Makita launched a new XGT cordless circular saw, model GSH05, featuring a brushless motor and 6-1/2″ blade size.
They boast that it delivers “up to 40% faster cutting speed.”
The saw has features you would expect at its premium price point, such as a magnesium baseplate, blade guard, and blade cover, and electric motor brake.
Advertisement
The new Makita XGT cordless saw has a 2-1/4″ max cutting capacity (at 90°) and no-load speed of 5200 RPM.
Additional features include an LED light with preglow and afterglow, and AWS wireless vacuum auto-start compatibility (requires a 198901-5 transmitter module, sold separately).
- 6-1/2″ blade size
- 5/8″ arbor
- 2-1/4″ max cutting capacity at 90°
- 1-5/8″ max cutting capacity at 45°
- Bevel stops at 22.5°, 45°, 50°
- Lock-off button
- 11-3/4″ length
- Weighs 7.8 lbs with 4Ah battery
- LED worklight
- Rafter hook
- COO: Made in China (according to retail listings)
Makita says that the saw can make up to 290 cuts in 2×10 SPF lumber per 4Ah battery charge.
The Makita GSH05 circular saw is available in-tool-only (GSH05Z) and kit (GSH05M1) options. The kit comes with a charger, tool bag, 4Ah battery, dust nozzle, and 24T saw blade.
Price: $269 for the tool-only, $469 for the kit
ETA: Available Now
Discussion
Everything about the saw seems straightforward, except for the “up to 40% faster cutting speed” claim. Is this compared to Makita’s 18V brushless 6-1/2″ circular saw, or other cordless circular saw models?
Advertisement
The XGT GSH05 is a little faster (5200 vs 5000 RPM) and heavier (7.8 lbs vs 7.3 lbs) than Makita’s 18V 6-1/2″ circular saw, model XSH03. The speed difference doesn’t seem like a big deal, and the difference in weight could be on account of the larger form factor Li-ion battery the GSH05’s spec is based on.
Makita’s 18V model was announced in late-2014. It doesn’t look like the XGT model is very different, which isn’t a bad thing, as I don’t recall hearing many complaints about the 18V saw over the years. There could be some under-the-hood differences given the developments in brushless motors and power tool tech over the years.
The XGT model is a little more expensive than the 18V LXT saw, which retails for $239 (tool-only).
It’s good to see Makita expanding their XGT cordless power tool lineup, although I wish they’d pick up the pace.
Eliot Truelove
The 18v version of this saw is absolutely amazing, and I preferred it over the DeWalt 60v Flexvolt saw the other guy was using today. We were installing subfloor and we were doing certain cuts upstairs where the tongue and groove ply was being laid and other cuts downstairs where the 2x6s were, and the Flexvolt was downstairs.
The DeWalt had plenty power and was relatively smooth cutting, but the ergonomics and balance of the saw was off by my feel. I definitely was impressed with the power of the saw though, it seemed to be a newer model by my reckoning. I gotta give it to DeWalt, DeWalt knows saws, as their miter and Tables saws are what I see many other contractors use, even if they are mostly Milwaukee fanboys.
I can only imagine how awesome this XGT saw must be though with the increase in power. If it’s anything like what the reviews from other countries say it is, then it may be one of the tools to get me to add on some XGT tools. That may only happen if my XSH03 breaks or is stolen, and given Makitas reliability, its not going anywhere unless someone else makes it.
Lance
Agreed! The 18V model is an incredible little saw. I love the size, the weight and the ergonomics.
The only downfall is it can stall a little too easily if you bind the blade in a cut. It has good cutting power but if you pinch the blade it’s done.
If this 40V is the same saw with more torque it will be great.
It’s about time Makita released an updated 18V model too. I’m sure after this much time they could add some torque with a newer motor design, and maybe even get it ready for those new pouch cell packs they’re rumored to be developing. Fingers crossed.
blocky
This certainly does look like the XSH03 ported over to 40v.
There are many fine circ saws that, in use, I have to put in a little consideration for hand positioning, balance, feed rate, minding the blade guard, or which side of which notch in the shoe should align with my mark, but with the XSH03, it’s remarkable how little I ever think of it. Great saw.
I’ve eyed the hypoid saws as well, but for my use, I think they would only serve to make one arm longer than the other.
nomadjohn
40% faster cuts does seem like a lot but I would be willing to believe it is significantly more powerful than the LXT version. I own both systems and have used 18×2 and XGT versions of the same 7 1/4 sidewinder style saw and the XGT version was definitely more powerful (there are a handful of videos that compare these so you don’t have to take my word for it). There could be a few reasons for this including:
Advanced in the brushless motor technology as mentioned in the post
Batteries that can deliver more power (this is going to be especially true for LXT vs XGT tools)
Makita needing or wanting to justify the XGT system with more powerful tools
I’ll be the first to say that the Makita USA messaging around the future of LXT and XGT has been an unmitigated disaster, but I am personally glad to see more general purpose tools added to the XGT line because I see that line as being more forward looking and the one I am using the most.
