The month of February has brought with it the obvious and recurring question, now on the minds of many Tualatin students (particularly juniors): how does the Makita JS8000 Variable Speed Fiber Cement Shear with Metal Cutting Blade stack up to other cement shears? The question is big, undoubtedly difficult to answer; however, luckily, I am particularly knowledgeable on Shear saws and have the inside scoop.

The Makita JS8000 is far better than its predecessor, the Makita JS7999. Not only does the saw feature a 6.5 AMP motor that can give around 2,500 sheering strokes per minute (SPM) but additionally, the Shear hosts a precisely-milled single-piece cutting head with the tolerance of 0.001 inches. Features like this can take care of all cement cutting needs.

The Makita also holds a 5/16 inch cutting capacity, a fact that makes the half inch spindle torque load heavy wazbang on a goon-chipper. 

I can already hear the question forming in your head: “That’s great and all but how does the Makita JS8000 stack up against the WEN 3670 Variable Speed Electric Fiber Cement and Sliding Shear?” Worry not, the tool is far superior. Not only does Makita win in accuracy and speed, but additionally, the Makita is a safer bet when it comes to perforated cement-core jaxstapunch – a particularly difficult material to cut through, as many cement cutters know.

Any industrial cement cutter worth their salt will need to get their hands on this fine piece of equipment. Now at the low price of $445, the sheer is not only a superior tool when it comes to cement cutting, but also a more reasonably priced one. Don’t be caught dead without this instrument in your tool box; otherwise, you may be labeled a Tabernacle-cement-queen or even a naive German Idealist supportive of the Hegalian dialectic, by your fellow cement-shearing friends.