Circular Saw Purchase? Worm Drive or Direct?

[wildbill23c]

Ok, I'm in the market to purchase a new circular saw, seems my 50 year old hand-me down circular saw finally bit the dust or at least until I can get it fixed.

The old saw is an old craftsman its so old I'm not sure what the model is. However, its a direct drive, and quite heavy. So I'm already used to the heavier circular saws.

My question is, should I get another direct drive, or should I look into a worm drive? The saw is only used for framing, and occasional light duty use to cut through sheet goods.

If I go worm drive, which is a good one to get? I was thinking the Skil 77 if I can find a good one, or what else should I look at? I know they are more expensive, but hey, if I'm buying a new saw I may as well get something good.

 

[Wamsutta]

Once I tried a worm drive, I never wanted to use a noisy side winder again. The Skill 77 makes a nice quiet sound. And if you pair it with a Diablo blade, it's practically silent.

 

[bob15]

Worm drive. Find an older US made Skil 77. Well worth the money.

 

[jakemac]

If the primary use is framing and plywood, then I'd go with the wormdrive. You can't go wrong with the Skill 77, it's the best product they make (IMO), and the only one of theirs that I'd buy.

For 1xpine and finish cuts, then I'd go for a direct drive for cleaner cuts. Milwaukee would be my choice, but I'm bias in that regard.

 

[PBCampbell]

Millions upon millions of homes have been framed using "sidewinder" saws. Little advantage to a worm or hypoid drive saw in this day and age.

 

[NoahG]

I find sidewinders easier to control when doing weird things, like cutting circles out of plywood. Worm drives are apparently "made for framing" but I think they're a little too heavy. Guess I'm a whimp.

 

[VETTE FAN]

Worm Drive. But if you are only doing light duty work, framing included, buy the 6-1/2" version. Much lighter and easier to control.

 

[fivespdcat]

I've had a dewalt worm drive for what seems like forever. It tracks so straight when cutting plywood it's just impressive. I prefer them, I think the positives outweigh the negatives (weight). At the end of the day though, it's up to you. You need to find what feels right and balanced in your hands.

 

[cheechi]

Go to a store that sells both and put your hands on the display models. Whichever one is safer and more comfortable to you is the right answer. Nobody else's opinion really matters here.

That's only Lowes in my area, HD sells Ridgid worm drives but they're not on display. Lowes has the Skil 77 mag, though maybe not the newest revision.

 

[justme-]

good advice regarding worm drives... and I'll point out many many homes were framed top to bottom with direct drives too (my old man built quite a few with a miller's falls vertical depth adjust direct drive that still serves him well to this day.

Can't speak about Milwaukee saws... never liked them, refused to sell them when I managed a tool store. I own a Bosch and love it. Have used several Skill branded and as long as there's no stamped shoe I'm ok with it. Whatever you get don't get a cheap store branded one or a no name brand as the power usually suffers.

To through a monkey wrench in your thinking - I also have 2 paneling saws - and my primary circular for remodeling that I used to do was my Porter Cable 6 inch panel saw. Much lighter easier to use for me.
Also, remember there are left and right handed saws - I prefer a left handed saw as I get better view of the cut since the blade is on the left in my right hand.

 

[eddiemeddiem]

Worm drive for me. I feel like I have a lot better control and better visibility. Maybe it's just because it was a worm drive my dad had when I was growing up...

 

[Wamsutta]

The weight of the Skill 77 can be an advantage if you're cutting concrete forms. Usually you'll be kneeling on your knees when you're cutting concrete forms and you'll be holding the saw almost vertically. You let the weight of the saw do all the work by letting gravity pull the saw through the board.

 

[wildbill23c]

Well so far by the reading of answers, I'll be looking at the Skil 77 first. Might be a month or so before I purchase one, however, Skil will be tops on my list, grandpa still has a direct drive Skil I've been using in a pinch, and it seems to work fine, so who knows, I may just put off the replacement purchase for several months, or years even LOL.

Always wanted a Worm drive, but after reading some of the answers here, maybe I don't really need one. However, I like buying tools, . So...I may have to use some of these answers here as a reason to the GF to buy yet another tool. Problem is my tool chest doesn't get any larger .

