Let's see your Skilsaw #77 Worm Drives!

[Farmall450]

Since there are ~70 years worth of "the saw that build America" floating around out there, let's see what you guys have. Part of the reason for posting this is the hope that any information anyone has on these could be shared when you post yours - I might try to get a thread started on the history and various models.

I'll start.

Type 16 (1985-1993, the last model before Bosch merged w/ Skil)

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

That's a really clean saw you have there farmall. I got introduced to the model 77 back in HS shop class in the mid 70's. We had an old contractor named Cecil for a shop teacher who didn't take any sh!t from the class and we sure learned a lot from him. Once spoiled on the worm drive saw conventional circular saws never did feel right to me again. I bought mine new in the late 70's from the local Copeland lumber store. I've used it on countless jobs and remodeling projects over the years and other than going through a couple cords it's still in pretty good shape. Wouldn't be without it. A couple pics of the saw and my cedar bathroom ceiling I put up in 1981 cut with the skill. Both still going strong. Ed.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

Here's mine, bought used by my grandpa from his BIL in the 50's and used it very little over time, it needs at least 1 new oil seal as the original leather ones are leaky from lack of use. I also have a couple 67's, a couple 825's, a 367 and I'm actively looking for a 107, a 127 and a groover (as rare as they are).

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

450, I was hoping you would post a pic of that beauty after you mentioned it in your other thread. Here is my refreshed Type 14 to add to the mix. I think this was the last one with the all metal handle.

 

[Farmall450]

That's a really clean saw you have there farmall. I got introduced to the model 77 back in HS shop class in the mid 70's. We had an old contractor named Cecil for a shop teacher who didn't take any sh!t from the class and we sure learned a lot from him. Once spoiled on the worm drive saw conventional circular saws never did feel right to me again. I bought mine new in the late 70's from the local Copeland lumber store. I've used it on countless jobs and remodeling projects over the years and other than going through a couple cords it's still in pretty good shape. Wouldn't be without it. A couple pics of the saw and my cedar bathroom ceiling I put up in 1981 cut with the skill. Both still going strong. Ed.

We had one of those, albeit he retired my Sophomore year, Grant Taylor. I got introduced to one working on framing a garage with my uncle, a contractor. He got his from his boss back when he was getting started, and it's the only corded saw he keeps in his trailer to this day. I need to check what type his is, it's a red one. My dad has a Craftsman (probably also a Skil, will have to check) but I've never seen him break it out.


It's amazing to think the hours you've put on yours and how much it's made or saved you over the years. Hopefully I can get that way!

Here's mine, bought used by my grandpa from his BIL in the 50's and used it very little over time, it needs at least 1 new oil seal as the original leather ones are leaky from lack of use. I also have a couple 67's, a couple 825's, a 367 and I'm actively looking for a 107, a 127 and a groover (as rare as they are).

It's a beauty. I've been finding more and more stuff on FB marketplace, oddly enough.

450, I was hoping you would post a pic of that beauty after you mentioned it in your other thread. Here is my refreshed Type 14 to add to the mix. I think this was the last one with the all metal handle.

Thank you; it was the fella's dad's. Came with the box, wrench, and 2 unused tubes of replacement gear oil from the hardware store I assume he bought it at new (Seigle's).

 

[BreeStephany]

Here's a little preview of a Skil 77 Blue Label that I restored a while back
Before
View media item 61243
After
View media item 61267View media item 61271View media item 61273
Check out the full restore thread here

Here's a little preview of a Skil 825 Blue Label that I restored
Before
View media item 66250
After
View media item 66299View media item 66304View media item 66306
Check out the full restore thread here

And here's a little preview of my overall vintage tool collection, most of which is vintage Skil
View media item 61323

 

[Farmall450]

Wow, that looks great Bree. When I called Skil they have me the runaround, and were only able to provide the year date ranges for my type. I have a feeling that, like vises, block bench grinders, and anvils, these will become addicting.

 

[Farmall450]

Here's a good deal on a gold Skilsaw 77 50th anniversary edition. These were only made for 90 days; the last one I saw on eBay was in better shape (without a case) but sold for $250+ shipping.

$60 in Morrisonville, IL (he's not interested in trying to ship).
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2052044638177261

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Man that thing is sweet! I had a coworker that wanted something from in state off CL, the drive wasnt worth it. He offered to mail cash plus a prepaid shipping box. It actually worked out. Maybe you can work it out with him if he doesnt sound too shady. For $60 plus shipping I would probably take a chance.

 

[Farmall450]

Man that thing is sweet! I had a coworker that wanted something from in state off CL, the drive wasnt worth it. He offered to mail cash plus a prepaid shipping box. It actually worked out. Maybe you can work it out with him if he doesnt sound too shady. For $60 plus shipping I would probably take a chance.

