Replies

1. 
   webby | Apr 19, 2009 01:43am | #1

   there was a recent thread on hypoid saws, and one on worm drives. Plenty of good info in there.

   Basically the difference between a sidewinder and a worm drive is motor orientation, the motor is oriented parallel to the blade in hypoids and worms and perpendicular to it in sidewinders.

   The difference between a hypoid and a worm drive is the gear assembly used to turn the blade. The worm uses a worm gear and the hypoid uses a hypoid gear kind of conical shaped.

   The benefits of a worm / hypoid drive vs a sidewinder is increased torque. turning the motor parallel with the blade means that you have to use a gear assembly to direct the power to the blade this lowers the rpm iirc and results in increased torque- also a benefit of the stronger gear assembly. Sidewinders are basically direct drive, the sawblade mounts to the motor shaft and which is fine, however it has less torque.

   Worms and hypoids have a longer length due to motor orientation and this results in added cut length, and gives a different feel to guiding the saw due to the handle being more behind the saw and less on top per sidewinders.

   The trade off is that worm drives are about four pounds heavier than an average sidewinder (professional brand saws that is). This weight can be used to aid in cutting for those who learned to cut with the lumber resting on a foot.

   The blade orientation is on the left of the motor for worm and hypoids. This may be different than you are used too. You can get sidewinders either configuration but most if not all worms /hypoids are blade left.

   Iirc hypoids do not need relubing. Worm drives do contain a gear oil that needs changed everyso often. To my knowledge makita is the major user of hypoid gearing in their saws. the Bosch the ridgid the skill and the dewalt are worm geared iirc.

   Worms and hypiods tend to kick or roll to the side a little at startup so that is different too. for gang cutting sheet goods or ripping green treated wood there is nothing better suited than a worm or hypoid for these tasks.

   I have a makita it is a good saw the gaurd wants to hang up on my model if I dont set the depth of cut just right. Iirc makitas dont use a diamond knockout on the blade, they use the round arbor hole. Skill and bosch and the others use the diamond knockout.

   Other than that it is personal preference.

    

   Webby 

    

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   Edited 4/18/2009 6:48 pm ET by webby

   
   

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   Edited 4/18/2009 6:55 pm ET by webby

1. 
   Oak River Mike | Apr 19, 2009 01:45am | #2

   Thanks Webby.  Good info.

   I appreciate it as my local HD as a Makita hypoid reduced to $85 down from $199. so I am thinking about giving it a try.

   Mike

2. 
   ronbudgell | Apr 19, 2009 01:45pm | #5

   webby,

   I have only ever used sidewinders. Every one of them had a gear train of helical spur gears driven by a brush-commutated universal motor.

   Just like a worm drive except for the arrangement of the gears.

   Ron

1. 
   webby | Apr 19, 2009 05:36pm | #8

   thanks, I knew I would probably miiss something.Webby 

    

2. 
   dieselpig | Apr 19, 2009 02:59am | #3

   Here's my short answer:

   If you're used to and prefer the ergonomics of a worm drive saw....but are sick of feeling like you're arm is falling off at the end of the day... try a hypoid.

   View Image
3. 
   [email protected] | Apr 19, 2009 09:39am | #4

   The one thing webby missed is maximum cut depth. Worm drives have the deepest, hypoids are in the middle, sidewinders are third, and direct drives have the the least depth of cut.

4. 
   Henley | Apr 19, 2009 01:59pm | #6

   Webby has laid it all out very well.

   On a side note, Worm drives are made for abuse.

   I spent a couple of hours yesterday ripping 1" thick
   slate. Slapped a diamond blade on and started making dust.

   Fifteen years of cutting forms, rotten beams, nail infested
   each and every one.

   Of course, one arm is now longer then the other.

5. 
   MisterT | Apr 19, 2009 04:12pm | #7

   Basically the Hypoid/wormdrive saws are heavier and more reliable.

   and after extended use, you will be able to scratch below your knees without bending over.

   This is on reason why cro-magnons make the best framers.....

   :O)

   .
   .
   "After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion"

   -Neil deGrasse Tyson
   .
   .
   .
   If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
   .
   .
   .
   according to statistical analysis, "for some time now, bears apparently have been going to the bathroom in the woods."

1. 
   dieselpig | Apr 19, 2009 10:47pm | #9

   I heard that.View Image

1. 
   Timuhler | Apr 20, 2009 03:38am | #10

   But he's right, right? ;-)http://www.pioneerbuildersonline.com

   View Image

   From Lot 30 Muirkirk

   http://picasaweb.google.com/TimothyUhler                                     

1. 
   dieselpig | Apr 20, 2009 03:43am | #11

   Well of course, silly.  If you'll excuse me, I have to go shave my gigantic forehead now.View Image

1. 
   MisterT | Apr 20, 2009 05:40am | #12

   snork!.
   .
   "After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
   .
   .
   .
   If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
   .
   .
   .
   according to statistical analysis, "for some time now, bears apparently have been going to the bathroom in the woods."

2. 
   Scott | Apr 20, 2009 06:35am | #13

   >>>I have to go shave my gigantic forehead now.Now that conjures up a vision....Hahahahahaha.....Scott.