I'm looking at options for a circular saw that will cut to a 3" depth (primarily to cut 2 inch tenons in 8 inch timber). I currently have a 16 5/16 beam saw and a couple of 7 1/4 circular saws. I'm looking at the Makita 8 1/4 and 10 1/4 saws. Given that the 10 1/4 saw is twice the price of the 8 1/4, I'm inclined to go with the 8 1/4 as it will go to the 3" depth and is smaller/easier to work with. Do any of you own a Makita 5008MGA saw? Thoughts on these or other alternatives?

At some risk, I have the 5008MGA. I bought it for the reason you listed, it's cost, and I found poor reviews on the 10" model, have they up graded the 10" model in the past couple of years? If Makita fashioned a 10" saw after the 8" I would have one.

Almost everyone else who uses it has problems with the locking levers coming undone, especially the depth setting, which can be an issue. I have only experienced that once and it was after someone else had been using it. I think the others are not locking it tight enough. Something to be mindful of, the caming action on the lock lever is adjustable, something I have played with once to help the problem.

I like the little light, too.

Tim

Tim,

Thanks for the feedback. Does the saw cut to the full 3-inch depth as the spec claims? Alignments accurate/true? Well built/durable?

Thanks again.

One of my co-workers has the makita 8 1/4, and likes it a lot, so do I. we had to do some grinding when the saw arrived to get the base plate to come to 90deg(this is almost always the case) but otherwise the saw gets used plenty and is accurate and powerful...

you can also take one of your 7.25's and throw a 8.25 blade on it . A couple of licks with a grinder might be required to enlarge the casing/base, but you'll save some $$ and put one of your 7.25's back to work.
FYI, Makita uses the same motor for their 7.25's and 8.25's and the 10.25 BigFoot is nothing more than a 7.25 wormdrive with an aftermarket casing and base...lol

here's my Hitachi fitted with a 8.25 blade, full 3" cut

I thought about doing that but, my Bosch 7 1/4's only cut to a 2 3/8 inch depth. Without making additional modifications to the 7 1/4, it seems that putting an 8 1/4" blade on it would only get me to 2 7/8". (The Makita's claim to get a full 2 1/2" for the 7 1/4 saw and 3" for the 8 1/4" saw.)

If I recall rightly the Makita 8.25 will cut a full 3" depth. If your brace stock is a tad over it will not cut it clean off, it will be left hanging by a chad. And who knows where that will lead.

Tim

is your bosch a wormdrive? If so, go for gold and get the BigFoot attachment (around $200 will turn your 7.25 into 10.25)
http://www.bigfootsaws.com/

I'll throw in my $0.02 and recommend DeWalt's 8-1/4:
(Link to Amazon)

It has a depth scale that when calibrated is very accurate. Nice and light, with plenty of power.

In the 10" category, I own the Milwaukee, the bigfoot, and the makita. I always reach for the Makita, unless I need a blind compound cut that requires the opposite bevel, and then I'll use the bigfoot. As someone else mentioned, the bigfoot is really a skill 77, which was designed to spin a smaller blade. Feels underpowered to me. Also, it requires a diamond arbor hole, which really limits your blade choices.

Daiku, How is that milwaukee 10 inch saw. It seems well made and powerful. You still think the makita is the better saw? its still cheaper too. I wish makita still made the 13 inch saw. It was the perfect saw for the tfer. tb