Okay, so I am searching for a new cordless circular saw. I’m not committed to any one brand, and am considering Porter Cable, Hitachi, Dewalt, Makita, and Milwaukee’s product offerings. Up until last night I was very strongly considering Makita, but that has since changed.
So why the sudden change of heart? Because Makita has made it very difficult to make an educated purchase. You see, they offer two 18V LXT cordless circular saws, the BSS610Z, and the BSS611Z. I tried and I tried, but I could not find any clear difference between the two saws other than the two LED lights that only the BSS610Z model has. So that’s the only difference, right?
Wrong. Taking a quick look at the respective parts breakdown diagrams confirmed that the BSS610Z has an LED module that the BSS611Z does not have, and that it also has an additional “stopper” knob. HOWEVER, seeing as how there is a huge price difference between the two tools – $100 street price vs. $150 street price, surely there must be another difference!
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Well, there is another difference. It took looking at both tools’ owners manuals to see that the BSS610Z has a blade brake and the BSS611Z does not. You would think that Makita would take more care to mention this feature!
While this is the major issue detracting me from choosing Makita, there is at least one more minor example. When trying to determine which battery and charger was required, I noticed that Makita also fails to differentiate between the DC18RA and DC18SC chargers. Not only that, there is no explanation as to why one charger is required for 1.5 amp-hour 18V batteries and the other for 3.0 Ah batteries. A minute of searching suggests that the DC18SC was replaced by the DC18RA, but it would be better if this were confirmed by Makita on their website.
If I’m going to spend my hard-earned money on a power tool, I want to be able to quickly make an educated decision. Companies that hinder this process by providing inadequate or confusing information will not see my business.
Since Makita’s cordless circular saws are so well regarded, they’ll remain on my short list for now. Even large international companies are entitled to make mistakes from time to time, and there is no indication that the aforementioned confusion was intentional or resulting from a lack of effort. If anything, it looks like a lack of communication between tool experts and marketers, but it’s nevertheless oh so frustrating.
Makita BSS610Z Cordless Circular Saw (Amazon)
Makita BSS611Z Cordless Circular Saw (Amazon)
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PutnamEco
One thing I find very aggravating with my Milwaukee cordless is the fact that you have to return the battery (V-18) to the charger to reset it’s internal overload protection circuit. I am sometimes far from my charger and this becomes a major hassle. It is a real pain to have to come down off the roof or out of the woods when you hit a knot or otherwise bind the blade. The Makita LXT battery resets itself after a short time out. Something else you may want to consider when buying tool.
I often find it helps to download the owners manual and review the operating procedures before making a purchasing decision.
As to Makita offering two saws, I believe they are just working off the new old stock while offering their new model for sale also.
Stuart
That’s a very good point – thanks for bringing it up, and I will be sure to keep it in mind.
I don’t think that it’s a simple as old stock vs. new stock. It looks like the BSS610Z may be intended to be a more featured add-on saw while the BSS611Z is the “value” model.
I checked out the various cordless combo kits that Makita offers that include a circular saw, and the BSS611 is always the bundled model. Other brands will sometimes do this, of course, but the differences between bundled and add-on versions are usually easier to find.
Ridgid Circular Saw
Did you end up buying one of the Makita saws or something else? I noticed that Ridgid wasn’t on your short list. What do you think of them, as a brand? Thanks!
Stuart
Well, I didn’t see any cordless Ridgid saws in-store at Home Depot and I didn’t see it online at HomeDepot.com or elsewhere. According to Ridgid’s website, the saw exists, but apparently it’s not sold anywhere, and if it is, it’s proving difficult to find.
KenZ
I have MOSTLY Makitas. They kick ass, and the Makita Li-Ion batteries are the best value on a Wh/$ basis. Only gripe with the Makita Li-Ion batteries is they have no fuel gauge on them, which is annoying.
I tested a ton of tools from different companies, and based on both that and tools of the trade reviews, I chose Makita for everything EXCEPT my circular saw. I wanted a cordless circular saw that kicked ass, and the best rated one (proved out in some side-by-side testing I did) is the Bosch 36V. Refer to Tools of the Trade online testing.
BUT… the Bosch has a different battery and charger. Ugh. So I avoided that by taking an old 36V Bosch battery casing (don’t ask how I got that…), cut apart two Makita lights (cheap at $18 each), used the battery locking mechanism from those and attached them in series on the battery attachment component from the Bosch. Basically, I now have a slim adapter that lets me run the 36V Bosch cordless circ saw (and any other 36V Bosch tool) from two 18V makita batteries. Thus, I have the best rated 18V drill, great recip, etc, and the best 36V circ saw, but only one set of batteries and one charger. Have a pic I can send if you send me an email address.
danny
most of the new lxt and bl models now feaure a button on the tool that reveals levels. checkit its cool.
tony murphy
can i get a copy of photos as would love to try this
Stuart
Kenz,
That’s a very interesting project, creating a Makita battery powered Bosch circ saw as you described. Not a project that I would likely undertake myself, but it seems very doable, granted that one is able to acquire empty battery casings of their own.
