Replies

1. 
   rez | Aug 16, 2002 08:25am | #1

   Because you never know what tomorrow may bring.

   Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.

1. 
   Dogjon | Aug 16, 2002 08:34am | #2

   If you're only going to own one saw, buy the Skil. Otherwise, I prefer the dewalt framer.

   JonC

2. 
   MisterT | Aug 16, 2002 02:13pm | #3

   Ralph,

   that is about what you will pay for that saw any where.

   T

   Do not try this at home!

   I am a trained professional!

3. 
   jonblakemore | Aug 17, 2002 07:01pm | #4

   Ralph,

   I use both a sidewinder and a worm drive.  The former is my trim-siding-other light stuff saw, and the worm drive takes the heavy stuff.  I can't understand why some won't consider the other type.  I look at them as being almost different tools.  You would not use your hammer drill to drill 500 2" holes in concrete, you would buy/rent a big rotohammer.  When doing demo I would never use anything but my worm drive because of the power issue.

   Tool Crib has the saw for $177, shipping included.

   Jon Blakemore
1. 
   TommyB12 | Aug 20, 2002 10:30pm | #15

   Jon,

   Stop using your sidewinder as a crutch.  There is nothing a sidewinder does that a wormdrive won't do.

   Having said that, I keep my old sidewinders for use in my siding tables.  But I think a wormdrive would work better there too!  Maybe when the sidewinders crack up.  Which hopefully won't be soon since I just had them overhauled at 75 bucks a pop.  I've had my first wormdrive as long as both of those saws, used it many times harder and i think it runs better than my new ones.Tom

1. 
   jc21 | Aug 21, 2002 02:07am | #16

   I see a Mag 77 in the future but I don't think I'd do it justice. I've watched guys who are good with them .....its poetry in motion. I can't work like that ........... had one knee replaced and the other is due. Hell gettin' old. Saw horses are a neccessity for me. My PC 347 works well for me .......... has enough power and it's great for remodeling; put the dust bag on it or hook the shop vac up to it and it really cuts down on the mess.

2. 
   jonblakemore | Aug 21, 2002 02:12am | #17

   I like to choose the smallest tool that will still do the job.  Cutting 1/4" ply can be handled by 4" cordless trim saw so I think a worm drive is a bit of over kill.  I'm glad you like yours, though.Jon Blakemore

1. 
   TommyB12 | Aug 21, 2002 04:34am | #21

   I cut foam board, insulation, kitchen cabinets, fingernails, hangnails, hair, sandwiches, creme brulee, shrimp, whatever with the thing.  Cut it silly.  I circumsized my boys with it. 

   It might way fifteen pounds but it ways less than any two saws, practically.

   Plus I got forearms like popeye.

   Can I email you a pic, of my forearms I mean?Tom

1. 
   jonblakemore | Aug 21, 2002 07:45am | #23

   Tommy,

   You've been using the wrong saw all along.

   Here you go.

   http://www.mafell.com/produkte/prod_saegen_fr.htmJon Blakemore

2. 
   PhillGiles | Aug 21, 2002 05:02pm | #24

   But just thinking about using a 145 pound saw gives me a sore arm.

   http://www.mafell.com/produkte/prod_saegen_fsg240k_i.htm

   .

   Phill Giles

   The Unionville Woodwright

   Unionville, Ontario

   Edited 8/21/2002 10:34:08 AM ET by Phill Giles

3. 
   jc21 | Aug 21, 2002 02:38am | #19

   Anyone use the top handle Bosch wormdrive and what did they think of it?

4. 
   Timuhler | Aug 17, 2002 11:21pm | #5

   I would go with the DeWalt with the blade on the left.  We have three of those saws and none of us will touch a Mag anymore.  After some use (and abuse) the Mag's depth control doesn't work well and the bevel setting starts to lock up.  The DeWalt's do not suffer from either problem.  You get a higher amp motor, which spins the blade at higher RPM and a built in rafter hook.  I wouldn't buy another Mag.

1. 
   Redfly | Aug 18, 2002 01:13am | #6

   I've used Skil wormdrives since my first day on the job 25 years ago.  I've dropped them from 2nd story scaffolding, left them out in the rain, replaced every part in them, and they still work great.  I also have a Mag 77 and love it too. 

   I'm afraid to try one of the DeWalts aka Black & Decker, since I might like it and it would be like cheating on my wife.