 

[justme-]

Let me add, I own around 6 circular saws - one is a worm drive Makita which I only use for concrete work. Blade visibility offered by the worm drive is because worm drives are left handed (blade on the left). Many direct drives are available left handed (as I mentioned before) and give you the same view.
When I went into the Bosch/Skill service center many years ago to get my own saw (my first) I fully planned on walking out with a Skill 77. 10 minutes later I was walking out with my direct drive Bosch. After holding the 77 for a few minutes and the weight and size were very apparent.
I also dislike stamped steel anything in a saw - too easily bent when being used more than occasionally (and actually I have found most easily bent when not being used but in storage) so aluminum plate shoe and cast aluminum or magnesium angles on mine, except the panel saws which do not offer that.

 

[wildbill23c]

Good notes everyone. Thinking I may just make do with what I have.

 

[rslaback]

I'd go with a sidewinder in a 8 1/4" blade. That extra half inch of depth comes in mighty handy.

 

[woody 73]

I hate the noise of the little screamers, but they are lightweight and they get the job done fast. I own the Mag77 and it is also a great saw but the weight is getting to me in my in my old age.

 

[wildbill23c]

I'd go with a sidewinder in a 8 1/4" blade. That extra half inch of depth comes in mighty handy.

Those 8-1/4" blades seem to be hard to find though it seems like around where I live. Had a heck of a time finding one for my Craftsman 8-1/4" radial arm saw last year, but I'll look around and see what I can find.

Those Worm Drive saws are in fact quite heavy LOL. Most of the cuts I do are on the ground on a table or sawhorses, so I wouldn't be packing it up and down ladders hardly...if ever. My grandfather's old Craftsman saw was really heavy as well, but the Worm Drive saw is still a couple pounds heavier. The Skil that he also has, which I think is only a couple years old, is still heavy but not as heavy as the WD.

I've been using grandpa's Skil here lately to finish up a shed partition, and it seems to work pretty well. I think its a larger motor than the Craftsman saw had, or seems like it has a lot better power to it anyways.

I may pickup a Worm Drive at some point just as another tool purchase and occasional use, but I may just stick with this Skil that grandpa has now. Since he don't use his tools anymore really, I may as well use what is here.

 

[wildbill23c]

Here's one of the old Craftsman Circular Saws of grandpa's. This is 1 of 2. This one needs new motor brushes, the other one needs a new cord. Both are simple fixes, if I can find motor brushes.



This is the type of Skil Saw I'm using now, since the brushes are bad in the craftsman.


Yep, I need to get some pictures of my own now LOL.

 

[wildbill23c]

Just a little update. Looked at a Skill 77 the other day at a local store. Was far from impressed as soon as I picked it up and noticed the Made in China on the label I set it back down and walked away. Guess I'll just use what I have. Can't see these new ones lasting very long . The Skill 77 used to be a heavy duty long lasting professional saw...not anymore I guess if the Chinese are putting them together.

I keep watch for the older ones locally on craigslist though . I've been doing just fine with the cheaper Skil sidewinder so far though.

 

[PJNJ]

Just a little update. Looked at a Skill 77 the other day at a local store. Was far from impressed as soon as I picked it up and noticed the Made in China on the label I set it back down and walked away. Guess I'll just use what I have. Can't see these new ones lasting very long . The Skill 77 used to be a heavy duty long lasting professional saw...not anymore I guess if the Chinese are putting them together.

I keep watch for the older ones locally on craigslist though . I've been doing just fine with the cheaper Skil sidewinder so far though.

Good idea on looking for a used USA wormdrive. Maintained properly they are a lifetime tool. I bought one new about 10 years ago. Yes the weight can be a drawback but one of the best things about it can be the weight. I can pretty much cut a straight line cutting sheet goods with it. Because of the weight it stays put and does not move around. I'm a DIY'er but did a lot of renovation work on my home and family homes up to about 5 years ago with it. I also have direct drives but still when I occasionally need to cut something I keep going back to it.

 

[rick carpenter]

Lowes at one time had China-made and a US-made versions of the Skil 77. Different color schemes and US version had a higher price. I have a Milwaukee sidewinder (bought new a long while back) and a Milwaukee worm-drive (bought used from a guy who had taken care of it fairly well). I like both, especially with good Diablo blades, but have never been bothered by the right-side blade of the sidewinder. I can see at the blade from the left OK, but it's easier over the saw from the top/right. I think a worm-drive wants to track better because the handle is typically further from the blade and lower down than on a sidewinder. Plus, when the cutting plane is "higher" with a worm-drive because of how you view the saw and the work - generally closer or "lower" to the cutting plane - and therefore being able to see further down the line (greater angle of incidence) than with a sidewinder helps tracking too. I like my worm-drive but my sidewinder is easier on me on a ladder, cutting on a wall or ceiling, etc. The Makita hypoid received a good review here on GJ a while back.

