A very good saw with a nice, big table that runs smooth, BUT... spring the extra[money]for the next model up with the blade brake. I mistakenly assumed this model had one when I ordered it and I was wrong and I miss it badly. And what's the light for? You can't see it in anything less than dark conditions and should you be sawing in the dark? This is another superfluous marketing gimmick that drives the price up with no real benefit to the consumer. Too bad.

I finally got tired of the cheap-o homeowner saws that bog down, especially when cutting syn-board (synthetic board). My replacement choices came down to:
br /Milwaukee 6390-21 Tilt-Lok 15 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw
br /Porter-Cable 324MAG 15 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw with Blade Right
br /DEWALT DW368K Heavy Duty 7-1/4-Inch Lightweight Circular Saw Kit
br /Makita 5007FK 7-1/4-Inch 15 Amp Circular Saw with LED Light
br /In my opinion all of these saws meet the basic requirements of price versus quality.
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br /Working on a jobsite 40 hours a week has given me a pretty good idea of which tools can take a licking and keep on ticking. There are very few jobsites that you won't find a Makita saw, a Dewalt cordless drill, and a Porter Cable air compressor. One story falls are a common occurence and the new magnesium tools haven't done too well. These new tools look good and perform very well but the old heavy aluminum base plates have proven their toughness over the years. There's a reason that Makita circular saws are the most common saws on a jobsite; they're tough and dependable. This saw does come in a magnesium version, Makita 5007MG 7-1/4-Inch Magnesium Circular Saw 15 Amp, for anyone interested.
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br /Tools are a personal choice and there are a lot of circular saw choices. I chose this saw based on the need for a dependable and accurate saw. The little headlight may come in handy some day but this saw cuts syn-board like a hot knife through butter and that's true of wet pressure treated lumber as well. My only concern with this saw is the lack of a blade brake. If children are going to be around when using a circular saw I highly recommend a model with the blade brake feature, such as the Makita 5007MGA 7-1/4-Inch Magnesium Circular Saw with LED Lights and Electric Brake. Don't skimp on safety features where young children could get hurt, these saws continue to spin after you set them down.
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I used to use American tools like Sears Craftsman and Skill Saws for 20 years. The problem is that the motors are not well made. They last well, but they start up with a jerk which is not a great thing, you have to wait a second and let them calm down to use them. If you are in the middle of a board or piece of plywood then you have to try to hold them so they don't jerk a knoch out of the board. Also they are loud and noisy. I use a head set so the noise does not effect my thinking - consentration about what I am doing. This Makita has better winding on the motor and better brushes so is purrs to life and you don't have to worry about it jerking in your hand. It is also quite. It feels balanced and is simple to cut with, of course the blade you use is everything. The aluminum housing is great too, it is a snap to line up a cut and keep it lined up through the board. But this saw or the Bosche would be my pick. I am a contractor in Florida.

I am NY framer and my number 1 tool on the job is my circular saw. That saw doesn't stop from 7:30am until 4:00pm. I've owned a Bosch which I despised and even the DeWalt 369CSK which was a great saw just TOO MUCH PLASTIC. The Makita weighs a bit more but for the love of GOD, I've never used a more powerful saw. This thing rips through CCA like it was 1/4 inch plywood. BUY IT...YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED!!!

Got this new from Lowe's for 59.99 (they had a unadvertised sale). That put's it in 12 amp semi-cheapo saw land price wise. It has the power and smoothness that you will enjoy. Just ripped a bunch of Pressure Treated, and it was the smoothest cut I've ever had. Almost like I wasn't cutting anything at all. I cut 2x4', 5/4 decking, and 2x12x10's all were sliced through like they were soft butter. Not having the brake is something I missed. But since it was such a deal, I have learned to live without. I don't think the light is too "gimmicky". Yesterday it was starting to get dark as I was finishing up and that LED was the only reason I could see my pencil marks on the wet wood. Shop around I am sure that they can be had for the $60 I paid. The other reviewer is right, the saw does not jerk itself alive- definitely a plus. All in all a good saw that should last.

