Intro
Some cutting jobs demand more than a standard 190 mm circular saw can deliver. When you are cutting through thick timber beams, sectioning railway sleepers, or ripping multiple sheets of structural plywood in a single stack, the extra cutting depth of a 235 mm blade is not a luxury — it is a necessity. A saw in this class cuts through 85 mm of solid timber in a single pass at 90 degrees, handles 60 mm at a 45-degree bevel, and powers through dense hardwoods that would stall a smaller saw outright. Until recently, saws of this size were exclusively corded — the amp draw was simply too high for batteries. But the arrival of high-voltage platforms like Makita's 40V XGT system has changed the game. A brushless motor delivering the equivalent of 1,600 W brings this class of saw into the cordless era. For professional framers, timber frame builders, and anyone whose work involves cutting big timber in places where mains power is a long extension lead away, a cordless 235 mm circular saw finally makes the cord optional without compromising on power.
Generalities
Investing in a cordless 235 mm circular saw is a decision that revolves around one question: do you need the extra cutting depth badly enough to accept the increased size, weight, and cost? A 235 mm blade delivers approximately 85 mm of cutting depth at 90 degrees, compared to 63–66 mm from a 190 mm saw — that extra 20 mm is the difference between cutting a 75 mm thick beam in one pass versus two, or between a clean mitre cut through a 60 mm section and having to flip the workpiece. The motor must be substantially more powerful to drive the larger blade through material: 1,600 W equivalent output from a brushless 40V motor provides the torque needed to keep a 235 mm blade spinning at 4,000 RPM under load. The battery platform is critical: 40V XGT batteries deliver the sustained current that a saw of this class demands, and the investment in batteries and chargers should be considered as a system cost across all your XGT tools. Weight is the inescapable trade-off: at approximately 5.7 kg, a 235 mm saw with a battery is a two-handed tool that you will not want to use overhead for extended periods. A metal handle and an effective electric brake are safety features that matter more as the saw's mass and blade size increase.
This review examines the Makita HS009GZ, a cordless 235 mm circular saw on the 40V XGT platform, with a brushless motor delivering 1,600 W equivalent power and a 4,000 RPM blade speed. We cover the saw's cutting performance in thick timber, the balance and handling at 5.7 kg, and what the bare-tool packaging means for users already on or considering the XGT system. We also look at the 60-tooth blade included, the electric brake, and how this saw compares to both corded 235 mm alternatives and smaller cordless saws in the Makita range.
Description
The Makita HS009GZ is a cordless circular saw built around a 235 mm blade — the largest handheld circular saw class — powered by Makita's 40V XGT brushless motor. The motor delivers the equivalent of 1,600 W of corded power output, spinning the blade at up to 4,000 RPM with no load. The saw is sold as a bare tool, meaning it does not include batteries or a charger — it is designed for professionals already invested in the XGT ecosystem. The 235 mm blade provides approximately 85 mm of depth at a 90-degree cut and around 60 mm at 45 degrees, enough to slice through a thick timber beam, three stacked sheets of 25 mm plywood, or a railway sleeper in a single pass. Makita fits a 60-tooth tungsten carbide blade as standard — a higher tooth count than the 20–24 tooth blades included with smaller saws, reflecting the 235 mm saw's role in producing cleaner finish cuts in addition to heavy ripping.
The engineering challenge with a saw of this size is managing weight and torque reaction without compromising cutting performance. Makita addresses this with a metal main handle — a feature typically reserved for the largest industrial saws — that provides absolute rigidity when the full 1,600 W of power is transmitted through the blade. The brushless motor is key to the cordless design: it generates less heat, uses the battery energy more efficiently, and produces more torque per watt than a brushed equivalent. The electric brake stops the blade almost instantly when the trigger is released — a critical safety feature on a saw with a 235 mm blade that has significant rotational inertia and could cause serious injury if it continued to spin after the cut. The saw body measures 41.3 × 19.6 × 31.6 cm, reflecting the larger blade guard and motor housing needed to contain the 235 mm blade.
Using the HS009GZ reveals why the 235 mm class exists and why cordless power has finally made it practical. The cutting depth is the star of the show: sliding the saw across a 75 mm thick oak beam and watching the blade exit cleanly on the other side in a single pass is a satisfying experience that a 190 mm saw simply cannot replicate. The 4,000 RPM blade speed combined with the 60-tooth blade produces exceptionally clean cut surfaces — minimal tear-out on cross-cuts in plywood and a finish quality that reduces or eliminates the need for subsequent sanding. The saw tracks straight even when buried in dense material, and the metal handle transmits no flex or vibration that might cause the cut to wander. The trade-off is weight: at 5.7 kg without a battery and closer to 6.5 kg with a 5.0 Ah XGT pack fitted, this is not a saw you will casually lift with one hand. It demands a deliberate, two-handed approach, and it rewards that approach with power, precision, and cut quality.
