Makita Circular Saws
Makita circular saws are for straight, fast cuts in sheet and timber when you cannot be messing about with blunt blades or wobbly guides.
When you are ripping down ply for a kitchen, trimming doors, or cutting roof timber on a tight programme, a Makita circular saw just gets on with it. Choose 18V LXT for day to day snagging and second fix, or step up to 36V for heavier ripping without dragging a lead about.
What Jobs Are Makita Circular Saws Best At?
- Ripping full sheets of ply, OSB, and MDF down to size on site when you need clean, repeatable cuts that do not wander.
- First fix and roofing cuts through carcassing timber, joists, and rafters where a Makita skill saw is quicker than setting up a chop saw for every mark.
- Trimming doors, worktops, and flooring packs with a straight edge when you need a tidy finish that will not fight you at handover.
- Day to day refurbs and maintenance where a Makita cordless circular saw saves you dragging leads through occupied areas and keeps you moving room to room.
- Batch cutting stud and sheet materials in tight spaces where a smaller 165mm Makita circular saw is easier to control than a big framed saw.
Choosing the Right Makita Circular Saw
Match the saw to what you cut most, not what looks biggest on paper, because the wrong size and power just slows you down.
1. 18V LXT vs 36V (Twin 18V)
If you are doing second fix, trimming, and general site cutting, a Makita 18V circular saw is the sensible grab and go option. If you are ripping thicker timber all day or cutting wet roof stock, go 36V Makita circular saw power so it does not bog down when you lean on it.
2. Blade size and depth of cut
A 165mm Makita circular saw covers most sheet work and common timber sizes without feeling bulky. If you regularly need deeper cuts, do not force it in two passes all the time, move up a size so you are not cooking blades and batteries.
3. Brushless vs brushed
If the saw is earning its keep five days a week, a Makita brushless circular saw is worth it for better runtime and less heat when you are cutting continuously. If it is an occasional van saw for odd jobs, brushed will still do the work, just expect shorter runtime under load.
4. Body only vs kit with battery and charger
If you are already on Makita LXT, buy the Makita circular saw 18V body only and put the money into decent blades. If you are starting fresh or your batteries are tired, a Makita circular saw with battery and charger stops you turning up to a cut list with nothing charged.
Makita Circular Saw FAQs
Should I buy a Makita circular saw 18V or a Makita 36V circular saw?
Go 18V Makita circular saw for general site cuts, sheet work, and day to day joinery where portability matters most. Step up to a Makita 36V saw if you are regularly ripping thicker timber or doing long runs, because it holds its speed better under load and feels less strained.
Is a Makita skill saw the same thing as a Makita circular saw?
Yes, on site most lads say Makita skill saw or Makita skillsaw meaning a handheld circular saw. The important bit is choosing the right blade size, power platform, and whether you want corded or Makita saw cordless.
Is a Makita brushless circular saw actually worth paying for?
If you are cutting all day, yes, a Makita circular saw brushless model is the one to buy because it runs cooler, gives better runtime, and does not feel as laboured in heavier cuts. If it is only for occasional trim work, brushed will cope, but you will notice batteries drop quicker when you push it.
Should I buy a Makita circular saw 18V with battery, or body only?
If you are already on Makita LXT, body only makes sense because you can use the batteries you have and spend the difference on proper blades. If you are new to the platform or you need guaranteed runtime, a Makita circular saw with battery and charger stops you turning up underpowered.
Is a Makita 165mm circular saw big enough for most site work?
For sheet materials and most timber you will cut day to day, yes, 165mm is a solid all rounder and easier to handle one handed when you need to. If you are regularly trying to max out depth on thicker stock, move up a size rather than forcing slow cuts that burn blades.
Will a Makita cordless circular saw keep up with a corded saw?
For most site cutting, yes, especially with decent batteries and a sharp blade, a Makita cordless saw will keep pace and saves loads of faff. For constant heavy ripping without breaks, corded still wins on uninterrupted power, so it depends whether you value freedom or nonstop runtime.
Who Uses Makita Circular Saws on Site?
- Chippies and joiners for first fix carcassing, roofing work, and ripping sheet goods all day without relying on a bench set-up.
- Kitchen and shopfit teams for trimming panels and scribing worktops with a guide rail or straight edge when the finish actually matters.
- Roofers and loft crews who want a Makita saw cordless option for cuts up the scaffold without running leads and tripping everyone up.
- Maintenance and facilities lads who keep an 18V Makita circular saw in the van for quick door bottoms, shelving, and patch repairs.
Circular Saw Accessories That Make the Cut Cleaner and Safer
The right add ons stop tear out, save rework, and keep your saw cutting straight instead of fighting you.
1. Quality blades for timber and sheet
A sharp, correct tooth count blade is the difference between a clean edge and a chipped mess on ply and MDF, and it stops you hammering the motor and batteries to get through a cut.
2. Guide rails or straight edge guides
If you are breaking down sheets, a guide keeps the cut dead straight and saves you measuring twice and still ending up with a wavy line you cannot hide with edging.
3. Dust extraction adaptors and vac hoses
Hooking a vac up keeps the cut line visible and stops filling a finished room with dust, which is the sort of thing that turns a quick trim into an hour of cleaning.
4. Spare batteries for cordless saws
Circular saws pull hard on batteries, so a spare set stops you getting caught halfway through a rip when you are on a roof or mid fit-out with no power point nearby.
Shop Makita Circular Saws at ITS
Whether you need a Makita corded circular saw for constant workshop cutting or a Makita cordless circular saw in 18V LXT or 36V for site work, we stock the full range in the sizes and set-ups trades actually buy. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery so you can get cutting without losing a day.
