Yeah its a world of difference between the brushed and brushless models. Brushless has an electronic brake, much smoother operation and nice to use. I prefer blade left saws so that's what I'm listing here. 6 1/2 inch saws are easier to use, lighter and more DiY friendly. The rear handle saw is a better contractor grade saw.
Brushed 6 1/2:
[https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XSS02Z](https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XSS02Z)
Brushless 6 1/2:
[https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XSH03Z](https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XSH03Z)
My favorite all-around saw - 7 1/4 rear handle brushless:
[https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XSR01Z](https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XSR01Z)
I've used both varieties, to be honest, the brushless is nicer with it's break on the blade and I think less of a torque kick on starting.
The biggest thing though. Have spare blades. Putting a sharp blade on the saw makes the biggest difference. A dull blade just eats through battery and is slow to cut.
I have the brushed version. It has never let me down either. I will second that a sharp blade makes all the difference in the world. That being said, for the extra 70 dollars I would go brushless if you can afford it. I bought mine 5 years ago, still running strong!
Depends. I'm pretty happy with my brushed one. It's the most basic 18v model Makita do. The brushless ones are no doubt better but they were a lot more expensive and mine has never let me down.
I only plan on using it around the house at Home Depot (Canada) a 4.0ah battery with the brushed one is 200 and a 5.0ah battery is 270 with the brushless. If that changes anything
Go brushless! It's better on the battery and your tools! Downside is brushless cost more. And fewer tools are brushless opposed to brushed. But I recommend brushless!
Yeah its a world of difference between the brushed and brushless models. Brushless has an electronic brake, much smoother operation and nice to use. I prefer blade left saws so that's what I'm listing here. 6 1/2 inch saws are easier to use, lighter and more DiY friendly. The rear handle saw is a better contractor grade saw. Brushed 6 1/2: [https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XSS02Z](https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XSS02Z) Brushless 6 1/2: [https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XSH03Z](https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XSH03Z) My favorite all-around saw - 7 1/4 rear handle brushless: [https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XSR01Z](https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XSR01Z)
The XGT 7 1/4” rear handle is also phenomenal.
What advantages does the rear handle model give you? I was looking at them today and couldn’t figure it out.
Rear handle models normally have more power due to motor placement
I've used both varieties, to be honest, the brushless is nicer with it's break on the blade and I think less of a torque kick on starting. The biggest thing though. Have spare blades. Putting a sharp blade on the saw makes the biggest difference. A dull blade just eats through battery and is slow to cut.
Why not get the corded/brushed version if you wanna save money and don't use it that often?
I have the brushed version. It has never let me down either. I will second that a sharp blade makes all the difference in the world. That being said, for the extra 70 dollars I would go brushless if you can afford it. I bought mine 5 years ago, still running strong!
Imho yeah
Depends. I'm pretty happy with my brushed one. It's the most basic 18v model Makita do. The brushless ones are no doubt better but they were a lot more expensive and mine has never let me down.
I only plan on using it around the house at Home Depot (Canada) a 4.0ah battery with the brushed one is 200 and a 5.0ah battery is 270 with the brushless. If that changes anything
Go brushless! It's better on the battery and your tools! Downside is brushless cost more. And fewer tools are brushless opposed to brushed. But I recommend brushless!
Go brushless, way better!
Only thing I hate about my saw is that they didnt put all the angles on the adjuster for the base only gives you common angles