Head to Head - Circular Saws! Makita XGT 40V vs Dewalt 54V Flexvolt Gen 2

oztooltalk takes on another head-to-head, this time pitting the second generation Dewalt 54V Flexvolt DCS578 against the new Makita XGT 40V HS003G.

We think that these are probably the two highest-power battery circular saws on the market. LET'S FIGHT!

Specs, prices and links below.

Makita 40V XGT - $399
No-load speed: 6000 RPM
Weight: 5.1kg
Battery used - 4Ah XGT (144 Wh)

Dewalt 54V Flexvolt Gen 2 - $449
No-load speed: 5800 RPM
Weight: 5.3kg
Battery used - 9Ah Flexvolt (162 Wh)

[antman]

I am a low use tool guy, but the Dewalt I have like yours takes the cake at anything I throw at it. Grunt, speed, ease of use, blade lock. Hard to fault

[t-rexbringyotowel]

I have both left and right saws. I think they both have a time and place.

This may sound weird, but I much prefer the saw being on the off cut side. For me, the increased line of sight is worth the disadvantage of the blade tipping slightly.

The biggest drawback I find with the rear handle/opposite side saws is doing plunge cuts in studs etc that are already vertical, as I then have to hold the saw in my left hand to cut to be able to see over the top of the blade, and this is where I always switch to the normal saw set up.

I prefer to do my rafter cut offs from the roof and top plate, so it’s much nicer having the rear handle saw for this. I used to do them with the normal saw, and cut using my left hand, but it’s much nicer being able to do it right handed now.

[uncleseanknows]

Horses for courses. I'm a flexvolt advocate. The new Makita 40v range is awesome and if i had my time again i'd jump on. But not these circ saws. I got the 2nd gen right blade for cross cuts and the worm drive style for ripping. Through dust, mud and rain they just keep chugging and have the headroom for all. My mate rocks makita and their saw is FAR better balance for weight and better for the cute cuts. Brilliant review.

[georgedavall]

It’s great to see you fellas back together, as we All get past this dang Covid mess!  

I have not used the XGT 40 Volt, but I have the 36 LXT ( 18X2 ) version of this saw, and it is so smooth, and she screams with two fresh 5.0 Ah batteries! I do concur about the sight line, and the DeWalt wins there. I also own the Gen 2 FlexVolt saw DCS 578, and I will have to try that forearm thing!?  

I will say, the DeWalt is the better cutting saw, but two strikes against it: The crappy, cheap anodized baseplate, and the tight clearance of the trigger and the guard. I don’t know what DeWalt was smokin! 🙄 I will sometimes curse the saw when my finger is cramped up against the guard.

The Makita is so smooth, with better fit and finish, with a superior baseplate. It cuts very true, and so I use it indoors, on a homemade track cutting system I devised. Add in the dust collection ability, and it’s a winner. The DeWalt goes with me to the Home centers, to break down sheet goods, etc. and outdoor Carpentry. It just eats wood! That’s my 2 cents!

Absolutely Luv your reviews! Crackin good! Stay safe and Healthy there in OZy land!

👍👍👍👍👍✌🏻🔨😀🇦🇺🇺🇸

[timlindquist]

It’s so refreshing to hear you guys talk left v right handed saws. Since the move away from electric saws where we had great saw blade visibility and now battery have very poor vis you rely on the indents the majority of the time so that’s very important today.
Left handed saws as a right handed guy are shockingly bad in most brands more for spitting chips in your face. Secondly the saw isn’t sitting on the piece you want to keep.
I almost never look at the blade anymore and I run makita. It’s totally fine.

[nelsoncarpentry]

I just got the Makita and I'm happy with it. But two other negatives are the dinky little blade guard lever which is hard to hold back and the front handle which is too small to actually hold onto. But man, it is nice to use otherwise. The compactness of the battery placement sure is nice too,

I'm right-handed and prefer blade right. Another thing in the sightline on this saw is the spindle lock tab.

[noskills]

Blade left v blade right safety - I think it’s less of an issue with the smaller less powerful saws, when your using something like the two you have there then it’s a different game when they kick back or you’ve got to support their weight when the offcuts falls.

[bartnettle]

I luv Makita but I chose DeWalt a long time ago because the battery platform has remained and been backward compatible! I went the first lithium makita and they went LVT, I went DeWalt now XGT

[bourkey]

Great video lads. The 15ah Dewalt battery is comically large, but extremely useful when used in its intended applications.

