Skil HD77 or SHD77 ?

[JeepsAreBuilt]

Well, I think I've decided to get a Skil saw of my own.. so, I've been up and down the internet the last couple days looking at them.

The SHD77 is the newer model.. with a more powerful 15 amp motor, which sounds good to me. New saws come with a carbide tip blade. I've found them for $149.99 at my local lowes online.. I could go get one tomorrow, and maybe swing by the post office and get lucky and get a 10% off coupon. But.. it sounds like this saw isnt made in USA.. or even assembled in USA. Is this new saw "better" than the HD77 ?

The HD77, I cant find a decent price on them.. except for a reconditioned one for about $120 shipped, and maybe I'll get it early next week. Supposedly these are assembled in USA.

One part of enjoying having nice tools of my own is to be able to look at the tool and see that "made in USA" somewhere on it. But in this case.. I'll be almost spending more for a discontinued tool.. and its the same company.. the money is going to the same place anyway..

So.. what do you think.. the SHD77 or HD77 ?

 

[Merkava_4]

The only difference is the new model has a saw hook mounted between the housing and the top handle. I'm hoping the screws are longer to go all the way through the saw hook and into the housing; surely the regular screws would be too short I would think.

15 amps? My 13 amp SkilSaw is a powerful mother effer. I can cut through a 2x4 AFTER letting go of the trigger.

 

[speed bump]

I have an older one and a girl I know picked up the new 15 amper when we where building forms for the mining team comp. Functionally I couldn't tell you the difference the both cut 2x4s, 3/4" CDX and 4x4s just fine. Only thing I would say to do is spend the extra $10 or $20 on a mag saw because its slightly lighter.

 

[JeepsAreBuilt]

Ok, I'm not worried about the 15 amp v.s. 13 amp difference deal..

Merkava: I saw your mag 77 pictures in a different thread.. sure is a pretty saw. I want the non mag version because I plan on cutting metal with it. So, I think the extra weight will be good to have.. and 2 pounds lighter does not worry me too much. I also figure the regular one will be more beefier.. as it wouldn't crack if I dropped it. Say there was a test on these saws being dropped from a height, which would break first ?

 

[Merkava_4]

You also don't want the aluminum shoe if you're cutting metal; it would get all scared up otherwise.

 

[dirtball]

JeepsAreBuilt have you looked into the Bosch 1677 series circular saw? I personally don't own one but I have a couple of friends who are framers and they love them. I'm pretty sure these are still assembled in the USA.

 

[jesselyons2002]

I have a brand new skil saw hd77 that I got for $30 at my work. Thanks to my dad for working there for 20 years. There is another one at my work.

 

[Merkava_4]

I have an older one and a girl I know picked up the new 15 amper when we where building forms for the mining team comp.

Wait a minute ... I wanna know more about this girl that uses a worm drive SkilSaw - that's hawt.