circular saw

[Racecarl]

My old trusty 5350 SKil saw is on it's last leg due to a brain infarction on my part. I was sawing a 2X8 and saw that I didn't have a saw horse where it was needed. I continued sawing and the board pinched the blade and stopped it hard immediatly. Now the saw just SCREAMS. I took it apart and inspected the teeth on the gears, which appeared OK. The armature bearing is rough now, so I am assuming that when the blade stopped it overstressed the motor bearing.

My grandpa bought this saw new and gave it to me 20 years ago, so sentimental value aside, it owes me nothing.

I have LOTS of framing work to do, so what circular saw would you guys recommend?

 

[blue dog]

Skill 77, the saw that built the west. wormdrive saw that is tuff as nails.

http://www.skiltools.com/en/AllTools/Category/Product/default.html?pid=SHD77&cid=45

 

[Ford12508]

My dad had a craftsman, thing was loud as hell and wasn't anything special. I got him a new skil circular saw for last year, don't know the model number. It works well, has a fair amount of power, I think 1.5HP. It has a good depth changing system and a laser line to show you if you are on the line you want, or slightly off of it. I really like the laser, a feature I would definitely recommend, as well as recommending another skil!

 

[Brad54]

Skill 77, the saw that built the west. wormdrive saw that is tuff as nails.

http://www.skiltools.com/en/AllTools/Category/Product/default.html?pid=SHD77&cid=45

This one.
I bought a Skil worm-drive almost 15 years ago as my first home-owner purchase, and it's the best damn saw you'll find today.
My dad has a skil circ saw that's gotta be 40 years old, in a big blue steel carry box, and it's the reason I bought my skil.

The lights will dim, and it'll twist your wrist when you fire that bad boy up, but it'll plow through some wood.

-Brad

 

[Merkava_4]

I have LOTS of framing work to do, so what circular saw would you guys recommend?

The Skil 77

 

[MrMark]

Skil HD77 or its lighter mag twin. It's made for righties. So if you are left handed you will need to learn to use your right hand.

 

[IndyGarage]

I like the skil worm drives - but man they are heavy.

Somewhat of a compromise is the Dewault Framers saw. It has more power than a side drive saw without all the size and weight of the worm drive. It also has the blade on the left, which is the best for a right handed person. They call it a hypoid gear.

I used one on a construction site a few years ago, and always promised myself I would get one, but never have because I don't do a lot of circular saw work, and my old skilsaw does fine on the occasion I do.


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009WRKV6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[TheGrooveking]

My old trusty 5350 SKil saw is on it's last leg due to a brain infarction on my part. I was sawing a 2X8 and saw that I didn't have a saw horse where it was needed. I continued sawing and the board pinched the blade and stopped it hard immediatly. Now the saw just SCREAMS. I took it apart and inspected the teeth on the gears, which appeared OK. The armature bearing is rough now, so I am assuming that when the blade stopped it overstressed the motor bearing.

My grandpa bought this saw new and gave it to me 20 years ago, so sentimental value aside, it owes me nothing.

I have LOTS of framing work to do, so what circular saw would you guys recommend?

Send it to Skil for repair/rebuilding.

Where I grew up the Skil repair center was 2 blocks from my house, I hung out there a lot so many of my power tools were Skil and all of them still work. My Skil 858 8-1/4" circular saw is my go to saw, I like it better than my Milwaukee worm drive.

TheGrooveking

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Skil HD77 or its lighter mag twin. It's made for righties. So if you are left handed you will need to learn to use your right hand.

Left handed person that disagree's with that statement. I use worm drive for rough construction/demolition and would recommend something like a Makita 5008MGA for finish work. (for a right hander)

 

[TireTracks]

My grandpa has 2 Skil mag wormdrives.

those would cut the earth in half if you had a big enough blade.

 

[PaulR]

My grandpa has 2 Skil mag wormdrives.

those would cut the earth in half if you had a big enough blade.

That's some funny sig material right there.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

My grandpa has 2 Skil mag wormdrives.

those would cut the earth in half if you had a big enough blade.

Shhhh,


I only have the 10 1/2" Bigfoot.

 

[shotgunfatcat]

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductId=6477-20&CategoryName=SC:++Circular+Saws

Can never go wrong with Milwaukee, Except for their 9 inch grinders, makita tops them, but just a bit.

 

[blue dog]

I have been a framming cont. for 25 years, the standard skill 77 is the way to to go, the lighter mag skill will tweak and be out of square[ never to be square again ] if you drop it. And eventually you will drop it. The skill will outlast any of the other saws. Ounce you get used to the weight, you will love it.

 

[mrholeshot]

I called one of my sons who Frames for a living. He said he uses a Skill 77 but he bought a New Skill 77 M. He says it's a good bit lighter. He says he tried the Dewalt but it just didn't last under the enviroment he put it under. He said his oldest 77 is now 7 years old and the only things that have been replaced was the trigger switch and a few cords that got in the way of the blade.

 

[gabeancounter]

Hey Bluedog,
That finger eater appears to be missing the blade guard. Also seems the middle saw has a piece of lumber stuck in the guard. I have forwarded your case to the proper OSHA personel for further review.

