Makita HS011G Review: The 270mm Cordless Circular Saw That Cuts 4x4 Posts in One Pass

Introduction

Some cordless tools compromise to fit the battery format. The Makita HS011G does the opposite: it is a 40V max top-handle circular saw built around a 270mm (10-5/8 inch) blade, with a cutting depth that lets it push straight through a 100x100 (4x4) post in one pass. That single capability alone sets it apart, since very few circular saws of any kind can claim it. After spending proper time with the tool, it is hard not to come away impressed by how much saw Makita has packed into this platform.

Who This Saw Is For

This is a saw for framers, serious DIYers and anyone working with large-section timber. If your day regularly involves ripping long boards, cutting thick posts, or making compound bevel cuts on site, the HS011G covers work that smaller 165mm or 185mm cordless saws simply cannot do in one pass.

In regions like New Zealand, Australia and the UK, the saw ships with a 270mm blade rather than a 260mm one, and that difference matters: the larger blade lets it clear a 100x100 post in a single cut. Out of the box it cuts to 97mm with the 260mm option, and 100mm with the 270mm blade fitted.

Main Strengths

Blade and Arbor Flexibility

The arbor is a 16mm shaft with a flange that steps it up to 30mm, and the saw accommodates both 30mm and one-inch bore blades depending on region. That flexibility makes blade sourcing straightforward.

Track Saw Capability in a Circular Saw

One of the standout features is a guide rail groove built directly into the base, just like a Makita plunge saw. No adapter needed. You lose roughly 4mm of cutting depth on the rail, but the saw also carries the anti-tipper tabs and dual dials found on Makita track saws to prevent tipping during bevel cuts and eliminate chatter. Track saws are no longer just plunge saws, and Makita is rolling this approach across more of its range.

Clever Rip Guide Design

The saw ships with an adjustable front piece that slides forward for extra stability during bevels, then flips over to become a locked-in straight-edge rip guide. It locks front and back, so it feels solid in use. The lack of a fixed front edge also lets you get the base right up close to a board edge when cutting freehand.

Bevel Range and Cutting Depth

The bevel dial offers positive stops at 22.5 and 45 degrees, but the headline is a 60-degree maximum bevel. At 45 degrees the saw cuts through 75mm-thick (3 inch) timber in one pass, and at 60 degrees it still manages 55mm, enough to clear two-inch timber at that extreme angle. The base also goes to negative 1 degree, a familiar trick from plunge saws, and the saw stands upright on its own at a 45-degree bevel, which is genuinely handy on site.

Power and Handling

Running at 3,500 RPM, the saw felt quicker in use than the number suggests. Bigger blades demand slower feed rates, but the 40V platform delivers plenty of power. Makita recommends 5.0Ah batteries, and the difference between a 2.0Ah and a 5.0Ah pack is clearly audible. At 4.75kg without battery or blade, it stays manageable for a saw this size. It is also AWS compatible, has a locking dust chute, and includes onboard tool storage for blade changes.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Two gripes are worth knowing about. First, the zero-degree line indicator is vague and does not reliably align with the blade kerf, which can also shift when you change blades. You will want to line up directly with the blade itself. Second, the rip guide cannot extend wide enough to rip a 300mm-wide board down the middle, which is a shame given how capable the saw is otherwise.

Availability is currently concentrated in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and other parts of Europe, and it is not yet available in the US.

Buying Advice

If you already own Makita’s 165mm or 185mm 40V saws, think carefully about overlap: the 185mm saw cuts to the same depth as the 165mm, while the HS011G reaches well beyond both. For anyone regularly cutting 4x4 posts, ripping thick stock, or wanting track-guided accuracy from a framing-style saw, this is an easy recommendation. Pair it with 5.0Ah batteries to get the performance the platform is designed for.

Conclusion

The Makita HS011G is a feature-packed, genuinely powerful 40V circular saw with almost no direct competition in the cordless space. The one-pass 4x4 cut, built-in rail groove, 60-degree bevel and clever rip guide make it one of the most versatile circular saws Makita has released. The vague zero line and limited rip guide width are minor annoyances rather than dealbreakers. If big-section timber is part of your work, this saw deserves a spot at the top of your shortlist.