Makita SP6000J1 Plunge Saw Review

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There’s a circular saw and then there’s the plunge circular saw. You might also hear this type of saw referred to as a track saw. The difference is that you feed the saw along the material and it can plunge anywhere you need it to for the cut. While it falls into a circular saw category by design, it’s not a circular saw at all.

The long plunging blades are what really set this saw apart. Of course, it moves along the track of the saw, hence the names plunge saw or track saw. The Makita SP6000J1 plunge saw is one for the books. From a company that has been making high-performance tools for more than a century, they seem to get the big details right.

Check out this detailed Makita SP6000J1 review to learn more.

Makita SP6000J1 Review of Features

Let’s start with a quick overview of the features. This is where you see the basics of the plunge saw and what it has to offer as a whole.

  • Powerful 12-amp motor in a handheld saw
  • RPM speed capabilities ranging from 2,000 to 5,200 RPM
  • Extensive cutting capacity
  • Includes a guide rail connector track for long cuts
  • Durable steel construction built to last for years to come
  • Plunges up to 6.5 inches for your cut with the included blade

Key Feature Overview

You can look at any plunge saw listing and see a list of features that may or may not be similar to the ones I just listed. With the Makita SP6000J1, I felt these things are key to the overall quality of this plunge saw. However, I want to draw attention to some key features that ultimately set this tool apart from others.

Man cuts the wood using plunge saw outside at the vacant lot
  • Overall Performance: One thing that almost always stands out with a Makita tool is the fact that it’s built for performance. They focus on quality rather than trying to make their tool fancy. It’s got some great features but it delivers when you need performance for your work.
  • Durability: This Makita track saw is built for durability. It’s not going to break or fall apart anytime soon. When you make an investment in this tool, you can depend on it lasting for many years as long as you take care of it. It’s a lasting investment well worth it.
  • Power Proposition: The Makita plunge track saw is also great for power. 12 amps is a significant amount of power in a handheld saw like this. It’s comfortable to hold and easy to control. The extra power is necessary and helpful since you are plunging into items and could potentially be cutting some thick and challenging materials in the process.
  • Guide Rails: This is a track saw, or a plunge saw if you will. It comes with the attached track guide but it also includes an extended track guide that easily attaches when you need it and detaches when you don’t.

Additional Feature Highlight

The Makita plunge saw was ultimately designed for you to be able to make plunge cuts into materials. However, the really cool thing about these saws is it doesn’t always have to be a plunge.

You can start in the center of your material or you can start at an edge. It really just depends on what you are trying to accomplish in the end.

With this type of design, a plunge saw can be quite versatile. With that being said, you also have to keep in mind that the blade is incredibly long since it is designed for a plunge.

With this Makita plunge saw, that blade is 6.5 inches long. That’s pretty substantial so you have to be able to set up to handle the blade length.

The plunge design also allows you to cut close to a wall if you need to. It’s more versatile and can reach more places. You can cut large pieces and cut them far more easily.

Think of materials like a sheet of metal, plywood, sheetrock, and panel board. The Makita plunge saw can make any of these a breeze.

Man cutting a plywood using plunge circular saw on the ground

Makita SP6oooJ1 Review Cut Capacity

Let’s hone in for just a moment on the cut capacity of this saw. I talked about the plunge itself but that isn’t the total definition of cut capacity. This saw was designed to be versatile.

While you can certainly use the plunge for a lot of things, there are other useful elements too.

Take, for example, the bevel capability. The cutting capacity for a 90-degree cut is 2-3/16 of an inch. You can bevel the blade as well.

There are two bevel stops that reach 22.5 degrees and 45 degrees, respectively. At the 45-degree mark, your cutting capacity is 1-9/16 of an inch.

The Cons

Now let’s talk about the potential cons. As much as I would love this to be a perfect tool, the reality is that no tool is 100% perfect. There will always be something. It’s just up to you to decide whether you can deal with the potential imperfection.

The biggest con with this plunge saw is the length of the cord. You can add an extension cord and that’s what most people do. However, if you don’t have an extension, you might feel very limited on the cut itself.

The other potential downside is that you might need to make adjustments to your track for precision. By the time the tracks come through shipping and processing, they aren’t always accurate right out of the box. You may also need additional tracks for additional length.

How to Use a Circular Saw | RYOBI Tools 101

Final Thoughts

The Makita SP6000J1 plunge saw really is a great choice. It has a lot to offer that many saws in this capacity simply don’t have. You’ve got power and versatility all built into a saw that is easy to use. This plunge saw kit comes with the saw, some blades, and even some extra track.

If you’re looking for something that handles the job with ease and performance, this Makita plunge saw has got it. It’s built to last, which makes it a good value for the money.

Raised with a fix-it and improvement mindset, my wife and I completely restored our Craftsman-style home. Learning how to DIY a variety of home improvement projects, I started SawsHub with my father. He's the fine woodworker, I'm the DIYer!