Makita USA has quietly launched 2 new XGT cordless jig saws (finally!) in both D-handle and barrel-grip styles.
Both Makita XGT jig saws feature a brushless motor, a variable speed control dial, and chip blower.
The new cordless jig saws also feature a “no-load speed reduction feature with a disabling mode that automatically reduces SPM [strokes per minute] for more accurate cutting starts.”
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This is similar to a soft-start, where the speed ramps up after power is engaged. It’s not new; some older Makita cordless jig saws also have a “soft no-load” speed reduction feature.
The Makita D-handle jig saw, GVJ02Z, has a 800-3500 SPM speed range with 6-speed control dial, and a 2-finger variable speed trigger switch with lock-on button.
The barrel grip version, GVJ01Z, has “dual ambidextrous” on/off buttons, and similar 6-mode speed dial.
Both tools have a separate lock-out button.
Makita claims that their new cordless jig saws delivers up to 20% faster cutting speed.
These speed and performance claims are in comparison to Makita’s 18V brushless jig saws, XVJ01Z (barrel grip) and XVJ02Z (D-handle), respectively.
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The new XGT barrel grip saw is also said to have up to 30% less vibration output than its 18V counterpart.
Price: $339 for D-handle, $349 for barrel grip, tool-only
We previously wrote about the XGT barrel grip jig saw, which was announced overseas last year:
PETE
Those seems REALLY expensive compared to the same tools in it’s class from the competitors.
Thats more expensive than festool baretool jigsaw.
Peter
I hope that it is at least not as bad as the Festool one.
I do not have one but I see a lot of posts from users who drink the green cool aid say it is bad.
MoogleMan3
Same. I’m a festool fan (love their tracksaws, dust extractors and sanders)I really wanted one too, but too many posts about the quality of those. Maybe they’ll fix it in the next revision.
I do have the new milwaukee M12 fuel jigsaw and it’s amazing. Just what I was looking for in a jigsaw.
Garrick Moe
I haven’t had any issues personally, with my corded carvex, but I’m curious. Do you know if people were having issues with the carvex or the trion?
Mike McFalls
the idea of being on a singular battery platform and the continued release of new XGT tools appeals to that core value. That said, I find it’s mostly unnecessary to have drill drivers, impacts, jigsaws, etc. on the 40 V platform. The LXT tools perform well and our much lower price points. Sure they’re lacking some of the features now of the XGT models but the added weight at the price point isn’t appealing to me. Especially as 12v tools are as/more powerful that the NiCd 18v tools used to be with better performance and runtime. For most tasks I’d rather grab a 12v- even if the rpm’s aren’t the same as an 18v- just for the weight.
Steve
Agree with your point. I find myself switching to more 12V tools as they are very powerful now in comparision to a few years ago. For power hungry tools, 18V makes sense, but 40V for a jigsaw is overkill…
Mike McFalls
I thought Makita had the right idea with the X2 LXT platform. That definitely made some tools heavier, like their reciprocating and track saws and so the 40 V solution solved for that in limited instances. I’d even go so far as to say the 40 V LXT miter saw, from a weight only perspective, wasn’t a big improvement. removing the second LTX battery isn’t saving that much weight, but it is saving convenience by using a singular battery.
My overall impression is Makita is a rudderless ship right now. It’s very disappointing to me as I have been one of their largest champ on this site and in the forum for many years. I still think they have a unique team over there and the capability of producing truly innovative products. Sometimes those products aren’t completely necessary, like a microwave, but it’s still very unique and if someone has a need for it, and now can take advantage of that product being in the marketplace. I love it. DXGT saw that remove the front half of the base plate to allow you to cut along a wall, brilliant. But overall the strategy still is largely ineffective and too much is put into releasing 9 to 12 impact drivers on each battery, the tools in different colors and so on.
Peter
Same here I find myself using 12V Bosch in my case for more tasks these days.
Might be also an age thing though. 😉
Jared
It’s the “problem” with XGT generally. The batteries simply can’t be small enough for certain tools. Compare the smallest XGT pack with a Powerstack 1.7ah for example.
That doesn’t make XGT “bad”, it’s just it inherently doesn’t work well for small, lightweight tools – like a compact jigsaw for example.
I think the “steel man” argument would be that although some other companies maintain compatibility across their small and heavy-duty tools, the packs themselves end up making that somewhat silly.
E.g. you wouldn’t pop in a Milwaukee HD 12.0 or a Flexvolt 15ah pack in a jigsaw either, nor would you try to mow your lawn with some compact 1.3ah packs – even though those examples might “power on” on the tool.
In that sense, XGT being the “high power” Makita option seems ok – except Makita keeps telling us this is an independent, fully-formed cordless tool line. If it’s supposed to “do everything” then it makes sense to point out that is isn’t good at being compact.
