If you have read many of these tool reviews, you'll notice many seem to be spec-fights between brands rather than real-life use reviews, I've learned from experience to ignore this stuff. In the end, what really counts, to me, is whether the company is still making reliable, heavy-duty tools in the type of tool I'm considering. I don't like to take stuff back, either.
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br /I bought this Makita cordless saw in reconditioned form, used it for many hard jobs, without breakdowns of any kind. If I had, I wouldn't hesitate to switch brands - instantly - but I don't change just for the sake of it, and I have seen what happens to tool 'guinea pigs' - I let someone else take the first plunge.
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br /This Makita has a 6 1/2-inch blade, a nice size for an 18-volt motor, large enough for much ordinary framing work, but small enough for trim work, precision cuts, and working in confined areas. The saw has the usual big Makita motor, great cooling, ball bearings, a well-made aluminum foot, and a quality blade. Out of laziness, I have used it on a few harder and repetitive cuts really calling for my Skilsaw and have been very impressed.
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br /I have given this Makita saw 4 stars instead of 5 only because it came with one Ni-Cad battery - the lack of a second battery limits its utility quite a bit for prolonged work. There are newer kits with Ni-MH batteries and chargers, of course. I simply bought another recon'd Makita 18v drill and got two new Ni-MH batteries in the bargain, which solved the problem nicely.
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br /I can't review Makita's warranty/repair service because I've never, ever needed it with any of their cordless drills or saws, which is about the best warranty any tool maker could provide. Isn't that what it's all about?
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I am a pretty picky critic and I found this saw to be amazing. I originally got the saw for those situations where a power outlet is not easily available. I was pleasantly surprised by the versatility of this little tool. This saw is so light, convenient, accurate, powerful, and reliable that I find it a joy to use. Now, with 2 NiMH batteries I seldom find the need to pull out the corded saw.
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br /I was moved to write this review after using this little saw together with a clamped down straight edge to cut a 1 3/4" solid core door up the middle lengthwise to create a couple heavy duty shelves. This little saw never bogged down and made a smooth clean cut with no chips or saw marks at all. I was amazed. What a pleasant tool to use. Adjusting the angle is easy and the plate and brackets are very solid. The fit and finish on the whole saw is very good.

I have the 14.4v version of this tool. It uses nearly all the same parts. I've trimmed 30 solid hardwood door frames made of 1.75" thick teak with the 14.4v circular saw using the same carbide blade that comes with this kit and it never flagged for a moment.
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br /I have an 18v Makita combo kit which includes practically every tool including the reciprocating saw. To be honest, the 18v line feels a bit heavy. Lithium might be my next Makita kit, to save weight on batteries.
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br /I have confidence in this whole line of tool though. Makita has done a good job. They feel good in the hand, the batteries are highest quality, the charger goes and goes and is versatile enough to charge all Makita batteries and they use better materials than most major American brands. If you open the case on their tools, you see beefier motors too.
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br /You can't go wrong but unless you need to cut more than 90 2x4s in one session, a second battery for a 14.4v set would do the same job as buying a longer lasting 18v. That's really the main difference, not the amount of power you bring to the job. This is a really high quality line.
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