Steve
For circular saws, I tend to like the smallest saw that will effectively do the job. Milwaukee has a 5 3/8″ metal cutting saw. I found a wood blade that fits it and it’s the perfect solution for long plywood cuts and such. Easy to control, light and powerful. Nothing wrong with a 7 1/4″, but I’m sure this Makita is a good solution as well. I don’t use a cirular saw for cross cuts in 2X materials (that’s what the miter saw is for), and I’m really a fan of these small circular saws…
TomD
That’s a really good idea – where did you find the blade? I have a metal cutting saw I’ve never used because I don’t cut metal but could always use another circ.
MM
I use the Diablo blades, both wood and metal cutting, in my 5 3/8s circ saw. I’ve bought them from Home Depot and from Amazon. I’m not sure if those are what Steve has used but they’ve worked well for me.
Steve
Yes, I got it off Amazon and it works well. Just make sure the arbor size is the same. Smaller saw is so much easier to use and feels much safer. Good luck!
Burdsal
Indeed! I had a 6-1/2″ saw a few years ago but am now using a 7-1/4″. I ABSOLUTELY miss the light weight while using, light weight while not using, control ability, lack of wrist pain/soreness at the end of the day (hey, I’m old.) Yes I’m glad I have the larger blade in certain situations, but for plywood/OSB/quick little things I very much muss (as you said) having the smallest saw that’ll do the job effectively, and it’s not like the extra 10 seconds that the 6-1/2″ (or your 5-3/8″) takes is a problem. For me lugging the 7-1/4″ around, picking it up over and over, positioning it, and controlling it when cutting 1/4″ off of the end of a 2×4 without letting the blade tilt at all cuz someone has the miter saw all set up and he’s making a million of the same cuts is a much larger PITA (or wrist in my case) that the extra 10 seconds a long cut takes. Geeze I’ve just convinced myself, I’m off to Amazon for a smaller saw lol.
TomD
I wish the FTC or someone would require that they footnote the “up to 40% faster” kind of language. I don’t even need it to be measured by some laboratory; I just want to know “is this compared to previous gen or compared to a dying hamster”.
Of course with saws you have a HUGE variation just on the blade used; I’ve had brand new Diablo blades cut like butter compared to new “store brand” blades.
A W
Up to 40% faster*
*than a dying hamster.
Thank you Tom. You made me laugh.
Burdsal
Hahahahaha
Big Richard
On their website they do footnote the claim with an asterisk. And what does that asterisk say?
*vs competition
lolz
John
Torque test Channel on youtube just recently had a circular saw test video with a bunch of brands, the Makita XGT GSH01Z (right blade saw) was impressive. I imagine this one will do well too. Makita makes good stuff. I am still on LXT and adding tools as needed and don’t see moving to XGT.
Burdsal
As am I. I still have a whole collection of LXT tools from the first couple of years they came out. Makita switched up their batteries at some point and the newer LXT batteries wouldn’t fit in the older LXT tools.
And actually they fit and work just fine, but you have to remove the little plastic tab from the tool’s battery slot on the left hand side of the slot (if the tool is upside-down and the slot face is facing the sky.) That tab had no function at all when the original line of LXT batteries came out. When the newer LXT batteries came out, they added a plastic ridge to the battery that would hit that tab and keep the battery from being inserted.
Planned obsolescence at its finest.
“Ha-ha, when their old batteries die, they’ll get new ones but they won’t fit, so they’ll have to buy new tools as well!”
Lance
I just bought a brand new 3.0 LXT battery today, I have three of them for use with my older tools. You can cut that plastic tab and use the newer bigger batteries with older tools, but I have chosen not to do that.
Bonnie
Looks like a good tool. Now they just need to get the rest of the line sorted.
eddie sky
Hi Stuart, I think this should be categorized as new tools?
(currently shows uncategorized…I had same oops on my web blog update…)
Stuart
Thank you! *fixed*
I had also forgotten the front page excerpt, but fixed that last night.
Harrison
Considering how fast and powerful the 7 1/4 XGT rear-handle saws are, (and how competitive the 6 1/2 LXT saws continue to be, even with old battery tech) I suspect this 6 1/2 XGT will be be an absolute weapon. 40% faster vs the 18v competition seems plausible.
If there is one thing Makita can be taken seriously on, it’s circular saws.
blocky
I share this sentiment. My XSS01 was over a decade old going strong when I passed it to a friend.
Used my XSH03 for a couple projects today. Still great. For me it’s the goldilocks.
This XGT looks pretty exciting. I could probably keep pace @ 40% faster, but that barely moves the needle on my productivity. If I rushed marking and assembly 40%, I’d have to buy 40% more material.
Julian Tracy
I’ve so often wished my 6.5” LXT was heavier and bulkier for no good reason. That – and it cuts so slow, I always wish it was faster.
Maybe next Makita can give us an XGT electrician’s screwdriver.