Travis (ToolsbyDesign) let the cat out of the bag that there’s a new Makita sub-compact 18V brushless circular saw on the way, model XSH04ZB. There’s also an optional dust collector port, (HS7610/196520-1).
According to Travis, the new 6-1/2″ saw has a 2-1/4″ cut capacity at 0°, 5000 RPM motor, blade brake, aluminum shoe, and weighs a little more than 7-1/2 lbs when paired with a 5.0Ah battery pack.
Price: $179
Coming Soon(via Home Depot)
Compare(Makita 18V brushless 6-1/2″ circular saw via Home Depot)
Travis Collins/ToolsByDesign
This is now the 7th Makita sub-compact brushless tool that we’ve seen. Here are the others:
- Cordless drill preview post
- Rotary hammer preview post
- Reciprocating saw preview post
- Impact wrench preview post
- Impact driver (via Amazon)
- Hammer drill (via Amazon)
Makita now offers sub-compact 18V tools in all “core” varieties.
For the most part, I have been quite impressed by Makita’s sub-compact tools. The ones I’ve tried are mostly enjoyable to use, with some compromises. The drill’s clutch dial, for example, is a little cramped.
The first Makita 18V sub-compact tools closely resembled their 12V Max CXT tools, but that certainly isn’t true for this one.
Part of me is excited that Makita is further expanding their sub-compact 18V lineup, but part of me is concerned.
Circular saws are often large and bulky. They take up a lot of space in a drawer, tool bag, tool box, truck bed, or anywhere else it might be stored or transported. Circular saws in recent years have been getting bigger, not smaller, as brands increase their power and cutting capacity.
This new sub-compact saw certainly looks small.
But… while that’s beneficial for storing or carrying a circular saw, how will it play out when using the saw? To me, the saw looks a little cramped, but that’s hard to tell from a bunch of web images.
I’m more curious about the placement of the handles. Everything looks rotated and raised forward a little bit.
Interesting – this is a right-facing saw. Most 6-1/2″ saws face left, while 7-1/4″ saws often face right, mimicking cordless circular saw design trends.
Travis Collins/ToolsByDesign
From the imagery, it looks like Makita nixed the rafter hook, dramatically shrunk the size of the motor, rotated the battery connection, tightened everything else up a bit. Look at Travis’ photos to see what I mean.
Despite being compressed into a smaller-sized saw, the weight is approximately the same. Makita’s XSH03Z brushless saw weighs 7.3 lbs with battery pack, this one 7 lbs 9 oz (~7.56 lbs).
It will be interesting to see whether the new “sub-compact” circular saw will be as powerful, comfortable, and controllable as full-sized saws currently available.
Photos by Travis Collins (ToolsbyDesign), used with permission.
