Circular Saw - Replace my Skil HD77
- Thread starter kwb
- Start date
Ben Buck
Well-known member
I like them both, a Skil 77 down the drain, terible, terible,terible.
Is the generator putting out the proper hertz's ?
How long, and what gauge of an extension cord was in use at the time of the demise?
Is the generator putting out the proper hertz's ?
How long, and what gauge of an extension cord was in use at the time of the demise?
1800W generator, 100ft cord, ran the sawzall just fine, knew it wasn't liking it but didn't think I was going to kill the damn thing.
I have sworn those were designed to run on voltage drop of a couple hundred feet and were still good to go at 80VAC since that is how they all seem to get run on jobsites.
Leaning towards the Makita since it is a bit cheaper and I don't use it that much.
I have sworn those were designed to run on voltage drop of a couple hundred feet and were still good to go at 80VAC since that is how they all seem to get run on jobsites.
Leaning towards the Makita since it is a bit cheaper and I don't use it that much.
I had the most expensive corded Makita Magnesium circular saw with the LED light that Lowes/HD sell, ~$129. Didn't like it at all. Hood kept getting hung up and it felt kind of toyish during operation. Exchanged it for a Milwaukee that cost the same and like it a lot better, seems more heavy duty and not as gimmicky. Just my experience.
olytdi
Well-known member
I don't know if you're right or left handed (I'm a righty) but what's always driven me nuts is having the motor come off to the left of a blade such that you cannot see the blade while operating the saw with the right hand.
I looked for and found a Porter Cable saw that is made for a righty that has the motor off to the right (called blade on left). I now can see the blade easily and it's made using it a joy. It's also an immensely well made pro level tool. Magnesium with an exhaust port that you can connect to a vacuum hose, dust bag, or direct the sawdust away from you with the exhaust tube.
Anyway it's a great saw and I found mine used on ebay.
Good luck!
I looked for and found a Porter Cable saw that is made for a righty that has the motor off to the right (called blade on left). I now can see the blade easily and it's made using it a joy. It's also an immensely well made pro level tool. Magnesium with an exhaust port that you can connect to a vacuum hose, dust bag, or direct the sawdust away from you with the exhaust tube.
Anyway it's a great saw and I found mine used on ebay.
Good luck!
gahrajmahal
Well-known member
wildstyle
Well-known member
I like the DeWalt DWS535 and the Makita Hypoid.
Have no clue if they're any good, but on the SearsOutlet site, there is worm drive Craftsman hypoid saw for $89 IIRC.
I've seen the real deal Skil worm-drive saws on CL between $50 and $100 as well but never took plunge as I can borrow my brothers !
I've seen the real deal Skil worm-drive saws on CL between $50 and $100 as well but never took plunge as I can borrow my brothers !
Frank Dukes
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2014
- Messages
- 178
the new skilsaws actually look really nice, ive been eyeing one.. come with diablo blades now too.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Skil-15-...gclid=CJWBgPOuh8QCFQYFaQodqUYAhQ&gclsrc=aw.ds
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Skil-15-...gclid=CJWBgPOuh8QCFQYFaQodqUYAhQ&gclsrc=aw.ds
Last edited:
I bought a Dewalt but I still have a Skil for dirty work, concrete and shingled roofs.
All in all, I generally grab my 18 Dewalt saw over my corded one for a cut or two.
All in all, I generally grab my 18 Dewalt saw over my corded one for a cut or two.
tyjoja
Well-known member
second the porter cable suggestion from "olytdi" My dad got one years ago and I have never looked back ever since. I've since found one with the cord cut off at a garage sale for 5 bucks (probably my best find ever). I am right handed. Such a joy to use when your looking right at the blade/cut. These are strong and well made. They are not the longer handled type that are heavy and awkward on your wrist, but I feel they are just as strong. I will never buy any thing else.
ProCharger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2015
- Messages
- 69
My experiences at work, I run all newer saws, bosch, porter cable, rigid, makita. None are setup with left side blade but we are a concrete company so these saws are not used all day long and it's not tough to deal with it. They are not babied, all ARE abused.
