Kevin covered Makita’s hypoid 7 1/4″ circular saw back in June, but there’s another feature in the range worth noting. That model, the 5477NB, has the same internals as the 5377MG pictured above, so you get the 15A motor, carbide-tipped blade, 2 3/8″ cut depth at 90°, and wear-resistant hypoid gears, but they’re contained in a magnesium casing. The result is a weight drop from 13.9 pounds to 13.0 pounds, and Makita claims the balance is improved as well.

Street prices seem to have gone up since the original post; both are hovering within a few bucks of the $147 mark on Amazon with surprisingly few cheaper sources, according to Google’s product search.

If the 5377MG isn’t exactly what you’re after, but you like the magnesium casing, there are several other similar models available. The range-topper features an 8 1/4″ blade, electric brake, and work light built in, and there are four different 7 1/4″ offerings with various feature combinations.

Makita 5377MG Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Makita 5377MG [Google Products]
Makita Magnesium Circular Saws [Makita] (Note: PN 5007NHK, listed in the search results, does not have a magnesium casing)

If you need to recess a large bolt when building a deck or other outdoor project, it’s usually a two-step process. This is okay if you only have to hide a few bolts, but if you have to recess a ton of bolts it’d be easier to slide Makita’s counter bore over one of their industrial ship auger bits and do it in one step.

Slip the counter bore over an auger bit with a 5/8″ diameter shaft, tighten the set screw, and you’re set to hog out a 2-1/2″ hole for recessing the bolt in addition to the through-hole. You can pay anywhere between $45 and $80 for Makita’s slip-on counter bore.

Counter Bore Collar [Makita]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

The sub-compact 3/8” drill market must be a place where Bosch and the few others were making a killing last year, because almost all the heavy hitters are rolling out with them this year — and Makita is no exception. The DF330DW should look very familiar to anyone that’s been scoping other models of the same class.

Makita says the new driver sports a 2-speed transmission 0-350rpm in low and 0-1,300rpm in high and will put 200 in.lbs. of grunt down when called for. Sound familiar? It should; most of the other high-end units are claiming 200 plus in. lbs. and have a two-gear system in their 10.8v/12v Li-Ion lineup as well. Just from numbers alone it looks like Milwaukee and Bosch will have it beat in the raw power department, but perhaps the included drill holster will put the unit over the top in sales.

Personally I’d love to see a low-slung John Wayne edition holster for the new rig, but I’m sure it’s more of a tactical speed holster type of affair. Then again, the whole question of holster style might be rendered moot the first time someone bends over and manages to stab themselves with a 3/8” boring bit that’s tucked into the new chuck. Either way, it looks like an interesting year for the sub-compact.

Street pricing for drill, battery, and charger kit starts at around $140.

10.8V Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless 3/8″ Driver-Drill Kit  [Makita]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

This new 7-1/4″ saw from Makita looks very similar to their other circular saw offerings, and to most other brands on the market, too.  But it hides its special feature on the inside — a hypoid gear drive.

A hypoid gear drive is similar in design to the worm gear drive found on most other circular saws, but they differ in a couple of ways.  The hypoid drive runs on a heat-treated finer-toothed gear, increasing the surface contact ratio and allowing for better power transfer and a cooler drive system. The hypoid gear is also sealed and factory lubricated, where a worm gear drive requires periodic oiling for maintenance.  Makita claims that because of these two factors their saw cuts thicker and lasts longer than the competition.

Aside from the hypoid gear drive, this saw sports all the usual specs you’d expect from a Makita product: 15A motor, 2-3/8″ cutting capacity at 90 degrees, push-button spindle lock, heavy-duty aluminum base plate, externally serviceable brushes, and a 24T thin-kerf carbide-tipped blade.

Street pricing is around $120.

7-1/4″ Hypoid Saw [Makita]
Street Pricing [Google]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

If you’re in the market for a high-quality drill/driver, Amazon is selling this factory-reconditioned Makita 18V compact lithium ion drill/driver kit for $138 — it would usually run you around $200 new. The kit includes the drill/driver, two batteries, a 15-minute charger, and carrying case.

Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Street Pricing [Google]

Amazon is selling this Makita 5″ Turbo Rim diamond saw blade, used for cutting masonry, for $10 — a low price on a normally expensive blade!

Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Street Pricing [Google]

Makita’s compact driver set includes a two-speed drill driver, an impact driver, two lithium-ion batteries, and a 50-minute charger, all packed in a hard case.  The impact driver can deliver 800 inch-pounds of torque at up to 3,000 impacts per minute, and the two-speed drill driver spins up to 350 RPM at the lower speed setting and up to 1,300 RPM on the higher speed setting.

I tried these out at my local Home Depot with good results. The coolest thing:  After you release the trigger on these, the built-in LED stays on for a few more seconds.