I can't even get the guy to reply - I offered to pay upfront (including shipping)
Allegedly he has another, too (tho perhaps not the anniversary edition).

 

[All]

I had no idea that the Gold Model 77 was only made for 90 days. How did you find that out?

One day, a little more than 30 years ago, I needed a new SkilSaw, so I went down to the tool store (back in the days when stand alone tool stores existed, before the big box stores took over), and the store had this Skilsaw kit that came with a blow molded case, a rip fence, an extra blade, and a tube of gear lubricant... all included for the same price as just a bare Skilsaw in a box.

There was just one problem with the kit. The saw was colored gold. What would the guys on the job say? I'd be teased mercilessly. So I asked the tools store clerk if it would be ok if we switched out the gold color saw with a normal looking gray colored saw, but otherwise keep the kit with the case and all the extras. He said sure. So I paid him, and we swapped out the saws, and I happily went home with a normal looking dull grey Skilsaw with a full kit of accessories, while he kept the Gold Anniversary Edition Model 77 that I had traded away.

Are you shaking your head yet?

It took me the weekend to think it over.

On Monday, I went back to the tool store after work, bringing in my yet unused, brand new gray Skilsaw, with the original tie wrap still fastened around the power cord, and embarrassingly asked if I could trade him back the grey saw for the Gold saw that originally came with the kit I had bought on Friday. He rolled his eyes a bit and said yes. (I was a regular customer, so that probably helped).

And for the next 30 years, I and everyone else on any set or building site I've ever been on can tell from a very vast distance which Skilsaw belongs to me.

And yes, in 1989, I did end up getting teased. Mercilessly.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I'm impressed. A dozen posts in and no one has posted one with the blade guard disabled or removed.

At one time that used to be pretty common. Grounds for immediately firing on Metro's jobs all 26+ years I worked there.

 

[bonneyman]

Nice saws, guys! The restoration skills of several are also in full view.

 

[Farmall450]

I'm impressed. A dozen posts in and no one has posted one with the blade guard disabled or removed.

At one time that used to be pretty common. Grounds for immediately firing on Metro's jobs all 26+ years I worked there.

Man, that's harsh. Although, so is slicing through your thigh I suppose.

I had no idea that the Gold Model 77 was only made for 90 days. How did you find that out?

One day, a little more than 30 years ago, I needed a new SkilSaw, so I went down to the tool store (back in the days when stand alone tool stores existed, before the big box stores took over), and the store had this Skilsaw kit that came with a blow molded case, a rip fence, an extra blade, and a tube of gear lubricant... all included for the same price as just a bare Skilsaw in a box.

There was just one problem with the kit. The saw was colored gold. What would the guys on the job say? I'd be teased mercilessly. So I asked the tools store clerk if it would be ok if we switched out the gold color saw with a normal looking gray colored saw, but otherwise keep the kit with the case and all the extras. He said sure. So I paid him, and we swapped out the saws, and I happily went home with a normal looking dull grey Skilsaw with a full kit of accessories, while he kept the Gold Anniversary Edition Model 77 that I had traded away.

Are you shaking your head yet?

It took me the weekend to think it over.

On Monday, I went back to the tool store after work, bringing in my yet unused, brand new gray Skilsaw, with the original tie wrap still fastened around the power cord, and embarrassingly asked if I could trade him back the grey saw for the Gold saw that originally came with the kit I had bought on Friday. He rolled his eyes a bit and said yes. (I was a regular customer, so that probably helped).

And for the next 30 years, I and everyone else on any set or building site I've ever been on can tell from a very vast distance which Skilsaw belongs to me.

And yes, in 1989, I did end up getting teased. Mercilessly.

The anti-theft alone was worth it.

Also, the original box said only made for 90 days. From our archives: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-182588.html

 

[All]

I'll have to see if I still have the original box. IF I did, it would be buried 30 years deep.

That is not something that I would have paid much attention to when buying the saw back then. I'm not sure what made me change my mind and retrieve the gold saw that I paid for... just a vibe I guess.

During those years, just about every tool manufacturer was coming out with anniversary editions. Hitachi came out with a golden colored 20th Anniversary NR83A nailer (which I have). Milwaukee came out with a 75th Anniversary Hole Shooter, with polished chrome metal motor housing, instead of plastic gray (which I have). At the same time, Milwaukee came out with a 75th Anniversary Sawzall, also with the polished metal motor housing instead of the gray plastic (which I also have).

Gee... for someone who claims to not have any interest in Anniversary Edition tools... I sure seem to have a lot of them. Well four anyway. And I used them just like any tool. Although with the exception of the nail gun, I did keep all of the original boxes for some reason.