BILL FIEGEN
I don’t have anything to add to your comments, but do enjoy reading
all that you folks have to say about different tools.
Thanks for all your reviews and great comments.
Stuart
Thanks, Bill!
Rodd
Hey KenZ – Can you send me your picture of your rigged up the 36V Bosch to run on two Makita 18V batteries? And any instructions that might help me do the same thing? Thanks. [email protected]
Matt
Thanks for doing the research on this. I had the exact same questions about the differences between these two saws and you nailed it. Nice work!
Stuart
You’re very welcome, I’m glad that this helped you out!
Yeorwned
The BSS610Z model also has a blower to keep the cut line clear. 🙂
Jarrod
I came across this post while searching to find a difference myself. After your findings did you figure out which of the two was the better buy? I would like to go makita personally because I already have a makita kit with batteries and chargers.
Thanks!
I assume the 610 because of the break
Stuart
Well, BSS610Z is more featured, but BSS611Z is 45% cheaper. Personally I prefer cordless circular saws which have blade brakes.
Nearly everything else looks identical between he two saws. If one had an aluminum or steel base plate and the other magnesium, I would be a bit more understanding about the price difference.
Doug Baskins
OK, I give. What is the difference between the Blue tools from the White tools?
Other than price and the capacity of the battery?
Stuart
The blue 18V tools require 3.0Ah battery packs, the white 18V tools can be used with either 1.5Ah or 3.0Ah battery packs.
Doug Baskins
If the above comment is correct, then why does Makita make Blue
Power drills that look the same as the White ones and with a healthy
price difference?
What is the difference between the DC18RA and DC18SC chargers?
The above info suggests that the DC18SC is for the 3.0Ah battery.
However, I see on the web that the DC18RA charger is being sold
with the 3.0Ah batterys. I gather from other information that the
DC18SC charger also works for NiCad and/or NiMh batterys.
Another confusing thing is if the chargers work with 220/240VAC? Most electronic equipment that have power factor control (required by the EU) work on any voltage between 90 and 260VAC (50/60Hz). I never see input voltage mentioned by the charger data sheets. I live in two countries, one 120VAC/60Hz and the other 240VAC/50Hz and would like to use the same batteries in both.
Whoever does Makita’s advertising does not seem to have a clue on
what their products do.
Stuart
Regarding the blue vs. white tools with identical designs and specs, I really have no idea what’s going on there.
I checked a DC18RA charger, and it’s 120V-input only. But to be fair, most manufacturers’ chargers have a similar limitation. I imagine that it’s to cut costs on their end and for buyers since very few users actually need a dual-input universal charger.
walter greissinger
Important to also note the two saws are different in dimensions, (one is smaller), and most importantly one, (the cheaper of the two saws), allows for up to a 50 degree angle of cut compared to just a 45 on the more expensive model. Every one should know the importance of this if one is even remotely familiar to real world outside corners and the such.
In reviewing the comparison sheet from Home Depot it seems the less expensive saw is also the more compact one. So that’s two huge advantages for BSS611Z – Greater angle of attack and ability to cut farther in confined spaces.
The disadvantages are no electric brake, (this is debatable as there is also no sudden kick when stopping the blade in mid-cut ), and decreased stability from having a smaller cut bed traversing the work. There is also some difference in the the safety around the trigger although, from looking at home depot’s comparison sheet, I can’t discern what exactly it is.
Use the comparison feature at Home Depot’s site to confirm these things for yourself. The big difference for me is the one saw cuts up to 50 degrees and the other only to 45.
Danny
I have both in my hands right now. The two saws are externally the same dimensions. The motor housing on the 610 is slightly larger diameter, but not enough to make a difference in any situation; we’re talking a couple mm at most. The 611 is lighter, but only by about 1/4 lb. Both can go to 50 degrees (slightly more, actually), but there’s a set screw stop on the 610 which is factory adjusted to 45. All you do is back the screw out a bit to go past that if you need to; the bottom plate and angle gauge is identical on both. The trigger and safety mech is identical, and the handles are too. The quick-release bevel and depth stops (again, identical) are also super nice.
The blade stop and LED are really nice. But the blade on the 611 doesn’t spin very long after releasing the trigger; just a second or so. Both are shockingly quiet in use. I have a cheap Black and Decker they’re replacing, and it’s more than night and day to these things; both of the saws are awesome.
Stuart
I haven’t seen the Home Depot comparison sheet, but checking Makita’s spec sheet shows that both the BSS610Z and BSS611Z are 13-5/8″ long and that both feature 50° max bevel cutting capacity.
Looking at both saws on Home Depot’s website also show the 50° max bevel.
