An online tool dealer that I regularly visit the first of each month has a LOAD of Dewalt, Makita, Delta, Freud & Porter Cable tools all 50% off in a year-end clearance sale and I have several tools picked out that I’d like to buy. One of those is Makita’s #5277NB 7-1/4″ hypoid saw at $129. I just read FHB’s latest review on these saws but the Makita one tested (#5377MG) was a newer model of these types of saws so I really cannot base an opinion on one model to another model even if it is by the same company.
Have any of you ever used or currently own Makita’s #5277NB saw and what have opinion do you have on it? FHB’s review said that the baseplate on the Makita model bent with a mild impact. Are the two Makita models made with the same type of metal in their baseplates I wonder?
Paul
Replies
That Makita's still my favorite saw. I have two, one 8, and one 15 years old, and also that Bosch version of the ubiquitous Skil saw. Only bad thing on the Makita is lack of a soft start - but I find it MUCH easier to steer than the Bosch/Skil, tho' not quite as powerful; 13 vs 15, IIRC.
To heck with the baseplate bending- ya' just stick it flat, crosswise, in a big vice and tweak the housing to align it.
You, uh, need to let us in on the website.
Forrest
The company is up here in Canada so it wouldn't be much good to you.
Paul
<The company is up here in Canada so it wouldn't be much good to you.>
You sayin' yer dollar's better'n our dollar?
Oh - wait . . .
Forrest - citizen of Rome before the fall
No I mean having to pay customs duty.
Paul
I have that saw, good tool. The rear pivot on the baseplate took some tightening when I got it, it was very loose, but not worth sending it back for. It does rock a little at start up.
I got mine for 80 bucks on amazon. I got it for that because it was suposed to come with a nice set of makita bags but they never showed up. Amazon credited me a certain %.Chris Webb
Chris' Handyman Service
Still want one of the bags? I have a brand new one. See them anywhere from $39-58 buy it now on ebay. Auctions running lower but who knows what final will be.
Bob
Thanks, but naw I didn't really need it i thought it would be a nice bonus, I just use my occy's.Chris Webb
Chris' Handyman Service
Know what you mean. I was afraid all my DW and Bosch stuff would go on strike if I wore it. I usually end up wearing my Occy lights.
I have one of those saws-It's an incredible tool. Good luck with it.
I picked up that saw a couple years ago when I think it was Amazon had them for $79. I was building a garage using fairly green hemlock.
I expected it to do a good job on this material because of the supposedly better torque. However, after a while I reverted to my PC saw, as it seemed to cut better and is lighter and easier to handle.
Might just have been the blade - didn't do a lot of experimenting along those lines, but assumed the blade they sent with it would be a reasonable choice.
Anyone got a favorite blade to use with this saw?
Don
I don't know about the blades that come with makitas... but the blade supplied with my skil 77 was a piece of ####. I made one cut with it and changed it out.
I have used the Bosch framing blade, I saw a demo where they cut through about 4 each 1/4" lags and the teeth looked fine and the cuts after were smooth. Based on that I trimmed some PT pine the other day that I had nailed up with Paslode acq rated nails and it yanked about three teeth out.
Edited 12/6/2007 7:47 pm ET by rasconc
Are you talking about the blue Bosch blade. If so that thing is trash.
I couldn't make a compound cut on valley rafters with that blade in my Bosch worm drive. It kept binding and burning. After about half a cut I threw it out.
It came free with the saw and now I see why. Less complaints if you give it away. LOL
Woods favorite carpenter
FKA- Stilletto
Edited 12/6/2007 7:30 pm ET by MattSwanger
They are the cb724ab and that was my experience. The blade had performed fine for me. Had not tried a coupound cut though. They are a pretty thin kerf blade.
I use a lot of Marathon blades because they are good for the price. My favorite I've used have been the Freud's.I'm now in a spot where I can test about 6 types of blades, so I'm hoping to get an idea of the offerings from Makita, Hitachi, ####, and Tenryu as well.
I have the 5277, it weighs 2# more than the newer one 537 which has a mag base. I think it is a decent saw, sometimes the depth adjustment is alittle sticky but I am sure a little attention (clean/lube) would help.
They do torque over a little on trigger pull but it is like a front wheel drive car wanting to go left on hard acceleration. Gyroscopic progression IIRC.
Give us the link, I am not sure all products from there would have duty. Or are you just trying to hog all the good deals?(;-)
Can you divulge the name of the supplier you mention? Not everyone who reads/posts is located in the lower 48.
Yeah!