial to select a guide rail from the same manufacturer. Many of the circular saws in the Makita range, including the HS011G will connect directly to the Makita guide rails without the need for an adaptor.
Blades
While it is often overlooked, the choice of circular saw blades is also an important consideration. High-quality blades will create a better, cleaner, more precise cut and can even improve the run-times per battery charge. Take for example the Makita Efficut saw blades, which are engineered to be thinner than standard options with a tooth profile that produces less resistance during operation to both accelerate the cutting speed and minimise energy usage. In fact, the blades make cuts 2.4 times faster than conventional saw blades and allow 2.4 times more cuts per battery charge compared to the standard equivalent when cutting wood.
As an essential piece of kit for many tradespeople, a high-quality cordless circular saw, with the right product features, can make work easier and safer.
To find out more about Makita’s range of XGT tools visit XGT Home page (makitauk.com).
