Customer Reviews

Bare-Tool Makita BCS550Z 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 5-3/8-Inch Metal Cutting Saw (Tool Only, No Battery)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Among many other tasks cutting stainless steel and various grades of aluminum stock, my current project includes cutting massive 5/8" thick solid plates of cast aluminum, each over four feet long and weighing in at over 100 lbs each. These plates must be cut to exact specs, then the final dimension achieved by trimming to +/- 1/164th inch tolerance for the whole length of the cut. I originally purchased this Makita saw for general cutting of lighter aluminum stock and, on lark, tried it on these big aluminum plates. This very demanding cutting task seemed, on the face of, absurd to consider trying with a cordless handtool given the sheer amount of metal to cut, its thickness, binding potential, and the need for accuracy. Though my saw had seen much other use (so the blade was not razor sharp), I was absolutely amazed that tiny little saw aggressively cut through these big aluminum plates as if they were made of brie cheese. I cut at a moderate rate, running the saw edge along a straight edge guide, such that it took me about 3-5 minutes to cleanly and accurately slice off a full length aluminum "plank" from one of the aluminum plates. This extremely demanding task required installing a freshly charged 3.0 Amp battery just before the cut was complete. The cut was so clean and straight that it looked almost as if it had been milled, with virtually no significant irregularities. My heavy-duty saw, previously serving to cut this big plates, had been completely outclassed: it was noisier, took three times longer due to binding and sticking of the blade, was exhausting to use, made four times as much metal chip waste, and could not duplicate the near-perfection of the cut achieved by the Makita. It has now been set aside, replaced by the "new guy" (the Makita BCS550). I have continued using the Makita cordless for my work on these aluminum plates (in addition to other far less demanding tasks). I also got rid of my wood circular saw that I use cut plastic plate material, plywood and other wood stock, since the metal-cutting saw really doesn't really care what cuts, within the hardness limits of the blade installed. The stock blade works great for everything, so I picked up a spare to have on hand. Do not hesitate to buy this saw for fast, efficient, convenient (cordless) cutting of stock, whatever that stock may be.I use it in conjunction with a 14" dry-cut metal-cutting cut-off saw, which is perfect for cutting things off squarely and precisely to length.

I recently purchased this little saw and have been glad I did. I'm an industrial mechanic and this saw has proven to be a job saver. It cuts steel without effort. The cuts are extremely clean and straight without the need for a fence or guide. It's lite weight and easy to handle. I highly recommend this tool.

First of all my tools are Makita ,saw is awsome light,easy to use. The (ONLY PROBLEM)is the blade is exclusive to Makita do to the arbor size 5/8 or 15mm. All others like Bosh,Dewalt are 10mm cost about $20.00 the Makita blade is $42.00 plus shipping and you have to order online. The other brands Bosh,Dewalt you can purchase at local hardware stores.

For anyone who frames steel studs this tool is a must have! This saw will cut 20g studs like butter!
this saw leaves a great clean cut and takes seconds to cut a stud. No more hand cramping with the tin snips.Bare-Tool Makita BCS550Z 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 5-3/8-Inch Metal Cutting Saw (Tool Only, No Battery)

Got this tool for a great price, it came with out a box or original packaging, not that it matters because that would just create more trash. Came new and works perfectly. Love this saw I used to have the older 18V metal saw with the Ni-Mh batteries that worked great too. The reason it got 4 stars is because Makita changed the metal collection system and it does not work as well as the older model. But it works just like its supposed to, cuts like butter, deburs the cut and has no sparks when cutting or dust. I would definitely recommend this tool to anyone doing light metal work, like angle iron, conduit, pipe, channel, and square tubing. Again I don't cut 1/2 steel with it, but I do cut 1/8 and 1/4 steel.

I bought this saw off Amazon, from one of the secondary vendors. My saw was at a great price. It arrived promptly, but in a USPS box shipped UPS, which is a no-no and a bit of a red flag to me. Further, it was not inside any Makita packaging. Again a red flag. The saw included a blade, and the blade and the saw looked unused.


The saw works much like their regular cordless saw. It has an LED light and a safety toggle. Based on my limited testing the saw cuts metal great. It cut smoothly through rebar & some 2" aluminum square tube cleanly. It is very easy to handle.

The only downside is I didn't realize that it doesn't support a bevel cut.

I also have a Dewalt cold cutting metal saw which is very nice, but a monster compared to the Makita. I see myself using the Makita whenever possible.

I'm a commercial glazier by trade and lately my job has included using and modifying steel components to secure aluminum claddings to a billion dollar hospital in So Cal. And because nothing ever fits or works like it's supposed to I found I needed to cut some steel. Look no further.

I've used this saw to cut up to 1/2" thick steel and it works well for that. Battery life is excellents, as usual with Makita, and the light on the saw keeps the cutting area illuminated.

Only flaw with the saw is the cutting guide is slightly offset and doesn;t line up with where the saw is actually cutting. I think it'd be an easy fix if Makita could handle it.

While it will not replace my portable bandsaw - or my 9 inch Evolution Metal-Cutting saw - it is a great lightweight alternative that finds use where its 6 pound weight and compact size make it a better alternative to the 33 pound Evolution saw. Cuts through mild steel with ease.

This was bought for doing electrical work cutting EMT when roughing-in houses. This saw cut 1/2" and 3/4" EMT nice and quick. I can practically throw out my hand hack saw. The size is smaller than a standard wood saw (smaller than Milwaukee metal cutting saw too)and fits in my tool bag nicely. Over all very happy with my purchase. Price is worth it for the time you will save using it. Haven't used it long enough to see how long the blade lasts though.

This saw is absolutely amazing. I bought this saw when I had some money burning a hole in my pocket. I didn't expect much from a battery powered saw for cutting metal. I expected it would cut some thinner sheet metal, however I was incredibly impressed when it cut 3" steel channel with ease. It cuts very clean, no sparks, leaves very little burr, and metal stays cold. Yes just like a cold cut saw, only handheld and cordless. I highly recommend this saw for anyone.