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+ Strong running+ Dust collection excellent w/ vac,(cutting tile floors in homes)+ well made this is a top shelf Makita product+ push button blade guard retractor+ easy blade change- the pistol grip has a VERY distracting finger guard- it has a bit awkward feel to it in useSummeryFor my application it is the best tool out there at this time, but if someone would make a worm drive collection system that worked as well I would jump ship. I use it to cut out old mortar bed tile installations. BackgroundI have had this saw for over a year now as a dedicated mortar bed saw. This involves changing the blade to a diamond and making full depth (of the bed) cuts into tile and concrete cutting the tile field into lift able sized pieces. If i were cutting Hardi siding I would look hard at the Ridgid first. so when I take this saw out (7-8 times last year) it gets run very hard (several hundred foot of concrete cutting in an hour or two).
If you have to watch the cut line, say on a rip, expect chips and dust coming right up into your face.recommend a face shield vs regular safety glasses. A dust mask was used on calm wind days. Tried cutting with and without a vacuum hose attached. When it came to ripping a plank, it took two people (one person babysat the hose). Cuts are clean and quite effortless. Be prepared to invest some time practicing with this saw.
Cutting speed increased and dust/chips were greatly reduced. If you can set up a tight cutting area/station, the hose may work for you. Rated to cut up to 5 planks.we tried up to 3 with no problems. I'd say the saw picks up 60-70% of the dust w/o the hose; slightly better with the vac. The first thing I'd recommend is remove the blade Makita gives you and buy a good diamond 4 or 6-tooth blade. The saw is heavy and not user friendly with a hose attached.
This saw won't be your saving grace but it will nicely compliment Snapper or Kett shears. We eventually put the wind to the back of the cut-man and went without the hose.
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