Whenever I take a new track saw out of the box, there’s always that moment when doubt creeps in. There it is. The precision rail.
The slick body. And all this time and money in your grip. And then you notice the cord, or lack thereof.
On paper, the cord/cordless debate seems like a simple yes/no question, but it never realy is. It’s a conversation between the freedom of today’s lithium ion batteries and raw torque of mains power. What do you value most for your work?
Most woodworkers end up owning these tools or renting them when they are needed for large projects. But if this will be your first proper Makita track saw purchase, make sure to bring your brain along for the ride. They dominate the midrange track saw market for a good reason: Their ecosystem is deep, their rails is precise, and their tool are reliable.
So what kind of power source do you need? Are you someone who does lots of sheet trimming in a tight apartment, or ripping plywood at a construction job? Your answer make all the difference in what you’re going to grab from that shelf.
Choosing Between Corded and Cordless Makita Track Saws
The Corded vs. Cordless Debate
First thing to think about is raw power difference. Corded models (such as the Makita’s SP6000J) consistently deliver amperage directly from the wall. This results in their motors spins at full speed even while cutting through thick hardwoods without dropping RPMs.
Cutting through a knot or piece of dense maple? No problem for a corded saw. They don’t flinch.
They keep right on chewing until material is gone, giving you the same cut quality at the beginning of board as you get at the end. Performance do not fade. And that consistency is priceless when you’re making long, critical cuts that require perfect straightness and cleanliness.
Raw Power and Cutting Performance
Halfway through a sheet you don’t have to worry about tool bogging down. In the last few years, cordless models has really caught up. For most household projects, the 18V LXT line from Makita has plenty of power to rip through almost anything (it handles both MDF and two-by-tens with ease), though you might notice a difference when pushing through thicker materials.
But you’ll feel it on something thicker. Although a brushless motor on a cordless saw makes the battery efficient, the chemistry have its limits. If you’re ripping through multiple sheet of plywood at once, you’ll be swapping out batteries.
And that’s not a shortcoming. That’s the compromise for mobility. The freedom comes with actively thinking about how you power tool.
Mobility and Workspace Freedom
There’s another reason, the environment you’re working in. With a corded saw, that means you’ve got to be plugged into an electrical outlet. That creates clutter and a trip hazard near where you’re working.
And if you’re inside a room with furnitures and baseboards, well, dragging a cord around will just make you cranky. Besides getting underfoot, it’s going to catch on corners and such. A cordless saw allows for freedom of movement.
Want to get up behind some big cabinet? Need to get somewhere awkward? No more unwrapping a mess of cord.
In interior finish work, that freedom of movement make all the difference. Not having to fight over power supply lets you work quicker. If you’re an existing Makita owner, there’s one big consideration: battery compatibility.
Battery Ecosystem Compatibility
If you have circular saws, impact drivers and drills that runs on the Makita 18V system, then a cordless track saw becomes a no-brainer from a financial standpoint. It shares batteries with everything else in your arsenal. If you purchase a standalone corded tool, you invest in another power chain.
It may not be relevant if you’re starting out as a DIYer. But if you are collecting tools, you save money when you invest in a common battery platform. All you have to do is make sure you have enough charged batteries to complete your work without having to swap them frequent.
If you’re going out on jobs, portability is key. An extension reel and power strip are just another thing to haul around. If it’s cordless, it stows easy in your tool box or bag, and you can go straight from the van to job site with all you need in tow.
Portability for Job Sites
That’s critical for contractors or remodelers that has multiple spaces to go through during a day or week. Not having to set up power infrastructure saves time and the time add up over a week-long job. It allows you to stay in the zone, instead of in a setup mode.
Final Buying Recommendations
Ultimately it’s going to come down to what’s right for you and your specific use case. For someone who has a shop and does fine furnitures work, go corded. You’ll get that rock solid power all day long.
If you’re a DIY guy or gal or if you’re a general contractor working in a room at a time on finish work, then the cordless will provide enough convenience and speed to overcome small loss in power. Ultimately, everyone ends up needing both. But when you make your first purchase, consider where you spend most of your time.
Pick the tool that eliminates largest amount of friction from your workflow. That’s the saw to buy.