Professional Tool Reviews for Pros
Makita designed the XGT system to deliver higher power for demanding applications, letting you more effectively cut the cord for the toughest applications. Taking a closer look at the line, the Makita 40V XGT 8 1/2-inch cordless miter saw is one tool we’ve been looking forward to.
With its brushless motor and user-friendly design, the Makita GSL02 XGT cordless miter saw offers Pro tradesmen and women a compact solution that remains fully capable of tackling larger work materials. It joins a battery platform that’s already over 50 tools deep.
Editor’s Note: Check out our best miter saw article for our top recommendations.
For the Makita XGT cordless miter saw, its brushless motor is capable of 4,800 RPM on the top end. Sticking with a direct drive instead of a belt drive certainly helps keep the smooth, confident cutting we’re used to from Makita miter saws. Additionally, Makita tells us this saw provides up to 2x longer sustained power under heavy loads.
The Makita GSL02 uses an 8 1/2-inch blade to max out the cut capacity at 2 3/4 inches x 12 1/4 inches when cutting at 90º. Setting the miter angle at 45º, the sliding action gets you to 8 5/8 inches. You get positive stops at typical angles in both directions: 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, 45°, and 60°
It can also tackle bevel cuts up to 48º in both left and right directions. At a 45° bevel, you’re looking at a max cut of 1 3/16 inches deep.
For those of you planning to use this saw in conjunction with your Makita dust extractor, you’ll be pleased to know that the GSL02 is compatible with the AWS system. The Bluetooth transmitter is sold separately, but you do have the option for convenient dust collection using either their AWS-enabled vac or adding the wireless auto-start adapter to an extractor with an outlet.
One of the highlights of the Makita XGT cordless miter saw design revolves around the rail-forward design. This lets you place the back of the saw close to a wall without having to account for the rails pushing into it. The dust collection bag or hose may still force you to move forward a touch, but the rails won’t.
We also really like that the Makita engineering team designed the saw so that all of your bevel and miter adjustments are on the front. We’ve seen a few manufacturers go this way, and it’s super convenient.
The Makita GSL02 also features an LED light to cast a shadow for your cutline. Not only does this add some light to your work area, but it also accurately reflects where your blade will land without ever needing to align it the way you do with laser systems. Plus, the cutline is easier to see in brighter conditions.
Saving weight is one of the great reasons to go with a smaller miter saw. With a battery, this saw weighs 37.6 pounds. Combined with its compact size, it’s a highly portable way to cut accurately on site.
As of the time we’re writing, you can pre-order the saw for $699 as a bare tool for shipping in September. Expect a kit that includes one 4.0Ah battery and charger to show up as well. Makita backs the tool, battery, and charger with a 3-year warranty.
When he doesn't have his hands on tools himself, Chris is often the man behind the camera lens making the rest of the team look good. In his free time, you might find Chris with his nose jammed in a book, or tearing out his remaining hair while watching Liverpool FC. He enjoys his faith, family, friends, and the Oxford comma.
Makita Expands XGT’s Resume` With Cordless Metal Cutting Circular Saw Promising 2X faster cutting performance than its own 4131 corded metal cutting saw, the Makita 40V Max XGT 7-1/4-inch Metal Cutting Circular Saw possesses a few features to be on the lookout for. Here’s a look at how this tool could enhance your metal-cutting repertoire. […]
Hilti Nuron Cordless Jigsaw Gives You The Control You’re Craving Cordless jigsaws have been a part of our lives for years and have really come into their own as full corded replacements. We got our hands on the Hilti Nuron cordless jigsaw to see how it compares to the other major players in this space. […]
Ryobi HP Brushless 10-Inch Cordless Miter Saw Increases Cordless Capacity While Ryobi isn’t new to the miter saw game, they have made some advances over the years to make their saws more competitive, including shifting into more capable cordless models. We’ve already had our hands on the latest 7 1/4-inch model. Now the Ryobi 10-inch […]
After testing dozens of options, our team picked the absolute best cordless reciprocating saw models from manufacturers we trust the most. What sets these saws apart from the rest of the cordless reciprocating saws? Some run on higher voltages, such as 36V or 60V (54V max). Others use advanced battery technology to pull more power […]
Did ya’ll actually test this saw? This just seems like a listing of the stats.
I WANT ONE1111 I make small items. puzzles. boxes, bowls ,trivets and such. A bigger saw is not needed in these situations, in my opinion. Also takes up too much room in my small (100 sqft) shop. Hooray! We have a smaller choice to make!!!!!!
Nice saw with the rail forward design they also controlled the forward balance with and adjustable table shoe.Your weight claim of 37.6 lbs doesn’t match the manufacturers of 48.5. Thank You
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn income when you click on an Amazon link. Thanks for helping us do what we love.
See our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Pro Tool Reviews is a successful online publication that has been providing tool reviews and industry news since 2008. In today’s world of Internet news and online content, we found that more and more professionals researched a large majority of their major power tool purchases online. That piqued our interest.
There’s one key thing to note about Pro Tool Reviews: We’re all about the professional tool user and tradesman!
Copyright ©2008-2022 Pro Tool Reviews, LLC. All rights reserved.
Professional Tool Reviews for Pros