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I was in the market for a new circular saw after my Makuta finally died after 12 plus years of constant use. I really wanted a worm drive because of the power and the fact that it would cut from the other side. All I could find was a Ski brand and was hesitant to spend the money on that brand. My partner bought a PoterCable that cuts from the left side. It is an okay saw but doesn’t compare with my old Makuta. I would still like to purchase a worm drive if anyone could give a little guidance it would be greatly appreciated.
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Replies
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Oh man you're gonna get reamed for bashing the Skill worm gears... lol. Personally, I prefer the blade on the right for most work - but that's my own personal preference. I do however like the Skil Mag 77 for some strange reason - it just feels nice in the hand.
*Hold that Skil at arms length awhile then check out the Dewalt Framer.Ducking for cover, JonC
*You simply can't go wrong with the Skil. Get the magnesium, though, the extra thirty bucks is worth the light weight.The Dewalt is an incredible saw, when it's new. The bushing on the first one I bought lasted two months, and then screamed louder than an F-18 (just saw the Blue Angels)
*I still have my old worm drive skill saw and although it shakes and rattles I still use it to cut masonary. The saw is 20 years old and I had it serviced just once. I bought a Dewalt circular saw because I had a medical problem that resulted in a loss of strength to my right arm.I am not displeased with the Dewalt but I will soon be buying a new Mdl 77 Magnesium mainly for accuracy. The set back grip on a worm drive provides more accurate leverage for steering into the cut and the line of sight is better than any circular saw I've used. Good luck!
*In my humble opinion there are only two types of circular saws - Mag 77s and everything else. Of course, other folks have their own opinions. And they are entitled to them. But they're wrong (what the hey, some folks drive F*rds too).
*I know of two types of saws too; The Mag77 and the regular 77. Truth be told, I actually prefer the heavier saw unless I need to hold it over my head. Its not because I'm some big gorilla. I'm pretty skinny as carpenters go. I'm a skinny gorilla. The heavier one is smoother, and the foot glides over the wood easier than the Mag's aluminum one. I could probably cut just as well with either one, but it FEELS like I'm being more precise with the HD77. That said, today I picked up the red saw more at the end of the day 'cause its lighter.
*Well said, Thomas. Easterners. Sheez.
*Being an "Easterner" I was raised on sidewinders and cannot vouch for the 77's. I've never actually used one (avert eyes and lower head in shame) though I keep threatening to pick one up. Ran a Rockwell 315 until last winter, now using a Makita (my arms are much happier), but may try out a wormdrive next round. I do a lot of remodeling (you know: tear out, patch back, tear out, add on, tear out...) Winder works well for some of the tight quarter cutting that's encountered. How does the 77 work out for tight spaces, plunge cuts, etc. Is it better for open framing on new construction?Later. LJ
*Makuta?Ski?PoterCable?just kidding.but... 3 out of three?juan
*Sigh...man Joe, my jaw dropped and my eyes popped out when you said you've never used a Skil 77. Here's the deal: Its the only saw. Just ask Jim.NOTHING beats a 77 for plunge cutting. Bar none. You gotta try one. And when I'm in tight quarters, I use a sharp handsaw, a sharp chisel, or a sawzall. or a drill. Or a jigsaw. (I only know of one jigsaw too) There aren't many places where the 77 won't go, though.Hoping for a convert,Tom
*There ain't no way a wormie is going to be lighter and easier to handle than that makita, Little Joe.If you want a huge improvement in acessability on that makita, try whacking off the extended table on the right side of the blade. It will make that saw a remodeler's dream. Here's a pic of my saw without it's extended table. I'm putting a bevel on an octogon jack rafter. Don't ask me what angle it is, I don't measure them, I just whack 'em.blue
*Truth be told, a guy should really have a worm and a lefty, since the tables rotate the opposite directions. That way you could cut the angle from either side. Would be mighty handy, even I'll admit to that. Little Joe, buddy, you remember what it felt like the first time with a real woman? Well use a worm for a week, and you'll know the same difference.
