Makita has come out with a new 18V brushless cordless circular saw. Model DHS680 will be launching internationally, and a similar model, XSH03M, has been announced for the USA market.
Details below pertain to the international model, as Makita USA has not released any official details or specifications yet. All they announced thus far is that an 18V brushless circular saw with automatic speed control technology will be released in early 2015.
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The new saw features a 6.5″ blade size, an automatic speed control that adjusts cutting speed depending on the load, a built-in LED battery fuel gauge, a diecast magnesium baseplate, a built-in dust blower, a hanging hook, and dual LED worklights.
Need more cutting capacity? Check out the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 7-1/4″ saw!
Makita says that not only is their new brushless circular smaller than the predecessor model, it’s a little lighter too. The new saw is 160mm (6.3″) at its widest point, and it weighs 3.3 kg (7.3 lbs).
Optional accessories will include a dust collector nozzle, and a guide rail adapter for use with Makita’s track saw guide rails.
Surprising, Makita documentation says that the new brushless circular saw can be used with any of the brands’ 18V Li-ion battery packs – including their compact 1.5Ah and 2.0Ah battery packs. Again, this refers to the international model – the USA model might be different.
Specifications
- 6.5″ blade size
- 2-1/4″ max 90° cutting capacity
- 1-5/8″ max 45° cutting capacity
- 50° max bevel
- 5,000 RPM no-load speed
USA Availability: Early 2015
More Info(PDF via Makita)
First Thoughts
This is not the first brushless-powered cordless circular saw to hit the market, but it’s a nonetheless a welcome development. Currently, Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel 6.5″ saw and full-size M18 Fuel 7-1/4″ saw are the only brushless cordless circular saws available here. Internationally, there’s also the Festool TSC 55 cordless brushless tracksaw.
Just because this looks like a tool Makita might – and should – release in the USA, doesn’t mean they’re going to. They came out with a super-slim impact driver internationally many months ago, and it hasn’t even been announced for release in the USA.
Update: Eventual USA release has been comfirmed.
Brushless motors are more efficient than brushed motors, which typically means the potential for greater runtime or power, and reduced maintenance. Often manufacturers seek a balance between greater runtime and improved tool performance, which is probably what Makita did here.
Overall, the DHS680/XSH03 looks like it could be a competitive new addition to the cordless circular saw market.
jay k. says
Still waitn on that fuel m12 circular…
Larson says
I hope that with all the grinders, saws, etc that have been coming out it pushes all the brand to keep pushing these tool launches. Sadly I doubt there will ever be anything like this in the 18v Dewalt line just 20v
Dan says
5ah batteries are finally available here in the UK, I have been refraining from buying new stuff for a while as I wanted to wait for them, this looks like its going to great saw though.
neremodeling says
Great find! Makita, PLEASE bring this to the US
I love the idea of the guide rail base and optional vacuum attachment. also its about time there is a rafter hook on one of their cordless saws
James says
I could agree more about the rafter hook. It’s vital!
Tim K says
Oh makita, after 11 tools I am making the jump to milwaukee. I wont buy anything any more unless it is brushless. makita is way to slow to release brushless tools. Then when they do, they dont even release them here. The cordless holehawg is what milwaukee has that made me do it.
Jim says
Makita also the HS471. This is also a 18V LXT series Brushless Circular Saw with some unique features.
The saw’s configuration is taller. It has a smaller, 125mm blade, but because of the smaller motor diameter and transmission, it still has a decent depth of cut, 47mm or 1.85″, enough for 2-by-x material.
But, most interesting is the automatic transmission and multimode. It senses the material being cut. For thin, softer material, it uses a higher RPM. When sensing a thick, denser material, it shifts into a lower gear with less RPM and greater torque.
Regarding the comments about products not being released in the US. This should not be confused with not available to people in the US. I live in the US but have several Makita 18V LXT products that I purchased before their US release. Some got released here, and are within the 3-year warranty period. Others, still have not.
In the US we are spoiled to buy from within our borders. People overseas often have availability (or cost) constraints and purchase items from overseas. To whine or complain about waiting is rather unfounded. You can get it. The Makita bare tool products can be purchased globally and used. And, Japan and Canada can supply electrical products that will work just fine (Japan is 100V AC, but their products are designed to work in the US without modification).
You must also remember, Makita is a Japanese company. Their home market is Japan, just like Milwaukee’s home market is the US. Most companies release products first into their home market. US companies are no different, just ask the foreign buyers about the product availability of Milwaukee,Dewalt tools or Harley Davidson models (just a very short list).
Finally, according to their winter 2014 Japanese Catalog, Makita 18V LXT lineup in Japan consist of 92 diffrenet tools. (there are some additional tools, like the coffee maker and helmet fan that have not been released in Japan). This included a Brushless jigsaw both in the D-handle JV142D and barrle grip JV182D configurations.