I’d just picked up the Bosch PS-20 and PS-40 set, but if I’d known about this deal I would’ve held out. Performance on both units seemed comparable to the Bosch units, but after about five minutes the HD folks started giving me weird looks, so I had to stop in the middle of my long-term endurance testing.

They were priced at $129 in the Ohio Home Depots — average street pricing is around $155.

LCT203W [Makita]
Street Pricing [Google]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

Tool King is selling this factory-reconditioned Makita 8.3A, 3/4″ hex demolition hammer for only $200.  It weighs 11 pounds, bashes away at 2,900 BPM, and comes with a case — not a bad tool if you’re starting on a demo job.

A demolition hammer will treat your body a lot better than a sledgehammer will, and it’s quicker, too.  Of course, reconditioned tools can be iffy, but they usually hold up as well as new ones.  Check the warranty details first, though.

Reconditioned Makita Demolition Hammer [Tool King]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

We don’t get around to cutting much stone or masonry around the Toolmonger shop, but these Turbo Rim diamond blades interest us.  Makita says their slick, no-segment design provides constant contact with material and delivers a smoother finish than segmented blades.

It’s hard to believe that such a small change as a solid rim can make such a big improvement, but we’ve seen them tucked into quite a few stone and masonry saws on jobsites where hardcore cutting is going down. We’ve talked to guys who swear by them — and others who just shrug and say their segmented blades have always worked fine.

What do you think? Are these smooth operators already entrenched as the best way to go?  Or do all the blades cut about the same, as long as the heat’s whisked away? Let us know in comments.

Turbo Rim Masonry Blades [Makita]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What's This?]

In the Tool Talk Podcast #38, a caller asked about replacing the chuck on his Skil hammer drill. Though Chuck and Sean weren’t able to answer his questions on the spot, I found some answers at eReplacementParts.com, which boasts the Internet’s largest selection of power tool diagrams and replacement parts . By looking at a diagram on their site, I found that the chuck in question is standard-thread and removable. Also, before you can remove the chuck, you have to remove a securing screw that goes down the middle of the barrel.

I also turned to eReplacementParts to help out a buddy of mine who owns a granite countertop shop — he was throwing away high-end Makita grinders every month because they were wearing out after long periods of use. I told him to save the next ones for me to look at before throwing them away. After opening one up, I quickly found that the bearing casings were breaking apart, causing the grinder to shake violently.

So I went to eReplacementParts.com, entered the model number, found the part, and ordered ten new bearings, which arrived in a timely manner. With a little work and a trip to the auto parts store to buy compression-ring pliers, I installed the new bearings and put the three grinders back together. Now they purr like new — and the six dollar bearings were a lot cheaper than buying new $130-plus Makita variable speed grinders.

Next time you have a power tool breakdown, try fixing it. It’s fun, and you’ll learn a lot and save some serious money in the process.

eReplacementParts.com [Corporate Site]

The AVT in Makita’s AVT line of tools stands for Anti-Vibration Technology. The AVT tools work on the same principle as a boxer engine in a motorcycle: a mechanism inside the tool propels a counterweight that balances the force of the tool’s stroke. In addition to giving the user a much smoother experience, the technology also increases the efficiency of the tool, because it isn’t jolted all around while it’s cutting or pounding or whatever. Toolmonger has featured the AVT jackhammer — and of course, we’d all love to use a jackhammer at least once. But now the AVT technology is also available in a tool your average Toolmonger can get some use out of, a recip saw.

In addition to smoother cutting, the saw features tool-less blade and shoe adjustment; a clutch that’ll cut power to the gears should the blade become stuck; and a variable speed control. A 15A motor powers the saw, which has a cutting stroke of 1-1/4″.

If you want to get a look at Makita’s AVT line, their website features an explanation of the technology and a video of the difference between AVT and non-AVT tools. If you want get your hands on the smooth-operating saw, the average street price is $160.

AVT Saw [Makita]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?] (B0009OR92E) [What's This?]

When I’m doing heavy grinding, I hate having to stop and change over to a flap wheel for the finishing work, so this is the perfect deal for me. Home Depot’s offering a two-pack of Makita 4-1/2″ grinders for $80. Most comparable grinders cost $80 for just one, so when I spotted this combo package while wandering through Home Depot’s tool corral, I couldn’t pass it up. But it’s in-store only, so keep your eye out!

Makita Grinder (In-Store Only) [Home Depot]

Makita’s “Experience More” Tour continues to roll around the country this year. The black and blue semi still has plenty of planned stops left to go — they’ll be doing demos in the Florida area in the near future.

The Makita website says the mobile event and training trailer is geared to professional tradesmen who use power tools to make their living. It showcases 125 trade tools along with hands-on demo stations, engineering exhibits, and touchscreen displays with interactive video. And on occasion, the Makita girls will appear at the events.

