OK,
I need a new worm drive saw and I have narrowed it down to buying another Skil mag77 or checking out the Makita Hypoid saw.
Does anybody here use the Makita? I have used Mag77’s for years, yet would like to try something else. Does anyone who has the Makita have anything negative to say about it? It is only $100 right now on Amazon and a new Mag77 is almost $200, so cost is unfortunately an issue for me at this time.
Replies
I have the Makita and like it better than the Mag 77. My favorite wormdrive saw though is the Ridgid. My saw has been with me since spring '05 and runs really well. The Bosch and DeWalt saws didn't last that long.
http://picasaweb.google.com/TimothyUhler
Technically the Makita is not a worm drive.
The newer version of the Makita Hypoid has been my saw of choice for a couple years now. I have one minor complaint... the nice, easy-to-use bevel adjustment lever is easy to bump and set free. I've made more than a few cuts before realizing that my saw is at 5 or 10 degrees. That being said, I really like this saw. It's light, powerful, and has a lot of nice user friendly features. I'd buy another if this one broke tomorrow. Like most saws though... the factory supplied blade was junk.
Personally, I think the 77 series of saws is out dated at this point and your money could be better spend elsewhere. I'm sure the purists will disagree but I'm a circular saw whore... currently own somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 of 'em... and I'm pretty sure I've tried just about all of them in a production framing environment. So I'm not just throwing darts with that statement.
>Like most saws though... the factory supplied blade was junk.
So what's your suggestion for a good general purpose blade?
I picked up the Makita 3-4 years ago when someone (probably either Amazon or Coastal) had them for $89. At the time I was cutting mostly hemlock 2x's of various dryness for the garage I was building (and still haven't quite finished), and it didn't seem to cut as well as my PC, and is significantly heavier to boot.
I thought it might have a lot to do with the blade, but never took the time to really experiment.
Don
I picked up the Makita 3-4 years ago when someone (probably either Amazon or Coastal) had them for $89. At the time I was cutting mostly hemlock 2x's of various dryness for the garage I was building (and still haven't quite finished), and it didn't seem to cut as well as my PC, and is significantly heavier to boot.
Don, can I ask which type of Makita you're comparing?
I'm wondering because PC doesn't make a worm drive, except for their trim saw. They only make sidewinders (direct drive) while Makita makes both, the hypoid (like worm drive) and sidewinders. Powerwise, I don't think there is a sidewinder on the market that can stand up to any of the popular worm drives. They just don't have the torque.
PC does make a great saw (I have 2), so just wondering what your comparing it to.~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netSee my work - TedsCarpentry.com
Ted,
I was comparing the Makita hypoid to the PC sidewinder. Given all I had heard about torque, I assumed the hypoid would cut the green & semi-green hemlock 2x's better than the sidewinder. Didn't find that to be the case, so the hypoid's been collecting dust for a couple years (I'm just a DIYer still trying to finish my garage, so the PC doesn't get tons of use, either.)
My assumption is that the hypoid should cut better, but either the blade or my technique isn't appropriate. I haven't tried another brand/type of blade in the hypoid, so I was hoping someone would recommend one.
Don
It may be a blade issue. The blade that comes with a tools is usually cheap, will made a few cuts and dull down real fast. Also, they may not be as thin as some of the more popular 7-1/4" blades, such as the Freud Diablo, thus they have to remove more material to make the cut.
As for the difference in torque, I don't think it make much differend between the 2 saws when doing your average framing, cutting plywood, etc.. The worm drive or hypoid saw shines when it comes to the really heavy duty cutting, like ripping wet treated lumber down the center, or splitting a 4x4 or 6x6. It's stuff like this that will make any sidewinder I know of, choke and sputter, and will eventually burn out the motor.
In fact, when the sidewinder binds I know I can hold it in place with one hand. A worm drive or hypoid, however, is when I stay ready to control the kickback, lest I might get injured.
For your basic framing it shouldn't make much differenct which saw you use. What kind of blade are you using? How thick is it? How sharp is it?
