Best circular saw

[nahudson]

I am looking for a circular saw. Need opinions.

I really like the Milwaulkee saw below

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005NMRS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Anyone have one? or can someone recommend a saw for me

 

[fury9]

IMHO sidewinders ****. Get a skil mag77 they are the best, I use one everyday not too much more money either. the diablo blades are the **** though

 

[ladderwell]

I echo what Fury9 says. Get a worm drive. More power, will power through almost anything. I've had mine for almost 20 years, and still works like day one.

 

[enrare]

What's your thoughts on the new Dewalt worm drive or the Makita magnesium hyploid worm drive?

 

[NinetyTwoFifty]

Makita makes good saws, they last for decades. However, I don't think that worm drive is necessary.

 

[fury9]

for me the dewalt is odd to work with not quite a traditional worm drive but not quite a sidewinder and as for the makita (huge makita fan btw) i have zero experience with the saw but it's construction appears to me that under everyday construction use it would break

 

[fury9]

and IMO sidewinders **** because unless you are left handed you have to look over the saw to see the blade and due to their lightweight i feel that they are more prone to "walk" all over the line you have so carefully plotted out-i.e.I'm a pro and unless I have a track I can't cuta straight line.Whatever you choose just HOLD the handle with a death grip or when it kicks back it aint gonna be pretty and NEVER put your free hand behind the saw (like when you're holding that short piece of wood).

 

[enrare]

for me the dewalt is odd to work with not quite a traditional worm drive but not quite a sidewinder

You may be thinking of Dewalt's last attempt at a hybrid worm drive. They now have one that looks like a traditional worm drive, think its been out about a year maybe?

 

[fury9]

ahh, did not know that...

 

[blue dog]

Skill 77, there is no other.

Guys that use a saw daily and all day at that, all have a skillsaw.

 

[MrMark]

You may be thinking of Dewalt's last attempt at a hybrid worm drive. They now have one that looks like a traditional worm drive, think its been out about a year maybe?

Yep. I have the older Dewalt hybrid and I just noticed they now have a traditional looking worm drive saw out. I have the Dewalt, a Skil Sidewinder and and Skil HD77. I use the sidewinder left handed and the worms right handed as intended. I like that Dewalt and the Skil saws about equally. The Dewalt is lighter than the HD77 and has a nice base. Great old American saw. Too bad it's all China now. Even the Skil's are China made.

 

[Justanoldguy]

I have used the Makita sidewinders for most of my 45 years working as a contractor.
And, yes, it it great for left handers of which I am.
I wouldn't want to use anything else.

 

[el tanque prohibido]

Get a Skil 77.

 

[Sage55]

I've been using a Craftsman 10817 circular saw for the last few months and love it. It's very smooth during power up and down, the laser sight and led "worklight" is a nice touch too. My first one was stolen right after I got it for Christmas, the thief never returned it so I'm assuming he likes it too...

 

[Monte]

The "best" saw of the highest quality, precision and safety ?

Mafell
www.mafell.com
www.mafelltoolstore.com

 

[SARG]

I favor my Milwaukee over anything I have had before and a personal choice is going for the left hand model so that when using with the right hand the "blade is on your side". Makes for much better control and ease of use.

(The Skill 77 pictured above looks to be a left hand model )

 

[woody 73]

While it is true that the Mag 77 is a top of the line saw they tend to be on the heavy side. Sidewinders do have there place in home building because they are easier to move around and lighter in weight.

I seem to remember they made one that you could hang in the rafters but the brand name escapes me at this moment. To the op go with your first choice of the Milwaukee saw that you posted.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I've had a Milwaukee saw for probably 20 years (I assume it's the predecessor to the one in the link) and I've been happy with it - no problems.

The whole sidewinder vs. worm drive debate seems to be a regional thing - I understand worm drive saws are popular on the west coast, but even on construction sites I rarely seem them in my part of the country. For home use a sidewinder should be fine, as long as you're comfortable using it.

 

[dittle fart around]

Skill 77 Had mine for 35 years now. The weight is perfect for cutting dimensional lumber. I was taught to set 2X4's on my left foot, set the saw on the cut and let the weight push the saw through the lumber.

 

[5lima30]

I've tried most of them and I like the Makita and Hitachi best! Some of the others are good saws but... IMHO the Makita and Hitachi are much more comfortable to use.

 

[mlittle29]

Makita makes good saws, they last for decades. However, I don't think that worm drive is necessary.

X2 for this post. I'm a big Milwaukee fan, but my milwaukee siezed up on me after about 100 cuts. I took it back and replaced it with the Makita....way better saw.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I have this Milwaukee saw and it's the best one that I have ever used out of many others. I can't even guess how many thousands of board feet this saw has been through. I don't adjust the handle too often but, its nice to be able to at certian times. I cut straighter with this saw than any other that I have owned or used as well.

If I did not have the Milwaukee I would look at something from Bosh, Hitachi, or Makita for starters.

I also have an 8 1/4" Milwaukee worm drive saw. It has quite a bit more power and cuts deeper. It weighs a ton and is not near as versatile as the Tilt Lok.

 

[Cookannapurna]

I'm a pro as well, and I second everyone that has said a Mag77. Mine is nearly 20 years old and has never let me down. I have owned almost ever other brand out there. I prefer the weight of the 77 as it cuts down on kick back, and when you are using the saw the weight is in back of the blade, which I find makes it much more accurate. My guys joke with me that my right arm, with my 77 is as accurate as a miter saw.

Let me also say that I am 6'7" and 300 lbs, so the weight is not an issue.

 

[Fudge]

Mag 77. The saw all others are compared to.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bright_industries/6978132253/" title="34-171 by Bright Industries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6978132253_cf3f599b21.jpg" width="500" height="475" alt="34-171"></a>
Yes I know its cord replacement time.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Damn you, Garage Journal.

