Worm Drive Saws - Which One

[Rustyiron]

The Skill is a good one, got 3 of them and the last one (see pic) has a 10 1/4" blade and they now make a 16 5/16" model. But it's hard to beat a Makita, they just don't offer a 10.25 worm drive but they do have a "normal" top handle 10.25 and a monster 16" beam saw.

That's a 6x8 it's sitting on.

 

[downsizingnow48]

When my 35 year old Skil Model 77 finally burned out I replaced it with a Bosch wormdrive. About 8 years ago. Seems to be as tough as the old Skil. I have owned and used wormdrive Makitas, two of them, they are also bulletproof. But they have a nasty torque motion when you pull the trigger, takes getting used to. I gave them away.

But these days I often use a Makita cordless, it has the blade on the left side so you can see what you are doing. I also have an old Skil Model HD5510, a corded saw with 5 1/2 in blade on the left side. Not made anymore. I like those two saws because they weigh much less than the Bosch wormdrive and can do 90% of the work. Maybe 95%.

 

[oosik]

I've had a Skil worm drive for over 20 years. It's been a good saw. The only down side - it IS heavy and will tire me out. However, I never have to worry if it will or won't do the job.

 

[Alan W.]

The Skill is a good one, got 3 of them and the last one (see pic) has a 10 1/4" blade and they now make a 16 5/16" model. But it's hard to beat a Makita, they just don't offer a 10.25 worm drive but they do have a "normal" top handle 10.25 and a monster 16" beam saw.
View attachment 616131
That's a 6x8 it's sitting on.

Thats a bit more wagon than I need.

The saw I had was a Craftsman that I think was built by Skil for them. It was made in the USA so yea it was old.

I guess I could always put a wood blade on my Stihl concrete saw

 

[grsthegreat]

I have an older 25 year old model 77 worm drive that had broken down and was going to replace it. then i found out from service tech that the newer ones had lots of plastic parts....like plastic worm gears. I had him repair my old one for about $75. Runs like new. My supply house salesman told me he can order a new model 77 with steel worm drive, but its special order and more expensive than the home depot units. Personally i dont mind the extra weight. Then again im not using it 8 hours a day. For small, quick jobs i pull out my 20 volt Dewalt saw.

 

[mopardude318]

Hard to beat a Skil Mag77

Milwaukee just released their cordless M18 Fuel worm drive saw...

 

[Alan W.]

I want to thank all for their input on the saw choices. Had to put saw on hold for awhile due to freezer purchase.
So today I finally made the purchase after reconsidering a lot of things I bought a Black & Decker DWE575SB. Good warranty and I had forgot how heavy a worm drive was. Once again thanks

 

[Snobdds]

I want to thank all for their input on the saw choices. Had to put saw on hold for awhile due to freezer purchase.
So today I finally made the purchase after reconsidering a lot of things I bought a Black & Decker DWE575SB. Good warranty and I had forgot how heavy a worm drive was. Once again thanks

That comes up as a Dewalt sidewinder???

 

[Alan W.]

Thats the # on the saw.

 

[Budweiser John]

I have a older Skill 77 worm drive, a Dewalt 20 volt cordless and Milwaukee top handle sidewinder.
My ‘go to’ saw is the Milwaukee as it has plenty if power for most cutting tasks. I use the skill mostly for demolition as it will plow through old crunchy hardwood flooring and other nasty stuff non stop.
The Dewalt I seldom use except for an occasional off cut in remote places with no available power. The battery stuff starts out strong but looses moxie much too soon to suit me.
Like me, all three of those saws are currently in retirement.

B. John