I recently picked up a used Skil model 77 wormdrive saw as an addition to my Porter-Cable 743 sidewinder. This is my first experience with a wormdrive. I know wormdrives are recognized for their high torque but, I was disappointed with the speed of the cut. The saw cut much slower than my sidewinder. I know the wormdrive has a lower RPM but, does that significantly reduce the speed of the cut? The saw does have a new blade.
This is an older 10 amp Model 77 in the A4222xx serial number range. The saw is all metal, no plastic handles. Does anyone have an idea of the year of manufacture or know where I can find that out? I have not had a response from Skil yet.
Edited 6/11/2002 10:25:50 PM ET by CIMARRON8889
Edited 6/12/2002 7:24:22 AM ET by CIMARRON8889
Replies
"10 amp"? Are you sure? I bought my first 77 in 1977, and they were all 13 amp then, black plastic handles...and I've used several older than that that have all metal handles, but they were still 13 amp, for sure...never saw a 10 amp...is it possible it's a Model 66? I think that was the number of the 6+1/4" worm they used to make - great on a roof.
Whatever you do, don't judge 77's by this 10 amper. They are the 2x4 cuttinest saw ever invented and all you bassakwards sidewinder usin' knotheads can go pound sand.
What Jim said
Yehh
right coastin wrong siders
Amen brother, plus the worms keep the biceps buff! Got an old B&D boat anchor( Won't die), and a not so old Makita hypoid. (much better than expected)
Brudoggie
One thing all that worm drive torque is good for:
You can wrap a rope around the arbor to pull out your Chevy when it gets stuck!
OOOHH I done it now!!!!
TDo not try this at home!
I am a trained professional!
Yeah, I here that happens to those Chevys. I got a Ford. Never gets stuck, or lost. But sometimes I do!
If you attach a chain to the top handle it will make a nice boat anchor.
:oD
T
Do not try this at home!
I am a trained professional!
OK I confess, I used to use those sidewinder pieces of doggy do. The best of 'em ain't worthy of the sweat off my left nut compared to my Mag 77
A recent convert who has seen the light!
Still waitin' for my hypoid to die so I have an excuse to get the Skil Mag 78 Bosch (LOL). No, really, the Skil's the sh*t.
Frenchy- and you're not even a Left-Coaster, are ya? Guess it's not entirely a 'regional' thing. Yeah, prob. just a bunch of wimpy New Englanders perpetuating this sidewinder thing. :o)
Ken Hill, by the hypoid Blue Stream
Yes there is a difference in the speed of the cut between the worm and the sidewinder. But think back many years and you might vaguely remember the story of the tortoise and the hare.
Here on the EAST coast there are those of us wise enough to know the wormdrive is a much better saw.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
Cimarron,
A question for you... Is the blade tightened down enough? The 77 will allow slippage while still giving a (slow) cut.
If you are in the SF area, the regional Skil repair shop used to be near the base of Potrero Hill, off Army St. When my HD77 burned up in 1989, I took it to them and they got it back to me by the end of the work day! I don't know if other regions' Skil repair centers are quite so speedy. Perhaps taking it directly to the factory recon folks is the way to go? If you're in Maine, I'd be happy to check it out for you, and give you a 'worm-drive seminar'. I love the things, and have put a lot of time into figuring out how to use 'em overhead, sideways, left-handed & literally upside down.
Have you used anyone else's worm drive? I'm thinking that if you know someone else who has a functional worm drive, you could compare the two. It may be that a perfectly functioning saw of that serial number series is just damn slow. Personally, I'm suspicious that your saw is worn out. I recently replaced my HD77, not because of the arcing problems it was having, but because the casting was worn out where the "depth adjustment axle bolt" (?) passes through at the front of the saw. Ergo, even had I had my motor checked out and fixed, the saw cannot cut any more accurately than +/- 3 or 4 degrees. Given that, I suggest you spend a little time checking out your machine: The runout, shoe flatness, "depth adjust. axle" wobble, etc. This particular machine may not be worth the time and energy to fix it up.
If you do fix it up, here's a thought: When the recon center guy rebuilt mine that day in 1989, he asked if I wanted the standard 6' cord or a 20' cord. I was flabbergasted. A 20' cord? On a tool?! I said I'd try it. I have been very happy with that little upgrade.
If you do try out someone else's worm drive, yours can't be fixed, and you decide you can't live without one- check out the Mag 77 and the new Bosch worm-drive. You might also try the Makita hypoid saw- I found the handle too big to hang onto, but that was when they first made it. I'd have replaced my old one with a Mag 77, but bought the new Bosch, which hit the market as I started looking. So far, it's better than my old HD77.
Good luck,
Caribouman
I have a question....
Was in a Sears parts store and noticed a pile of reconditioned power tools.
There were two that looked identical to a Skil saw except for the Craftsman Professional series nameplate. It's a 13-amp unit and weighs a ton. Very few plastic parts.
Price was $109 each.
Were these made by Skil ?
Same as a 77. I have one. It is very heavy, but so is a skill. Cuts anything you want to with no problem. I think they are a great buy, since they are identical to the skil, but you have to put up with people making fun of the brand name.
Thanks for the reply, Mark -
Although they are labeled as reconditioned, I'll take a closer look.
One seems older then the other, with the blade shroud showing more scratches.
I heard many stories but had no idea they weighed that much.
Did you get a reconditioned unit ?
I'm used to friendly teasing but won't be getting any at a jobsite since I'm just a homeowner.
Thanks,
Alan
I bought mine returned in the box but unused for about the same price as reconditioned. There was 10% off everything in the store and I got a free plastic toolbox with it. I'm a fairly busy DIY type and not a pro. You will not want to cut overhead with this saw. The weight is a drawback, but I'm used to it now. The rip guide does not come with this saw, but I bought one and found it very useful. Everything you have heard about the skil is true for this saw. It is not for everybody, but has some devoted users. It is overkill most of the time. I use my porter cable 4.5" worm drive trim saw for anything where the weight and size of the craftsman is unmanageable.
As far as I know, the saws are identical, although the drive gears may not be made of an equal quality steel alloy. That is quite likely the difference. Take a look at the leading edge of the blade guard- years back, either Craftsman or Black&Dekker Professional had a better blade guard than the Skil- if it's a little more rounded than the Skil, get it. Better for narrow off-cuts. Now, compare the weight: More than a one & a half pound difference ? I'd get the Skil. But remember, if you know how to handle the tool, the extra weight won't be as bad as, say, shifting to a sidewinder that you can't handle. For you, as an occasional user, the extra weight might not be as bad as it would for someone who uses the tool all day, every day. And hey, unless you're impoverished, $100 bucks for a wormdrive?! Get it! If you hate it, sell it!
Here is where I go out on a limb for everyone: Most of the tools I've bought in the last five years have been recons. So far, they perform every bit as well as a new tool might've, but I paid less. As long as the original tool was high quality, the recon will be as well. (IMO).
All of that said, I just spent *cough* $209 on the new Bosch wormdrive. *cough* Ouch!! God that hurt my wallet! Nah, I look at it this way: It's more rigid, 2 or 3# lighter than my old wormdrive, cuts a greater bevel, has a rafter hook... The old one lasted me from 1988 to now, (it'd been built in 1972), so I'm figuring on retiring with this saw...
Hope all is well, write me what you bought and why (I'm curious), best, Caribouman
Yes
The reason that your new bosh is better than the hd77 or the mag77 is that Bosch owns Skill and put the future development into the bosch line instead of the skill line.