Everything about the saw is excellent, from its workmanship to its reliable cordless power to the accuracy of its cut. If you’re in the 20-volt Craftsman system, we fully recommend adding this to your arsenal. We liked this 20-volt saw’s handling, light weight, power, and fantastic line of sight to the blade. So much so that we used it to test 7.25-inch circular saw blades that we were investigating for recent coverage.
Corded models have motors that draw as much current as 15 amps. The saw rides on a larger, more damage-resistant shoe and is equipped with a big, tough trigger switch, larger and tougher bearings, makita cordless drill and a thick but highly flexible cord. These features promote durability but increase the saw’s weight. The average homeowner-duty saw (with a motor drawing 12 amps) weighs 8 to 9 pounds.
Currently, all electric models are pricier than their corded counterparts. Many people justify the extra price because the batteries can be used with other tools by the same manufacturer. If you have already joined the cordless revolution, then you might not be willing to switch brands. There were “ballpark” prices that seemed to come up for some of the different cordless circular saws and giving you the “big picture” might help some of you out. This is a compact and very lightweight saw that would come in handy for cutting simple materials.
The results weren’t flawless but there was almost no chip out and the work piece required minimal sanding to remove saw marks and get to a nice smooth finish. I used dust extraction during this process, it worked pretty well but certainly not as well as a plunge cut track saw. The open guard simply can’t catch as much dust as that of a plunge cut saw. I tested the Makita XSH06PT along with nine other top-performing circular saws.
Several of today’s best circular saws are now battery-powered. Manufacturers like Makita ensure high power by putting two batteries on the tool. If I could only choose one circular saw—either a corded 7¼-inch model or the Makita XSH06PT—I’d select the Makita in most nonshop situations. It offers as much cutting power as most corded models, and by purchasing a couple of extra lithium-ion batteries, the tool will run without any downtime. However, in a shop-only situation, I might opt for a corded model since I have readily available outlets and wouldn’t need to worry about charging batteries. At first glance, the Makita XSH06PT is just another circular saw, but look closer.
Beta Test Program memberships expire one year from the date of purchase unless sooner terminated as provided in these Beta Test Program Terms. This saw is crazy powerful and I could see this being a workhorse out on the jobsite, the freedom of not being tied down to a cord with all that power from the two batteries is really a game changer. The Makita built electronically controlled BL motor delivers 50% longer run time per charge and because it’s a brushless motor, it runs cooler and more efficiently, so it is built to last.