J robb
The 2.5 ah xgt batteries are pretty small. About the size of the lxt 5ah. Nothing like a milwaukee 12 or flexvolt 15.
Liang
I agree, for drivers and impact LXT is great but I would say, XGT is perfect for power hungry tools like the Plunge saw and the XGT 40v vac. It’s so much better than the LXT equivalent which I upgraded from!
John
I have a huge number of Makita tools; those new jig saws are extremely overpriced. I’ve stayed on LXT with no desire to move to XGT for the same tools but pricier.
WastedP
I have the LXT barrel-grip version of this saw. I switched from a corded Bosch, which was an excellent saw, but the UK-made Makita is better. The price was kind of eye-watering, but I bought one for a shop with someone else’s money, and it was good enough to warrant buying my own.
The membrane switches, though…
John
Those membrane switches are the single worst Makita design. Placement on the barrel grip is also terrible, too far away from thumb or index finger positions.
Michael F
Makita’s going to have to do something about their eye-watering prices. As much as they want to be seen as Festool, I’m pretty sure they aren’t on that level.
Chip
I have recently sold my lxt router ,barrel jigsaw,and the BL omt.
I noticed these also have the dreaded activate button.
The main reason I sold router and jigsaw.
On the chainsaw it’s very annoying but seldom used and it has been worth the price over the last 7 years.
Tho omt doesn’t have the button of frustration, however the head is by far the largest in its class…to the point of limiting work.
Miter 6.5 circ and tracksaws,impact drivers ,drills ,grinder ,x2 blower ,have not needed warranty work like Milwaukee.
The button, size,lack of larger capacity and slippery batteries with no overmold have me fazing them out of my lineup.
Batteries and tools last, but the day to day function is frustrating.
50 different impact drivers,but no multi head driver offerings.
I could overlook some deficiencies, but together they become a problem.
Keep Left
Using the word “drops” to convey something new is launching is confusing.
In the context of product offerings, “drop” has always meant “discontinued” or “deleted”.
Why create confusion by completely changing the meaning of a word?
I know, everyone’s doing it.
John
Slang. I don’t like it, and yes it’s confusing in conventional American English. Every “influencer” has to use the word on Instagram and TikTok for something just released. It’s been bugging me for a while now. It stems from music releases more than anything and now has encroached every new product.
But we were guilty of using ‘bad’ to mean good in the ’80s so the language butchering continues.
MM
My theory is that “drop” in this context originated from video games. In many games when the player defeats an enemy, reward items (commonly called “loot”) would be shown falling out of the air and landing on the ground. Gamers would talk about “the loot that dropped” because it actually did “drop” in terms of the graphics on the screen. I remember it being commonplace in that context long before it became more mainstream.
But speaking of events happening at a particular time, it might also go back to the idea of Time Balls; now we know them mostly from New Year’s countdowns but they were once a lot more common. Look up “time ball” on wikipedia if you aren’t familiar. That could convey the idea of someone anticipating an event such as a new release happening at a particular time, and explains the association with something dropping.
Plain+grainy
Makita is a very innovative company. They probably have a legitimate reason for this jigsaw. I know in some other countries, they mount jigsaws upside down under jigsaw tables. Perhaps the jet powered jigsaw is beneficial in a fixed position.
Saulac
Off topic a bit…the blade on the jig saw orbits while on the reciprocal saw the blade does not…why? Would orbiting blade on a reciprocal saw ( I know it probably would not be a reciprocal saw any more) improve its performance?
Plain+grainy
Many reciprocating saws have an orbital switch. The orbital mode permits faster cutting in wood. I left mine in orbital mode while cutting thin wire. While it zipped through the wire quickly, it caused the saw to jam up eventually. I don’t recommend leaving it in orbital mode in metal, even in thin wire.
Plain+grainy
The ability to reduce vibration allows an increase in power.
Stuart
As Plain+grainy said, more premium recip saws also have an orbital action. If cutting say a 2×4 wood board, the saw should cut faster.
Saulac
I learned something new today. Cannot believe I have not seen this. Will check it out. Thanks all.
Jacob
Seriously 40max jig hilarious so unnecessary but for ever Makita fan. To bad they won’t step up there game and make 40max framing gun. 40max blower last longer on battery charge. Everything else is solid and do the job everyday these really are tuff tools I’m pretty hard on my tools.
Plain+grainy
Just wait until you see the 40 volt coffee maker!Just kidding!
Stuart
Not yet.
They also don’t have framer, but they have an XGT pin nailer – https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/makita-xgt-cordless-pin-nailer-gtp01/%3C/a%3E .
Jacob
Also the on off time out bs button is by far the most annoying tools I’ve bought in years. When the tool stays on works great but if you scratch your nuts for 2secs. Then try to continue your cut so so so dumb worst feature on my router as well.