Photo: Makita
What We Like
- High-performance hypoid gears
- Oil-bathed gears for durability
- Superior power transmission
- Easy and comfortable handling
- Durable build and components
What We Don’t Like
- Weighty
Bottom Line
High-performance, ease of use, and low maintenance are qualities of Makita 5377MG that make it a worthwhile buy for any professional or enthusiast circular saw user.
Introduction
If you are looking for a circular saw with the perfect balance of power, durability, and maintainability, Makita 5377MG is the tool for you. Its core components are engineered for superior transmission power and efficient running.
With hypoid gears, which are further bathed in oil and encased in a fan-cooled housing, the tool runs optimally for long, while simplifying handling with clear markings, and large rubber grips.
Makita 5377MG Review
Photo: Makita
Performance: Powerful and Versatile
It is not common to come across a powerful and high-performance tool, which is low maintenance, all the qualities that Makita 5377MG offers. This powerful 15-amp circular saw channels its power to a 7-1/4-inch blade which rotating at 4,500 RPM for intensive cutting.
The power and speed combination makes this tool very versatile and will support a wide range of applications including wall framing, flooring, and roofing, using many types of dimensional and dense lumber such as PSL, LVL, I-Joists, microlams, headers, and many more.
You can use the saw to rip panels such as OSB, particle boards, plywood, dense panel structures, and many more. It has proven reliable in bevel and plunge cutting especially because of its robust positive stops 22.5°, 45°, and 51.5°, for achieving fast back-and-forth switches. At 90°, the cutting capacity of this saw is high, at 2-3/8 inches.
Power optimization is another benefit you will realize when you start working with Makita 5377MG. Hypoid gears tend to have a large surface contact which means power transmission occurs over a greater surface, not only increasing the output of the tool but also boosting durability.
To top it all up, the hypoid gears are then bathed in oil, and sealed in a fan-cooled housing to ensure a 100% oil coating that will minimize the need for regular maintenance, saving you costs in the long-term.
Every circular saw user demands superior accuracy and precision from their tools, and Makita 5377MG delivers reliably in these requirements. Its 7-1/4-inch blade has unique “M”-shaped teeth that not only maximize cutting performance but will also deliver faster and cleaner cuts. This carbide-tipped blade promises to cut 50% faster and last 2x longer than standard blades.
Also, we’re happy to report that the same blade comes ultra-coated for heat and pitch build-up reduction. These strengths help the blade achieve faster and smoother cuts while maintaining superior performance.
Design: Optimized for Simplified Operation
A quick glance at the Makita 5377MG makes you think that its design was meant to help you maximize on all the power and capabilities of this tool, in the simplest way possible.
When you set it up and align it with your workpiece, you’ll notice that Makita has enlarged most of the relevant number and ruler markings on the tool, including the depth and bevel marking so that they’re easier for you to see. It makes squinting too close to the saw a thing of the past.
The easy-to-read settings extend beyond ease of use to also enhance accuracy and precision because you will be getting the measurements right almost all the time.
Even the blade design does impact the overall performance of the saw. The Makita 7-1/4-inch has an advanced “M”-shaped design, which according to the manufacturer, “features a two-pointed tip and two 10-degree bevel faces to maximize cutting performance for a faster, cleaner, and longer-lasting cut”. Such subtle design enhancements help you to optimize tool performance.
Another neat design enhancement you’ll find very useful is the saw’s retractable skyhook, which is handy for a tool hanging close to the workstation but also stays out of the way during tool operation.
Durability: Heavy-duty Low-maintenance Components
Durability is the highlight of the Makita 5377MG. The entire tool is engineered to provide you with reliable lifetime service across multiple applications while keeping maintenance at the minimum.
Makita uses oil bath technology in this circular saw’s motor. The technology incorporates a built-in fan and sealed gear housing, both of which ensure that the tool’s gears constantly have a 100% oil coating on their surface. The outcome of this mechanism is minimal gear wear, which translates to less maintenance over time.
The advanced hypoid gears using in the Makita 5377MG require minimal to no maintenance and not just because they are bathed in oil for consistent oil contact, but also because they are made using steel, which very strong and durable, hence reduce the demand for regular maintenance.
Also, Makita’s choice of Magnesium as the main material for the saw’s core components makes the tool very rugged and able to withstand the constant stresses of tough job sites, making it you go-to circular saw for professional, enthusiast and DIY projects.
And don’t worry about cord strength. The saw’s 10-foot power cord has been reinforced to withstand the harshness of most busy job sites thus helping to reduce and possibly eliminate repair costs for you.
Ease of Use: Ergonomic and Comfortable, with Clear Markings
The ease of using this circular saw is tied closely to its design. Ergonomics and superior handing are key areas of focus for this tool.
When you first hold this tool in your hand’s you will notice the decent amount of clearance between the rear handle and brake case. This design choice seeks to enhance grip for people with larger hands, and for users who operate the tool with gloves.
To enable you to make quick, one-hand adjustments, both of the saw’s levers are not only large but also rubberized to help enhance your degree of tool control, especially during operation. You never have to worry about instability with this saw.
Also, the main (back handle) has a comfortable grip, which is not only a great fit for all hands but also provides the comfort necessary for better tool control.
Perhaps because most Makita 5377MG’s core components are metallic, the entire tool weighs 13.2 pounds, which is above the lightweight category. So, you may feel its bulk during extended operation. If this happens to you during tool use, small breaks in between tasks should help mitigate that.
You can forget about the agony of losing wrenches on the job because this circular saw has an on-board blade wrench storage, which not only supports fast and convenient blade changes but also serves as safe storage.
Price: Great Value for the Money
For less than $200, you are getting a not just a powerful tool, but one that saves you a lot of future costs in regular maintenance. With all the technology utilized just to make the Makita 5377MG almost maintenance-free, there is a lot of value offered for the price you pay.
Verdict
A versatile, high-performance and low-maintenance circular saw designed to thrive in a wide range of applications while producing consistent power.
With the Makita 5377MG, you are guaranteed reliable and consistent power from the 15-amp motor, especially for multiple lumber-based projects. While the ease of handling this circular saw is exceptional, it is its low-maintenance operation that makes it stand out the most.
Specs
- Product Name: Makita 5377MG
- Product Dimensions: 21.75 x 11.75 x 12.50 inches
- Power: 15 Amps (2300 Watts)
- Power Source: Corded-electric
- Speed (No Load): 4,500 RPM
- Blade Diameter: 7-1/4 inches
- Cutting Capacity (at 90°): 2-3/8 inches
- Cutting Capacity (at 45°): 1-3/4 inches
- Cutting Capacity (at 50°): 1-9/16 inches
- Bevel Capacity: 51.5 inches
- Tool Weight: 13.2 pounds
Key Features
- Oil bath and sealed gear housing for minimal maintenance
- Premium heat-treated low-maintenance hypoid gears
- Hypoid gears for superior surface contact and power transfer
- Comfortable rubber grip for easy handling
- Good clearance between handle and blade case
- Retractable hook for easy tool management
- Oversized easy-to-read numbers and ruler marking