Makita Circular Saws

[Perry (News)]

After a recent unfortunate experience with a B&Q Performance Pro circular saw, I'm in need of a replacement. It'll mostly be used for typical home stuff - ripping sheets of plywood, chipboard, MDF, occasional lengths of 2x4 etc. but I'd like something that handles well and provides an accurate cut.

I don't want to pay the earth and buy something so over-the-top that it would be like driving a Ferrari to Tescos every day to pick up the shopping, but by the same token I don't want to get something too cheap and nasty (like the B&Q crap that managed to die after about 18 months of occasional light use), and I've settled on a budget of (approx) £100 inc delivery

I seem to be favouring the Makita 5704RK which I've managed to find on-line for just under £84 inc delivery (or the 5703RK if I can find it within budget), but thought that I'd just ask if there is any reason to avoid these models or if there's something better out there that I'm missing.

All advice gratefully received.

Perry

[dom]

Whilst many manufacturers also have a "budget" range, Makita don't. A common expression is "Mak don't make junk"

[Me]

I have had a couple of PP items and find that they do go wrong after occasional use but if you know a bit about repairing things it is usually something as easy as replacing a faulty set of brushes or repairing a loose or broken wire to the switch. I have been impressed with what you get for what it costs for PP tools but you have to realise that the build quality(assembly) is not going to be great. I would love a full set of top brand tools but can't justify having £1000+ worth of tools just sitting about for the odd job.

[rrh]

I have a 5704RK which is very solidly built and accurate. No extras or frills - even the carrying case is cheap flimsy plastic - but the tool itself is fine.

[Perry (News)]

On Mon, 16 Apr 2007 10:52:34 +0100, "Me" waxed lyrical about:

It was a bit worse than a simple wire fault, the motor decided to sh*t itself in the middle of cutting a short section of chipboard - bits of plastic flew out of the ventilation slots on the motor housing, the whole thing jammed solid, kicked hard in my hands and died. All this happened so fast that I didn't even have time to release the trigger. Bit frightening and a hell of an adrenaline rush. I had a quick look at the motor afterwards and it was a mess - looked as though one of the motor coils had burst open, don't know if this was cause or effect though.

When I got it I didn't want to spend too much as I wasn't sure how much I'd use a circular saw, but it's turned into another 'buy cheap, buy twice' experience. I've found that it's been useful enough that I'm willing to spend enough on the replacement to get something that will last

Perry

[John Rumm]

Well they do, its called Maktec and its orange ;-)

[John Rumm]

Most Makitas have a cast sole plate, which is very good - it helps the rigidity and accuracy greatly. You may want to have a look to see if any of the Hitachi ones fit your requirements as well. They I would say are equal in quality.

[Tony Bryer]

D and M Tools right here sell "Maktec by Makita". But "budget" in the sense of lower cost rather than PP prices admittedly.

[Lurch]

On Mon, 16 Apr 2007 10:15:59 GMT, "rrh" mused:

Same here. I've used mine heavily over the last few years for cutting worktops, flooring, sheet materials and it has had reasonable abuse. The case has even been known to be used as an ad-hoc workbench, trestle, step stool. Both are still fine and, AFAICT, are in the same condition bar a few scratches as the day they were bought.

[mark]

In message , "Perry (News)" writes

I love mine. :)

[Perry (News)]

Thanks for all the comments and advice, seems that most agreed that Makita is the way to go.

As it happens, on my way home from the station I pass a big old house that's being converted to flats and they were working late yesterday, so I thought I'd be a cheeky bugger and pop my head in to ask their opinion. One of the guys had a 5703 which he recommended highly, I had a quick fiddle and I liked the feel of it too. I've already had my hands on a 5704 and the 5703 felt a bit more comfortable.

So I've bitten the bullet and ordered a 5703RK, I found one at £111 inc delivery, slightly over the £100 I originally budgeted - but the only reason for setting a budget is so that you can be creative in finding excuses to blow it :-)

Thanks again

Perry