Customer Reviews

Makita JR3050T 9 Amp Reciprocating Saw

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

 

 

I bought this saw because of the "Best Value" rating that it received in the November 2005 issue of Fine Homebuilding. I am very satisfied with it! I especially love the quick blade change system. I have nothing but good to say about Makita tools. I own an arsenal of them. They are, without exception, solid, dependable, comfortable, easy to use and very durable. I am hoping that the qaulity of Makita tools remains high. As long as it is, I will continue to purchase them.

Before any tool purchase, i always do my homework and research any potential purchase. So, when i was in the market for a recipro saw, Makita was right up there on my list. Makita's have good reviews on Amazon, among other places. So, their Reciprocating Saw seemed like a no-brainer for me. I already own a Makita double bevel sliding compound saw and am extremely impressed with the tool.

Amazon had one at my front door within record time (Kudo's Amazon!). Opened the box, plugged it in, and was happy for 5 minutes until i twisted the blade lock to "unlock" so i could insert the blade supplied by Makita. However, once in the "unlock" position, the locking component decided not to retract into the "locked" position. That's it. It wasn't moving. Surprised, after looking into it further, i decided it was smarter to get a replacement from Amazon then to tinker with the defective unit. When the replacement arrived, again, i opened the box and, to my surprise, (2 surprises now if your counting), the 2nd replacement had the same exact issue! The blade locking mechanism was already seized in the "unlock" position!!

I am both surprised and confused. Makita's a good, reliable name. I've read the reviews for the saw. My father has used Makita tools and recommended them to me. I own a of a beast miter saw made by Makita (which i love). What happened with Makita's Quality Contol process?! I would like to think it was a defect in the manufacturing process when Makita's made the batch and it won't happen again. However, it happen twice to me. Not a third time.

I am returning both initial and replacement saws and have already purchased a Milwaukee 12amp from the local HD. I had to put out a couple more dollars for the Milwaukee, but the Milwaukee has a 5 yr warranty, it's IS90000 certified, made in USA, and the blade lock component on the Milwaukee does what it's supposed to.

I'd like to forget this experience with Makita.

Like another reviewer, I bought this based on Fine Homebuilding's test of reciprocating saws. It's my first recip, thought I've borrowed others to use before. This has a nice heft to it, is very comfortable to hold and operate, and works like a champ. The day after it arrived I used it to tear through some walls so I could gain access to the attic space behind them, and then reframe the opening. It went through the studs a little slower than some other saws, and the blade is only just long enough to reach through ½" drywall and the wide edge of a 2x4, so I had to make a couple of recuts. If I did rough framing or renovation for a living, I think I'd go with Makita's top of the line saw, which got Fine Homebuilding's best rating. But for DIY home renos, this is exactly what you need, and a great value.

Great saw. I really like how easy it is to change blades. This tool works fine for around the house.

Reciprocating saws are awe-inspiring little toys. This on lives up to the Makita brand: solid like a rock, good grip, sturdy blade change mechanism, no nonsense control of speed, angle of attack and enough room to feel reasonably safe while working with it. This is a demolition tool, not intended for your fine cabinetry work; it will eat thru a steel pipe in 30 seconds and rip across a 2x4 in seconds (nails and all) whether you want it to or not.

I have been using Makita tools since 1982 when I purchased 2 of their grinders to use on my welding truck. I don't weld anymore but those grinders still function as well as ever. In 1985, I purchased a Makita Reciprocating Saw to use in my business as well and it functioned flawlessly for many years. I have recently found myself in need of a reciprocating saw to use for some home repair, but when I went over to my Dad's house to pick up my old Makita, discovered that someone had walked off with it. Dismayed, I go online to see what my choices are for a replacement. There are just a bewildering array of choices out there now. I considered the Milwaukee of course and Dewalt, even looked over some of the cheaper homeowner quality saws, but in the end decided to stick with what I know. I have not been disappointed. I was happy to find that even though this saw is now made in China, Makita is still apparently maintaining strict quality control over the manufacture of their products, unlike some of the other tool makers.

I almost passed on this saw after reading of the problems with the blade holder. I'm glad that I didn't. The blade holder assembly on mine works as intended and has not malfunctioned once. I rotate it until it locks in the open position, insert the blade and it snaps shut, locking the blade securely. Removal of the blade is just as quick and simple. I don't do demo work, so the lack of an orbital action was not a consideration for me. Power-wise, the 9 amp rating is more than sufficient for my use and I feel, gives me a more controllable, more accurate cut than I might have with some of the higher amp saws out there. It also saves me the hassle of dragging out my larger, heavier extension cords. The balance and feel of this saw is "just right" for me, much more so than with some of the other recip saws I have handled in the store. The double wall, blow molded case is a nice addition for a saw in this price range with room for holding plenty of blades.

I will only use this saw for work around the house, but if I were still working, would not be embarrassed to show up on the job-site with this saw.