Just ordered a Skil 77.

 

[Greatbear]

My favorite sidewinder is the DeWalt DW364. Lots of power, great balance and I like how the depth adjustment pivots from the back of the saw rather than the front. This keeps the handle at the back of the saw when the depth is shallow, rather than arcing to the top of the saw like most others.

My go-to saw for heavy cutting is a Skil Mag 77. As others have said, it's practically a class by itself. Note that you can get the same thing as a Bosch 1677 with the option of a twist-lock detachable power cord and some other goodies.

 

[blue dog]

enough said.

 

[Fudge]

The other nice thing about the Skil is all pieces are replaceable. Drop it off a roof and need a handle, they got that, switch burns out, they got that, table bent when it hit the ground after the fall off the roof, they got that. I would not waste my money on any other. That one ^ did many years of daily abuse on job sites when I worked as a remodel contractor. It has cut wood, steel, and even concrete. I'm not saying a Makita or Dewalt won't get the job done, but I know a Skil will. One thing of note though is make sure to purchase a saw that the blade is on the left, so you can see were your blade is cutting. Some of the sidewinders the blade is on the right, this means you have to look over the saw to see your cut, making for very inaccurate cuts. Unless your left handed.

 

[Greatbear]

Damn you, Garage Journal.

Just ordered a Skil 77.

Resistance truly is futile, ain't it?

 

[Fudge]

Blue dog are those yours? Do you have the scar in your right thigh to go with the wedged open guards? LOL

 

[rockchucker]

If you are a Man...You have one or multiple Skil Saws. There is no other.

I bumped up to the Mag 77 after using Pop's heavier Skil Saws for most of my life. The Mag weighing in at 2 pounds less makes a difference in every day use.

Sorry guys but every other Saw listed in this thread can not even stand the same ground as a Skil Saw.

This is the one you want. 2 Pounds lighter, same power and will outlast you in your lifetime...


http://www.skiltools.com/Tools/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?model=SHD77M


This is the one that is cheaper, heavier and will outlast you in your lifetime...


http://www.skiltools.com/Tools/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?model=SHD77


Uhhhh...Since 1924. ^

 

[Fudge]

http://www.bigfootsaws.com
I almost forgot about this option. I have had the pleasure of using one of these, and yes they are RAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Skil only I believe

 

[blue dog]

Blue dog are those yours? Do you have the scar in your right thigh to go with the wedged open guards? LOL

Those are mine, i have one more 77 that has a dedicated diamond blade on it. No scar. The finger eater as we call it is the cut and stack saw for when doing roofs and compound cuts, guard gets in the way. That saw has a pepper mfg sky hook so you can hang it on stuff while walking joists and what not.

I was a professional custom house framer for many years, i have probably had 10 of these saws and would not own any other. I do have a old porter cable 6" blade saw that the blade spins at 6500 rpm, it will cut threw anything and do it cleanly, just does not have the depth.

If you grew up using a skillsaw, you will not use anything else.

Interesting enough, i have had conversations with pro framers on the east coast, and was told they do not use them, what i can say, is that the skill77 is the saw that built the west.

 

[Coach James]

My saw is a ~18 year old Craftsman 12 amp "side winder". 12 amps is on the low end but with a thin kerf blade, it handles 3/4 inch plywood just fine. If I was building houses everyday, I would consider a wormdrive, but since I'm not, a side winder is fine.

Truthfully, for general carpentry around your house, any name brand side winder will do the job. Also, Porter Cable makes a left blade side winder for anyone that wants one.

Between my friends, they own saws from Dewalt, B&D, Skil, Hitachi, PC, C-man, Milwaukee, Makita and Ryobi. With a good blade, they all do the job.

Coach

 

[blue dog]

Forgot to mention, the mag skill is lighter, but, it is much more delicate then the regular 77. The mag saw can not be tossed around and treated like a rough frame saw like the skill 77, the shoe bends very easy and with a good drop { it happens } the housing will crack easy.
It is still a great saw, i just prefer the regular old 77. All mine were made in the good old USA, evan the Bosch.

 

[Vinko]

Skill 77, there is no other.

Guys that use a saw daily and all day at that, all have a skillsaw.

I'd go for an old school version of this. In fact I have one.

Whenever we talk about Skil, Dewalt, or Makita, we have to realize that anyone giving a positive review might be talking specifically about when these were built a lot tougher and to better standards.

These days, I'd be more likely to get a Metabo, if I could afford it.

@Monte: nice one. Thanks for posting on the Maffel, which I didn't know about. We can always count on you to let us know about the best German stuff out there.

 

[Monte]

@Monte: nice one. Thanks for posting on the Maffel, which I didn't know about. We can always count on you to let us know about the best German stuff out there.

you´re welcome

 

[jvitez]

Number 1: worm drive or sidewinder. For most of us mortals, sidewinders are fine: lighter weight, easier to maneuver, and cuts just fine with a powerful 15 amp motor. Blades make more differences than motors in many cases.

Will you be building a house? Professional framer? Gang sawing multiple sheets of wet OSB/dimensional lumber? A worm drive saw might be your ticket. However, contractors here use sidewinders, even professional framing crews.

For my homeowner use, I too have a Milwaukee sidewinder. Love it. It will last my lifetime.

 

[95YJIL]

I bought this and am very happy with it for the $99.00 I bought it for.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002FBLVAU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Amazon and Home Depot have it for $99.00 at times. Makita also has a Mag version.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000N5UR5A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[volpster31]

MAN...i always looked at skil as garbage,but now im thinking about getting a 77...not that i need it but now im looking at my craftsman like its one of these

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-1-4-quarter-inch-circular-saw-with-blade-94245.html