Customer Reviews

Makita Bare-Tool BSS611Z 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 6-1/2-Inch Circular Saw

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I'm a big Makita fan, so this may be just a bit biased: I like this saw a lot. This saw is very similar to Makita's BSS610. The differences between the two are hard to find -- and Makita doesn't always tell you what the differences are. The 610 has three additional features that the 611 does not: a blade brake, a light and a better 45-50 degree adjustment. The 610 comes with a 24 tooth blade and the 611 with a 16 tooth blade; both blades are otherwise of similar quality. The price difference between the two on Amazon.com is about $55 (the 610 being more expensive) Both saws appear to have the same power, run time and handling -- either one is a great addition. (I opted for the BSS610 because of the blade brake.)

This is a great deal for the money if you already have the batteries and charger. This saw does not have the light which I miss and didn't come with a rip fence or a case; it's a light duty saw. If it's your only saw, you'll be sorry; it just doesn't have the torque of a corded saw and will choke in a slight bind while cutting plywood sheets or pressure treated 4x stock where the blade's burried; situations where even a homeowner corded saw will power through. If the blade is touching your work, the saw can't start. It just grunts coming up short of enough torque to start the cut. Anything but a perfect cutting angle in a perfectly straight cut will bind and stop the saw.
The trigger safety interlock is aggravating! I buy pro model corded saws to eliminate that dumb switch, but you need it in a battery saw if you store it with the battery installed; like everyone does. I have incredibly large hands and still find that trigger interlock a stretch to reach; ergonomically, it's in the wrong place for a comfortable grip. There is no charge level indication unless you put the battery on the charger; then you can only tell if it's > or < 80%.
All that said, I really do love the saw and find myself grabbing it first. The cut line on the table is dead on accurate; first saw I've ever had that was. It's light and fast and under normal conditions you can't outwork the batteries. I framed and sheathed two 48' gable ends and cut 2x4's and 5/8" plywood all day. I changed batteries twice and the battery was recharged well before the one in use died; I consider that completely acceptable run time.
I wouldn't expect to use it for long rips (straight or beveled) or for anything greater than 2x, but for anything short of full-on framing, I'll grab this saw out of my truck first; it's just awesome not to have to deal with cords and extension cords!

Got this in the mail two days ago. I intended on using until I got my DeWalt runnig again (Ipe and remodeling, is hard on chordless saws). Well I put it through the paces today w/ the Makita blade that came on it none the less. And it is now the main tool and the DeWalt is the back up. I can't wait till I get the Freud Diablo blade on it to see what it can really do! Easy to use rip fence, good eurognomics, smooth running and powerful. A great chordless saw. Won't replace the corded Bosch but it rocks!

I have been working in the trades for over 30 years and the 611 saw is one of the best cordless saws I have used. I don't review tools lightly and I don't give high marks unless they merit it. I found Handy Steves review to be truthful regardless if he actually owns the 610. I do have the 611 and speaking as someone who depend upon performance the 611 gives great performance and more. I got mine in a kit and was really surprised with how well it cut and how nice the cut was even with a 16 tooth blade. Would I buy a better blade yes but I can garentee I don't buy a saw for the blade comes with it,that would be foolish. I want a great saw I can always get the blade I want and will. With this saw I will need to buy many, because it is sure to outlive many blades. I have already ordered 2 other 611's for friends. The other differences, light, brake, or blower, DO NOT GOVERN the performance in cutting and opperation. They are convenience issues, some of which are unnecessary and dangerous. I have found that many bells and whistles are just one more thing to BREAK or one more thing to trust, then find fault if it stops or breaks down. ANY USE of ALL CUTTING TOOLS reguire careful and dilligent awareness when using and many safety features such as brakes make us rely on the feature when we really need to rely on our own brains and awareness, not features that break and fail, and then we pay and get hurt. All in all the 611 is worth every penny and a great tool to have in any box. Unless the 610 were to have more power or acuracy it isn't worth the extra 55-70 dollars. I think if Makita thought it that important they would not have made the 611. THAT would have been a real shame and THEN WE WOULD HAVE SOMETHING TO WHINE ABOUT.

