When it comes to my workshop, I’m not fond of having a variety of tools that basically do the same job. Why? I know how I like to work, and I know what tools are going to suit me best.

Over the years I’ve somehow accumulated every circular saw variation imaginable, and despite all that, I still reach for a corded worm-drive almost every time. Recently, I had the opportunity to test Makita’s 5377 Magnesium Hypoid circular saw, and it did not disappoint.

Let’s address the elephant in the room right out of the gate. Yes, this is a corded saw. My experience and my humble opinion both dictate that there are just some tools that function better with direct, unlimited power. A circular saw of this ilk is one of them. I don’t want my saw to simply shut down mid-cut with a piece of soon-to-be-scrap plywood hanging on as if it had fingernails. Worse still, I don’t want to experience battery failure when I’m four steps up a ladder trying to make a rafter cut.

Right out of the box, the saw gave me good vibes. I’ve always been drawn to Makita’s color scheme—the brand is like the Tiffany’s of power tools. The chrome finishes against the teal main body are reminiscent of the American cars of the space era. Galaxie. Nova. Starfire. They were designed to look like rockets—powerful, fast, and exceptionally cool. Couple that very cool aesthetic with the saw’s well-designed ergonomics—oversized top handle, large shroud and table levers, and heavy rubber grip—and you have a tool that’s a pleasure to use from the moment you pull the trigger.

On that note, I must admit that I love the short torque twist that happens when that trigger is pulled. These worm-drive saws are meant for cutting through anything and everything, and this saw lets you know immediately just how much power is at your fingertips. The saw gets up to full speed—4,500 rpm—very quickly. And while this speed is notably less than most sidewinder models, the tool’s generous torque rate is a huge bonus when cutting through framing materials, LVL beams, or pressure-treated lumber.

While making a long rip cut through 3/4-inch plywood, the Makita saw felt well-balanced. Through multiple rips, I was able to easily maintain my motion with the cut, either by crossing my body to the right of my saw hand or reaching across the sheet itself. These types of saws are great for reaching across a wide material sheet without losing sight of your cut line. And because this worm-drive model is lighter than most of its kind—thanks in part to its magnesium components—it’s easier on the arms and wrists than other saws I’ve owned in the past. My key takeaway in the saw’s construction is that it’s super tough and tracks beautifully.

I also like the well-positioned and clearly marked depth and bevel gauge measurements, both of which are adjustable at the flip of a handle. Those handles are plastic, so the jury is still out on how well they’ll hold up long term. But the position points of the table relative to the blade are easy to read and, more importantly, very accurate. An added bonus at the bevel lever is the built-in ability to choose a preset stop—22.5 degrees, 45 degrees, and its max of 51.5 degrees—at the turn of a locking dial. This makes toggling back and forth between a 90-degree cut and those common cuts simple and efficient if needed in certain applications. The retractable rafter hook comes in handy for hanging the saw between cuts.

The motor on standard worm-drive saws has always been an extra item to focus on in terms of maintenance in that the drive gearing required the occasional addition of oil, filled through a removable reservoir plate. With Makita’s hypoid system, the motor is factory encased in oil which continually bathes the gears as the saw runs. Because the gearbox is sealed, the motor requires no oil maintenance which, in turn, extends the life of the saw. Only time will tell if that holds true on this particular model, but in my experience, these worm-drive saws hold up to daily job-site abuse and seemingly last forever.

If this saw seems like it’s built mostly for professional use, I take a contrary view. This is the rare pro-grade power tool that actually grows with a homeowner because it gives you the ability to:

• Drop a demolition blade into this saw to remove plywood underlayment in a kitchen or bathroom remodel.
• Swap in a diamond-based segmented blade for cutting concrete.
• Outfit the saw with a water feed for cutting pavers.
• Cut aluminum or steel with non-ferrous or ferrous blades, respectively.

The Makita 5377 is capable of a wide variety of jobs around the home, a quality to be valued when considering potential future use. And at the end of the day, it’s what I regard as a “legacy tool”—one so well-built that it’ll continue thriving well after you’ve passed it down to the next generation of your family.