When the team at Makita was first supplied with the specifications for the new brushless 165mm (6.5in) circular saw, they instantly recognised this tool was a game breaker.
Impressive power output was packed into an incredibly compact size, with plenty of other superior features to get excited about.
But when the tool recently arrived, they were quite frankly “blown away” by its incredible levels of performance. Put through its paces, the team described its cutting power as absolutely awesome, with “that much grunt it will wow even the tool’s toughest critics”.
On-site tool tests saw it flying through wood like a hot knife through butter and, according to Makita tech spec man Graham Norris, it punches well above its weight, delivering the kind of power you would normally see in something like a corded Makita 5007MGK 1800 watt circular saw.
So the DHS680 does the job. Using Makita’s new brushless technology to best use, which allows the motor to operate at cooler temperatures without friction, this saw operates at lower amperage, enabling the motor to put all its efforts into increasing performance and true cutting power.
The brushless motor not only increases the amount of power it can deliver. By lowering the heat produced by the motor, this technology also increases the work output and run time for every single battery charge.
Because the temperature at the housing surface is also reduced, these tools can also operate continuously for long periods of time, even in hard working applications.
Cutting power aside, there is much more to this saw, such as its first in industry* automatic torque control**.
In effect, this controls the power delivered to the cutting task, dependent on the material work surface. This has the very important benefit of preventing overload and battery harm.
An LED indicator panel indicates at what level the tool is operating, and when overload protection has activated to stop the motor. This is accompanied by a 3-stage battery fuel gauge which indicates when recharging is required.
Perhaps one of the most surprising factors of the new DHS680 is its compact size. All this power and impressive technology fits into a saw that is just 160mm wide — around 42mm smaller than its predecessor — and weighs just 3.3kg with battery included. Yet it easily cuts to 57mm depth at 0°.
Thoughtful extras
A very handy blower function which clears the cut line ahead makes sawing even easier, whilst the rear dust exhaust port accepts an optional dust nozzle for use with a Makita vacuum cleaner.
Thoughtful extras such as the tool hanger, twin LED job light and large lock-off lever that’s easy to operate, even when wearing gloves, make this circular saw a very tidy package all round.
It comes as standard with fast charger (36 minutes for 4.0Ah battery), battery, TCT saw blade, hex wrench and rip fence. It’s also available as Tool (Skin) only.
The DHS680 is the latest release in a series of brushless tools which now include driver drills, impact drills, impact drivers, jigsaws and grinders. There will be more to come in 2015, with all making the most of Makita’s stunning new brushless technology and range of 3, 4 and 5.0Ah batteries.
* In 14.4V & 18V class, based on Makita research, July 2014.
** Automatic adjustment of torque and speed according to work load.
For more information visit www.makita.co.nz.
