Makita XSR01PT: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-19

Summary

The XSR01PT is a 36V rear-handle 7-1/4 in. circular saw kit that runs on two 18V LXT 5.0Ah batteries in series; owners report few failures, and the complaints that do surface are ergonomic — the two batteries sit too close together to grip, the saw will not stand up on its own, and the fabric bag is a tight fit [4][6]. The main running cost is batteries and replacement framing blades, because the kit ships with a 24-tooth framing blade that does not leave clean finish cuts [6]. It is a strong buy when a discount brings the kit to about $250, and weak value at the $449 list price [7][9].

Common problems and fixes

Saw will not stand up on its own — it falls over when set down, and the small kickstand only partly helps [4]. Lay it on its side or use a stand; not a defect, so warranty does not cover it.
Heavy dust with no dust port on the base tool — the saw throws a lot of dust and has no port on the base tool; a dust-extracting attachment is sold separately [5][6].
Included 24T blade is a framing blade, not a finish blade — with the 24T blade you do not get clean cuts right out of the box; swapping to a higher tooth count is easy [6].

Parts and consumables

Replacement BL1850B 5.0Ah battery (the included pair) — a twin battery pack was reported at $159 in 2018 by Wood Floor Business [4]; batteries are the most likely meaningful extra spend over years [7]. No owner-paid 2026 battery price was found in the sources checked.

Yearly running cost

Not enough data. The sources report no owner-paid blade cost, electricity cost or average blade life, so a computed annual total cannot be built [4][6][7]. What is known is that batteries and blades are the recurring spend: a replacement twin battery pack was reported at $159 in 2018 [4], and the included 24T blade is a consumable that owners swap for finish work or replace as it dulls [6]. If you already own 18V LXT batteries and a compatible charger, the incremental running cost is blades only [3].

When it is a good buy

Store listings as of 2026:

Pacific Power Tools listed the factory-reconditioned XSR01PT-R at $349.99 against a $449.00 original price [7].
makitawork.com listed the kit at $239.40 against a $399.00 reference [9].
ToolUp showed a $97.00 discount off a $449.00 list [10].
A Home Depot listing carried $449.00 with clearance pricing in store, and a second Home Depot listing showed $412.57 [8][11].
One owner reported buying both the rear-handle and sidewinder saws with four 5.0Ah batteries and a dual charger for $249 [8].

Thresholds: under about $250 new, or about $350 factory-reconditioned with two 5.0Ah batteries and the dual charger, is strong value for a Makita 18V user [7]. At or above the $449 list price the value is weak in 2026 [2][3][4][6].

Named alternatives:

Makita XSH06PT — a top-handle sidewinder-style 7-1/4 in. saw listed as a separate model; the better choice if you prefer a top-handle layout [5].
Makita 40V max XGT rear-handle GSR01 — the newer higher-voltage rear-handle model; the better choice if you want a current rear-handle platform instead of the 18V X2.
FlexVolt sidewinder — the comparison saw the Tool Box Buzz crew normally used; the better choice if you already run that battery platform [3].