Dominic van Lievenoogen says
The brushless Jig saws have been available in belgium for a few weeks now.
As powerfull as corded without a doubt. Also a ‘Soft no load’ feature. Without pressure on the saw blade the tool has a slow speed thus reducing vibration and noise. And when u push the blade into the material and it feels the pressure then it speeds up in a millisec to the speed you have dialled in .
The smaller HS471 brushless circ saw has only been released in Japan as far as i know =)
Brushless Angle Grinder should have a March release in Belgium. Brushless Recipro saw has also been acknowledged by the Belgium Makita director in our store =)
Jim says
Dominic
I did not realize Mskita had such an extensive offering in Belgium. I will have a to schedule a visit. Live on Avenue Louise in Brussels several years ago. Loved it. My favorite bar was the Delirium Tremens Cafe. Guinness world record holder for Largest beer selection in the world. Directly across from the Jacqueline Pis. Always have a fridge full of Belgisn beers and, of course, their respective beer glass.
Which remind me. It is 5:10pm now. Perfect time for a Belgian beer. Cheers.
Dominic van Lievenoogen says
Yeah we are spoiler by makita in belgium 🙂 they have been market leader for soms years here so i suppose they want to keep their position by feeding us the goodies fast 😀
That café is indeed well known in belgium 🙂 beer and power tools !
Jeroen says
Hi Dominic, do you have any news on Belgium release for the DHS680? I cannot find it anywhere mentioned.
Thanks.
Jeroen
Cody says
The makita HS471 looks identical to hitachi C18dbl brushless circular saw that’s already available in Japan and in Australia.
Cody says
The hitachi c18dbl also speeds up the rpms on the blade when cutting though thicker material.
Jon says
Well. Agree that the rafter hook is awesome. I have gone through a couple of Makita cordless saws and am about ready for another one. But don’t know if I will buy any more Makita cordless tools until they fix the issue with their batteries!
I go through the batteries way too fast. For anyone who doesn’t know, if the internal circuit board draws power from a single battery cell. This sometimes causes the battery to read defective on the charger. Once it reads defective 3 times, the battery is locked out by the circuitry and can never be charged again. What good are the tools if the batteries keep dying?
I will give it some time to see if any changes are on the horizon to protect my investment in the platform, but anticipate switching to Milwaukee.
Thomas says
I haven’t had many issues at all with Makita batteries. I have had some for over 5 years.
Dominic van Lievenoogen says
Take care of your batteries and they’ll last a long time 🙂
Dominic van Lievenoogen says
In all honesty it’s because you keep deep discharging your batteries. When you start noticing that the batteries are almost dead you should stop and switch battery instead of working it till it’s dead.
The newer 4.0 amps and the 5.0 amp batteries have a protection that kicks in right before you start deep discharging them. So a build in protection for people that don’t use their batteries correctly.
NERemodeling says
Great news, this saw is planned for a November 2015 launch in the US!!
Brandon says
Where did you get that release date?
Brandon says
Any info on whether this DHS680 is the same as the XSH03M/Z listed here by makita?
http://www.makitatools.com/en-us/Modules/Company/PressReleases.aspx?ID=312719
I assume it’s the US version? Supposed to launch this month.
Stuart says
It looks to be the same, although Makita hasn’t released a lick of information for the XSH03M or XSH03Z. All they said is that it’s a brushless 6.5″ saw with automatic speed control and a January 2015 release date. No additional details have been produced.
Brandon says
http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?Name=XSH03M
http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?Name=XSH03Z
Listed on their site now, still can’t find them for sale anywhere yet.
DAVID says
I can’t wait for someone to sell me one of these things.
Parker says
It looks like it’s on ebay now from bishoptools. http://www.ebay.com/itm/181669038124
Brandon says
http://www.performancetoolcenter.com/makita-xsh03z-18v-lxt-5-0-ah-cordless-lithium-ion-6-1-2-in-brushless-circular-saw-tool-only/
http://www.performancetoolcenter.com/makita-xsh03m-18v-lxt-5-0-ah-cordless-lithium-ion-6-1-2-in-brushless-circular-saw-kit/
I’d possibly opt for the kit in this case, even though I have 3 x 3ah batteries, the 2 4ah batteries would be really nice to have, especially for a saw.
I believe their item title is off, I don’t think the kit comes with 5ah batteries, would be nice if it did though.
Parker says
It would be nice to have it in a kit and you are correct about the title being wrong. The “M” at the end of the Makita kits means that it will come with 4.0ah batteries and not 5.0ah batteries. But at the kit price of $420 it is still cheaper to buy the saw, batteries and charger separately from bishoptools on ebay but it looks like he doesn’t sell the bag.
Coomar Ragoo says
In Mauritius which one should I use, the model Makita XSH03 or the model Makita DHS680.
I already ordered the XSH03 and I get confused when I learnt that it is for USA market.
Thanks
Coomar Ragoo