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Product Reviews:
Makita 5094DWD 14.4-Volt NiMH 3-3/8-Inch Cordless Circular Saw |
Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: Outstanding tool with unique capabilities
Comments: I have owned this saw for 2-1/2 years, and have come to find its unique capabilities indispensable.
Having said that, I can understand why some people would have problems with this tool - it is not for eone. All battery powered tools must compromise between power, size and weight in order to achieve freedom from a 120V cord. This1is no different. It is a small, light tool. Its blade spins slower than other battery powered circular saws. Temper your expectations accordingly, expect it to cut at a relaxed rate, and you will be pleased with it's performance. Assume it should be able to cut as quickly as a saw weighing 3 times as much, and you will be disappointed.
I do a lot of woodwork and home renovation. I own many professional quality tools including a total of 4 circular saws.2are 120 volt models, and2are battery powered. The other battery saw is an 18 volt Bosch with 6-1/2" blade.
What I like about the 5094D saw:
o It is lighter and smaller by far than any other circular saw. I easily operate it in1hand and SAFELY make cuts in places where no other saw can go. Situations where it has been especially useful include working overhead, sometimes perched atop a high ladder; working in a cramped crawlspace; removing plywood and OSB sheathing material from the wall of a house, cutting trim and siding material.
o It's power to weight ratio, and perhaps more importantly power-to-saw-kerf ratio is far superior to almost all, if not all other battery powered saws. While my 18V Bosch sometimes stalls during heavy cuts, this little Makita has never, ever stalled. Like any circular saw, it will kick back if mishandled, however the result if much less forceful, and hence less dangerous which is important when working overhead or on a ladder.
o Low noise level. By far the quietest circular saw I own. No hearing protection is required when using this little saw (the only exception is that sometimes the material being cut may make a racket, however it does not happen often).
o Clean. Because the kerf is so tiny, this saw generates far less dust than any other power saw. The low speed of the blade ensures that little of it is blown into the air. I estimate more than ninety percent of the wood dust remains on the workpiece where it can be easily vacuumed or bushed away. When working inside a house this is the cleanest power saw I have, even cleaner than a jig saw or a miter saw connected to a dust collector.
o Battery life is great. You can do a lot of work with this tool before needing a recharge. Also, the NiMh batteries can be recharged at any time without harm and, if you are in a hurry, they can be partially recharged and used.
o Reasonable cutting capability. As mentioned previously, cutting occurs at a relaxed rate (although far quicker than you could do by hand). This saw will readily cross cut one-by boards such as 3/4" thick fir or pine. It also nicely cuts sheet greats. I have used it extensively on half inch thick OSB, as well as fir, pressure treated and Baltic birch plywood (Baltic birch is essentially solid hardwood). I have used it less often on thicker sheet greats however it certainly does cut 3/4" thick stock, although a bit more slowly than the half inch stuff. As with all circular saws, the underside cuts cleanly, with the only tear out on the top side (although the tiny kerf limits this to an acceptable level for almost all work - use masking tape or other methods if required).
o Tiny diameter blade makes it possible to plunge cut closer to the line than larger blades can. For example if you are cutting half inch thick sheathing a 7-1/4 inch blade will be 5/8" beyond the point that the 3-3/8 blade will be when you stop the cut. Sorry if this seems obscure - it is difficult to explain without a diagram - perhaps if sketching both diameters it will clarify things. Practically speaking, it means I can use this to make rough cut outs in sheathing or other material where I would normally need a different kind of saw (like a Rotozip, or jig saw).
What I do not like about this saw:
o While it is ruggedly built, and durable (like almost all other Makita tools), the baseplate is simply folded steel. It works, however a solid aluminum alloy baseplate ought to be standard in a saw of this price range. Also the pivot points are not quite as tight as I would like, so there is just a little slop when adjusting the base height or angle.
In summary, this is a rugged, useful tool. I know of no other circular saw that can compare to it in terms of size and weight. I use mine often, and would not be without it, especially for construction and installation work.
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Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: Trim saw
Comments: Ugly, however it does the job, and its light as a feather!! Great for cutting thinner trim however it has its limitations. Spins the blade fairly slowly however its quick enough to cut to a great finish. Seems to be variable torque that kicks in to maintain blade speed under any load. Plenty of battery life too and great for small or detail cutting. Perhaps a blade with just a few more teeth would have been a batter match for this saw, however the blades are so small, you probably couldnt fit a lot more teeth anyway!!
great for trim work only really. Not enough cut capacity for anything else. |
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: Best little saw ever!!!!
Comments: I purchased this saw for my big task of replacing 13 windows in my house!! I have 2 windows to go and this saw has worked PERFECT!! I would endorse it to anyone!! By the way I am quoting my husband I did not actually use the saw myself =) |
Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: Not Bad for the money!!
Comments: Yes, I read a lot of reviews on this saw and the cheaper1and glad I went with this one. Although not the high speed of larger ones, I have used mine on drywall, wood, molding and backer board and all with the stock blade so I can not complain. I really did not think it would do that well because you know you can not afford to purchase cheap tools and for $178 it was well worth it. Not many Mfg's make this size saw and it' s nice to have. Wish DeWalt would make one.. |
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: Unique
Comments: This is a cool little saw, handy and well designed for thin stock, and no1however Makita makes anything like it. Only wish it took the same 18V lithium batteries as my other Makita tools - they make way too many battery types. |