[michaelhorn]

I absolutely love my flexvolt saw, best saw ever made! The only downside is the cost of the batteries, which is more than I paid for the saw

[kane]

Left Vs Right Blade, i agree with your points about offcuts and ballance. But my thought was that the left blade is a design from the U.S. market. would be interesting to see if any of the EU brands produce a left blade circ saw. I believe its because of the US house construction method of ply/osb sheeting the entire roof surface. this means you need to be standing up and walking along a roof as you cut along the length of the sheets that are down at your feet level. while walking along bent over to your feet looking down its easier to watch your blade follow the line on a left blade saw . And safer to cut the external perimeter without leaning over the edge to see your blade. Presuming design is made only for right handers.

[kizzjd]

I own the 36v makita (dhs780) and ive also used my workmates dewalt. I like the dewalt better in terms of simplicity and power. They do have their own pros and cons though.

[davetaylor]

I have the Dewalt as my daily user. Good saw. Haven't tried the Makita can't comment. I agree big thing with Dewalt flexvolt battery. I use mostly the flexvolt batteries even on the 18V tools. Great feature. 40v Makita you are on that platform or not. Sight line would also be a deal breaker for me. I'm right handed if you can't see through to your cut line no go. Left v right blade. I have both. I have the rear handle Dewalt. It is what you are used to in my opinion. This was my first lefty blade in 40 years. It felt weird visible sight line or not. I kept looking over the saw when ripping on habit. Now I am used to it who cares. I can grab a left or right and make the cut. Don't use dust extraction. Another modern fad but just more crap to carry around. Half the videos now you wonder if it is a construction company or a cleaning company.

[chrishall]

The Dewalt site lines are amazing but the downside is that it kicks a lot of #hit up in your face. On the other hand the Makita blade guide is one you can trust so you don't have to strain so much to look at the blade. Makita definitely has the most accurate blade guide on the base plate! But if you are cutting roofs and angles and whatnot the Dewalt has a far superior bevel adjustment and the positive stop are just as good as on the Makita. I've also found that the Dewalt blade guard is much smoother than the Makita especially on angled cuts (if you adjust the depth on the Makita it helps).

[jrsuk]

The makita 40v 8ah battery will only be available to Australians who can provide evidence of an 18th booster shot with the last 3 months.

[GodsBattleAx]

I got a dcs575 for 150usd, hardly used, looks almost brand new, its half the price then from the store. Then i got 2 pcs 9AH flexvolt batteries, these were brand new in boxes for 220usd, this is almost half the price here in Sweden.

[igorkuzmanovski]

Makita’s rafter hook harness mounting point

[heathjones]

I love the review guys, I use saws like there is no tomorrow.
I have the Dewalt 54 volt first release and also have the xgt with the guide rail base .
I love the 54 volt although I need to replace it as it’s so noisy since cutting plasterboard as an alternative method one day a couple of years ago lol ( they don’t like that dust haha) as for the makita xgt, it so smooth and refined but as a all rounder the base of the track modified version is so big I wouldn’t ever get used to it, Ii have considered buying the same one in this pic but hate the sight lines and I feel clumsy holding the handle up so high, it’s amazing for cutting flooring off the stack tho with guide rail.
So here is my thoughts ;
I need a new saw for general framing work !
Based on sight lines and handle location and centre of gravity for pushing saw, Dewalt wins hands down for me !
I’m not brand biased either as I love this xgt gear, it’s actually a bit more refined equipment from a quality of technology and product point of view, I swear my xgt compound mitre saw is best ever but for the circular saw to me Dewalt is the 100% winner .
I’m keen for one of these rear handle xgt saws as I just want one lol, the Dewalts power makes it hard to justify tho.
BTW, I’m a righty.

[Przykominku]

I have a 18v Makita and considering this as a "less powered saw" never had a place - it's a tiger ready to bite nonetheless. So in case of safety, and as a rightie I prefer those right side blades.
Great vid and great points.

[mikemore]

I have been using my gen1 flexvolt saw since the they were released in Canada. its been dropped and wet and muddy but is still reliable and powerful. I use the 8amp batteries now.

however.. this dewalt saw has the same problems that the corded dewalt saws do. 1 - the adjustment levers on all dewalt saws become loose and don't hold the settings after a couple years. 2 - the guide at the front of the shoe on all dewalt saws does not line up with the blade so u have to watch the blade and not the guide

I always prefer Makita circular saws because the cheapest Makita cuts more precisely that the most expensive dewalt. having said that i regularly cut stringers, treads and risers with the dewalt flexvolt saw and its fine as long as u have a battery on the charger

and the rafter hook? the hook on the dewalt is nearly useless. takes some contorting to get it hooked on a truss. but better than nothing I guess.