Jigsaw guide
Makita XVJ04Z 18V LXT Brushless Jigsaw (Tool Only)
Makita 18V LXT owners who want a speed-dial jigsaw that eases into each cut
The XVJ04Z is Makita's 18V LXT brushless D-handle jigsaw, sold without a battery or charger. Makita lists 0 to 3,000 SPM with a 7/8 in. stroke, a five-step speed dial, and three orbital settings plus straight cutting.
Listing checked . Confirm the model, included parts and availability before ordering.
Published specifications
- 0-3,000 SPM, 7/8 in. stroke
- Speed dial 1-5 plus variable trigger
- 3 orbital settings plus straight
- Wood 5-5/16 in., mild steel 3/8 in.
- 3.8 lbs tool only; 5.2 lbs with 5.0Ah
- 3-year limited warranty, per Makita
Fit and limits
Strengths
- Soft no-load slows the blade until it cuts
- Electric brake and soft start
- Three blades included
Caveats
- Battery and charger are extra
- Bevel is set with a hex wrench
- Makita prints three different weights
Tool only: what is in the box
Makita sells the XVJ04Z tool only, with battery and charger sold separately. Its includes list names three T-shank blades: B-50 at 9 TPI for wood, B-51 at 14 TPI for metal and B-52 at 9 TPI for wood and metal. The Amazon listing's model field reads XVJ04Z.
Makita's page gives 3.8 lbs for the tool alone and a net weight of 5.2 lbs with a 5.0Ah battery, while its feature list says 5.5 lbs with battery. The manual gives 4.6 to 5.3 lbs, depending on the battery fitted.
Speed dial and soft no-load
A dial sets speed from 1 to 5, and the manual's table suggests 4 to 5 for wood, 3 to 5 for mild steel and aluminum, 3 to 4 for stainless steel and 1 to 4 for plastics. Makita lists 0 to 3,000 strokes per minute and a 7/8 in. stroke length.
With the dial at 2 or higher, soft no-load rotation slows the blade until it starts cutting, which the manual says reduces vibration and makes it easier to line the blade up with the cut line. You can switch it off. The manual also lists soft start, constant speed control under load and an electric brake.
Orbital settings and capacity
A lever picks straight cutting or one of three orbital settings. Makita's table assigns 0 to mild steel, stainless steel and plastics and to clean cuts in wood, I to mild steel, aluminum and hardwood, II to wood and plywood and fast cuts in aluminum and mild steel, and III to fast cutting in wood and plywood.
Makita rates the maximum cutting capacity at 5-5/16 in. in wood, 3/8 in. in mild steel and 25/32 in. in aluminum. For metal, the manual says to use a coolant or cutting oil, or grease the underside of the workpiece, to avoid heavy blade wear.
Switch, lamp and blade change
Pressing the lock/unlock button puts the saw in standby, and the two-finger trigger then runs it. A lock-on button holds it on for continuous cuts, and the saw turns itself off after 10 seconds idle in standby. The manual says the lock/unlock button also turns the front lamp on and off, and the lamp blinks if the tool overheats.
Blades go in teeth forward, and the clamp lever moves to its fixed position on its own as the blade seats, with the back edge in the roller. The manual warns not to push the lever into place by hand, and says to push it forward to release a blade.
Bevel, flush cuts and warranty
The base tilts from 0 to 45 degrees left or right, but per the manual you set it by loosening and retightening a bolt with the hex wrench, not a lever. Sliding the base all the way back the same way sets up front flush cuts.
Makita claims up to 135 ft. of 1 in. MDF per charge on its 5.0Ah BL1850B battery, which is Makita's figure, not ours. The page lists a 3-year limited warranty, and the manual refers you to makitatools.com for current warranty terms.
Common questions
Does the Makita XVJ04Z come with a battery?
No. Makita sells it tool only; the box holds the saw and three T-shank blades.
How thick a board can the XVJ04Z cut?
Makita rates it for 5-5/16 in. of wood, 3/8 in. of mild steel and 25/32 in. of aluminum.
Can you turn off the XVJ04Z soft no-load feature?
Yes. The manual gives a speed-dial sequence that switches it off or on again, and the lamp blinks twice when it is off.
Check the current listing
Main caveat to weigh before ordering: Battery and charger are extra.
Primary sources
- 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Jig Saw, Tool Only (XVJ04Z) | Makita
- Makita XVJ04 Instruction Manual (linked from the Makita product page)
Primary sources checked .
Compare with
Side-by-side pages, this model next to: Bosch JS572EBK 7.2 Amp Barrel-Grip Jigsaw Kit, DEWALT DCS334P1 20V MAX XR Brushless Jigsaw Kit (5.0Ah).