*Not bad. Might have to try taking off the "extra" table. Maybe try a wormie for addition work and save the Makita for the bump and grind remodeling work.What was your reasoning behind cutting back the table? To allow closer cuts or other?Later. LJ
*Jim -- Since you put it that way... :)LJ
*Makita used to make a worm drive saw. I guy I know had one about 10 years back. Porter Cable used to make a 6 1/2" worm drive. A guy I worked with from Germany had one. But that was about 20 years ago. I don't think they make it any more. Too bad......great little saw. I own a Skil and two Milwaukees (7" and 8"). They are all fine saws.Ed. Williams
*LJ, I can get that saw into some very tight spaces. I don't need a sawzall to cut door plates- I simply use the Makita. That wouldn't be possible if the extended table was on. Another very important reason is bindage, especially during compound mitre cuts.Try it, you'll never go back.Here's a cut that would be impossible to do with the table intact.blueblue
*Hey Devil, Your guards pinned up! Shouln't have photographic evidence of that.
*If your not going to use the guard, try the 6 1/2" Skil. Take the guard out and put in a 7 1/4" blade.It's lighter than the mag. As for the best brand, Skil.Two of my saws are over 20 years old and used constantly. There's a reason west coast framers have used nothing else for over 40 years.
*Blue, I enjoy your posts, and respect your abilities and willlingness to work. But, someday you will make a mistake and be badly hurt. As with many workingmen and women, you are using up your margin of error so someone else can increase their profit margin.Dennis
*In defense of brother Blue,I know it's considered "unsafe" to pin back the guard, but when I was framing full time I can't tell you how many times that guard would put my saw into a bind and cause kickback or would slip up under the work and jam everything. I always felt in conrtoll of my saw. Guard or no guard. I felt more in controll without the guard. Now how many of you folks really use that guard that comes with your table saw.......tell the truth....... The only guard that I make the guys use is the one on the jointer. Those tools have taken more fingers than any other tool I know.Ed. Williams
*Frank, how do you know that is me? How do you know that the picture is taken in a country that requires those unsafe guards/hazards?I personally haven't used a guard very much in my career. I recently retried them but can only use them for basic wall and deck framing. I like them for those operations because I can drop my saw from a few feet in the air with the blade running!Calm down all you safty freaks. I only do that occasionally!In any compound mitre cutting operations, I find a guard to be extrememly dangerous. The guard continuously gets snagged on the point and causes the saw to bind, sometimes violently. I don't reccomend using the guard in these situations. And remember, wear a flameproof body suit and crash helmet to work. you are far more likely to die on your way to work than at work.In fact, lets ban all travel to and from work alltogether and thereby save all the people from work related accidents!blue
*Thank you for the defense Ed.Now I know why I won't use those dangerous shapers and things!Why don't you guys go back to hand planers and save those digits!? Then, I'll start using a handsaw and we all can live happily ever after.blue
*Dennis, I'm not sure what margin Im using up. I find roof work to be far more dangerous. I'm also scared to death to drive to and fro work especially since I have to use two lane highways a lot.I don't worry about cutting myself with my saw. I'm not inclined to do that because I think it might hurt. I also don't find much comfort in guards. I've never used them, except sparingly since I started in the 70's and don't intend to ever use them full time. I only started pinning them back recently (I used to remove them entirely) because an OSHA guy lived in the neighborhood of the sub I was working and he "inspected" half a dozen jobsites. I caught the guy hanging out near one of mine once. Luckily (for him too) he didn't bother to "inspect" my job.F**king leeches!blue
*Blue, I was looking at your left hand holding the 2x6, not the shim.How do I know it is you? Well, I can't be certain, but I believe you have mentioned having dry hands and the person in the picture is wearing gloves. I know that I am too safety conscious to make a living the way you guys do, although I do build more than birdhouses. Working with saws, I tend to use saw horses and quick clamps, and when using a table saw, I keep my hands off the table using either a pusher stick, or a feather board. Yes, in my younger days I have pushed 1" stock past a 10" radial saw blade while ripping and kept all my digits - dumb Dennis, dumb. I am not a fanatic, but I realize that we all slip and I want a good margin of error. But, it does take time and working on roofs cutting gables, I suspect that saw horses and clamps would be difficult to manage. Most of the clients you guys work for are wealthy - I seen to remember a cozy little picture with the boss and family seated in and around a chair in their workclothes which were not OSHA as the tie would get caught in the saw. They could afford more, and you could have a margin of safety. Nice talking with you again, and beautiful lake home.Dennis
*Blue! What's that wrist doing so close to the blade? Yeah, it freaks me out too. Then again, to each his own. What are you cutting? Is there a reason why you can't make the cut with the board horizontal and on edge? Then you'd just cut down while your knee or foot or something holds the other end. That's how I'd try it with a 77....don't have too much experience with a sidewinder. You can make that cut with the whole shoe in place. Your way just saves you the step of setting the angle.And about pinning guards: I agree that you have to do it sometimes. In fact, the 77's guard is MADE to be pinned, although Skil will never admit that one.
