Worm Drive 7 1/4" saw

Solo · Feb 17, 2007

I've used a Skil 77 for the past 8 eight years and before that Makita's and MIlwaukee's for 10 years, and wouldn't trade the 77 for the world. The weight does not bother me, but I might pay $25 for tha mag base.

Solo

duber34 · Feb 19, 2007

I have the Porter Cable 423MAG. It's just like the 424MAG that Hazmat mentioned but minus the electric brake. $129.00 on Amazon. It's a very nice saw.

Regards,
Duber

Raddad · Feb 19, 2007

You have a good saw for heavy cutting. Buy a lithium battery saw. They have the power of a corded saw and the new lithium batteries work when they are frozen. Most have the blade on the left side. Working without a cord is worth the cost. The lithium batteries last a long time and charge fast too. I leave my corded saws in the van most of the time. The 6 1/2 inch saws will cut 2x at 45 degrees with no problem. Some are 7 1/4 inch. Most of the high quality tool companies have these in various voltages. Try one at a good tool store before you buy.

Here's one
BSS610 - Tool Details

wroughtn_harv · Feb 19, 2007

I have four of the DeWalt worm drives. One of them has a diamond blade for stone, one has a Morse steel cutting blade, and I use one for framing lumber. The fourth one hasn't left the box yet.

I don't like the torgue twist, it can surprise you if you're not looking for it. But other than that it's about the best saw I've found.

Cliff_Johns · Feb 19, 2007

One thing I'd point out about these saws is; don't buy one that you haven't held in your hand. The designs vary quite a bit and some will fit your had nicely and some will be surprisingly uncomfortable. People's hands vary a lot. I find Makita tools fit my hands well, but others find them uncomfortable to use for long.

Cliff

schmism · Feb 20, 2007

the other thing to note is most worm drives are left side blades (faceing your left hand if you operate the saw in your right hand)

tradtionally "consumer" ciruclar saws are right side blade to help avoid missing fingers on the left hand.

But if you have ever used a left side blade ciruclar saw youll wonder why anyone uses the "other kind"

the dewalt listed is a GREAT saw.

I also agree to go down to your local box store and put them in your hand... a couple ounces may not sound like a lot but i assure you it feels a lot diffrent. (ballance, trigger, safty etc are also diffrent on alot of saws)

archerynut · Feb 21, 2007

I agree with Eddie, I would keep your conventional circular saw and invest the money into a miter saw(chop saw). There's just a lot more things that can be done easily and more accurately with a miter saw. Even a cheap miter saw will get the job done, I picked one up w/laser from Lowe's for my Dad at Christmas for about $79. I hardly get out the circular saw for any projects anymore, just use the miter saw and only use the circ saw if I need to rip down an entire sheet of plywood.

wroughtn_harv · Feb 21, 2007

Hmmmm, I don't find there being an either or when it comes to a miter saw versus a worm drive. I've been working on a remodel in Louisiana weekends and I've found both have their place. I think it's a <i>taking your work to the saw</i> versus <i>taking your saw to the work thing</i>.

Last year I gave my son my Milwaukee's best circular saw. I haven't used it since I bought my first DeWalt worm drive. The difference for me is the weight of the worm drive does the work for me when it comes to framing. I also like the better view of the blade aspect. But what probably was the deciding factor for me of a worm drive over a circular saw was the stones a worm drive brings to the dance. About the time in the cut when I'd have to back off on the circular saw to continue cutting the worm drive seems to hit a passing gear. I can stuff the worm drive into a difficult cut and it doesn't bog down. The circular saw didn't have the stones for that.

When I visit a framing site most of the Hispanics on the crews are using Makita circular saws these days. I have to believe based upon my own experiences that the reason for that choice is based upon weight and durability. The old framing crews used 77's because the carpenters brought their own saws to work. The new crews have the tools supplied for them so the tools are chosen for different reasons than those of the tradesman.