Makita 5377MG: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-18

Summary

The 5377MG is a corded 7-1/4 in rear-handle hypoid circular saw built around a 15 amp, 4,500 RPM motor and a sealed oil-bath gearbox that needs no oiling. What usually goes wrong is not failure but design trade-offs: it is heavier than a sidewinder, the depth and bevel levers are plastic, and a hypoid gear replacement is said to cost most of a new saw. Running cost is low because it is corded with no gearbox oil and blades the only regular purchase, and at about $195-239 new it is a fair buy for a framing-class saw, easier to recommend at the renewed $164.99 level.

Common problems and fixes

It is heavy for a sidewinder — owners on Reddit and Garage Journal call it “a bit heavy,” and some prefer the lighter 5007MGA with its LED lights; there is no fix, so weigh the 13.2 lb weight against the torque before buying. [10][11]
Plastic depth and bevel levers — the only durability caveat in Popular Mechanics’ 2026 hands-on test; the tester said “the jury is still out” on long-term durability, and it is not a covered defect. [4]
Corded, no battery portability — Popular Mechanics lists the cord as the saw’s sole con; the fix is a battery-platform saw, not a repair. [4]
Hypoid gear replacement is said to be expensive — Garage Journal chatter claims replacing the hypoid gear means replacing roughly 80% of the saw at significant cost; this is unverified secondhand talk, not documented. [13]
Slower crosscuts than a sidewinder — the 4,500 RPM blade speed is deliberately low against the 5,300-6,000 RPM sidewinder class, so the trade is torque, not speed. [5]
Easily confused with the 5007MG sidewinder — the two look similar and the 5377MG commonly costs about $30 more; check the gearbox and RPM before buying. [10][11]

Parts and consumables

6 mm hex wrench (783204-6) — included and stored on the saw for blade changes; not a consumable. [1][2]
Rip fence (Makita 199249-8) — sold separately; no carrying case is listed for the new 5377MG by the retailers checked. [17][7]
Hypoid gear (part 227504-9) — listed in Makita USA’s official 5377MG parts breakdown alongside the blade case set, fan, bearings and spindle; forum chatter says replacing it is expensive, so treat major gearbox repair as a cost risk. [19][13]

Yearly running cost

Not enough data for a yearly total — no owner-paid annual figure is published. What is documented: the saw is corded, so there are no batteries or charger to buy; the sealed oil-bath gearbox needs no oil; the regular purchase is a replacement 7-1/4 in framing blade, and a rip fence is an extra. [1][2][17]

When it is a good buy

Price anchors from 2026: Walmart $195 and Home Depot $239 as listed by Popular Mechanics in August 2026, Global Industrial $239.95, Acme Tools $239.00, and Pacific Power Tools $164.99 for the renewed 5377MG-R. [5][6][7][18]

At or below $165 (renewed 5377MG-R territory) it is strong value for a corded framing saw with a sealed hypoid gearbox, assuming the renewed condition and warranty are acceptable. [5][18]
$165-195 is competitive against new sidewinder and worm-drive rivals; Popular Mechanics lists its best-value worm drive at $200-229 and best corded sidewinder at $194-219. [5]
$195-239 is fair to good for pro users who specifically want the hypoid oil-bath drive and rear-handle layout; heavy DIY users should weigh the weight penalty against a lighter sidewinder. [4][10]
Above $240 it is weak: the buyer pays a premium over Popular Mechanics’ own recommended alternatives with no offsetting test-proven advantage. [5]

Named alternatives: the lighter Makita 5007MGA is the better choice if you want less weight and LED lights, and the renewed 5377MG-R at $164.99 is the better choice if you want the same hypoid drive at a lower price. [10][18]