*Yeah, but the Mags take a regular ear pencil. Used to be able to pin the old 77s with a carpenter's pencil.
*You got me Dennis!The pic is somewhat deceiving because my hand is well away from the actual cut. I have purposely tilted the stock in a manner that makes the cut easy, although it looks awkward. I coulnd't possibly do that maneuver with a blade guard however. I really don't mind others using guards, and different techniques. I just like doing things the easy was, a product of my laziness. And I don't like the idea of big government regulating me, or the way I work. I'm perfectly willing to forgo my " disability benefits to" that the SS tax imposes on me. I'm willing to go without worker's comp too. However, if I can't work, I'l like to be able to contract with DR. K.!If not, I could always set up a porn site on the internet!blue
*Thomas, that particular cut cannot be made with the extended shoe in place. The extended shoe reduces the depth of the cut and reduces the ability of the saw to make the extreme angle (greater than 45 degrees, I've never measured or calculated it.) The cuts fit perfect on the hips of an octogan and are very easy to do.I resist placing the stock on a level surface although it will work that way too. I think it puts more strain on my arm, because gravity tends to want to pull the saw off course. Don't be too concerned about the safty aspect. I think possibly the pic gives a false impression and maybe I'm making the cut while attempting to keep the view clear. Without the camera being taken I usually line up multiple raw stack over my bench and then whip through the cuts standing over them and holding the saw with two hands and stabilizing the parts with my left foot. I have been called a ballerina on occasion because I use my feet in so many ways while framing. If my saw arm and back is feeling particuarly strong, I stabilize the parts with my arm and cut one handed. Usually though, the bending halfway down is not good for me. Much of my technique is predicated upon a straight back. To maintain my back integrity, I need to use specific techniques that keep me healthy.I'm sure OSHA wouldn't give two hoots about my back pain each night as I lay in bed as long as I go by their book!blue
*Blue,Ah ha! You don't know it, but you've just endorsed the Skil 77. It tracks straight and true when cutting down, using gravity. You know you want to switch, Blue, why not just admit it and stop your proud suffering?And about the cut, all I can say is: "Uh huh, you can too!" But I say that mostly because you aren't cutting through the full width of the 2-by. Your point is taken.Tom
*I'm not too proud, I'm too weak. The biggest drawback that worms have is the handle mounted behind the motor. It turns the tool into a two handed tool, and I prefer to use only one. It also changes the angle of approach by the user. I prefer to be over the stock. The worm requires the operator to be behind the stock.Your "aha" advantage isn't that good of an example. All saws track true while cutting down. Still not switching,blue
*Blue,Well, ya see, I was kinda joking about all that "Ah ha!" stuff, and making light of my own exaggerated zealotry about the 77. When you said that gravity pulls your saw off course, I assumed you were describing cutting down. I use the 77 one handed most of the time. It doesn't put strain on my arm, but that's because I know how to work with it. I'm sure my work habits have evolved around the character of this saw. I can also see, just from those photos you've posted, that its unlikely that the 77 would mesh with your style. I wish I could watch you work for a day!Tom
*Jim, What are you, the keeper of the lore of the mighty Skil 77? I tried, but I can't make the earpencil work (in the saw or my ear). I use an 8 penny sinker to pin the guard.
*You gotta "do right by them that's done right by you".hint on the ear pencil thing - you gotta sleep on that side to flatten the cartilidge a little bit. I start out good every day, then, as the day wears on, that pencil starts fallin' out. What I do anymore for that is, I take a nice nap, about 2pm.
*Tom, I have come to the conclusion that different regions use different techniques and therefore different tools.Each carpenter must do what works best for him, in his specific situation. And they do.I'm relly not that exciting to watch. I don't move too fast and I take a lot of breaks, especially in the latter days of the week!Fridays I'm practically worthless although last Fri I had energy till the bitter end.blue
*Why bother? Why not have one each? I have a Skil 77 and a low end Skil 5150. For less than $200, I got everything. You want blade on the right, on the left, you want power, something light? No one says you must settle for one, for good, for ever.
*Greg, man, listen, you can't be comin' in here spoutin' reasonable arguments like that. You gotta have spittle on your chin and the veins in your neck have to stand out when you talk about your saw. Cripes sake man, we're talkin' skill saws here, not biscuits and velvetta like over in Cook Talk...this stuff MATTERS.