The Anniversary tools that I DIDN'T get, but in retrospect of everything since being made in China, wish I had... was Delta's entire suite of Anniversary Edition shop tools, including their UniSaw (with Biesemeyer Fence), shaper, jointer, planer, etc. All gleaming white. Speaking of white, Jet soon followed with their own Anniversary Edition suite of wood shop tools. I didn't have the space, time, or money to partake back then (very early 90's), but I can imagine that those who did are quite happy having the last bit of American industrial icons in their garages and shops.

 

[Farmall450]

I'll have to see if I still have the original box. IF I did, it would be buried 30 years deep.

That is not something that I would have paid much attention to when buying the saw back then. I'm not sure what made me change my mind and retrieve the gold saw that I paid for... just a vibe I guess.

During those years, just about every tool manufacturer was coming out with anniversary editions. Hitachi came out with a golden colored 20th Anniversary NR83A nailer (which I have). Milwaukee came out with a 75th Anniversary Hole Shooter, with polished chrome metal motor housing, instead of plastic gray (which I have). At the same time, Milwaukee came out with a 75th Anniversary Sawzall, also with the polished metal motor housing instead of the gray plastic (which I also have).

Gee... for someone who claims to not have any interest in Anniversary Edition tools... I sure seem to have a lot of them. Well four anyway. And I used them just like any tool. Although with the exception of the nail gun, I did keep all of the original boxes for some reason.

The Anniversary tools that I DIDN'T get, but in retrospect of everything since being made in China, wish I had... was Delta's entire suite of Anniversary Edition shop tools, including their UniSaw (with Biesemeyer Fence), shaper, jointer, planer, etc. All gleaming white. Speaking of white, Jet soon followed with their own Anniversary Edition suite of wood shop tools. I didn't have the space, time, or money to partake back then (very early 90's), but I can imagine that those who did are quite happy having the last bit of American industrial icons in their garages and shops.

You're really lucky you got back in time to save that golden worm drive.

 

[oak_park]

I spotted this one locally....from 2002

Read about it here.....one of 250 made.

https://www.builderonline.com/produ...ular-saws-to-celebrate-its-77th-anniversary_o

 

[Farmall450]

I spotted this one locally....from 2002

Read about it here.....one of 250 made.

https://www.builderonline.com/produ...ular-saws-to-celebrate-its-77th-anniversary_o

I hope you bought it (if applicable).

 

[flyingdog]

I'm impressed. A dozen posts in and no one has posted one with the blade guard disabled or removed.

At one time that used to be pretty common. Grounds for immediately firing on Metro's jobs all 26+ years I worked there.

My guard was pinned back and now my thumb's last joint is fused after a kick-back cut through 7/8's of it.

Glad that's all that got cut!

We were a 10 employee GC working in shorts and work boots in Redondo Beach in the '80's.

Our Safety Team where I'm at now would definitely terminate me today!

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I spotted this one locally....from 2002

Read about it here.....one of 250 made.

https://www.builderonline.com/produ...ular-saws-to-celebrate-its-77th-anniversary_o

Oh man I would love to try and duplicate that on my next project. I am going to try and find a good candidate soon. That is just way too cool. I am so glad to see this thread getting some more action.

 

[All]

What I find fascinating about the 2002 era red white and blue 77th anniversary edition FDNY Model 77... is just that... it is a 2002 model... but it has an all STEEL base plate, even though it is painted silver, to look like magnesium.

Unless my memory is mistaken (a real possibility), by 2002, the Mag77 (red handle) had been around for more than a decade, because I remember coveting the newly introduced magnesium model back in 1992, but I couldn't justify the upgrade, given that 5 years earlier, in 1987, I had purchased the gold colored 50th Anniversary model (earlier I had mistakenly said 1989).

One would think that a special edition saw would have been based on the halo model, which is most certainly the MAG 77, due to it's 2 lb weight reduction.

Maybe I am mistaken though, because 10 years later, in 2012, Skil introduced their 75th anniversary edition Model 77, based on a Mag77, as seen here:

View media item 92199
.

 

[bigredcornhead]

I bought one of these guys awhile back didnt do much but clean her up and change the oil still runs fine seems as though the RPM isnt what it should be any thoughts on what might need replaced or tried?

View media item 52790

 

[Bigblockyeti]

Is anything bound up that causes very quick deceleration when releasing the trigger? Do the brushes arc excessively when running?

 

[bigredcornhead]

She runs smooth as silk actually just doesnt seem to reach a very high RPM. No grit or anything in the bearings that i could tell. I didn have the adapter cord on this saw doubt thats the issue either though its in good shape.

