Makita 5005BA 5-1/2-Inch Circular Saw with Electric Brake
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Check the best pricing and customer reviews on the Makita 5005BA Circular Saw at Amazon!
Makita 5005BA Circular Saw Reviews
It doesn’t come as a great shock to discover that all of Makita’s circular saws have gained positive average ratings from reviewers. The company’s products are well-made tools of consistently high quality. This time around, we’re going to look at another of the circular saws produced by Makita. In this detailed review, we will offer you a large quantity of information and useful facts, as well as a list of pros and cons. We’ll also give a few details of what other users have said about the Makita 5005BA 5-1/2-Inch Circular Saw. A quick summary to start with: the 5005BA is a nice, lightweight saw with lots of power, no load speed 8000 RPM. It’s not suitable for house framing, but it’s ideal for ripping plywood or crosscutting some studs.
The saw’s bevel capacity ranges from 0 to 45, which allows quite a good range of cuts to be made.
This saw has a 5-1/2-inch blade which has 18 teeth, tipped with carbide. The Makita saw is able to make cuts of up to 1-3/16 inches at 45 degrees, while at an angle of 90 degrees the maximum is larger, at 1-3/4 inches. Visibility when cutting is improved thanks to the left-sided blade, which right-handed users will find ideal for sighting a cut. The primary use for this saw is cutting plywood, and this blade is able to make a smooth cut with no splinters. Plunge cuts are made easier by the provision of a blade guard, which can be activated by pressing a simple lever. Other equipment provided includes a socket wrench, rip fence, and combination blade.
The Makita saw’s motor has a 115-volt power supply and is rated at 8.0 amps, which means that the saw has the power to make fast and accurate cuts in demanding conditions. The maximum power output is a very impressive 1,800 watts, and a single pass will be enough to cut five 5/16-inch siding boards. To help with blade changing and increase stability, the housing around the motor is flattened, while there is also a lock on the shaft. A separate blade stabilizer allows for better performance in cutting, as well as maintaining smooth, stable rotation of the blade. The base also aids precision, thanks to its ruler markings.
The saw is quite maneuverable, which is the result of it being just 6.8 pounds in weight.
There are a number of useful safety features on the 5005BA saw. Accidental starts are prevented by means of a lock-off button, which has a double-insulated design to provide an even greater level of reassurance. Meanwhile, productivity can be maximized thanks to the electric brake, which is a particularly welcome feature. Stable support is ensured thanks to the wraparound base, which is made of heavy aluminum.
The Makita saw also has a number of extra features. For example, there is a switch for an LED lamp which can be operated separately from the main trigger. Another handy feature is the container for collecting dust, something which brings a lot of advantages when trying to keep the work environment clean.
Pros:
- The saw’s motor has plenty of power for a variety of jobs
- It feels well-balanced and is not too heavy
- Ease of use is excellent
- The base’s quick-reference ruler and number markings
- Cutting is accurate, smooth, and fast
- The saw can handle both regular light-to-medium work and the occasional heavier job
- Safety features such as the lock-off button and the electric break
- The useful LED lamp and left-blade design mean excellent cut visibility
- Small projects can be handled with ease
- Several useful extra features, such as the dust blower
Cons:
- Not suitable for use by left-handed people
- Blade quality can be variable, which has an effect on cutting
- Wood of more than 1/2 inch is not easy to cut
- Apart from the brake, there are no high-end features
- Most home centers do not stock the blades this saw requires
Conclusion
The Makita 5005BA 5-1/2-Inch Circular Saw with Electric Brake makes a worthwhile purchase for many buyers. Considering its very competitive price, it performs extremely well and is unsurprisingly very popular with a large number of its users. For those who are in the market for a saw which is powerful enough to deal with many jobs, but isn’t too heavy to handle, this saw makes a remarkably attractive option. It allows accurate, safe working and is perfect for use on smaller projects. Although it isn’t without a small number of flaws, the Makita 5005BA has gained a positive reputation, which can be seen in the good reports it has achieved from most reviewers.
Check the best pricing and customer reviews on the Makita 5005BA Circular Saw at Amazon!
- Powerful 8.0 amp motor for fast cutting and improved performance
- Blade-left design improves visibility of cutting line
- Lightweight (6.8 lbs.) for increased maneuverability
- Electric brake for maximum productivity
- Lock-off button helps prevent accidental starts
- Shaft lock for fast blade change
- Double insulated
- Assembled Depth: 9.45 in
- Maximum Cut Depth @ 90 Deg: 1.75 in
- Assembled Height: 9.06 in
- Product Depth: 8.5 in
- Assembled Width: 11.23 in
- Product Height: 8.5 in
- Blade Diameter: 5.5 in
- Product Width: 9 in
- Amperage: 8 amp
- Bevel Capacity: 50
- Maximum Cut Depth @ 45 Deg: 1.75 in
- Blade Location: Left
- Maximum Speed: 8000 rpm
- Power Tool Product Type: Corded
- Cord Length: 8.2 ft
- Product Weight: 6.8 lb
- Depth Adjustment: Yes
- Spindle Lock: Yes
- Electrical brake:Yes
- 18T Carbide-Tipped Blade (792335-0)
- Rip Fence
- Circular Saws (164095-8)
- Socket Wrench 9 (782209-3)
- 1 Year Warranty