*Okay Jimbo here's your serious talk! I will outsaw you seven days a week and twice on sundays with my Makita sidewinder! I don't sweat that whole right or left blade thing cuz I can cut anything you name with either hand! And - and - and sometimes I win at Bocce. With my feet yet! So- take that- mister!
*Tell him Jim!!!!!!! JEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZUZZZZZZZZ KRRRRRRRRIIIIIISSTTTTTTTTTT<Ain't no one gonna use both a sidewinder and a wormie!Cept maybe Doug who uses em both at the same time!blue
*I'm a productive son of bitch Blue...
*AC-DC, huh?
*Jim, that's a dangerous thing, accusing the cooks of using Velveeta. Its not real cheese. They'll wring you neck for dissin' 'em like that. I mean, how would you like it if someone accused you of using a sidewinder?
*Okay, Jim, I know you are serious and I am too. When people see me using a low-end Skil sidewinder they start laughing at me. But after a while, they start to see the point. If you need to cross cut only one 2x4, why you need the 15lb 77, when the 9lb 5150 can do just fine? Why not save the 77, and you arm, when you need to cut 10 or 20 2x4s? It is so simple and basic and it costs so little. Why?
*One quick question. Which one do you grab most?
*Mr. Pita, I use the 77 most of the time. I like it a lot, that's no doubt about it. But I always keep the dirt cheap 5150 handy, for 'small' jobs, just like a pocket knife. I let co-workers use it, abuse it, I leave it out over night, nobody bother to steal it.
*well, if I did happen to have one of those bassakwards saws around, JUST FOR THOSE RARE TIMES WHEN I HAD TO MAKE THE OPPOSITE CUT, and I'm not sayin' I do, bit IF I did, I sure as hell wouldn't admit it publicly. My kids still have to face their classmates you know.
*Rockwell 315 (old silverline), i REAL bocceballs, and a good game of horseshoes.
*well...I've used both saws now, and I'd like to say what I think of those worm drives...but..you know...Jims a buddy..and and I might wanna talk to him again some day.
*waddaya mean real bocce balls ...are you saying Blodgett won that contest on Non-IOC approved equipment??
*hey, HEY! That's enough! Pete, YO PETE!
*I started on a 315 Rockwell Calvin. But what does the word silveline mean?blue
*Got to use a mag77 and a dewalt wormy or whatever it is on the job I'm on. Love the mag even better than my regular 77's.Dewalt has excessively high center of gravity when cutting shallow depths. You couldn't give me a Dewalt.New purchases should be mag 77's or go back to a handsaw.joe d
*Hey Blue, could that be a Hitachi saw that you're toting now? I'm still looking to replace my yellow beast and I'm leaning towards either a Mag 77 or a Makita sidewinder... Although, maybe I'll just get both, one for each hand.
*Very astute observation Nick!I'm giving the Hitachi a tryout. I'm not quite convinced yet that I should toss my Makitas! I bought two: one with a brake, one without. I prefer the one without the brake, but I probably could get used to the brake.But, the handle on the one saw has already broken. Jim Jr says it fell from about 6"!!! Yikes! I've thrown my makitas for years much longer distances than that!!! Even if the dealer will get me a free replacement part (it's the small section that removes exposing the trigger), I don't really want to do the maintenance. Mine has held up however. I might think about giving it some athletic tape wrap right now though. It does have good power, similar to the Makita. I like the table, which I immediately hacked apart. It is thicker than the Makita, which I used to bend a lot. The motor seems to be packed a little tighter too. Thats a good thing; I noticed I can cut door plates out in one pass. I always had to make a relif cut with my makita, milwaukee, and Pc/Rockwells.I also replaced the cord. I like to install a 15' section of a 12 guage "yellow jacket" with a stiff three prong end. I then can lower the saw to the ground off most second story roofs. I've been known to drop it the last five if I can't reach the ground. But mainly, I like the longer cord because it gives me about 65' for working distance. I only use 50' extension cords because I'm too lazy to roll up a 100! I think its a wash! Each has it's strengths, each has it's weaknesses.You won't be sorry either way.blue
*I got a new mag 77 on e-bay a few weeks ago for $123.00 including shipping. New in box, not a bad deal. Seem to be reaching for it more than the old 77. First thing we do with all new 77's is replace the cord with a 50'er. Hand a shyhook on the side and put on a marathon blade and get to i Read an article in FHB about some crazy Rapid stapler thing-a-majig. What was that kook babbling about anyway, he should try the arrow HD......some people....anything to see there name in print.
