Makita has launched a new 18V compact cordless reciprocating saw, XRJ08, designed for cutting in tight spaces or overhead.
The new Makita XRJ08 reciprocating saw is designed to be “compact, lightweight, and balanced.”
It features a brushless motor, tool-less blade change mechanism, rubberized soft grip, and LED worklight.
Makita says that the new model delivers 40% lower vibration, compared to their XRJ07ZXB subcompact reciprocating saw, thanks to an internal counterweight mechanism.
The saw can make up to 90 cuts in 2×10 lumber, or up to 50 cuts in 1″ schedule 80 steel pipe, when powered with a fully charged 5Ah battery.
Key Features & Specs
- 7/8″ stroke length
- 0-3100 SPM
- Brushless motor
- Tool-less blade change
- 14-3/8″ overall length
- Weighs 4 lbs (tool-only), or 5.5 lbs with a 5Ah battery (sold separately)
Price: $169 (tool-only, XRJ08Z)
ETA: Shipping Soon (preorders are open as of 12/2022)
Discussion
Makita’s product page advertises that their new saw is up to 55% faster cutting compared to competitive models.
Let’s take a look at competitive specs:
Makita 18V XRJ08Z: 7/8″ stroke length, 0-3100 SPM
Dewalt 20V Max Atomic DCS369B: 5/8″ stroke length, 0-2800 SPM
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2719-20: 7/8″ stroke length, 0-3000 SPM
The maximum linear cutting speed would be the stroke length x strokes per minute. This gives us the linear cutting rate in inches per minute (ipm).
Makita: 2713 ipm
Dewalt: 1750 ipm
Milwaukee: 2625 ipm
It seems as though the new Makita one-handed brushless reciprocating saw has an edge on their competitors, at least on paper. With respect to on-paper cutting speed specs, the Makita bests Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel saw by 3.4%, and Dewalt’s Atomic saw by 55%.
As SPM specs typically reflect no-load speeds, performance can vary in real-world settings.
Compact one-handed reciprocating saws are best matched to lighter cutting tasks, especially in tight spaces or overhead, but it’s good to have power in reserve.
