Makita vs. Milwaukee ?

[Craig-S]

Firstly i have never owned anything Milwaukee, I do have a couple of 18v Makita tools, but mostly another brand.

This question is coming about as I was cutting 2.5mm steel sheet yesterday with an angle grinder with a new 1.2mm cutting disc which i found was sketchier than holding a ball of fire, little to no pressure, slow progress, a bit more pressure and waiting for it to explode.

So I have been looking into circular saws for cutting sheet and the 2 18v options are the Milwaukee and Makita, Some youtube people rate the red one higher as they say you cant see where youre cutting on the Makita, but I cant get over the price discrepancy between the 2. for a cheaper price than buying the makita bare tool, i can buy the Milwaukee body + battery + charger. ideally I don't want yet another set of batteries and chargers, but the red brand does have some things im interested in which teal doesn't, namely 90 degree die grinder

So why IS the Makita soo much more expensive for the same tool? better machine?

Before the confusion, Makita do make a 136mm that a cheaper price, but im comparing 150mm vs. 150mm

Thoughts?

 

[Mark 2]

Makita aren't as good as they used to be, in my experience. The problem is that once you've bought into the battery you're hooked. Quite impressed with the Milwaukee grinder we have at work.

 

[Agroshield]

So why IS the Makita soo much more expensive for the same tool?

Some of it is supply and demand (including the geographic area into which the tool is sold). A metal-cutting saw is quite a niche product.

I am not sure about the visibility issue: would you not use a straight edge guide or a square on anything important?

For me, the availability of an adaptor shoe to use the tool on a tracksaw guide rail would be an important consideration.

 

[Craig-S]

Some of it is supply and demand (including the geographic area into which the tool is sold). A metal-cutting saw is quite a niche product.

I am not sure about the visibility issue: would you not use a straight edge guide or a square on anything important?

For me, the availability of an adaptor shoe to use the tool on a tracksaw guide rail would be an important consideration.

Something that worked on a track would be ideal as i have some Festool tracks which are compatible with both Milwaukee and Makita, however neither of these tools have an adaptor that I can see from their respective websites.

 

[winchman]

No idea.
Winchboy converted me to Milwaukee started with the drills as they are so much more compact especially the 12v
I have a 12v impact gun thats just fantastic.
My cheap stuff is Ryobi and to be honest I cant fault it but just not as good to use or as powerful as Milwaukee

 

[Kayos]

Makita aren't as good as they used to be, in my experience. The problem is that once you've bought into the battery you're hooked. Quite impressed with the Milwaukee grinder we have at work.

I'd disagree massively with that

I switched from Dewalt to Makita when my DeWalt gear was nicked, I then updated all my gear a few years ago and it's been spot on

All used/abused professionally so hammered every day, without issue

Someone who I know bought into Milwaukee and his combi drill died very quickly and despite the claimed 2mm extra capacity, my SDS out drills his on big and deep holes. We always use them over the rated size but Makita happily drills 30mm in masonry

 

[Craig-S]

I bought Makita, purely because its what my dad used for years and years and never had an issue, They are still (until i last checked) a family run business. Milwaukee is owned by TTI (Chyna) who produce a lot of brands in the same factories, not that it means anything i suppose.

 

[Agroshield]

Something that worked on a track would be ideal...

The trouble with using anything metal-cutting with a track is that it ruins the anti-splinter strip, either by melting it or embedding stuff into it. Banggood seem to be selling Festool-compatible tracks. In the UK, Evolution ones are about the cheapest.

Makita sell a number of guide rail adaptors for other tools that plug into the standard rectangular width guide slot. A similar idea or a modification to one of the existing ones might allow the metal saw to work with the guide rail.

 

[Craig-S]

The trouble with using anything metal-cutting with a track is that it ruins the anti-splinter strip, either by melting it or embedding stuff into it. Banggood seem to be selling Festool-compatible tracks. In the UK, Evolution ones are about the cheapest.

Makita sell a number of guide rail adaptors for other tools that plug into the standard rectangular width guide slot. A similar idea or a modification to one of the existing ones might allow the metal saw to work with the guide rail.

Valid point, I suppose you could offset keeping the blade 10mm or so off the splinter guard, but at that point might as well use one of these which i already have:

UJK Progrip Clamp

Many everyday power tool sawing or routing tasks involve cutting a straight line. There is always the problem of how best to guide the tool along a straight cutline. These guide clamps are a perfect alternative to trying to use a straight bit of scrap...

www.axminstertools.com

 

[MetalMonkey]

All brands have their pros and cons, the tendency is Makita is built a little better and more refined to use, Milwaukee tends to be cheap and powerful and not necessarily as reliable – but that is a generalisation, and all brands make lemons.
So you need to look carefully at the actual tool in question before making a decision.
It also depends on what battery platform you are on and if you want the hassle of dealing with multiple brands or compromise on some tools to make battery compatibility simpler.

Other brands are available too.
Dewalt, Hikoki (Formally Hitachi) , Bosch (calm down @MattF ), Metabo, Fein and many other brands all do metal circ saws.
If you are considering buying one from a platform you don’t already have batteries for, you may as well consider some other alternatives too.

However, while not usually one to dissuade people from buying tools, but on your original point – I would say cutting sheet with a grinder and a cut off wheel should be a pretty uneventful and relatively efficient process.
If you are having issues I’d be looking closely at the process, and discs you are using.
The circ saw is defiantly going to be a quicker and easier way of doing it, and should give you a nice straight cut, but won’t replace a grinder and is a sizable investment if you don’t cut a lot of sheet.

