Skilsaw model 825

[davethorik]

I picked up this behemoth at a garage sale today for $20. It takes 8-1/4 blades. Cord in great shape. Looks like it was used to cut masonry, it has an abrasive wheel on it that is junk. Did come with a 24t carbide tipped wood blade in decent shape also. In original metal box. Runs very smooth and quiet. I think I did well.

Edit: idk why tag is upside down. The serial # starts with a D which means made in '59?

 

[davethorik]

Been chipping away at the Skilsaw over the past week when I have time.

The lower blade guard took too much effort to rotate, so I decided to do a partial teardown. That masonry dust really got into everything. PB Blaster and Formula 409 got everything freed up.

I'm gonna go pick up some small wire brushes to get more of the grit out of nooks and crannies of the saw. I bought 2 nos Skil brand 24t carbide tipped blades for $5 a piece on ebay. I picked up a tube of Skil worm drive saw gearbox lube at HD, gonna flush the gearbox next.

Only setback was the c-clip holding lower blade guard onto arbor broke while being removed. I'm gonna check some local hardware places tonight see if I can find something. If not, I'm guessing the clip from the smaller model 77 will work. Seems like a lot of the parts interchange between the 77 and my 825.

I'm really excited to get this beast working.

 

[crerus75]

That's a great saw and you got a killer price on it. I have a model 77 that's a couple of decades younger than yours. I keep a pallet cutting blade on mine and use it for demo and breaking down scrap wood with nails. My only complaint is that it weighs roughly a metric ton, but it will probably still be running 100 years from now. It's pretty satisfying to bring older tools like this back to life.

 

[BreeStephany]

Only setback was the c-clip holding lower blade guard onto arbor broke while being removed. I'm gonna check some local hardware places tonight see if I can find something. If not, I'm guessing the clip from the smaller model 77 will work. Seems like a lot of the parts interchange between the 77 and my 825.

Were you able to find a new c-clip for the saw?

I have a lot of NOS parts that I bought up from a repair shop that was closing its doors, so I might have one laying around if you are interested.

I am heading up to my shop this weekend and can take a look if you like.

 

[davethorik]

Bree, thanks for the reply! I did find a 1-3/8" c-clip at Ace hardware that looks like it will work. The outside contour is different, but I'm still not done with cleaning, so I haven't reassembled it yet. If it doesn't, I'll drop you a pm.

Crerus, my dad used to have a model 77, he said they were tough saws. Unfortunately his got stolen years ago along with some other tools. The Internet seems to agree with his opinion, that they last forever.

This is actually my 1st circular saw, I've always used others. I can't believe this this is about as smooth and quiet as a brand new Dewalt. It is heavy, but it won't be a go to, more of a specialty saw.

 

[KnurledNut]

Nice find!
I use my HD5860 for cutting 6x6's in two passes and notching for headers.
Some have modded them from the factory depth of cut (2-7/8), to be able to cut a hair over 3".
This allows for cutting two 2x4s flat, i.e. top and bottom wall plates at once.

A couple tips (you may already know):
Before you change the oil, warm it up.
(Also, before using, i always run it for a minute. You'll hear it pick up speed. Especially when its cold out.)
Optional, after draining, flush with kerosene. Then refill.
Skil wormdrives have a "vari-torque clutch."
(Its in the manual, but often unknown.)
Tighten blade hand-tight and then a 1/8 turn.
This allows the blade to slip if it gets in a bind.

 

[davethorik]

Nice find!
I use my HD5860 for cutting 6x6's in two passes and notching for headers.
Some have modded them from the factory depth of cut (2-7/8), to be able to cut a hair over 3".
This allows for cutting two 2x4s flat, i.e. top and bottom wall plates at once.

A couple tips (you may already know):
Before you change the oil, warm it up.
(Also, before using, i always run it for a minute. You'll hear it pick up speed. Especially when its cold out.)
Optional, after draining, flush with kerosene. Then refill.
Skil wormdrives have a "vari-torque clutch."
(Its in the manual, but often unknown.)
Tighten blade hand-tight and then a 1/8 turn.
This allows the blade to slip if it gets in a bind.

Thanks! I actually did not know that about the clutch. I don't have an owners manual. I still haven't changed the oil but I'll use your tip! Thanks again!

 

[davethorik]

Well, I got it back together. Its mostly cleaned up, put a brand new Skil 24t blade on it. My only issue now is that shoe is warped. Baby steps. Lol

 

[J_Grasso]

Nice find!
I use my HD5860 for cutting 6x6's in two passes and notching for headers.
Some have modded them from the factory depth of cut (2-7/8), to be able to cut a hair over 3".
This allows for cutting two 2x4s flat, i.e. top and bottom wall plates at once.

A couple tips (you may already know):
Before you change the oil, warm it up.
(Also, before using, i always run it for a minute. You'll hear it pick up speed. Especially when its cold out.)
Optional, after draining, flush with kerosene. Then refill.
Skil wormdrives have a "vari-torque clutch."
(Its in the manual, but often unknown.)
Tighten blade hand-tight and then a 1/8 turn.
This allows the blade to slip if it gets in a bind.

How would I go about doing that? Take a round file and extend the bottom groove to allow plate depth to go higher?

 

[joshua27]

hey there i'm new to the page and just got my first saw the exact same model as yours i've been having a hard time finding any information on it anywhere I was just wondering if you ever figured out the exact model name and what year it was made in