 

[rockchucker]

Yeah I am not an Advocate of pinning Guards or removing them on Skill Saws. To each their own though. The Saw is just too powerful. Most people don't even know that there is a Clutch on Skill Saws either. Once the Bolt for the Blade makes contact with the Blade if you tighten the Bolt more than 1/4 turn you have completely overridden the Clutch that can save your ***. Kind of cool to screw around with. This is so that when the Saw Blade Binds it will stop and the Motor will keep spinning. Not the Blade. This will save your *** on kickback and especially if you are using the Saw in a precarious position. I have worked with my Father since I was a small child in doing everything from Foundation to Roofing and everything in between. General Since I was 20. I have been able to make every cut without pinning the Guard. Pops only has 3 fingers on his left hand no thumb or index finger from getting shot up in 'Nam and he has made it without pinning Guards either.

The only reason I am such a PITA about this is I got to see my Dad's buddies leg after he ran over it with a Skill Saw without a Guard. No bueno.

Oh Well enough OSHA BS.


Hands down the BEST Saw EVER made is the Skill Worm Drive. The Skill 77 Mag is 2 pounds lighter and that is what I use. blue dog is 100% correct about dropping it though. It will not withstand impact to the Foot anything close to the original Skill Saw. The Foot is replaceable and if you are using the Saw day in day out the 2 pound lighter version is the way to go. IMHO


There is another thread on this same matter within this Forum. Maybe the threads can be merged?


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33171&highlight=circular&page=4


Best Used Circular Saw thread...


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60791&highlight=circular

 

[rockchucker]

Just for reference check out Page 8 in this PDF. Under "Assembly".


Very important information that probably 90% of the people out there who own this Saw have no clue about. It can also SAVE YOUR ***!!!


I know that reading the Owner's Manual is for idiots and it usually gets thrown in the trash but this is a very important one to read for sure.


Here...


http://mdm.boschwebservices.com/MDMCache/English [US]/t10/0000000/r00284v-1.pdf

 

[blue dog]

Hey Bluedog,
That finger eater appears to be missing the blade guard. Also seems the middle saw has a piece of lumber stuck in the guard. I have forwarded your case to the proper OSHA personel for further review.

To each is own, i have allways pinned the guard back, but it is still there. That saw is 10 years old, it has a sky hook on it for hanging on rafters when your working in the air and the finger eater sig is for intimadation factor, no one wants to use your saw on a job when they see that. dont forget to mention to osha that the safety is tacked on all of my hitachi nail guns as well.

If you dont want to pin your guard back, dont do it, As far as the mag saw is concerned, trust me, the shoe on them will get tweaked quickly, unless you only use it to look at on your fancy workbench in your airconditioned garage.


But you gotta love the finger eater writing on that saw. No one ever wants to touch that thing. It is dangerous i know, but i am a profesional and some of the things we do at work are not for the faint at heart.
Good luck on your decision.

 

[mooman]

Famous last words.."trust me, I'm a professional"

 

[Merkava_4]

Here's a shot of my Skil 77 resting comfortably in the bottom drawer of the toolbox.

 

[Kev442]

Here's a shot of my Skil 77 resting comfortably in the bottom drawer of the toolbox.

Maybe someday you'll even use it!

 

[mooman]

God your tools are clean!!!

 

[Racecarl]

Well, for better or worse, I bought a DeWalt DW378G today. I built a 9' section of wall with it this evening and so far I really like it. It is SOOOO quiet compared to the old Skil Saw. This winter I will order the bearings for the Skil saw and get it in running condition again.

Thanks to all for your interest and responses. If I stumble on a Skill 77 at an auction or yard sale, I might just pick one up. They look like an impressive (and heavy) saw.

I wish I could get over the tendonitis in my right elbow. I need to learn how to pound nail better with my left hand to take some strain off the right arm.

 

[rockchucker]

Yeah good ole Pops has worked next to guys for 6 months without hitch. Until one day they **** their pants and say "What the hell happened to your hand?!". It is usually when he needs to Drive a Nail with his left hand. It is however the PERFECT 16d Nail holder with only the Pinky, Ring and Middle Finger! No Thumb to hit! lol

Regardless of choices made always know that a Skill saw can cut through a 2x4 in a matter of seconds. It can cut through Human Flesh and Bones in a matter of .000000000000000327 seconds. Be careful all you fellow Construction Gurus.

 

[MrMark]

Well, for better or worse, I bought a DeWalt DW378G today. I built a 9' section of wall with it this evening and so far I really like it. It is SOOOO quiet compared to the old Skil Saw. This winter I will order the bearings for the Skil saw and get it in running condition again.

Thanks to all for your interest and responses. If I stumble on a Skill 77 at an auction or yard sale, I might just pick one up. They look like an impressive (and heavy) saw.

I wish I could get over the tendonitis in my right elbow. I need to learn how to pound nail better with my left hand to take some strain off the right arm.

That's a good saw too. I have both, the Dewalt Hypoid and the Skill HD77 and a couple of sidewinders too. Being a lefty, the sidewinders are more natural for me (probably the only tool ever made for a lefty - but surely unwittingly) but I have learned to use the right hand just as well. The funniest thing to watch is a guy from back East contorting his body with the sidewinder in his right hand trying to see the cut line. It always amazes me that anyone would do that.

I like the sidewinder for trim stuff and I have installed a 40 tooth blade there. The Dewalt is a lot lighter than the Skill 77 and I use it about as often.