Also, I used to think more teeth would make the cut easier. But when they didn't have a 40 tooth blade and I got a 24 instead, I was surprised to find it cut better than the 40. ~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netMeet me at House & Builder!
Got both, everyone on the crew grabs the Makita. It is a real nice saw.
Bruce
I've had the Makita for a year or so now. Love it.
Skil mag77 is on the clearance shelf at my sears store in kettering oh for 125.
Makita hands down
Love the Makita. Love the Makita. Wore out the second one (too-small extension cords apparently do it) then bought a 77 'cuz Larry Huan said so. It's nice, and indestructable, but I fixed the second Makita, and it just feels like I can steer it better.
I wish it had a soft start - it does rotate on start-up,
If the new one has SS, I'd get it in a heartbeat.
Forrest
<edit> Got my first Makita hyphoid as a wedding present from the best man. DW's grandma kept moving it off the gift table!
Edited 4/5/2009 9:31 pm ET by McDesign
I have the Makita and will admit I do not use any of them too much but it has a lot of umpth, it will eat some wood, only minor gripe is depth adjustment seems stiff. Maybe I need to clean and lube it to be fair. It is the only hypoid (worm style sort of) I have used. I would put bigtime cred on any indorsement from Tim Uhler for any framing tool. Same for Diesel Pig and Joe Carola.
They are light and less bulky. I'd buy one. I have a skill 77.
Edited 4/6/2009 12:26 am ET by popawheelie
Another one for makita here. If budget is an issue, check out ebay for a slightly used one, probably save 30%. Just watch the shipping cost.
~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.net
Meet me at House & Builder!
Edited 4/13/2009 12:25 am by Ted W.
thanks everyone, I went to go buy the makita on Amazon and the price had gone up. I debated for 3 days when it was at $103. When I finally went to purchase it it had gone back up to $149.
I ended up ordering a factory reconditioned magnesium makita hypoid for $127.Thanks again.
I have plenty of refurbished tools and haven't had any problem with them. The tool will serve you well~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netSee my work - TedsCarpentry.com
thats a problem i have with amazon. i check price then next time it's higher. i have never had it go down.
i swear that the cookies on your computer tell it you have been there before and adjust accordingly.i feel the same way about airline tickets online,the first time you look will be the cheapest.
case in point i had a makita impact put in my cart last friday 288.00 just checked now it's 329.4 days later
YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'TMOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THEDUCT TAPE.
Edited 4/7/2009 12:14 am by alwaysoverbudget
After using an old "cast iron" Skil the Makita seems to jump all over the place due to the lighter weight and torque-ier motor start up.Nice saw though, unless the pawnshop runs out of 77s, that will be my next saw.
Friends don't let friends buy tools from pawnshops man. View Image
Yeah - read your thread a couple months back. Major bummer to say the least.At least I didn't say swap meets...
Check out HeavyDutyTools.net next time.Great service
Great Pricing and dealsTFB (Bill)
https://www.heavydutytools.net/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=276
With a free Milwaukee sander to boot.
Looks like Mark has the site back up. He had some surgery and has been out. I was in last week and his brother said he was doing fairly well but could not do much.
BobFor those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
I have two worm drives....a very old Milwaukee that is heavy, but works every bit as well as the day I brought it home; and a bosch, (detachable cord). Both work well, but I find myself reaching for the Bosch due to the weight factor for any length of time use.
In other words, free-market capitalism is the best path to prosperity.
We don't "do" worm drives in our region. One of the local hardware stores has had the same couple dozen Makita hypoid saws discounted for almost a year, now.
I wonder if they've been missing the shelf space. Personally, I'm hoping to be there the day they finally give them all away for free. ;-)
In all seriousness, I'm sure it's a fine product.
Edited 4/13/2009 11:05 pm ET by Biff_Loman
Have the Makita and love it! Did a deck demo that had some very wet treated wood no problem. Pushed it hard, came back for more. Check toolseeker for pricing.
I hear ya, Bubba!
I've already decided f anything ever happens to my ol' Mag 77 it's getting replaced with the Makita, with all the power and a lot less weight to lug around. ~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netMeet me at House & Builder!