Makita 18V Cordless Barrel Grip Jig Saw

[Mike Goetzke]

For cordless hand tools I’ve been a big Makita guy for many years. So when I saw the release of the subject saw I had to have one.

Last couple weeks I’ve had projects requiring the use of this saw. I love the saw but I hate the position of the lock/unlock and power buttons. Nice they put them on both sides of the saw but they are mounted way up front. This makes them hard if not impossible to reach and even harder to push in. I consider it close to unsafe to use. I noticed the 12V version of this saw has the buttons in easy reach position. Don’t know why they didn’t do this on the 18V.

Anyone else happen to have this saw and have any thoughts?

Thanks
Mike

 

[notenoughcash]

LXT came first, then they adressed the issues for the CXT verson, they may jut do a festool type slide switch if they bring a XGT out [wink]

 

[Crazyraceguy]

The only cordless Makita jigsaw I ever had was the top-handle version. I got one of the very first ones, when they hit the market in late '08- early '09? I waited all of that time from when I first got the LXT 5 piece set in '05, for a jigsaw that was actually a huge disappointment. It was handy because of being cordless, but it was insanely heavy, slow stroke, underpowered. I did use it (some) but many times I would get out the old faithful Bosch corded saw, which is what it was intended to mostly replace.
There was no barrel-grip version at the time and as I understand it, they have improved the other one quite a bit too.
Since then I have gone to the Festool Carvex barrel-grip (corded) and am quite happy with it.

I am not a fan of the "lock-unlock" button thing in the first place. The Makita compact routers have that too. Having to push 2 buttons every time I turn it on is annoying and I don't see the point of it?

 

[Mike Goetzke]

I have sooooo many Makita tools that I really like and this is the first disappointment. In all other respects this saw is great - slow start, light, vibration free,...

I've only had it since February and haven't used it much. Maybe I just need to give it more time?

Here is my 18V:

[attachimg=1]

and the 12V:

[attachimg=2]

 

[tony_sheehan]

I've  had the pretty much identical 14.4v version for a few years now. Yes, the positioning of the buttons is a slight pain in the neck but nothing I'd consider to be a major problem and I've never considered it as in any way dangerous. I rarely use a jigsaw but when the need arises, I always reach for the Makita in preference to my carvex.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Unless those buttons are on both sides (which I doubt)  [unsure] the left-handed user is ignored again.
Makita is not alone in this though, my OF1010 and OF1400 have the trigger lock in the way of a left hand.
At least the Carvex has the trigger on both sides

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Unless those buttons are on both sides (which I doubt)  [unsure] the left-handed user is ignored again.
Makita is not alone in this though, my OF1010 and OF1400 have the trigger lock in the way of a left hand.
At least the Carvex has the trigger on both sides

Buttons are on both sides.

 

[Fredbear]

Hi Mike,
I bought the same jigsaw earlier this year and agree with you that the buttons are a bit awkwardly placed. I have got used to it now so less of a problem and I prefer it over my older handle grip 18v. For me the biggest transition was adjusting to losing the trigger start