As a professional carpenter I have used and owned almost every saw out there. I never have cared too much for a brake on a 7 1/4 saw. This is a really tough saw that can handle contractor daily use. However from my experience the Milwaukee tilk lok lasts quite a bit longer before there are issues. The Makita seems to lose the trigger switch unexpectedly after a few hundred hours of use, then the blade guard gets weak and sticks next, Cleaning it good helps delay this.... But you should always have a second saw if you are a pro anyway and what I mention is under all day every day use. They will last plenty long trust me.
br /When I used to work for someone hourly before I started my own trim carpentry business I had a few jobs over the years and everyone I worked for or with had one of these.
br /I would reccomend it to anyone who has experience with a circular saw. It is a bit on the powerful side for someone with no experience in my opinion. The saw is powerful enough to produce a strong kickback.
br /Highly reccomended.
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I love this saw. I bought it from Home Depot for $90 plus tax (price matched Lowes plus 10%). It cuts like butter and it is so smooth. I wanted one with a brake, but nobody in my area carried one and I had to have it that day. I really don't miss the brake and it is one less thing to break, so it all worked out for the best. The Makita 5007 series is a great saw. I chose this saw over Porter Cable, Milwalkee, Bosh, Skil,Dewalt, etc. I am a big Makita fan (I have the 10" sliding miter saw as well). I highly recommend it!

GREAT PRICE AND A GREAT SAW....AS USUAL GOOD SERVICE FROM AMAZON. COM
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br /Roy

This is a great and smooth cutting saw. I love it and probably won't ever need to buy another one. The LED light is useless as others have mentioned, but I didn't expect it to be anything special. Highly recommended over other similar priced saws.

I have several Makita tools I use in my work and none have disappointed me; this circular saw is no exception. And I like the carrying case too.
br /Highly recommended ... go for it !!

This thing has passed the test. Mine is old enough that it doesn't have the light, but runs like it's brand new. The action is smooth and crisp. The ergonomics are perfectly figured out. The one (small) issue with it is that when you set it to 45 and then back to 90, there's the possibility that it goes a bit beyond the y-axis, so maybe 95 degrees. I just eyeball it flat, and done. I use my saw all the time and it's built lots of things. It's got the right weight and balance. My buddy got the newer magnesium model (which I wouldn't expect from him, he likes the classics) but he loves it, and I love mine. A bit more dangerous because it doesn't have the electric brake, but I like it free spinning, it just takes a bit more awareness. All in all, probably the only saw I'll ever own. I recommend the Freud Diablo blades, or the Makita black blades, whatever they're called. My Diablo blade has been through a lot, including some small nails, and is still satisfactory for finish work. I'm getting the black blade next because I remember it being really good.

this is the workhorse saw i've used for years.i couldn't kill the old one,just too lazy to put a switch in it.this one has been in service for a while now with no issues.i thought the L.E.D light was kinda gimmicky,but it's proven very handy.these 5007's outlive many blades.

I've had this saw a month or so now and I am impressed with it. It cuts great and the blade they send with it is very good. I'm remodeling our house doing pretty heavy construction and this saw has taken all I've thrown at it. I wish the front grip had some rubber on it for better hand hold but I'm adjusting.

Excellent saw. We have used this or simialr models for years. Rugged, durable--a real work horse!!

The Makita 5007FK is a true performer when it comes to circular saws! Nice, large aluminum base and powerful motor makes this saw a real winner for the home owner or contractor.

Have had this saw for about a month now and have only used it three times, but it does the job quite well. Well worth the money.

I bought the tool to use for removing my old kitchen floor.
br /To my surprise, I discovered five layers of flooring above the original
br /wood floor (felt-lenolium, plywood, vinyl, plywood, and vinyl). I guess
br /previous owners were lazy and didn't want the trouble of removing the
br /old flooring(s). This was the first time I used a circular saw, so I was
br /apprehensive. But as I continued to use it, I felt more comfortable with it.
br /I set the cutting depth at a 1/4 " since I didn't know what was below the
br /plywood/vinyl upper layer. The saw cut through the two layer nicely.
br /Sometimes it hit a screw in the inner layers and sparks would fly-
br /when this happened I stopped the saw and restarted in another spot.
br /The saw was very noisy so I used foam earplugs-it was nice not to hear
br /the annoying machine noise. I also didn't know that my project would
br /create so much saw dust that flew everywhere. I suggest sealing your
br /work area or room and using a good vacuum- I used a Rigid 5 horse power, wet +dry vac.
br /I liked using the circular saw so much that I decided to buy other
br /Makita tools for the kitchen renovation project. I have a 1/2" drill and a grinder. I also like using these tools.
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br /If you are a novice user of power tools I would suggest that you
br /read the manuals completely, ask any questions even ones
br /that you think are dumb- talk with skilled tradespersons, hardware
br /store workers, and buy or borrow from the library "how to books".
br /Make sure the electric cord is away from your cutting spot.
br /And take your time- do not rush the power tools.
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br /Do visit Home Depot or Lowe's or stores that have display models.
br /It's good to hold different tool brands so that you will know which one
br /feels comfortable and fits your hand better. I'm 5'2" and 100 pounds.
br /For me, the most comfortable tool was Makita.
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br /Good luck to all newbees like myself.
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