makita 5008mgx

[nico]

Thinking about building my own shed, porch and porch floor (the wood for the floor will be ipe (brazilian hardwood)
Do you guys think that I'm buying a good ( price \value ) circular saw? (see link below) or do you think this is overkill, OK, perfect, alternatives... ? any suggestions are welcome?
Regards
Nico
http://www.makita.com.sg/products_details.asp?id=1&prodID=10&itemID=143&typeID=2

 

[justinmcf]

hi nico.

that makita is a very good saw.
sturdy aluminium base plate.
it has an excellent electric brake.
l.e.d. light.
and a dust blower!
great features to have on a saw and well worth the money.
this saw is great for ripping and rough cross cuts.

if you want a fine finish during cross cutting...
i would also recommend the makita mitre saw, LS 1040, which is also known as a chop saw/ drop saw.
it will be very useful for cutting timber to length as it cuts a perfect 90 degree cut every time. it is also very useful for cutting flooring to length.

with these 2 saws in your tool kit, theres not much you wont be able to do.

regards, justin.

 

[mwhafner]

It is pretty hard to beat a Makita circ saw, IMHO.  My daily users for rough work (framing, etc) are both 20 years old and still going strong (Makita 5007NBK and Skil 77).  Given the choice, I reach for the Makita every time. 

 

[nico]

Mwhanfner, Justinmcf,
thank you for the reply's,  so I made up my mind , it will be a Makita but would you buy one with a 8-1/4 blade or one with a 7-1/4 blade ( the 5007 model)

regards,
Nico

 

[justinmcf]

hi nico.
i recommend the 7 1/4 inch blade for every day general use.
yes its nice to have the extra cutting capacity but lets be honest here.
all you will be cutting/ripping is 2 - 2 1/2 inch maximum.

personally i prefer my 6 1/4 inch protool saw because it is so light.

regards, justin.

 

[nico]

OK justinmcf  [smile]
you have got a point ...
than I've got to make my homework all over ...
Just that my local hardware store is doing this weekend a promotion on this saw (get an extra blade for free) and 10% discount ...
But weight is important ....

so, how heavy is your protool ;-)
regards
Nico

 

[justinmcf]

theres not much weight difference between a 6 1/4, 7 1/4 and 8 1/4 saw.
if you are getting discount on the saw you posted a link to, its a no brainer. buy that saw!
the features on that saw are awesome.
we can only hope festool and protool will have these great features such as l.e.d. lights and dust blowers in the future.

the protool is cool because i can use it with the festool guide rails.
but i am sure it is not available in the u.s.
and its 240 volt.

regards, justin.

 

[nico]

But I'm not from Belgium / Europe