Buyers should beware that there are two types of Makita Lithium-Ion batteries: compact LI batteries that are 1.5 Ah and LXT LI batteries that are 3.0 Ah. This saw uses the LXT battery. Both batteries use the same charger. LXT tools have a tab that prevents using the compact batteries. To make compact batteries (I purchased Makita LCT200W 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless 2-Piece Combo Kitthat used compact batteries) useable on LXT tools, the tab can be removed with a chisel and grinding point. The LXT tool will then work fine with the compact battery, but with only half the charge duration as the LXT battery. In my case, I saved the $80 cost of an LXT battery.

I have the Makita's BSS610 and I love it. I fast battery charger makes it so I always have power.

This unit spins up fast and cuts like the wind, just keep the batteries fresh or it will lose spin-power on you quick.

I found I could cut about 30-60 2x4s easily with a single 1.5 Amp battery. The 3.0 amp battery is nice, but the quick charger takes care of me with a pair of 1.5 amp batts.

After 30 years of using left handed circular saws, it is amazing how accurately I can cut with a right handed saw! I can see the blade without looking over the motor!

The motor is quiet, and the Makita blade works wonders - even though I have already stripped off some teeth cutting thru nails!

2x4's, 2x6s, 4x4s, plywood, they are all cut with precision. Does the blade bind when it's pinched? Yup, but my 10 amp multi horsepower handsaw binds in the same situation. So where is the difference?

The battery powered unit is light, easy to handle, amazingly accurate, and can go places (roof, crawl space, closet) that the other units were just too big and difficult for.

The battery runs long and works hard. I usually charge it during the day or swap it for a fresh one.

When a professional needs a tool that works as hard as he does, pick up a Makita!

I bought this saw as a lightweight alternative to my standard Skilsaw, which is great but weighs 14 lbs. I've been a carpenter for thirty-plus years and my arm gets tired of lifting a Skilsaw all day.
The Makita is half the weight and works beautifully for the projects I'm currently doing: trim, cabinet work, small- scale remodels. I would not use it for framing walls or other work on heavy lumber; but for lighter work it's perfect. The batteries last well enough that I can use it all day and recharge two or three times. Also great is not having to deal with a cord.
Highly recommended!

Another review complained that the battery didn't fit the saw. I had the same problem, but I discovered the answer. This saw requires a 3.0 Ah battery. Most of the Makita tools that come with an Ion battery are of the 1.5 Ah variety. They won't fit this saw! If you don't own the bigger battery, figure another $100 into your purchase. Too bad this info isn't listed in the product specs. I am returning the saw and keeping the drill I ordered at the same time.

I have been building a pergola in my backyard and I started to get a little frustrated in having to run the cords down to the work area and be restricted to cord area for cuts. I already had the Makita BHP454 Hammer-Drill and the 181 Reciprocal Saw, so I had plenty of batteries to use, so I shopped around and found Amazon to have the best price on this saw. When I first put it to work, it took some getting used to - it actually had much more torque and power than I was expecting and compared to the Ryobi and DeWalt models I've tried, it is much easier to control for smooth, accurate cuts. All of the 2x stock that I put through this saw was handled with ease, either cross, straight or bevel cut. I wouldn't put much more than 2x into this saw though, but it will work with a good blade on 4x stock taking it nice and slow through the cut. The battery life has been better than expected - I can work for a couple hours doing many cuts on 2x without worrying about the batteries going out on me. If you already have the Li-Ion batteries and the charger, you will probably already have one or two on stand-by ready to go so you never have to wait for a charge (and even if you do have to wait, they charge quickly in the 30 minute range).

For everything that I threw at this saw, it handled it all with ease. Even trickier cuts weren't a problem, but be aware that you really need at least a couple batteries and I highly recommend a better quality blade. The stock blade that comes with the saw isn't bad for standard cross cuts, but I was not happy with the bevel or straight cuts that it produced. I replaced it with a Freud Diablo 6 1/2 framing and finishing blades and it performed perfectly. I highly recommend this saw to anyone considering a cordless circular for mobility and maneuverability without sacrificing much in the way of cutting power.