Skil 77... Help push me over the edge!

[BigRed390]

So I was wandering around my friendly local Lowes the other day when stopped by the circular saw section. My current corded saw is a gimpy piece of chit that needs replacing, so I was looking for the sake of looking, and we all know what that leads to...

Long story short, after drooling over the magnesium 77, I noticed the made in China logo. Not surprising, as everything is made there now. However, the plain 'ol heavy arsed, non-magnesium Skill 77 below it said Assembled in USA. All the ones for sale in a box were Chinese, but the display model was American.

I use a table saw for most woodworking stuff I do, but it sure would be nice to have an American-made circular saw that I'd likely never wear out, and aside from this one, I've never seen another one.

Anybody care to help push me over the edge here? Does that "Assembled in USA" make a real difference with a tool like this, or am I pandering to an imaginary perception that I've found some Holy Grail item that I'll never run across again?

Thanks.

-Red

 

[gc11090]

All my powertools are made in chinaland. They hold up to very heavy use all day every day.

 

[Valkyrie Rider]

You can pick up nice ones that were made in the USA slightly used for about $100 or less. I bought a USA one with the original box and manual that shows very little use and I paid $90 a couple months ago.

 

[TheGrooveking]

I use my made in America power tools to cut Chinese....

TheGrooveking

 

[pl_silverado]

Go back and buy the display model!!

The US Made ones can't be beat, i have both the HD77 and its bigger brother the HD5860 that were Made in the USA. They're pretty much the best saws money can buy....note i would probably never buy the chinese ones.

 

[Davefr]

IMHO this saw is best for framing, general constuction and demolition. It's too much saw for woodworking.

For woodworking I'd get a Porter Cable 6" Sawboss. It's a very high quality and capable saw that will do 90%.

A Skill 77 is great for the other 10%.

I have both.

 

[mooman]

Doesn't Porter Cable make the Sawboss?
That's a great little saw!
Going for the HD77, better eat your Wheaties!!!

 

[Davefr]

Doesn't Porter Cable make the Sawboss?
That's a great little saw!
Going for the HD77, better eat your Wheaties!!!

Yes, you're right. It is PC. I corrected my post.

 

[spartyon8]

The HD77 is quite heavy but I love it. Actually makes you more aware of what you are cutting. Personally, I don't think the weight difference between the mag and the regular is worth the money some places are asking.

 

[MrMark]

Skil switched production of those two models to China about a year ago. They were the last holdouts for Skil. It's a great saw and the weight works in your favor. You try to cut downhill with that saw. It is very stable and durable and very strong. If you can get the USA one do it.

 

[Hank McMauser]

If you have a pawn shop nearby ,now is the time to buy powertools used, the one near me probably has 15-20 of these skil 77's in the backroom, I'm sure a few are in rather good shape

 

[OldToolMan]

If you want the real thing made in USA I have 5 77's and 3 mag77's all rebuilt the bottom plates are all flat and right angel to the blade.all;brushes,gears,switches,seals,gear oil,and cords are good or replaced.good as new price$75. and$95. Larry

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

IMHO this saw is best for framing, general constuction and demolition. It's too much saw for woodworking.

For woodworking I'd get a Porter Cable 6" Sawboss. It's a very high quality and capable saw that will do 90%.

A Skill 77 is great for the other 10%.

I have both.

I agree 100%....

The worm drive Skil is way over kill for any 2"x construction. I own 2 of them in the 7 1/4" variety (it comes in a 6" and 8" as well, and there may even be a larger version Ive not seen for timber framing, but I cant quite remember).

I too own a 6" saw boss, and Ive built an entire house with that thing, Ive got a 1904 farm house down to the studs right now, getting a complete remodel of epic proportions, and there are 3 of us fighting over the little "saw boss" all day.

The worm drives are just do damn heavy for light construction, I'm not sure what job they where even designed for, its just soo much saw. The saw boss looks like a joke (its size), has got to be 1/4 of the weight, its nimble, easy move around.

The only caveat, its the Saw Boss is what I call a "left hand" saw, as well the Skil Worm drives are left handed. Some guys are used to using right handed saws, I use both. Also, the blades are not easy to come by for this saw. For the most part, Ive been buying Porter Cable blades, because they are the easiest to find.

