Makita BCS550 18V LXT Lithium-Ion 5-3/8-Inch Metal Cutting Saw (Tool Only)

List Price: $270.00 Discount Price: $153.24

Features:

• Cuts Unistrut® all thread, channel, corrugated, conduit, pipe, sheet metal, square tubing, steel and more
• High torque motor produces 3,400 RPM for faster metal cutting; LXT Lithium-Ion provides longer run time; built-in LED lights illuminates the work area
• Carbide-tipped 30-tooth blade
• Package includes tool only
• 12 inches long; 6.4 pounds; 3-year warranty on tool, 1-year warranty on battery

Accessories:
Makita 845048-A MForce2 Heavy Duty Work Gloves - XL	Makita 845043-A MForce1 Framers Fingerless Work Gloves - XL	Makita 845032-A MForce General Purpose Work Work Gloves - L	Makita 845033-A MForce General Purpose Work Work Gloves - XL	Makita 845037-A MForce1 Contractors Work Gloves - L

Customer Reviews:

Remarkable performance from cordless tool [Posted on 2007-10-22]
Among many other tasks cutting stainless steel and various grades of aluminum stock, my current project includes cutting massive 5/8" thick solid plates of cast aluminum, each over four feet long and weighing in at over 100 lbs each. These plates must be cut to exact specs, then the final dimension achieved by trimming to +/- 1/164th inch tolerance for the whole length of the cut. I originally purchased this Makita saw for general cutting of lighter aluminum stock and, on lark, tried it on these big aluminum plates. This very demanding cutting task seemed, on the face of, absurd to consider trying with a cordless handtool given the sheer amount of metal to cut, its thickness, binding potential, and the need for accuracy. Though my saw had seen much other use (so the blade was not razor sharp), I was absolutely amazed that tiny little saw aggressively cut through these big aluminum plates as if they were made of brie cheese. I cut at a moderate rate, running the saw edge along a straight edge guide, such that it took me about 3-5 minutes to cleanly and accurately slice off a full length aluminum "plank" from one of the aluminum plates. This extremely demanding task required installing a freshly charged 3.0 Amp battery just before the cut was complete. The cut was so clean and straight that it looked almost as if it had been milled, with virtually no significant irregularities. My heavy-duty saw, previously serving to cut this big plates, had been completely outclassed: it was noisier, took three times longer due to binding and sticking of the blade, was exhausting to use, made four times as much metal chip waste, and could not duplicate the near-perfection of the cut achieved by the Makita. It has now been set aside, replaced by the "new guy" (the Makita BCS550). I have continued using the Makita cordless for my work on these aluminum plates (in addition to other far less demanding tasks). I also got rid of my wood circular saw that I use cut plastic plate material, plywood and other wood stock, since the metal-cutting saw really doesn't really care what cuts, within the hardness limits of the blade installed. The stock blade works great for everything, so I picked up a spare to have on hand. Do not hesitate to buy this saw for fast, efficient, convenient (cordless) cutting of stock, whatever that stock may be.I use it in conjunction with a 14" dry-cut metal-cutting cut-off saw, which is perfect for cutting things off squarely and precisely to length.

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