Makita 5007MG Corded Circular Saw

Makita 5007MG Corded Circular Saw

I researched the Makita 5007MG more than any other power tool I owned before making my final purchasing decision. I was replacing a cheaper Craftsman 18v cordless and wanted something that I could use for an extended period of time.

Every homeowner needs a circular saw. You can cut almost anything you need for indoor or outdoor projects if you have a circular saw and a jig saw.

The best circular saws have magnesium shoes (the flat plate that guides the blade over the material) for their strength and light weight. Aluminum is also used for its light weight, however it can crack easily.

Steel shoes are common on less expensive saws, and have several downsides. First, they bend easily when you drop them (not that you should be in the habit of letting your power tools fall to the ground), which will cause your saw to cut poorly. Second, steel shoes have rolled edges, which can be a problem if you’re using a thin straightedge (such as a rafter square) to guide your cut. Makita sells this same 15.0 amp saw with a steel shoe for about $50 less, but for how long the typical person is going to own a name brand circular saw, the lighter weight, durability, and increased accuracy make the price difference worth it.

The balance and ergonomics of the Makita 5007MG felt better in my hands than the comparable DeWalt that I was considering. This is important to me, as I hate ruining good lumber by not being able to control the tool. Two built-in LED lights illuminate the cutting path for improved accuracy.

A 15.0 amp motor delivers 5,800 RPM, which is more than enough power and speed to cut a variety of wood without straining the motor. It does all of this and only weighs 10.6 pounds. My first experience with my new saw was cutting several 4″ x 4″ pressure-treated posts to make the posts for my raspberry and blackberry trellises. These posts were heavier than usual, indicating that they still had a high moisture content from the pressure treating process. Lumber that contains more moisture in the cells of the wood can be considerably harder to cut than wood that has been kiln-dried or otherwise aged.

Adjusting the depth of your cut and maintaining it cut after cut should not be difficult, but this is an area where cheaper saws fail. Makita’s gauges are accurate and very easy to adjust. Cutting capacity is 2.5″ at 90 degrees, 1.75″ at 45 degrees, and 1.375″ at 56 degrees, which is the maximum bevel angle that this saw can cut.

The included 24-tooth carbon-tipped saw blade is a quality general purpose framing blade that is ideal for the majority of lumber that the typical homeowner is going to cut. Some trim pieces and specialty woods that require a finer cut call for a blade with more teeth.

The heavy-duty carrying case is no afterthought. It’s made of thick blow-molded plastic and closes securely with the two oversized latches. There’s even a pocket inside the case to store and protect additional blades.

Makita’s warranty only lasts for one year, which is less than the DeWalt and Bosch saws that I was also considering. In reality, there is very little that can go wrong with a corded circular saw unless you abuse or neglect it. It’s one of those products that will have problems straight out of the gate that you’re going to know about immediately and will be covered by the warranty.