Just bought a craftsman wormdrive it is identical to a skill so I assume they are made by the same company it was 20$ less which covered the cost of a 2 year replacement warranty.The blade that came with it was steel blade. I used this blade to cut 5 rips on 7 2 x 10 x 12 the blade got progressively duller so at lunch time I bought a marathon blade and figured out how to knock out the center arbor hole to use the diamond arbor. You would not beleive how little is known about worm drives in this area ( MEMPHIS). I want to know what weight oil to put in the saw and if there is special blades for the saw? When I got back and cut with the new blade it ripped like a knife thru butter. I am duly impressed by saws ability although the weight of the saw is excessive so I think I will use it mainly for ripping.
ANDYSZ2
I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.
Replies
You'll end up working it to death. You are you trying to kid?
The gear oil is specific to the tool. Get it at a better quality tool repair or outlet.
But 70 or so different opinions will be along shortly.
Edited 7/27/2003 7:03:01 AM ET by IMERC
Any real worm drive guy knows that you take the skill 77 out of the box and throw the box and every thing that came with it in the dumpster. If I recall correctly skil 77's don't come with the blade mounted, saving you the trouble of removing it before throwing it away.
Now, as a first time WD owner here are a couple of other things to consider. You don't need the extended warranty. This saw will outlast the store that you bought it from.
Change the gear oil? You might want to go and post that question over at cooking time or what ever that other message board is, 'cause you are definately in touch with your feminine side.
Do not ever complain about the weight of the Skil 77. By a mag model for yourself (two pounds less) and let your guys use the standard model. Occasionally (very occasionally) let one of the use the lightweight model. This will encourage them to go buy their own. Above all, do not ever complain about the weight again. When someone else complains that your saw is heavy, say something like, "yeah, aint it great, If you know what your doing it really works to your advantage."
Don't limit yourself to ripping with this technological marvel. It will do anything that any other tool with spinning blade in it will do and alot more, longer, and better.
Finally throw away your sawhorses, these labor wasters encourage laziness, and wasted effort. Since you can actually see the blade from any position, cut the board wherever its at.
My first skil 77 is 10 years old it has cut every residential building component from steel and rebar, to concrete (while wetting the blade with a hose) to block, tile, marble, laminate, kitchen cabinets, miles of lumber and sheet goods all with nothing more than a cord change every few years.
I'll be buried with that saw.
Tom
I have to agree with Tom 100%. One of my worms is over 25 years old and the only thing I've done to it is change the cord a couple of times and recently added some gear oil. (The seal is going bad and leaks when the oil gets hot.) Don't know the difference between Skil and Craftsman, since I've only ever bought Skil. But these saws can take a pounding and come back for more.
Normally when I get a new one, I do like Tom said and get the saw out of the box and throw the rest away. Then wire a 50 foot cord on it.
Good luck,
John.
Use only skil worm drive oil.
I have used sae 90 wt hypoid gear oil and have used Slick 50 90wt and both worked ok for a while but after a couple of months both started smelling burnt.
I maintain all my own equipment and cannot tell the difference 'tween skil and sears saws, in fact I usually buy skil parts for my craftsman.
However, when I needed the rotor turned, nobody could do it except, tada, Sears.
Be sure to teach you grandkids how to use the WD cuz they will be inheiriting it from their papa when he is too old for it.
On the not-too-bad side, those stamped angle guide for the tilt table are not too accurate. I will set the table absolutely square and make my own reference mark with a thin jewelers file and repeat for 45o.
SamT
"Law reflects, but in no sense determines the moral worth of a society.... The better the society, the less law there will be. In Heaven, there will be no law, and the lion will lie down with the lamb.... The worse the society, the more law there will be. In Hell, there will be nothing but law, and due process will be meticulously observed."
Grant Gilmore, The Ages of American Law (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1977), pp. 110-111.
From 32866.117