Power Tools Reviews
Makita 5094DWD 14.4-Volt NiMH 3-3/8-Inch Cordless Circular Saw
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 Great little saw This thing is great. It won't do everything a big saw can do but it can take care of many jobs. Being cordless makes it just so convenient and takes the hassle out of setting up for small household projects. Cutting thin material takes a little extra time and care to get a good clean cut. Cuts right through 3/4" plywood.  It's worth having one... I've had my eye on this saw for several months. Every once in a while I have a need for a small circular saw, so I finally took the plunge and bought it. My current project that I'm using it on is building exterior window casings out of 1x redwood stock. So far it's working pretty well. I'm able to cut a good 45 degree miter with it. I found that clamping a straight-edge to the stock helps as a guide to get a square cut. I have learned that in order to get a cut that is even semi-smooth, you really have to go slow with this saw (which is not a big deal). It can splinter the wood pretty easily. For exterior trim, I don't mind sanding it a little and after a little caulking and paint, I don't think you'll ever know. I don't think there's anyway I would use this saw for interior trim work. In my opinion it is a little overpriced, but I don't regret buying it. It's really nice not to get out my big corded circular saw when you just want to make a small, quick cut. Yes, it's a specialty tool After my 9.6v saw gave out right in the middle of an interior trim job (but after nearly fifteen years of dutiful service), I ordered this 14.4v version of my broken 9.6v saw. This new saw base plate is much different than the 9.6v version. The 14.4v uses thumb screw fasteners for all adjustments and is essentially a scaled down version of a standard circular saw. It even comes with a rip guide. I like it a lot. No more pulling off the hex wrench key for every adjustment. The 9.6v is a bit more svelte that the 14.4v cousin and easier to work on tighter jobs, but the 14.4v is noticeably more powerful. Both saws use the same blade and leave nothing more than a pencil line sized cut (which is nice, because if you draw a pencil line, that is exactly the width of material that will be cut away by the saw blade). And as was noted in another review, the saw speed (for both 9.6v and 14.4v) is considerably slower than any other saw you have probably worked with, but it cuts fine. During "built in" cabinet modifications where I made cuts without removing the cabinets, I routinely cut 3/4 inch material with the 9.6v saw. It was slow going, but I was never cutting more than a few feet anyhow. This is where the 14.4v does much better. I took delivery of the 14.4v saw and returned to finish the hall closet modification job I had been working when my 9.6v died (all 3/4 inch cutting). I took the blade right off my 9.6v saw and attached it to the new 14.4v saw and it cut like butter. I finished the remaining six or so feet in a just a couple minutes. One noticeable difference between the 9.6v and 14.4v is the saw table guide. On the 9.6v I would draw the cut line and use double stick tape to temporarily affix my aluminum straight edge right on that line. The 9.6v saw table edge was precisely parallel to the blade cut, and so the straight edge guide went right on the cut line. Pretty nice! The 14.4v saw table has about a 1/4 inch offset from the blade, so that small luxury was no more - but it was enough for me to also get my 9.6v saw repaired (only $45 at the Makita repair shop). If I had to have only one saw, I would think about what I would use it most for. When I bought my 9.6v years back, I thought it would only be for thinner stock. Looking back, I used it often for 3/4 inch material - certainly more than it was truly designed for. If I was certain that the saw was just for laminate or nothing more than 3/8 inch material and cutting would be no more than 15 or 20 feet per job, I would recommend the 9.6v version. If you know that you will be routinely cutting stock thicker than 3/8 inch and or more than 20 feet per job, then don't even think about the 9.6v saw - the 14.4v is for you. They are both great saws and I have yet to find anything that makes the clean non splintering defined cut of this 3 3/8 inch blade. A real contractor tool Slow? Yes, if you compare it to a 120v circular saw, but that's not what this is. This is a must-have tool for trimming. It has a fine kerf blade that can make some clean cuts. Over the last month, I've used it on: - Laminate floor (don't even try using a power saw), and it made the finest, chip-free cuts for floor vents, around doorways, etc. - Siding. Yes, normally I'd use the circular saw, but when you're 20' in the air (2nd floor), and need to just take 1/4" off the siding to quick-fit around a window, if a power saw grabs when you're plunging, it could throw your balance off, and that's a long way to fall. Sure, this saw will kick if you hit something plunging, but it won't throw you. - Trim work. When I don't have the miter saw at the job site, and just need some quick clean cuts, this is the tool. Sometimes you want control, light weight, and clean cuts, not chew-up-the-board speed. To compliment your toolset, this is a must have. | |||||||||