 

[eddie49]

The first cordless metal-cutting saws were made by Panasonic. They work really well, I have two of these:

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Craig-S]

All brands have their pros and cons, the tendency is Makita is built a little better and more refined to use, Milwaukee tends to be cheap and powerful and not necessarily as reliable – but that is a generalisation, and all brands make lemons.
So you need to look carefully at the actual tool in question before making a decision.
It also depends on what battery platform you are on and if you want the hassle of dealing with multiple brands or compromise on some tools to make battery compatibility simpler.

Other brands are available too.
Dewalt, Hikoki (Formally Hitachi) , Bosch (calm down @MattF ), Metabo, Fein and many other brands all do metal circ saws.
If you are considering buying one from a platform you don’t already have batteries for, you may as well consider some other alternatives too.

However, while not usually one to dissuade people from buying tools, but on your original point – I would say cutting sheet with a grinder and a cut off wheel should be a pretty uneventful and relatively efficient process.
If you are having issues I’d be looking closely at the process, and discs you are using.
The circ saw is defiantly going to be a quicker and easier way of doing it, and should give you a nice straight cut, but won’t replace a grinder and is a sizable investment if you don’t cut a lot of sheet.

All very valid points.

My main battery platform in Festool, although i have Makita also (impact/SDS/router). Im not bothered if something is battery powered or corded, it just seems bare tools are much cheaper for the amount of cutting and thickness involved (weekend hobby). I cant imagine cutting anything over 3mm angle, box or sheet.

I initially looked at Milwaukee as they have the right angle die grinders which Makita doesnt make which look useful.

Im using a 125mm 18v angle grinder with the following disc to cut the 2.5mm mild steel sheet and it just seems a bit sketchy considering all the exploding discs you see everywhere, that being said people only post when things go wrong for clicks/views.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01E4DFWXS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Whether these are the correct discs or not i couldn't say.

Makita also do a smaller version, this might be a better option for my use case?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Makita-DCS552Z-Metal-Blue-136mm/dp/B07HZD9HV4/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2ZLB01AU91EOL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CetU-uAggLTq4aYm4ZDF9sKLxARn6ur0GN7P_oigsUv6BCea_zLDzX68olLPiofBJhtvtrjtV0myP5_cNZaDYn24EAnvsachDbbsK1sGK9FQBdyTr-7UqRjxc0t9AvQHOGgObpXGCZDO0rAF9zZ06TNOQQ68hkiuVC__Sc1b-Gj4betWn6vW9IsZ6ykCoZsNA6JPb-8t22h51T1tSTAS5XbcFKFGRXp31ICngrsWuZak7ZEUgBf8-YxA_JQHgqvBrj8_kQyNAQtHrTpPcsuQFDKa_IOGxJeP-2K-f7nQh1E.LLs30dl7S1ulPag-p3WyebtBHOpaZRC5oiwVE494tNY&dib_tag=se&keywords=makita%2B136mm%2Bmetal%2Bcutting%2Bsaw&qid=1761296015&sprefix=makita%2B136mm%2Bmetal%2Bcutting%2Bsaw%2Caps%2C271&sr=8-6&th=1

 

[julianf]

The rules are -

If you're a chippy, it's DeWalt
If you're an engineer, Milwaukee
If you're a mechanic, snap on (or Milwaukee)
If you're a hobbiest, Makita.
If you're an American YouTuber, Festool.

 

[Craig-S]

The rules are -

If you're a chippy, it's DeWalt
If you're an engineer, Milwaukee
If you're a mechanic, snap on (or Milwaukee)
If you're a hobbiest, Makita.
If you're an American YouTuber, Festool.

Fundamentally disagree. Mericans LOVE Dewilt and willfuckee. Also a LOT of Festool gear isn't even available in the US.

 

[cheb]

And we all know rules are there for the guidance of fools and the blind obedience of the wise.

Whatever battery platform you choose, adapters are probably available. I've a old style Makita 18V that can use an Aldi 20V battery via a couple of adapters.

 

[Bornfree]

The rules are -

If you're a chippy, it's DeWalt
If you're an engineer, Milwaukee
If you're a mechanic, snap on (or Milwaukee)
If you're a hobbiest, Makita.
If you're an American YouTuber, Festool.

I use bosch what does that make me. Polite answers only please

 

[MattF]

Thoughts?

Buy whichever brand has the tool(s) you require, at a price you're happy with.

I still have a few bits of Makita gear, but moved over to Bosch in general a few year ago. I've never been able to fault Bosch gear. The Makita's have always been fine too. Never touched Milwaukee, personally. I'll probably be hated for saying this, but whenever I've seen any of their gear, to my eye, it just seems a bit cheap. I may be wrong, as plenty swear by it, but I can't see any Milwaukee gear ever appearing in my collection.

 

[MattF]

I use bosch what does that make me.

Someone with taste & class.

 

[Kram]

First, if your finding a grinder to be sketchy with discs exploding, your doing it wrong. Either the cut is pinching up, discs are past there date, or just poor control of it. Shouldnt happen!

Recommend buying some new discs. If its a mains grinder, consider a cordless Fakita as they are significantly more tame while still having reasonable power. Cordless grinders generally have a much slower rotation speed, which is less ideal, but easier controlled.

 

[northwest]

as they are so much more compact especially the 12v
I have a 12v impact gun thats just fantastic.

My arms and shoulders told me any more of the 18v DeWalt stuff and I was going to have to stop soon so I bought the Milwaukee 12 volt drill, then the driver. Since then I have gone to mostly (where I can) Milwaukee 12 volt stuff, bloody great it is, for me. I like the option of extended power batteries too.