You might be asking, “What do hot chicks with power tools have to do with cordless drill performance specs?”  That’s up for debate — but if you’re into it, check out the schedules on the Makita site.

“Experience More” Tour Event Dates [Makita]

Meet the new 18V 1/2″ LXT lithium-ion hammer drill/driver kit from Makita. I know, I want one too. This baby’s four-pole torque motor delivers up to 560 in-lbs of torque, which is a lot of power considering the Makita is only 9-7/8″ in length and 4.9 lbs. It drives in three speeds, and with Makita’s shift-lock system you can quickly shift it from hammer into driver mode.

The lithum-ion battery gives the tool a longer running time with 5x lower self-discharge; the battery also sports 16 firm-holding contact terminals for constant high-power output. The fan-cooled charger can charge the battery in 45 minutes and has three active controls for current, heat, and voltage, to optimize the charging capacity of the battery.

The tool comes in a carrying case and includes two batteries, a charger, screwdriver bits, and Makita’s standard three-year warranty on the tool and one year on the battery. The lowest price I found was $266 over at Tool Plus.

BHP451 [Makita]
Makita BHP451 Kit [Tool Plus]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Lithium-ion batteries are allowing tools usually limited to cords to break out into cordless versions — Makita’s concrete pencil vibrator is one of these tools.Makita’s 18V Li-Ion concrete vibrator improves the finish and strength of your freshly poured concrete by vibrating it at 13,000 VPM.

Makita makes two models, with either a four foot or eight foot extension depending on how big the job is. The Li-Ion batteries will only run for 25 minutes of continuous vibration under load, but the batteries can completely recharge in 45 minutes, so downtime is limited.

The lighter Li-Ion battery, which makes the tool’s total weight only 12 lbs., alleviates user fatigue. The tool’s ergonomic design allows it to be held either vertically or horizontally.

With a street price of $560, the occasional user probably won’t want to shell out for it, but it might make a convenient supplement for the concrete professional.

18V Li-Ion Concrete Vibrator [Makita]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What's This?]

One of my favorite tools, the angle grinder oozes testosterone, with its metal-grinding noise and showers of sparks. This Makita 18V cordless LXT lithium-ion grinder offers the same macho experience, except it’s smaller at 12″ in length, lightweight at 5.4 lbs., and portable with its 18V lithium-ion power-pack.

The included Makita Optimum Charger charges the battery in 45 minutes — it also communicates with the battery to optimize the charge and increase the battery’s life by 280%. The battery powers the grinder to 10,000 RPM. The grinder features a built-in overload protector and a sliding power switch with lock-on.

Makita protects the tool with a three year warranty and covers the battery with a one year warranty. All2ools is selling the grinder for $310.

BGA452 Angle Grinder [Makita]
Makita BGA452 [All2ools]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

If you think a chain mortiser looks like a cross between a chainsaw and a drill press, you’ve just about pegged it. These tools speed up post and beam construction, and they look bad-ass.

To operate the tool, you clamp it onto a wide piece of timber, then plunge the mortiser’s spinning chain into the wood to create a straight-sided hole. You can reposition the tool and go again to create bigger mortises — it definitely beats chiseling out holes with a drill. If you want to see one in action check out this video for SwissPRO’s version.

The prices on these specialty tools definitely keep them in the niche market. Street pricing for Makita’s enigmatically named 7104L runs around $1200.

Makita [Corporate Site]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

The poorly-named TD020DSEW is Makita’s entry into the flourishing li-ion screwdriver market.  But it packs a punch: it’s an impact screwdriver.  Powered by a removable 7.2V li-ion battery pack and tipping the scales at just over a pound, it delivers a whopping 177 in-lbs of torque.  Holy crap, that’s a lot of grunt. 

As you can see in the picture, the driver is quite small.  It measures 10-7/8” long fully extended and around 8-1/2” when in pistol grip mode.  While white isn’t the color we’d pick for shop work, at least it’ll be easy to find if you drop it in a dark room — and it makes for great “white knight” jokes around the office.

It’s great to see impact functionality in this still-quite-popular form factor.  Street pricing starts at a reasonable $99.

TD020DSEW 7.2V Li-Ion Impact Screw Driver Kit [Makita]
Street Pricing [Google Product Search]
Via Amazon [What's This?]

TM reader RSCoats writes: “This is what happens when the tool section of Amazon.com gets mixed up with the DVD section!  What can I say?  The film was on TV as I was carrying the old, busted drill to the trash, and I got inspired.  With some paint and a quick mash-up label, voila! — a power tool worther of a Jeopardy category.”