 

[Farmall450]

She runs smooth as silk actually just doesnt seem to reach a very high RPM. No grit or anything in the bearings that i could tell. I didn have the adapter cord on this saw doubt thats the issue either though its in good shape.

I can't think of anything besides shot brushes not contacting great. Have you measured the RPMs or are you just going off instinct?

 

[Bigblockyeti]

I would check speed with a tach to see what you're actually getting. Look for any raised or burned commutator bars which will result in lots of arcing from the brushes and greatly accelerated wear. Overfilling the oil can make them sluggish too as when running, nearly all the oil is slug away from the rotating parts and into voids in the gearcase until it comes to a stop. Aside from running slower, another symptom of overfilling will be excessive heat generation in the gearcase and frothy oil from being churned.

 

[HotWire]

My $40 Craigslist score.



Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Farmall450]

My $40 Craigslist score.



Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Looks like that would clean up pretty well. The price was right, too.

 

[dwall174]

Type 16 (1985-1993, the last model before Bosch merged w/ Skil)

I believe this one is a type 17 made after the merge with Bosch when they started making them overseas!

I bought it for $50 from a member of a local woodworking club.
Originally I was a little unsure of it being it's made in China, But I haven't found anything it won't cut!

Doug

 

[jask]

going back to any regular saw after a sidewinder is like borrowing a dull black and decker to cut wet pressure treated...

but if you ever get tired of your 77 , pick up an 825..

 

[driftpin]

going back to any regular saw after a sidewinder is like borrowing a dull black and decker to cut wet pressure treated...

but if you ever get tired of your 77 , pick up an 825..

Like yours, but older.

I've had this since 1973, bought it used, then.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Seeing some of the nice blue labels in this thread left me vulnerable to temptation. I just couldn't pass up this one I found still in the box last weekend. Haven't had a chance to do much with it yet. The box doesn't show any of the writing on it most of the others in the thread have but the saw sure is clean inside. Ed.

 

[Mark914]

Bought this used like 15 years ago ,Guy selling stuff needed money , think it was $20 , don’t know it’s age, I rarely use it and it looked like the last guy didn’t use it much either. I’m
more of a metal guy than a wood guy , but it has helped me build a few things.

 

[Farmall450]

Bought this used like 15 years ago ,Guy selling stuff needed money , think it was $20 , don’t know it’s age, I rarely use it and it looked like the last guy didn’t use it much either. I’m
more of a metal guy than a wood guy , but it has helped me build a few things.

Me too, and cordless is so darn nice, but when you need it, you need it.

Seeing some of the nice blue labels in this thread left me vulnerable to temptation. I just couldn't pass up this one I found still in the box last weekend. Haven't had a chance to do much with it yet. The box doesn't show any of the writing on it most of the others in the thread have but the saw sure is clean inside. Ed.

Wow, that box did a good job preserving the saw. Nice!

going back to any regular saw after a sidewinder is like borrowing a dull black and decker to cut wet pressure treated...

but if you ever get tired of your 77 , pick up an 825..

Like yours, but older.

I've had this since 1973, bought it used, then.

I'd be down

 

[Farmall450]

going back to any regular saw after a sidewinder is like borrowing a dull black and decker to cut wet pressure treated...

but if you ever get tired of your 77 , pick up an 825..

I believe this one is a type 17 made after the merge with Bosch when they started making them overseas!

I bought it for $50 from a member of a local woodworking club.
Originally I was a little unsure of it being it's made in China, But I haven't found anything it won't cut!

Doug

I agree. It's a good looking saw nonetheless, and appears nearly identical to the 16.

 

[jask]

naw.... more like a small tablesaw without all the extras...

 

[Farmall450]

Big thanks to turbodave, I have added another Skilsaw No. 77 to the fleet. It came with an original case, blade, & gear oil -- in the boxes!

 

[Pisito23]

[/GP]Hi all,

I just ran into a vintage worm saw my dad has. From the research I have done so far which is little I think I ended up here. I have a Skilsaw Model E, that’s works and has normal wear and tear for the year. The metal riveted batch says it’s a Model E from “Michel Electric Hand Saw Co” any idea what is possibly worth?

 

[Farmall450]

[/GP]Hi all,

I just ran into a vintage worm saw my dad has. From the research I have done so far which is little I think I ended up here. I have a Skilsaw Model E, that’s works and has normal wear and tear for the year. The metal riveted batch says it’s a Model E from “Michel Electric Hand Saw Co” any idea what is possibly worth?

High, your slides are hidden to us. However, it's not a "Skil" if it's from Michel Electric. Still would be nice to see it, however!

 

[lafester]

I'm thinking about picking up one of these. I assume anything under $50 is a decent deal?
The one I am looking at has the steel handle and a beat up case. Looks like a decent restore project.