As a bare tool, the HS009GZ package includes the saw body and the 60-tooth blade — no batteries, no charger, and no carry case. This is standard for Makita's XGT professional range, where the assumption is that the buyer already owns compatible batteries and chargers. For new XGT users, the total system cost is significantly higher: a pair of 5.0 Ah batteries and a dual charger add several hundred euros to the investment. However, once the battery infrastructure is in place, every subsequent XGT bare tool is substantially cheaper than its kit equivalent. The 235 mm blade diameter means replacement blades are a standard commercial size available from any manufacturer, though the 60-tooth specification is less common than the 24–40 tooth blades used on smaller saws — Makita's own blade range is the most reliable source for exact replacements.
Customer feedback for the HS009GZ is limited but flawless: it holds a perfect 5.0 out of 5 stars from 5 reviews. While the sample size is tiny, the unanimous positive response from early professional users suggests the saw delivers on its ambitious promise of corded-equivalent power in a cordless package. It ranks 235th among circular saws and 202,245th overall in the DIY & Tools category — a modest ranking that reflects the niche nature of a 235 mm cordless saw rather than any quality concern. The saw carries the Makita part number HS009GZ, the UPC code 088381758192, and the GTIN 00088381758192. For professional framers, timber frame builders, shipwrights, and heavy construction carpenters who need maximum cutting depth with cordless freedom, the HS009GZ represents the current pinnacle of battery-powered circular saw technology.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 235 mm blade delivers approximately 85 mm of cutting depth — slices through thick timber beams, railway sleepers, and triple-stacked sheet material in a single pass where 190 mm saws would require two cuts
- 1,600 W equivalent brushless motor on the 40V XGT platform provides genuine corded-replacement power — maintains 4,000 RPM blade speed through dense hardwoods without bogging down
- 60-tooth carbide blade included as standard produces exceptionally clean cut surfaces with minimal tear-out — reduces or eliminates the need for sanding after cross-cuts in plywood and hardwood
- Metal handle provides absolute rigidity under full power — no flex, no vibration, and precise tracking that keeps the cut on the line even when the blade is buried in dense material
- Electric brake stops the 235 mm blade near-instantly — a critical safety feature given the blade's significant rotational mass and the potential for injury from a coasting blade
- Cordless freedom on the XGT platform eliminates the extension lead tangle and tripping hazard — particularly valuable on large timber frame sites and dockyards where power access is limited
- Bare-tool pricing at €320 keeps the entry affordable for existing XGT users, and the brushless motor design means longer tool life and more efficient battery usage
Cons
- Bare-tool only — batteries and charger sold separately, adding several hundred euros to the true system cost for users not already on the Makita 40V XGT platform
- Heavy — 5.7 kg bare and over 6.5 kg with a battery — this is a two-handed saw that is impractical for overhead work and fatiguing for extended vertical or awkward-position cutting
- Limited to 5 customer reviews, despite the perfect 5.0-star score — too small a sample to assess long-term durability, battery runtime in extreme conditions, or common failure modes
- Oversized for most DIY and general carpentry work — the extra weight, cost, and bulk are wasted if you rarely cut material thicker than 63 mm, where a 190 mm saw is lighter and more agile
- 235 mm blades, especially in 60-tooth configuration, are less commonly stocked than 190 mm blades — you may need to order replacements rather than picking them up at any hardware store
Use cases
The Makita HS009GZ is a professional-grade cordless 235 mm circular saw on the 40V XGT platform, built for framers, timber frame carpenters, and heavy construction professionals who need maximum cutting depth with cordless freedom.
Timber Frame and Heavy Beam Cutting
Cutting oak, Douglas fir, and engineered beams 75–85 mm thick in a single pass is the defining capability of a 235 mm saw. Timber frame carpenters building houses, barns, and commercial structures can cut structural members to length without flipping the beam or making a second pass — faster workflow and cleaner cuts.
Marine, Dock, and Waterfront Construction
Building docks, piers, and marine structures involves cutting treated timber in wet environments where extension leads are a safety hazard. The cordless XGT design eliminates the electrical risk, and the 235 mm blade handles the thick section sizes common in marine construction — pilings, deck beams, and stringers.
Multi-Layer Sheet Material Cutting
When fabricating multiple identical panels or cutting thick laminated beams, stacking two or three sheets and cutting them simultaneously dramatically increases productivity. The 85 mm depth of cut handles three 25 mm plywood sheets in a single pass, and the 60-tooth blade produces clean edges on all layers.
Roof Truss and Structural Carpentry
Roof carpenters cutting compound angles on thick truss members and purlins need a saw that maintains power through the full bevel range. The HS009GZ's 60 mm depth at 45 degrees handles angled cuts on substantial roof timbers, and the cordless design means no cable snagging on scaffolding or roof battens.
Railway Sleeper and Landscape Timber Cutting
Garden landscapers working with railway sleepers, large-section sleepers for retaining walls, and thick landscape timbers need the extra cutting depth that only a 235 mm saw provides. The cordless freedom is practical when working across a large garden or site with no convenient power, and the saw's power handles the often wet, dense, and gritty nature of reclaimed sleepers.