You’d be amazed how much of this kind of stuff goes on around the Toolmonger shop.  We’ve got stuff like this hanging all over the walls.  One thought, though: be sure to salvage the motor and chuck if it’s the battery that died.  That stuff comes in seriously handy later!

Fans of Makita Tools who live in New York, Wisconsin and Colorado will be stoked this month: at Makita “Experience More” Tour stops you can gawk at over 125 trade tools.  You can also (temporarily) lay your mitts on some Makita tools at demo stations and learn more from engineering exhibits.

Here’s the schedule as of right now:

• Jul 14 – Unadilla Motor Cross  New Berlin, NY  (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
• Jul 18 – Brunsell Lumber Co  Madison, WI  (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
• Jul 21 – Thunder Valley Motor Cross  Lakewood, CO  (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

Check em’ out if you’re in the area and let us know how it went.

The ”Experience More” Tour [Makita]

Here’s another compressor deal from Ace Tool, this time a Makita.  Ace lists the Makita MAC700 at $150 down from the regular $288.  This compressor has a 12.4A, 2 HP, 2-1/2 gallon oiled single “hot dog style” tank and delivers 3.3 CFM at 90 PSI.  Ace Tool also offers free shipping on this unit which beats out all other vendors I could find — including Amazon!

Makita MAC700 [Makita]
Makita MAC700 [Ace Tool Online]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What's this?]

Amazon currently lists the Makita 2012NB at $282.87, which is the cheapest I could find by about $120.  It’s a 12″ portable planer with automated head clamps, a 15A, 8500 RPM motor, a 13″ x 30-3/8″ table, double sided knives, and dust collection ports.  And at 83 dB, it’s (relatively) quiet, too.

Makita 2012NB [Makita]
Via Amazon [What's this?]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

I have a Milaukee model, and there’s always Porter Cable’s oft-mistaken-as-the-tool’s-real-name Porta-Band.  Now Makita’s offering an 18V cordless model: the BPB180.  Seriously, if you don’t yet own a portable band saw of one model or another, you should.  Read on for more about this one.

It features a 4-3/4″ space behind the blade, so you can cut some pretty big stuff with it.  It moves the blade with a trigger-controlled variable speed of 275-530 feet per minute and weighs around 14 pounds.  Other features: a built-in fluorescent light illuminates the cut line, and it’s got big rubber bumpers around its edges to protect your work (and the saw).

Of course, the big feature here is the fact that it’s cordless.  It accepts Makita’s LXT li-ion batteries — two 3.0Ah batteries are included in the kit — and comes with a charger that can refresh one in 45 minutes. 

The bad news: it’s not cheap.  Street pricing starts around $550.  (We found it at Amazon for $530.)  If you’re already bought into the Makita LXT line, there’s a tool-only option for around $320, but I have to admit that I’m just going to have to admire this from a distance for now and enjoy my old clunker.

Note: The database behind Makita’s website has been up and down this morning, so the link below may not work.  We included it because it should be fine later in the day and in the future.  If it’s down, just check out any of the vendors from the street pricing link for more information.

18V Portable Band Saw Kit [Makita]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What's this?]

Here’s one unusual little belt sander: it’s designed for sanding/filing in tight spaces with a belt that’s as narrow as 1/4″.  With variable speed via a control dial — ranging from 980 to 5,600 feet per minute — this looks like an incredibly useful tool that’d dramatically simplify detail sanding work.

While the sander ships with a 3/8″ wide belt, Makita actually offers three arm assemblies, each of which supports a different belt size: 1/4″, 3/8″. and 1/2″.  It weighs just 3.3 pounds, and you can adjust belt tracking as well.

I realize that some tasks simply must be performed by hand, but any time you can electrify a heavy sanding task you’re going to save some serious time.  I’m just surprised that I didn’t run across one of these years ago!

Street pricing starts around $225.

3/8″ Belt Sander (Model 9032) [Makita]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What's this?]

The Makita Shear Wrench is a 10-pound screw-snapping monster.  It applies over 600 ft./lbs. of torque to shear off extra bits of fastener up to 7/8” in diameter all day long.  Is it cool?  You bet.  Do we need one?  Not really – then again that’s never stopped us before.

You simply inserting the unit’s head over a nut with a bit of fastener sticking out the back.  The swappable outer collar grips the nut while an inner sleeve grips the excess fastener tightly. With all that in position, pull the trigger to activate a twisting motion to relieve the fastener of the part caught in the inner sleeve.

You can then eject the “bit-o-screw” in the sleeve with the flick of a small lever located near the trigger.

We can’t picture a time when we would have to run out and burn $1,700 for a screw tip eater — but it’s a cool rig anyway, and we just had to share.

Makita Shear Wrench [Makita]
Street Pricing [Google Product Search]
Via Amazon [Whats's This?]