Makita SH02R1 12V Handheld Circular Saw

The new compact Makita SH02R1 12V handheld circular saw might be a new favorite for those needing something small to cut in floor vents or make fast cuts through 1X material. We first saw it at the Makita 100 Year Anniversary event in California along side the new Makita 12V tools with slide pack batteries, but were sworn to secrecy. Now we can tell you about it and show you what you can expect.

Makita SH02R1 12V Handheld Circular Saw Features

First off, the Makita SH02R1 12V handheld circular saw is a replacement and upgrade to the one found in the Makita LCT208W 12V Lithium-ion Combo Kit. While its 3-3/8 inch blade has the capacity to easily cut through 3/4-inch plywood, the real sweet spot for this 12V circular saw is flooring and trim—where you can avoid having to haul in a full sized circular saw, or bring out your miter saw for a quick, straight cut. The Makita SH02 has great sight lines and features an LED light to illuminate the cutting area—critical when cutting indoors and making sure you’re right on your mark. This tool will ship with the Makita 12V 2.0 Ah slim battery pack which should still deliver plenty of cuts before requiring a recharge.

The Makita SH02R1 12V 3-3/8 inch circular saw has a tilting base for beveling cuts from 0° – 45°. It’s the perfect tool for quickly getting through plywood, MDF, pegboard, particleboard, melamine, or even drywall. Since it weighs less than 4 pounds and is just over a foot in length, you can toss it into a tool bag and bring it on the jobsite without much hassle. A built-in dust blower constantly clears your cutting line, so your cuts will be more accurate (and less frustrating)—a great feature on a compact hand saw like this. There’s also an integrated battery protection circuit, so if you try and overtax the 3-3/8 inch blade, the tool will be protected against overloading, over-discharging, or over-heating.

The batteries for Makita’s new 12V tools have been completely overhauled. The new max CXT Lithium-ion 2.0Ah battery (BL1021B) includes a much-needed (and much requested!) integrated LED battery charge level indicator so you won’t be left wondering how much power you’ve got remaining when you grab your tools and head out to the jobsite. A quick push of the button tells you if you need to swap out the battery.

When I held it, I loved the ergonomics of the handle and it has a comfortable rubberized grip that reduces vibration to the hand. For changing the blade easily, Makita stored the blade wrench right on the saw. Makita offers a 3-year limited warranty on the SH02R1 tool, battery, and charger.