Ive also got a right hand Milwaukee 7.25 (bought when I got out of high school), and porter cable lefty 7.25, that I rarely use.

 

[K5blazer83]

I have the Ridgid R3210 worm drive and let me tell you that for a China made saw it cuts through 2x and 4x pressure treated lumber like its butter.

I built my buddies deck with that and a Dewalt DW708 last summer and my buddy was blown away by my saw arsenal.

 

[joeswamp]

The Skil 77 is a fantastic saw in that it will go through anything, but by today's standards it is kind of crazy heavy. Framing crews get used to them though, and there's lots of guys that, even today, just won't use anything else.

Roof framers typically use the 8" model as you can bevel 2x material more than 45 degrees.

 

[Stuey]

From what I've seen, the made-in-PRC version can still hold its own and will likely serve you well.

If you're not in a rush to replace your POS saw, you can always hold out for holiday specials. Don't think the Skil 77 will go on sale, but you never know.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

I guess I got an analogy for the Skil Worm Drive, and lets say the little saw boss.

Like a .223 and a .22, your going squirrel hunting,....

The .223 will put a clean hole in the squirrels head, so will the .22 .

Or the worm drive is like swinging a mall to drive 8d nails, its a hammer, will drive a nail, but what is the point in all, unless your into doing repetitive damage to you're wrist and elbow.

Do yourself a favor and don't buy the worm drive, unless you've got heavy duty long duration cutting that requires actual HP and Torque. Like ripping plywood for hours at a time, otherwise it just way too much tool.

If your looking for a gym like workout, then it would be the perfect saw. Ive got several repetitive injuries from 25 years of working, I don't carry or wield anymore weight than necessary, but to each their own. You could also buy the Mag 77, and then get a proper size saw after the testosterone settles down..

 

[MrMark]

Out West, no serious carpenter or framer would be caught dead without a Skil Worm. That little saw boss would be laughed off any job site. They are kind of a novelty item used by some old timer wood workers and trim carpenters. I have the Dewalt hypoid too, and it's nice as well.

BTW, those saws may have the blade on the left, but they are designed for right handers. Lefties have to learn to use the right hand to use a worm.

This guy is pretty good with the worm. He'll teach you how to use it.

http://www.finehomebuilding.com/how...ing-skills/cutting-with-a-worm-drive-saw.aspx

 

[logical]

I used to just buy the cheapest circular saw at HD or sears and then toss them out after 5 years when they got too loose. When I was contracting the build of my house and doing a lot of work on it I bought a Skill worm drive. I love the saw...I see it as the BMW of circ saws. It is heavy but if you are just standing at sawhorses cutting 2x or ripping plywood the extra weight is fine...maybe even a plus. I don't use it much so it should outlive me. For lighter work I went to a 18V cordless Dewalt. I wouldn't want either as my only saw but together they cover everything well.

 

[murph64]

The worm drives are just do damn heavy for light construction, I'm not sure what job they where even designed for, its just soo much saw. The saw boss looks like a joke (its size), has got to be 1/4 of the weight, its nimble, easy move around.

The only caveat, its the Saw Boss is what I call a "left hand" saw, as well the Skil Worm drives are left handed. Some guys are used to using right handed saws, I use both. Also, the blades are not easy to come by for this saw. For the most part, Ive been buying Porter Cable blades, because they are the easiest to find.

Add me to the club that has a 77 and Sawboss I actually prefer the "lefty saws" even though I'm not , it's easier for a hack like me to see the cut line and keep it straight.

One of these days I need to change the bearings on the Sawboss - the shaft wobbles slightly. I know I dropped it once or twice, but it landed on the guard.

Andy

 

[DeadSock]

I also a skil HD77 convert ... would never go back. You get used to the heft and the TORQUE. Right now it has a demolition blade (missing about half the carbide tips), and it still plows right through ...

Was walking through home depot and saw 2-3 at the end of the aisle on clearance for $69! I kick myself for not buying all of them, but I wasn't planning on buying a saw that day (even tho at that price one found it's way onto the cart).