1. 
   Timuhler | Aug 18, 2002 01:20am | #7

   I know what you mean.  The guys I work with now and I are careful with our saws.   When we cut a piece of wood at a specific bevel, we want that bevel.  When we need a specific depth, we don't want to have to use our hammer to get that depth.  After a year and a half with the DeWalt, all three of our saws work very closely to the way they came out of the box.  The Mags on the other hand haven't.  We have had between 5 and 8 Mags in the last three years.  I had a brand new one on my saw horse.  It fell the 35" into the sand and the foot was bent.  Bosch has since bought Skil and improved the foot.  Now it looks identical to DeWalts.  It has a waffle pattern on top to strenghten it.  If I was going to buy a skil I would buy the Bosch version.  It is a better saw, even if it is about 15 bucks more.  The DeWalt is light, cheap (relatively), rugged and bevels to 50 degrees.

5. 
   jc21 | Aug 18, 2002 03:49pm | #8

   Keep a lookout on ToolCrib/ Amazon'  recon tools ......... they , for a time, had a Bosch version for $150. I think worm gears are a left coast thing. Impressive power but they feel awkward if you've used sidewinders all your life and vice versa. I suspect Larry Haun and that Blodgett fella wouldn't be caught dead with a sidewinder.

1. 
   Redfly | Aug 18, 2002 10:13pm | #9

   My dad had a b & d sidewinder, which was the first power saw I ever used.  I think it had the original blade in it, about 15 years old.  It made so much noise my dog ran away, and I found I could cut faster with a hand saw.  Then when I got groed up and used my first wormdrive skilsaw, it was love at first sight.  I still own & use that first saw, ol Betsy - one of the all-metal ones, back before the started putting plastic handles on em.

   As you said, I think it's a Left coast thing, but being right-handed, I find I can watch the line and the blade at the same time while cutting.  When I use a side-winder, I find myself all contorted trying to see what I'm doing.  But I know it's just a matter of what you're used to.

   Another thing I like about worm-drives (we call them skilsaws out here) is that the table is longer, which seems to give me more control.  If I use the indicator notches at the front of the shoe to follow my line, I find I can make fine adjustments to the direction before the blade reaches that point.  Using that technique, I can rip a sheet of plywood so straight that I can't tell the factory edge from the cut.

   Occasionally, I will hire a carpenter from Back East, and they will have a hard time using skilsaws for awhile, but usually end up putting their sidewinders at the bottom of the toolbox.  I'm sure that the same thing happens in reverse on the E coast.

6. 
   jimblodgett | Aug 19, 2002 02:03am | #10

   "...why would a sidewinder user (me) want to own that saw?"

   It's like the difference between making love with a good woman and using your hand.

   Brinkmann for president in '04
1. 
   RalphWicklund | Aug 19, 2002 06:26am | #11

   Yep. Leave it to Blodgett to supply an analogy even the dimmest bulb can understand.<G>

   Thanks to all for the responses.

1. 
   Squash | Aug 20, 2002 08:23am | #13

   ROTFLMAO... yeah I agree... Jim's got a way with words.  I seem to remember him telling me to "pull my head out of my #### and buy a worm-drive" in a similar discussion a year or two ago."  By the way, I still haven't :-)

   Edited 8/20/2002 1:24:46 AM ET by NMARKEY

1. 
   jc21 | Aug 20, 2002 03:41pm | #14

   ........ then Jim wakes up and finds out that beautiful woman is Ru Paul. ;o)

1. 
   Squash | Aug 21, 2002 07:02am | #22

   jc... outstanding... ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!

2. 
   PostnBeam | Aug 19, 2002 06:28am | #12

   ROTFLMAO.  An excellent observation, sir. 

   Bosch is a nice worm..Bevels to 50, rafter hook, beefy plate, few more amps, better guard movement on those compounders, etc.

7. 
   JeffBuck | Aug 21, 2002 02:28am | #18

   Ralph...this is exactly why Ya should never run the truck without a copy of Tool Crib in there somewhere! Jeff

   .......Sometimes on the toll road of life.....a handful of change is good.......

1. 
   jc21 | Aug 21, 2002 02:46am | #20

   Saw this for recon Milwaukee ............  haven't dealt with them (yet). Some of the prices aren't as good as the Tool Crib but they have some stuff Tool Crib doesn't have. http://www.powertoolservices.com/About%20Us.htm

   Took your advice and called Tool Crib instead of ordering online. Really helpful ...... was looking for something  not listed in the catalog or online. Seems like the way to go.