Shop Garden Tools & Accessories >

FREE Delivery Over £99

Next Day Delivery

Finance Available

FREE Delivery Over £49

Next Day Delivery

Finance From £150

Makita 5008MGJ Circular Saw Review

Posted by Katy | Toolstop on 1st Jan 2021

This Toolstop Review talks you through the popular Makita 5008MG. This Makita Circular Saw is popular amongst tradesmen and DIY Hobbyists alike thanks to its great features, benefits and capabilities. Read on to find out the main specs and benefits of the Makita 5008MGJ.

This Toolstop Review talks you through the popular Makita 5008MG. This Makita Circular Saw is popular amongst tradesmen and DIY Hobbyists alike thanks to its great features, benefits and capabilities. Read on to find out the main specs and benefits of the Makita 5008MGJ.

Makita 5008MGJ Circular Saw Review

All About the Makita 5008MG

Circular saws are must-have tools for making quick and precise cuts through wood. We’ve got a guide on our blog to help you make the best choice with your hard earned cash, which you can read here.

However, we reckon you should take a close look at Makita’s new offering, 5008MG. Click here for our best price on it, a saw that makes a true 3″ cut!

Why do we think this is a circular saw worth your consideration? Here’s what stands out to us about it:

Let’s start off with the “MG” in the saw’s name. That stands for magnesium die cast. Makita has engineered the 5008MG with copious amounts of this lightweight but incredibly durable alloy. It’s designed to take knocks without piling on the pounds.

Features of the Makita 5008MGJ

The saw tips the scales at a mere 4.8kg so it’s going to feel light and responsive in your hand, but the base plate will withstand a drop (although we never recommend you purposefully test this) should it accidentally get knocked off your workbench, whereas the aluminium base plates found on other saws will crack, bend or break.

It’s also a bit of a looker

The 5008MG is an attention-grabber, partly because of the magnesium die cast components, but also because of the chrome finishing! We’re not sure what the design team at Makita were thinking, but we admit, it’s a nice touch.

The ergonomics are balanced

Makita power tools are well known for their ergonomics. As is typical, you’ll find tactile rubberised grips where you need them, both on the handle and trigger as well as the front handle. This means your grip on the saw while you cut will be firm and true.

It goes without saying that you should always make sure the handles and trigger are free from water and oil before you cut. All in all, the 5008MG sits beautifully in the hand, is easy to control and will glide through the material you’re cutting with ease, powered by its 1800W motor, spinning the supplied carbide tipped blade at 5200rpm via the trigger.

Everything you need to know about the 5008MGJ Makita Circular Saw

Regarding the trigger, it doesn’t have a lock-off switch. Instead, the trigger is positioned in a different slot from the rest of your hand. Makita says that the design of the handle, and position of the trigger housing, means that when you pick the saw up your hand will naturally avoid the trigger.

Once you slip your finger into the trigger housing, the switch provides around 8mm of play before the motor will engage. In other words, you’ll know when you’re pressing the trigger, meaning you’re in full control of the powerful motor.

We asked the guys at Makita to walk us through some of the spec, features and benefits of the 5008MG, which you can watch on Toolstop TV below:

It’s bright as well as light

As you can see, the saw is equipped with twin LEDs, forming a bright and reliable job light. This will illuminate your cutting line, perfect for when you’re working in dim environments.

Makita has also made sure the depth scale is easy to read, and this includes the ability to look-off the saw at a variety of depths up to a true 3″ or 75.5mm (unlike many other saws on the market that only cut up to 75mm, ie. not a true 3″). The frequently used depths are clearly marked; 19mm (3/4″) and 13mm (1/2″).

Bevelling is easy thanks to the lever located at the front of the saw. Disengage it, select your angle of bevel, all the up to 50º, lock it off, and make your bevel cut with ease. Cutting capacities when bevelling are good. A full 75.5mm at 0º, reducing to 57mm at 45º and 51.5mm at 50º.

The best of the rest

The saw is fitted with an exhaust port to allow you to hook it up to a dust extractor and it comes with the aforementioned saw blade, a hex wrench and a rip fence guide rule.

We reckon the 5008MG is a great step forward in Makita’s circular saw evolution, but we’d love to know what you think of it, or if you have any questions about this – or other – circular saws.


Other Corded Makita Circular Saws at Toolstop:

Bosch 2608596132 CYL-1 Drill Bit For Masonry
Bosch 2608596132 CYL-1 Drill Bit For Masonry
Bosch 2608596132 CYL-1 Drill Bit For Masonry
Bosch 2608596132 CYL-1 Drill Bit For Masonry

Explore the Toolstop Blog...