*I have an old 315 that still got some use as recently as last winter. All it needs is a washer for out side of blade (you know, the little 8-point "star" washer for the arbor bolt) and it could live again. Heavy sucker though.Later. LJ
*I know about those 315s LJ. I used to slip a shim of sandpaper in to give the star more strength and gripping power. Try it...blue
*Keith, i've tried those fiftys and prefer the 15-20 range. I like just enough play so I'm not dragging the connection too often. And I also like to be able to get to my connection easily to unplug it and unwrap it from the zillion things it manages to snake around!Finally, I despise having more cord and hose than I need. The 20' cord on a 50' extension will usually get me to the far corners of any house I normally build.I don't think I need a skyook however; I can usely find something to bury the marathon in...I've buried it in the ridge here.blue
*Hey BlueI got to thinking the other day and I've decided that I could never in a million years go for a Mag. The blade being on the wrong side would end me for sure.... I can usually find either the Makita or Hitachi for about $100 so I'm going to Home Cheapo and replacing my obnoxiously heavy and oversized DeCrap (thanks AJ) with one of the two. Makes sense to me, I might even be very wise and do a little upgrade on the cord. Once again, it's time for a new toy he he he - Nick
*Nick...be careful not to buy the new homeowners Makita...It is not the same as a 5007 or the new model that's more than the 5007...Both pro saws come with or with out brake also...Near the Makita blue stream,aj
*I had high hopes for you Nick.
*You shoulda run a jobsite thread Jim. He's seeing those sidewinders kicking butt...!blue
*I'd recommend the Makita. Or maybe the Hitachi...I'm curious about the new 5007 that AJ mentioned. Maybe I'll head down there and replace my Hitachi...Maybe not...i don't even have a job to go to on Monday!bluer than usual,blue
*http://www.makitatools.com/There are five models of 7 1/4" Makitas these days...From less than 8 pounds to 13 plus pounds and 14 ampsThere new models are quieter but either heavier or lighter than the old stand by we all like (5007)....I said earlier not to buy the lighter one but I may have to rescind that as it may just be lighter but still built well to take pro use...May have to call Makita and see what they say...near the Makita blue stream though there are many other great tools too,aj
*Blue you mentioned that you bent a Makita bottom plate...I have bent one too in the past....but I think it took a million floor to floor let downs before it happened and I was able to flatten it back out well enough....the Hitachie and the new Makita may have heavier plates but I haven't looked...I bought a Hitachie drywall gun once...hated it and swore off Hitachie...Oh well ....Each company is good at a line or two and each has a couple of duds...near the sheets,aj
*...they don't have film fast enough to catch a Mag 77 in action yet blue. You and Jack, leadin' that poor kid astray like that...BE STRONG NICK! THESE GUYS ARE MESSIN' WITH YA!
*I am impressed with the shoe on the hitachi. But it grinds me every time I get near that broken handle. I've also straightend a bunch of tables on all brands of saws. The milwaukees used to always be rounded on the bottom. Funny thing is, I didn't mind! Less contact equals less friction.I do like the thumb latch on the hitachi a little better. The bevel adjustment mechanism leaves a little to be desired. When you try to set it on a midrange angle, it tends to walk as your tightening the screw. blue
*It's time to throw out grandma's antique box Kodak Jim. These new fangled cameras are even fast enough to catch me throwing those wormidrives into the landfill. That's fast!blue
*My Makita is my trim baby, sooo acurate and easy to control, so rather than risk trashing it on a framing job I had last summer, I got the Milwaukee with the rotating handle. This is an nice, light and powerful saw. I love the soft start motor, no torquey jumping. The adjustable handle is nice for extending my reach across and along sheets of plywood, but then, I am just a dirty rotten sidewinder lover, BB
*That's a nice saw bucky....I like Milwaukie drills, sawzalls and that circle saw....near the red Milwaukie stream too,aj
*Hitachi alert!!!I dropped a section of plywood from the eight foot ceiling today. It landed on it's edge squarely on the motor base. It's now got a substantial crack in it. I'll have to patch it with fiberglass.I'm switchin back to Makita.blue
*
I was in the market for a new circular saw after my Makuta finally died after 12 plus years of constant use. I really wanted a worm drive because of the power and the fact that it would cut from the other side. All I could find was a Ski brand and was hesitant to spend the money on that brand. My partner bought a PoterCable that cuts from the left side. It is an okay saw but doesn't compare with my old Makuta. I would still like to purchase a worm drive if anyone could give a little guidance it would be greatly appreciated.