Rigid, absolutely hate it. The size seems compact in comparison to the others but there is not a noticable weight difference. For me the angle of the grip is terrible and causes discomfort in my wrist with any extended use. Doesn't seem to run as strong off the generators as the other three either.
Bosch, they seem bulky, are definitely the heaviest out of the four but they perform very well. Have good power and easy to use.
Porter Cable, this things a true beast. Feels like the lighest and cheapest of the bunch but when you hit the trigger there is a difference between the others. I think some of the cheaper feel might be the saws bottom plate being composite instead of a metal, it does not lose its stiffness though. It seems like it takes a lot longer to get the blade up to speed but once it is it flat chews wood, nails, etc. I actually keep a spare old blade for this saw to put on for cutting out holes in the subfloors splitting the top of the floor joists in order to get concrete chutes into the basement. It is nail after nail plus ripping the subfloor glue on those cuts and the saw never flinches. If I had to guess this saw has the most torque.
Makita, this saw seems to be the caddilac of them all. Very very smooth operation, by far my favorite. When I bought this saw I wish I would have opted for the magnesium version just for the added weight reduction but overall this saw has impressed me more than the others I have.
I have run Makitas and Dewalts as well but honestly I would go back to the Makita. The blade stop on the Dewalts were very very nice though.
Rigid, absolutely hate it. The size seems compact in comparison to the others but there is not a noticable weight difference. For me the angle of the grip is terrible and causes discomfort in my wrist with any extended use. Doesn't seem to run as strong off the generators as the other three either.
Bosch, they seem bulky, are definitely the heaviest out of the four but they perform very well. Have good power and easy to use.
Porter Cable, this things a true beast. Feels like the lighest and cheapest of the bunch but when you hit the trigger there is a difference between the others. I think some of the cheaper feel might be the saws bottom plate being composite instead of a metal, it does not lose its stiffness though. It seems like it takes a lot longer to get the blade up to speed but once it is it flat chews wood, nails, etc. I actually keep a spare old blade for this saw to put on for cutting out holes in the subfloors splitting the top of the floor joists in order to get concrete chutes into the basement. It is nail after nail plus ripping the subfloor glue on those cuts and the saw never flinches. If I had to guess this saw has the most torque.
Makita, this saw seems to be the caddilac of them all. Very very smooth operation, by far my favorite. When I bought this saw I wish I would have opted for the magnesium version just for the added weight reduction but overall this saw has impressed me more than the others I have.
I have run Makitas and Dewalts as well but honestly I would go back to the Makita. The blade stop on the Dewalts were very very nice though.
Last edited:
thewatusi
Well-known member
I'm a right hander and have a lefty Milwaukee circular saw.
After using it for a while I'd never go back to a "normal" saw again.
After using it for a while I'd never go back to a "normal" saw again.
I'm an old west coast framer. 77 is the only saw to have period. Needed a trigger last time I was in Georgia and when I asked, they looked at me and said "a what?". So parts could be a problem on the east coast. You sure it doesn't need brushes or trigger?
Um... Most HDs have the makita hypoid which doesnt have LEDs and costs $180
Either way, @OP Makita Hypoid is good, Dewalt's worm drive is good, Skil & Bosch have essentially the same saw with different options (not my fave)
Kaizen
Well-known member
i picked up a hd rigid worm drive a few years back. bulletproof. not one issue besides i apparently have girly forearms and using it one handed for ten minutes wears me out.
mobiledynamics
Well-known member
Weekend warrior projects or all out cutting angles on beams and stuff.
Had a Mak Hynoid.
Loving my new Milwaukee Fuel 7". It's not a production saw but lighter and has enough juice. Only griper is just blade side but it is what it is.
Had a Mak Hynoid.
Loving my new Milwaukee Fuel 7". It's not a production saw but lighter and has enough juice. Only griper is just blade side but it is what it is.
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
I have a Skill and a Black & Decker from the 70s. They are home owner level saws. Both still going strong.
roverhybrids
Well-known member
I have the skil HD77 mag-lt I would buy it again