A worm drive saw is a safe, accurate and essential carpentry tool. I carry my Skilsaw HD77M at all times, for use almost every day. Here is Rigid’s attempt to make a wormdrive…

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Description:

A heavy-duty 15 Amp Worm Drive motor speeds the saw blade at 4,400rpm. This Rigid Circular saw features a 51.5º bevel cut, a built-in hook to hang it on joist or workstand and a nice long (12′) Rigid-quality power cord.

Experience:
Breaking from the norm of posting solely tools I own, which not only gives me the opportunity to thoroughly examine a tool but also to develop a relationship with the manufacturer and their quirks – I don’t own the Rigid Worm Drive and after using one for a few weeks, I am content to never make that purchase.

I’ve spent over 20 years with a Model 77 in my right hand so I’m no stranger to the tool but it’s going to take a much better saw to change me.

An demonstration of the lickin’ and still tickin’ my Mod77′s can take was repeated over and over by installing a diamond blade, duct-taping a garden hose to the plate and cutting city sidewalks, terrazzo floors, granite, rebar and all… rip off the hose, wipe off some stone dust, put on a 24 tooth and start cutting 45º miters on the ends of trim boards. It’s an awesome and accurate beast which until using the Rigid, I never considered smooth.

Comments:
Really, a Rigid tool that’s not smooth? The orange wormdrive I’m using is rough and rattles loudly. It’s a coarse experience that I’ve not had with any of my beloved Rigid tools… and that’s not a short list of power tools at this point. In fact, though I’m not a huge fan of the orange equipment solely for the reason it’s made from and for the Home Depot, I not only have quite a few Rigid tools, I use them on a daily basis and tout their strengths, innovations and comfort to use.

I don’t like the Rigid Worm Drive because it rides like a Mustang. I don’t need to spend time with it to learn it’s advantages (beside not having to purchase a joist hook separately) before passing a callous brief because though comfortable to push with it’s big black handle the rough and rattle experience with this saw is unsettling.

With it’s 15 Amp, 120V motor spinning a 7 1/4″ diamond-arbor blade at 4,600 RPM the Skil Model 77M weighs in at 14lbs. This saw has been my right hand so many times it has become an extension of my arm.

Features:

• 13 amp motor, 4,400 RPM
• Light magnesium housing provides durability – 3-pounds Lighter than the HD77
• Precision machined worm drive gears for maximum power
• Includes saw, blade, blade wrench
• 7-3/4-inches; 14-pounds; 1-year warranty

Experience:
From my very first job as a carpenter to my jobsites 20 years later the Skilsaw Mod. 77 is the only circular saw I use. Through thick and thin this saw has cut it all from framing to trim, from plywood to timber, from steel plates to concrete pads. This saw truly is an extension of my arm. Of course, cutting overhead with a 15lb. saw will give you a sore arm after a while.

I was trained in carpentry in California. I don’t know how a single state could claim the fame of the model 77 but even now when I boast about the wormdrive people ask if I’ve come from California. I just can’t understand circular saw people. I’ll never switch, I can’t drive one for $h*T and they kickback in the most unreliable way.

According to OSHA rules General Contractors in Calif. have to provide safety meetings on a regular basis. On one of my first commercial jobs safety was no joke and our meeting agenda included tool lectures, like how the wormdrive Skilsaw is safer than a circular saw by design. I guess the advantages of this saw were ingrained in me from the start but the saw has really stuck it out and I know I can rely on it to function for an extraordinarily long time.

Ironically just after the safety meeting I learned how you can duct-tape a garden hose to the front of the saw and cut concrete slabs. I don’t think they teach that one in school but I used it many times in such a way. It would be impossible to count the rafters, stringers, studs, sheathing or floorboard in construction and demolition that even one of my Skilsaws has sliced through!

Comments:
The chord may break loose after dropping the saw from the roof by it’s chord so many times, easily replaced. I don’t have any complaints about this saw. I like both the heavier and not-much-noticeably lighter SHD77M. I’ve learned to do just about anything with this saw but in all my years, unlike some, I have never pinned the guard back on my saws!

My first Skilsaw was stolen. It’s replacement I gave away when I bought a new one. The next three various Skil Model 77′s that I bought are still put to work around the year, despite New England temps. Not one has died on the job.

Own it, it’s the best. The Skilsaw Model 77 is indispensable and the quintessential carpenter’s saw.

Links:

Skilsaw Model HD77 at Skiltools.com

Skilsaw Model HD77M at Skiltools.com (Product Data)

Skil HD77M 7-1/4″ Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw Skilsaw on Amazon.com

Skil SHD77M 15 amp 7-1/4-inch Mag Worm Drive Saw at Amazon.com (where I got mine)

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Oddest thing happened while writing this blog: I had the page open for the Mag 77 at the Manufacturer’s website but didn’t finish making my article. When I went back to get the link to the Model 77, the page was down. Apparently Skil, a subsidiary of Bosch, let their domain name expire!

skiltools.com

Expired - Renew Now!

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Experience: I have used a saw boss for over 20 years. I can’t remember when I purchased the 6″ Porter-Cable saw I have these days but it’s cut a lot of plywood. This little saw excels at ripping sheets of 1/2″ for roofing or sheathing and I keep it for just such an application. My Porter-Cable 345 Saw Boss has ripped countless pieces of plywood and the occasional 2x.

Comments: It’s been around for a long time and that should say something for the P-C Saw Boss. Mine doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. The fence is a good one. I’m not a fan of circular saws. I was raised on the wormdrive Skilsaw but I can still drive this little Porter-Cable accurately.

Links:
Model 345 at Porter-Cable (Product Data)

Porter-Cable 345 Saw Boss at Amazon.com (good pricing)
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