Makita XGT 40V 5x5 Deep Cut Band Saw Review: A Beast Built for the Job Site

Introduction

Contractors looking for the best of the best now have a new option to consider: the Makita XGT 40V max 5x5 Deep Cut Band Saw. This is a beast of a tool, and it sits at the top of Makita’s higher-powered 40V max XGT line rather than the more common 18V LXT range.

That distinction matters. If you are getting into the large 40V XGT line, your existing 18V chargers will not work, and the batteries themselves are a significant investment. Getting into this platform is not the least expensive way to add tools to your kit. But these tools are built for the job site, and the quality shows. Weighing approximately 15 lbs with the battery making up a large part of that, this is a substantial unit designed for serious cutting work.

Who This Product Is For

This band saw is aimed squarely at contractors and metalworkers who need deep cut capacity and are willing to invest in Makita’s 40V XGT platform. It accepts any XGT battery, including smaller packs, so you are not locked into the large 5.0Ah battery it was tested with, and you will not lose power by using a smaller one.

If your work regularly involves cutting thick stock like strut channel, tube, and solid metal bar, and you want a cordless solution that does not flex under load, this is the kind of tool the XGT line was created for. If you only make occasional light cuts, the platform investment may be harder to justify.

Cutting Performance and Blade Options

The saw takes a 44-7/8 by 1/2 inch blade, and blade choice makes a huge difference in results. Picking the right tooth count and blade type for the material you are cutting is essential. In testing, a 14 TPI blade was used to work through progressively thicker metal, including a 2-1/2 by 2-1/2 inch square tube with 3/8 inch walls.

Speed is adjusted with a dial that runs up to level six, with lower settings like level four available to avoid burning up the blade on tougher material. On higher speeds, the saw went through unistrut strut channel, in practical terms, like nothing. One detail worth highlighting: a metal bar sits above the cut area to protect the plastic housing. If a cut finishes and the saw drops down, it hits that bar instead of cracking the plastic, a small touch that testers came to genuinely appreciate.

Design Details That Stand Out

The saw has a bright LED light that shines exactly down where you want it, a variable speed trigger, and an ambidextrous safety switch that can be pushed from either side depending on how you hold the tool.

There are smart safety behaviors built in. If the trigger is held and the battery is inserted, nothing will turn on; the battery must be inserted first. You also get a slow start and a brake that stops the blade quickly at the end of a cut, which lets you move on to the next cut faster and more safely.

One example of Makita’s engineering that stands out is the adjustable guard’s Allen key storage. The key sits up top in rubber that lets it pop out easily, yet holds it fairly tight when stowed. It is a small solution, but it is one that will never wear out or break, and it reflects how well thought out this tool is overall. A rafter hook is included for hanging the saw between cuts, which is useful even though the tool is close to 15 lbs and heavy for some uses.

Blade Changes and Internal Build Quality

Blade changes are straightforward. Remove the battery, release two levers, and the blade cover opens with the blade completely covered for safety. The blade slides out from a fairly tight channel, which allows for easy blade changes once you know the motion. There is also a tracking adjustment so you can correct a blade that does not run true, and a lever to lock the blade in place.

Inside, the build quality is impressive. Lots of bearings throughout, including one for the slide, and an all-metal structure holding everything together means there is no flex in the frame. That matters because some band saws, especially when you push through a cut, will flex a little. This unit will not. The motor is brushless, and there is plenty of technology packed inside, which is reflected in the price.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The biggest consideration is the platform. This is a 40V max XGT tool, so your 18V LXT batteries and chargers will not work with it. The large 5.0Ah XGT battery is itself a considerable expense, and between the tool, battery, and charger, costs add up quickly.

The tool is also close to 15 lbs, which is heavy for overhead or prolonged handheld work, though that weight comes with a massive 5x5 cutting capacity that smaller cordless band saws cannot match. Makita does not appear to offer anything this large in the 18V line anymore, so if you need this capacity cordless, the XGT line is the path.

Buying Advice

The XGT line is more expensive, but you are getting more for what you pay for: higher power, higher energy, and higher technology tools aimed at contractors who want to beef up their job site kit. The price of this band saw is reflective of what you are getting, and deals do come around, so it is worth watching for sales from retailers such as Acme Tools, which frequently runs flash sales on Makita gear.

Conclusion

The Makita XGT 40V 5x5 Deep Cut Band Saw is a well-engineered, all-metal, brushless deep cut band saw with massive capacity, good speed control, thoughtful safety features, and smart details like the protected housing and rafter hook. It is expensive, especially once you factor in the battery platform, but for contractors who need this level of cutting capability, it delivers the quality Makita’s XGT line is known for.