If you are heavily invested in the Makita ecosystem, you already know that their 40V XGT line is built to replace gas-powered tools. Recently, I got my hands on the Makita 40V max XGT 20″ Chain Saw (GCU08E), and to make things even more interesting, I paired it with their massive new 8.0Ah battery.
On paper, this setup looks like an absolute monster. But how does it actually perform when you put it to wood?
I decided to run it through a gauntlet of different lumber types, and what I found was both frustrating and deeply fascinating. I filmed the entire process for my YouTube channel, but here is a breakdown of exactly what happened.
First Impressions: A Flawless Design
Let’s start with the good. Out of the box, the GCU08E is a beautifully engineered piece of equipment.
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Ergonomics: The balance is incredible, even with the heavy 8.0Ah battery strapped to it.
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Build Quality: It feels robust, professional, and ready for a serious job site.
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Convenience: The lack of gas, fumes, and pull-cords is always a massive win for battery-powered saws.
However, a chainsaw is only as good as its ability to cut, and that is where things got a little weird.
The Out-of-the-Box Struggle: Where is the Torque?
During my initial cuts in the lumber tests, the saw severely struggled. Almost immediately, the chain wanted to grab the wood, burying itself and stalling the motor out completely.
If you have ever spent premium money on a top-tier tool, you know exactly how frustrating this feeling is. It felt like the saw was severely lacking the low-end torque required to pull a 20-inch chain through thick wood without bogging down. I honestly started to wonder if I had received a defective unit.
The “Break-In” Period: A Bizarre Turnaround
I refused to give up on it right away. I kept cutting, and over the course of draining three full 8.0Ah batteries, something unexpected happened.
The saw woke up.
By the third battery cycle, the stalling issue had almost completely vanished. The cuts became smoother, the chain stopped grabbing aggressively, and the saw finally started to feel like the professional-grade tool Makita promised.
This begs a huge question: Is there a break-in period for the electronics on these XGT tools? Does the new 8Ah cell technology require a few cycles to output its maximum current?
Whatever the reason, the difference between battery cycle one and battery cycle three was night and day.
The Final Verdict
After spending some serious time with the GCU08E, here is my honest takeaway:
This saw is virtually perfect in every way—except one. The design, the ergonomics, the safety features, and the quiet operation are unmatched. However, even after the “break-in” period, it just needs a little more torque to be a true, unstoppable powerhouse.
Want to see the proof? I captured the initial stalling, the different lumber tests, and the crazy performance improvement all on camera.
👉 Click here to watch the full review on YouTube
If you own the GCU08E or any of the new XGT tools, I want to hear from you. Have you experienced this weird break-in period? Drop a comment on the video and let me know your thoughts!