 

[wildstyle]

The Makita hypoid and the new DeWalt worm drive seem to be the best out right now. I will be buying a DeWalt soon

 

[ZRH`]

Just a little update. Looked at a Skill 77 the other day at a local store. Was far from impressed as soon as I picked it up and noticed the Made in China on the label I set it back down and walked away. Guess I'll just use what I have. Can't see these new ones lasting very long . The Skill 77 used to be a heavy duty long lasting professional saw...not anymore I guess if the Chinese are putting them together.

I keep watch for the older ones locally on craigslist though . I've been doing just fine with the cheaper Skil sidewinder so far though.

Most powertools are made in China, doesnt really matter when Hitachi, Makita, IR, Milwaukee, Dewalt etc are all made in China.

You wont regret the weight when you are cutting plywood or cross cutting studs, it keeps it tracking straight. Sidewinders feel top heavy and tippy to me

There are a couple different Skill 77s, I dont really like skil's build quality though, the depth adjust is stamped sheet metal on all of them.

I have a dewalt worm, mostly cause the baseplate and adjust are all rock solid and it's cheaper than the Makita hypoid (was like $100 more when I bought mine). There is a fine homebuilding article from like 2010? where they compared them all.

 

[bcradio]

Mag 77 LT is the best out right now in my opinion

 

[Mr Ratchet]

For general use I like direct drive/sidewinder saws the best. They are much lighter and more compact. I have a Milwaukee Tilt Lok from when they first came out. This saw has a lot of power and it's nice to be able to change the angle of the handle for a more comfortable position. I can make straighter and more accurate cuts with this saw than any other one that I've had or tried, which is more than a dozen. Being right handed, I also like the extra safety of having the blade on the right side of the saw. I don't even know how many board feet of lumber this saw has cut over the years but, it's been a lot of miles.
I also have Milwaukee 8 1/4" worm drive saw with a diamond arbor. It's much bigger and far heavier but, has a ton of torque. I mostly use it for cutting green concrete with a diamond blade of when cutting bigger wooden beams. It has a deeper cut from the blade diameter and the position on the shoe to the axle.

I favor the Milwaukee Tilt Lok the best. There are other brands that are very good as well like Bosch, Hitachi, and Makita.

 

[dnschmidt]

The Chinese put together the computer you're typing on so why couldn't they make a seventy year old design of a circular saw. They make all of Milwaukee's tools so why can't they make a model 77.

The answer is what side of the Mississippi do you live on. In the West model 77's rule the day in the East most people use a Milwaukee sidewinder. Why? I don't know.

 

[Casey69]

i'd love to have a worm drive, but can't justify the extra $100 or so for something i don't use that often. my old, us-made, b&d direct-drive works fine & is light. when that craps the bed, i'll probably get another DD one (made in china).

i end up using my miter saw for stud-cutting & the circular saw only for sheet cutting.

 

[wildbill23c]

The Chinese put together the computer you're typing on so why couldn't they make a seventy year old design of a circular saw. They make all of Milwaukee's tools so why can't they make a model 77.

The answer is what side of the Mississippi do you live on. In the West model 77's rule the day in the East most people use a Milwaukee sidewinder. Why? I don't know.

The Chinese didn't put it together. I put it together....but many of the parts came from Mexico if I remember right...its been 8 years since I built it LOL.

Anyhow, I'd rather have a US made anything, except trying to find one is well...pretty rare if not impossible.

 

[Jason280]

I have them both, but use a direct drive for 75% of my cutting. About the only time I use the worm drive is ripping plywood.

 

[kctyphoon]

You might as well ask who makes the best truck or the best sneaker.. They will both do whatever you want just fine.. Goto the store and pick them up.. Buy what you like, what side u like th blade on.. Worm drives are heavy if u ask me, and offer little to no benefit over a sidewinder for cutting wood..

 

[wildbill23c]

You might as well ask who makes the best truck or the best sneaker.. They will both do whatever you want just fine.. Goto the store and pick them up.. Buy what you like, what side u like th blade on.. Worm drives are heavy if u ask me, and offer little to no benefit over a sidewinder for cutting wood..

I did just as you said. The worm drive is heavy, although the sidewinder wasn't exactly light weight either. Looked over both, both say made in China. So...I just continue to use my Skilsaw sidewinder LOL. Decided against the projects I had planned this year due to lack of money and now working full time I have enough other things to keep me busy so no need to saw shop any longer LOL. Unless of course I run across an older Skil-77 for a good price then I'd pick it up anyhow.