Pros, cons and what you should know before buying

A good table saw is a very useful tool if you need to cut large sheets of plywood, slabs of wood with sharp edges, or other rigid materials that are too large to fit on a table saw. You can always try cutting freehand with a regular circular saw, but even the most consistent woodworker will have a hard time keeping the saw perfectly straight along an 8-foot line. Table saws, also known as plunge saws, are a special type of circular saw. They are best for making plunge cuts down the center of a board if you need to cut a rectangular shape, and are designed to work in conjunction with straight metal rails that can be clamped or bolted to the material you are cutting to ensure you get a perfectly straight cut every time. So, if you are working on the type of DIY woodworking projects where you need to get a perfectly square, table saw-quality cut on a large sheet of wood, then a table saw is going to be your new best friend.

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Makita is considered one of the best power tool brands on the market. The company has a wide variety of products in its catalogue, including some plunge saws. However, they can be a significant investment, so you’ll want to make sure the one you choose will suit all your needs. To do this, it’s worth taking a look at the advantages, disadvantages, and whether they’re compatible with plunge saws from other brands.

One of the most important factors when choosing a power tool is making sure its performance metrics are up to par with your needs. Not all Makita plunge saws are the most powerful models on the market, but even the weakest of them are a big step up from most budget brands. These tools offer more than enough power to ensure you can make smooth cuts in any plywood or other laminated materials you can find without having to worry about binding, kickback, or chipping—as long as you’re working with a clean, sharp blade.

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There are several kits that combine these saws with different sized tracks and other accessories, but there appear to be only three models of the tool itself. There’s the 12-Amp Corded 6 ½-inch Plunge Saw, which has operating speeds between 2000 and 5200 RPM, the 18V (36V) LXT Brushless 6 ½-inch Plunge Circular Saw with speeds between 2500 and 6300 RPM, and the 40V Max XGT Brushless 6 ½-inch Plunge Circular Saw with speeds between 2500 and 4900 RPM.

Only the fastest of these models manages to match the 6,300 RPM you can get with Milwaukee’s plunge saw, but even the slowest of them easily beats Ryobi’s 4,300 RPM cordless saw.

Of course, another big factor that comes into play when you want to purchase a tool is price. While Makita tools have a reputation for solid performance and cutting-edge technology, they tend to be on the pricier side. It seems the company’s plunge saws are no different. The MSRP of the 18V X2 is $429, while the 12A corded and 40V Max cordless saws both cost $459—and that’s just for the tool. You’ll need a high-capacity Makita battery and charger for the cordless options if you don’t already have one, and those who want to use the plunge saw as a plunge saw will need to purchase an actual plunge saw.

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Makita sells a few kits that have different assortments of batteries, chargers, and accessories that you need to get started. You can get the 12-Amp corded saw and guide together for $557 (the same price as Milwaukee’s cordless kit), or you can get a similar kit for the cordless Makita 18V X2 for $727. You can also buy 55-inch guides separately for $98. Then there are the really large kits that include multiple guides, batteries, chargers, carrying cases, clamps, and other supplies. These come in various price ranges, going up to just under $1,000. This is more affordable than some high-end brands like Festool, but that doesn’t mean it’s cheap.

The good news is that even though these plunge saws cost quite a bit of money, you can be pretty sure that you are getting a quality product. All three of Makita’s different plunge saws have perfect five-star ratings on the Home Depot website. There are very few complaints in the customer reviews that emphasize the quality of the product itself. Most only had complaints about shipping or price. Customers are not alone in this assessment. Professional reviewers have had plenty of good things to say about these saws as well.

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Daily Woodworks conducted a one-year review of the 18V X2 where he talked about his experience with the saw and compared it to the high-end Festool TSC setup. “The cut quality on both saws is phenomenal. My cuts are buttery smooth and tear-free. It’s powerful, easy to use, accurate, and quality,” he said. “So, if you’re looking for a plunge saw setup, I can 100% recommend the Makita.”

Richard Kent of Pro Tool Reviews gave the corded model a weighted rating of 9.2 out of 10 in his review. “The only flaw I could find was the lack of a riving knife, which can lead to kickback if you’re not careful. Otherwise, it’s a solid tool in the field or shop.”

When you spend a lot of money on a tool, you want to make sure it will last a long time. Warranties can provide peace of mind in these situations. They allow you to put your tools through their paces with the assurance that you can easily repair or replace them if they wear out or break.

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Unfortunately, Makita’s warranty policy isn’t as generous as some of its competitors. Most tools only get one year of coverage, along with the 30-day satisfaction guarantee promised by Makita. This applies to the 12-amp corded plunge saw. Fortunately, the policy is a little better for the company’s battery-powered tools. “All Makita tools, batteries, chargers, and lithium-ion pneumatic nailers are warranted to be free from defects in workmanship and materials for a period of THREE YEARS from the date of original purchase,” the warranty states. This means you’ll get more coverage if you opt for either the 18V X2 cordless version or the 40V Max version. However, it’s worth noting that both warranties only cover damage due to factory defects. They don’t cover breakage due to wear and tear, environmental damage, or modifications.

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