This makes the Ryobi slightly easier to carry, but lighter weight can be kind of a mixed bag. Part of the reason for the weight disparity is the Makita’s “heavy-gauge, precision-machined base” which helps keep cuts smooth and adds to its durability. It has a vacuum dust adaptor to help keep clean-up to a minimum and it has an onboard LED work light to help with visibility. These lightweight upgrades make the Ryobi more versatile, though perhaps not quite as sturdy.
The XSS01Z did NOT have a brushless motor, so those lower RPM speeds are seen in the comparison table. I would call this a mid-grade saw because it has all of the capabilities to cut through 2x material, even at a 45° angle and is decent in price for the bare tool and the kit. This saw probably was the best rated cordless Makita circular saw out there with over 200 reviews from different sources and an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 from those same reviewers. The features are enough to compare to a larger, corded circular saw and has the capacity to cut through 2x material at 90° and 45°. So if you already have a couple of batteries and a charger, then you will be more likely to buy this saw than someone who has to buy the saw and a battery/charger kit.
This material is thicker, wider, and more difficult to handle and cut than standard lumber used to build houses. It’s used for jobs like supporting ships in ship yards and propping up gigantic pipes and valves in fabrication facilities. It’s the shoring material that’s used to stabilize the wall of excavations, usually around foundations but also pipe trenches. Since Stanley Black & Decker (also the owner of DeWalt) bought the company in 2017, Craftsman tools have been improving.
From time to time, Ace may, in its sole discretion, add, eliminate, or modify Beta Test Program benefits. If we materially reduce Beta Test Program benefits, we will offer you the option of terminating your Beta Test Program membership and receiving a refund of your membership fee. Ace Rewards Instant Savings amount is available to Ace Rewards members who are logged into acehardware.com (and have previously linked their Ace Rewards account). Where applicable by law, tax is charged on the sale price before application of Instant Savings. His grandfather was an airplane mechanic in WW2 and took up woodworking as a hobby after retiring from the power industry. Building everything from bookshelves to lazy Susans, he became extremely accomplished while his young grandson observed, fascinated at the way raw wood could turn into something both beautiful and functional.
That means you can use it for breaking down plywood sheets or lengths of hardwood lumber for that furniture you want to build. Overall, DeWalt’s cordless circular saw is a powerful, smooth-cutting tool with outstanding accuracy. If you’re thinking of going cordless but you want pro performance, this is the one makita circular saw to get. Here at Popular Mechanics, we constantly test and use circular saws in our own projects. Our favorites below range from budget-friendly models, to pro-duty tools that a contractor could use to frame a house. The XSH03Z is more geared towards professionals and avid DIYers who take on a lot of projects.
Until recently, pros seemed to prefer corded electric circular saws, but improvements in battery power and brushless motor technology are starting to change that. Manufacturers like Makita ensure high power by putting two batteries on the tool. The XSH03Z is equipped with Automatic Speed Change Technology, which adjusts speed and torque during operation for optimum performance. The Makita BL Brushless Motor is engineered for longer run time, increased power and speed, and longer tool life. The Makita Corporation has a strong presence in power tool manufacturing.
The SH02 runs a 3 3/8-inch blade at 1500 RPM and has a maximum cutting depth of 1 inch at 90° or 5/8 of an inch at 45°. It’s also incredibly lightweight at just makita circular saw 3.5 pounds with a battery. In fact, during our testing, this circular saw did just as well cutting full-depth bevels as it did full-depth rips and crosscuts.