The BSS610Z might very well be slightly more compact than the BSS611Z, but that’s not something I can determine without both versions in front of me.
Your point about the electric brake is also a very good one. Personally, I do prefer brakes, but can see how some might actually prefer saws without this feature.
andrew king
With regard to the makita purchase it is probably well worth reading the posts worldwide wide littered all over the internet regarding the battery reliability of the makitas. Major design fault and cannot reset the internal chip of the battery even if the offending faulty cell has been replaced. I am choosing to sell Makita equipment and buy something else
Julius Thomas
Andrew,
I wouldn’t trade Makita LXT for any other platform. It has been bullet proof based on many trades I see on the job. I haven’t seen any posts world wide about any faulty batteries.
andrew king
I’m not getting into a tit for tat about Makita. Try typing “problems with makita Li-Ion batteries” into google. When the battery gives problems come charge time, the lights go red/green. Natural response is to unplug and try again a couple of times. After 3 times board in battery won’t allow to recharge……..ever……. even if the offending individual cell that powers the “smart” board and consequently goes faulty first, is replaced $6. So it’s a new battery instead. The products that it powers, I believe, are fantastic. If only the batteries were re-engineered to not have charge counters and a 3 strikes you’re out recharge of a faulty battery policy built in.
Iain
I have 18v Li ion makita battries with the DC18RA charger, almost brand new, it almost always goes red/green when i first plug a battery in to be charged, I just leave it in and in 20 minints or so it is green, ready to go. am I missing something?
Iain
I have 18v Li ion makita battries with the DC18RA charger, almost brand new, it almost always goes red/green when i first plug a battery in to be charged, I just leave it in and in 20 minints or so it is green, ready to go. am I missing something?
David
Thanks for the information everyone, especially Stuart.
In Australia I have been noticing the BSS611Z a lot for roughly $130. I then spotted the BSS610Z at around $199 and could not for the life of me figure out the difference other than in AUS the size specs seem to differ slightly.
Stuart
Glad to have helped!
Makita has since updated their product page for the BSS610Z to reflect it has a blade brake, but not a lot of distributors’ product pages include mention of this feature.
Timbo
Just read that Makita is unveiling a 36 volt circular saw in 2014! I was looking for more information and came across this discussion. The new saw will use two 18 volt batteries. IMO, Makita is the best at everything hands down. They have close to 100 tools that run off the li ion 18v batteries, not to mention a lot of the new 36v stuff that doesn’t require different batteries. It’s a dream come true!
Ktash
Thanks for the info. I recently ordered, received, and opened a drill set with a free saw as a bonus and a flashlight. It was a good $ deal, except I thought I was getting the one with the brake. Alas, I got the other one (bss611). Not a happy camper. (I really love makita’s other saws and would have no other brand.) I really wanted the brake. Now I have to decide what to do, since the special is over and I destroyed the cardboard box. I’ll probably keep it and be extra careful. If I like it enough I may get the other and sell the one I have on Craigslist.
Just as a test, after reading this, I called Makita’s technical service dept and the rep had no idea of any difference between the two after looking at the spec sheet. He could only find that one had an LED light and was heavier. I finally prompted him and he drilled down into their computer info and found that the 610 had a brake. It really is pathetic that there is no way to get this info but a chance sighting of an internet review’s comments. Makita should do better, it just taints their good name.
Sajid Mirza
I found this very informative so i think i must share. Hopefully this will help someone!
MAKITA has introduced the LXT LITHIUM-ION SYSTEM with great success. It offers the power of an 18v with the weight of a 12v. but it’s much more than that. it also offers tools which work surprisingly smooth and without the loss of torque or power as in previous models. Try any of the new models in the LXT line and you will be surprised how much smoother they are. It’s identical to a corded tool with the convenience of cordless.
One slight ‘glitch’ we’ve noticed is the confusion with the use and compatibility of the batteries and the difference between the white tools and the teal colored tools. Here’s a brief explanation to simplify your next purchase:
WHITE TOOLS are sometimes called the ‘compact’ lithium-ion tools and are made to use the 1.5ah BL1815 batteries. However all white tools can also use the 3.0ah BL1830 batteries.
TEAL TOOLS are the LXT LINE and were made to be used with the 3.0ah BL1830 batteries. The 1.5ah BL1815 batteries WILL NOT WORK on these tools. Although some of the newer tools will fit the 1.5ah battery, it’s not recommended. The accessories however(worklight, flashlight) will work with both types of batteries as the power needs of these are not as demanding.
CHARGER. Makita makes two chargers for the LXT line. Both Chargers will work with both batteries. The difference is the DC18SC is the standard charger and the DC18RA is the rapid charger and charges batteries in about half the time.
Sajid Mirza
Also note Makita DC18RC 7.2 – 18V Rapid Battery Charger New is a new charger that replaces previous other chargers DC18RA, DC18SC, DC18SD
Les
Just saying thanks all contributors and site, great info.