Makita HS7601J/2 240V 190mm Circular Saw Supplied in a Makpac Case

Product Information

When it’s running this is an incredibly loud saw. Even under no load, it’s punishing. Compared with the cordless circular saws I’ve tested out; they feel like they’re whisper quiet. I wouldn’t dream of using a circular saw without proper PPE, but even with my British Army issue Peltor ear defenders on, it’s a bit too loud. If the tool is faulty within 30 days of buying it, we will arrange for its collection at no cost to you and supply a replacement.

MAKITA HS7601J 240v Circular saw - 190mm blade - Howe Tools MAKITA HS7601J 240v Circular saw - 190mm blade - Howe Tools

It’s well-priced compared with the more premium saws on my list, but I would honestly save up for a machine that was better finished and could cut through timber a lot cleaner. Sheffield based tool firm Evolution have been in the DIY game since 1992. Specialising in multi-material saw blades that can cut through just about anything you can throw at them, they’re loved by plenty of handy people all over. The cable protector, the rubber boot sleeve that comes out of the body of the saw, isn’t quite long enough. It doesn’t really help to stop the cable from crimping close to the saw, which could shorten its useful working life. Again, I suspect it’s down to the blade. The teeth are relatively small, and if they’re designed to work on multiple materials then they might not be fine-tuned for optimum cutting timber. I suspect that the multi-material blade is a good all-rounder but not ideal for any particular job. This saw cuts through timbers without complaining. It’s even got the most accurate depth gauge according to my unscientific tests. You can even cut through metal without shelling out for a new blade. So, for that reason, it’s quite good value for money.This Guide Rail Adaptor fits the Makita HS7601J Circular Saw and is intended for use with Makita or Festool Guide Rails. There’s something to be said about big heavy tools. You’re less likely to try out dangerous manoeuvres and keep them down on the bench. Even though there’s a fair amount of plastic on this saw, Evolution have used metal where it counts. The saw guard and blade housing are made from aluminium, so it makes you feel confident during use.

Evolution R185 CCS Circular Saw 2023 Review - DIY Garden

the tool is not an Air Compressor/ Air Tool, a Battery/ Charger, an Accessory, or a Petrol or Production Tool The Evolution R185 CCS Circular Saw has got, by far, the largest motor out of all the ones I’ve tested out. The 1,600 Watt power plant is big, bulky, and counts for a lot of this saw’s weight. This massive motor spins up the large 185 mm TCT multi-material blade to 3,900 rpm. That’s a lot slower in comparison with the Makita HS7601’s 5,200 rpm.The main trigger grip feels nice with my nitrile gloves on. There’s plenty of grip even without them on and it sits well in the hand, which is vital thanks to the weight of this big saw. The front handle is a bit disappointing though, it’s just hard ABS plastic without any added grip. It’s fine when you’ve got gloves on but without them it’s not so comfortable. I was actually quite surprised at how difficult it was to push the big Evolution saw through the English oak timber I had set up for the test. I honestly expected the saw to power through it, but it took more persuasion than perhaps necessary. I was under the impression that this heavy saw would be the most powerful one. Seeing as this saw comes with Evolution’s legendary multi material TCT blade, I thought I should use it on a few different materials. It’s this saw’s ace in the hole and what sets it apart from the other circular saws on my list. As good as the Makita and Bosch saws are, you can’t use them on metal unless you buy a separate blade. The first tests I performed were on standard constructional softwood timber. I made a series of cuts at 0 and 45°, then upped the ante by doing the same with some hard English oak I had seasoned in my attic.

Makita HS7601J 190mm Circular Saw in Makpac Carry Case

If you’re a left handed user, you might be annoyed that the safety thumb switch is on the left of the trigger. I can’t quite work out why Evolution have made a saw for right handers only that has the blade on the right side of the motor. Odd, to say the least.

The electronic brake stops the blade much faster compared with the Makita or Bosch corded tools. From full rpm it stops dead after just less than four seconds. It means that even though there’s some over run noise, it’s a lot less to deal with compared with the competition. The baseplate has a rough texture to it, and it didn’t seem very flat. After using it a few times the high spots on the shoe were getting marked already. It just didn’t slide smoothly enough. The silky smooth baseplate on the Makita HS7601J is much easier to slide across the surface of timber in comparison. Product dimensions are stated with a battery / batteries, if they affect the overall dimensions of the product. There were also quite a few marks and scratches on both the bevel adjustment and depth gauge, straight from the box. This doesn’t mean that all Evolution saws are going to have these faults, but there’s an obvious quality control issue somewhere. As I found out when dealing with the hard English oak timber, I was forced to push this saw much harder. I’ll put it down to the multi-material blade. There are just 20 teeth on it, and they’re much less aggressive than the DeWalt DT1209 for example.