Makita5057KB 7-1/4" Circular Saw, with Dust Collector

As a furniture builder and a general contractor I own nearly every type of stationary and portable saw there is from concrete, metal cutting as well as woodworking. This saw is a circular saw "with a dust collector" although it is often touted to be used for cutting cement board products which generates hazardous dust.I use this saw specifically to cut sheet plywood in my compact wood working shop and it does so without creating much dust. Every stationary tool in my shop from sanders, band saws, planer, and jointer etc has 4 inch dust collectors in addition to an overhead recirculating air filtration system. I much prefer to do larger cuts of plywood sheets with a circular saw guided by a clamping straight edge (E. Emerson up to 100" long). With this set up my accuracy is much better than what is possible hand feeding a table saw this saw allows connection to a shop vacuum instead.Using a Forrest "Ply Veneer Worker" a newly released 2013 blade I get sliver and chip free cuts both top and bottom of the most expensive plywoods. The dust collector coupled to a triggering shop vacuum captures over 95% of the saw dust, but most importantly the loose saw dust particles which escape are saw dust chips. The very fine dust generated which is the most dangerous to lungs and is at least 99% collected in my experience. I won't comment on using this without a vacuum because that is not important to me.I should note that the basic core of this saw is similar to many other Makita saws sharing a similar motor and chassis design but has been designed to incorporate a dust collecting box, which optionally allows the attachment to a vacuum system. The adaptation is very tightly implemented even incorporating gasketed closures and also a foam gasket which is in contact with the "open" side of the blade opposite the guard shroud which pivots back when engaged with the material being cut.(In contrast the Ridgid saw that I also own and is also marketed for cutting cement boards does not surround the blade anywhere as closely loses much more dust. A huge advantage of this Makita is that it uses the common 7 1/4 diameter blade whereas there is only one blade manufactured for the Ridgid which is specifically for cement boards. I do own and use the Ridgid saw for cutting concrete product siding as well as tile backing. For that purpose the Ridgid is a much more economical solution.)This saw would probably not serve any user accurately well if they are guiding the blade by hand and eye. The shrouds while incredibly efficient will obscure your sight of the cut line but that is not an issue when used cutting guided by a clamping bar.

Dust collector only covers the blade when your at full cutting depth, works great at that point but less effective the more shallow the cut. they should have attached the dust collector to the adjustment plate.Plus it's very hard to see where your cutting with the design. The two stars is for the value, pushing five hundred dollars is way too steep for such a limited tool.

I just don’t understand why these companies do this dewalt did it with their new 20v this Makita. This Makita is built very well just so dumb the make them like this!

Very reliable tool. The dust collector works just fine.

Exactly what we needed

Power is great and dust collection is sufficient, but blade is on the right side of saw making it difficult to use w my right hand and see where you are cutting. saw just sits now because of it. Bought just for gable cuts on Hardie board and feel like I waisted my money.

I purchased this over ten years ago, for a whole house cement board siding project and have used it on three such projects.The dust from cutting cement board with other than a shear type cutter is horrendous. This and a shop vac go a LONG ways to solving that dust problem. I recommend you incorporate a Dust Deputy cyclone into your collection system because of how fast the filter plugs without it.The shears, though they produce less dust, do not give as nice a cut. As such, I found myself resorting to a saw for many of the cuts.Saws that do not enclose the blade give just above zero dust control, when used with a vac. The best you can do is set the vac hose near the spot on the blade you "think" is throwing the most dust and hope for the best. The Makita saw solves that problem.For accuracy of cuts, I use guides:An angle guide can be built using toggle clamps, a piece of 1/8" hardboard with slots to adjust the position of the toggle clamps and a permanent straight edge. It's quick and easy to set up for angles.For straight ninety degree cuts, you can build a cutting guide with a flip-up/flip-down fence that allows you to push the board in, then flip the fence down and lock it with the flick of a toggle clamp.Just use your imagination. If you're going to be using the saw a lot on a job, the jigs are worth the time.

Great product. Flimsy shroud. Great for a home user, but will not last in commercial environment. Hopefully they keep innovating and make this better. It's so close to being perfect, just needs a stronger latching mechanism.