Replies

1. 
   Tim_Uhler | Sep 28, 2001 02:58am | #1

   *
   We have two of them. I feel that the DeWalt is much more reliable. If you drop it, the "foot" won't bend. You can trust that when you set it at 45 or 50 degrees, it will cut that bevel. I also like the power of the DeWalt better. I have cut 50 degree bevels through very tight grained 2x12's and the motor has not even started to bog down. I love this saw.

1. 
   SamD_ | Sep 28, 2001 04:36am | #2

   *Mag 77. Accept no substitutes.

1. 
   dieselpig_ | Sep 29, 2001 12:50am | #3

   *I gotta agree with Sam there. Although I am partial to sidewinders myself, if you're going with a worm get a Mag 77. I helped a buddy of mine cut a roof last spring that was over his head. He had two DeWalt378G's on the job and nothing else. The saw bogged big time cutting the LVL hips and even struggled with some of the more gamey, wet, 2x12 hemfir. One of the saws had a mangled guard from a drop off a six or eight foot step ladder...not a good sign. The DeWalt is a pretty nice saw if you like the hybrid thing it has going on...however if you're looking for a reliable work horse than you should probably stick with the Mag.

1. 
   David_Mason | Sep 29, 2001 01:38am | #4

   *I would just get the 77 . I had a Mag and the table bent up on me in no time. I went back to the Skilsaw 77.

1. 
   jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Sep 29, 2001 02:03am | #5

   *I've only handled that Dewalt saw a couple times when working with buddies who had them (JonC and Nathan Wegemer). Has a nice feel, for sure. I'd consider one if I ever had to replace one of my Mags, but I doubt that's gonna happen, I only have about 20 years left to work. Any of you guys ever use a Skil 66 (I think that's the number)? It's a worm, with a 6+1/4" blade, and maybe a slightly smaller motor. They weigh at least 2 or 3 lbs less than the old 77's. I worked with a guy in the early 80's who had one, great tool for roof work, siding, anything a little lighter than ripping wet 2x. I'm not sure if they even make them anymore. That's what I was trying to find when I went to buy another saw a few years ago and found the Mag 77. You guys who still have old 77's can soup them up by replacing the table with a Mag table, a little lighter, nice square edge for cutting against a straight edge like your framing or speed square.

2. 
   jim_at_great_white | Sep 29, 2001 08:44am | #6

   *Jim and Sam Layoff of me for what I am about to say. I've run the yeller guys for about two years now and have been very happy with them. They are lighter than the Mag, easier to find in the dark, and they come with a hook already attached. Contrary to what Tim says the foot will take a nice twist if you don't treat it like a tool should be. I had a Mag for four years before it jumped out of an open tool box on the highway. I was very happy with it as well. I think they do have a slight power advantage over the yeller guys, but they are a little heavier too. (This matters because I'm getting old and frail.)The triggers are more involved to change on the yellre ones.All in all I think it is a toss up I'd be happy with either. I have the first 77 I bought in 1986 and it's been rebuilt once in 94 and still runs great when one of the yeller ones goes down.JIm

3. 
   David_Mason | Sep 30, 2001 07:20am | #7

   *I used to have one of those 6 1/4" Skilsaw's. I loved it. When the bearings finally burned up I tried to find another one but couldn't. I was bummed. I guess they don't make them anymore.

4. 
   Thomas_Moen | Sep 30, 2001 08:40pm | #8

   *Yeah, they still make the 6 1/2" Skilsaw. Model#5825. I saw it in Tool Crib, but I'm sure any local place can get it for you.Oh, and which saw? Easy. Mag 77 with a DeWalt guard. When will Skil fix that crappy guard?

5. 
   jim_at_great_white | Oct 04, 2001 05:21am | #9

   *I think Thhom may have the answer to your question. The yellow one is more affordable (cheaper) and comes with a hook.jim

6. 
   Rich_Beckman | Oct 04, 2001 06:40am | #10

   *Regarding DeWalts bogging down in heavy wood...I vaguely recall a long ago post that complained about DeWalt blades and how quickly they dulled. I'm pretty sure my DeWalt blade dulled pretty quick. I'll be sure to replace it with another brand.Rich Beckman

7. 
   Ed_Gregg | Oct 04, 2001 01:51pm | #11

   *The real basic question is why are you buying a worm drive saw? If you need one becasue you are doing very hevay cutting - timber framing, concrete forms, piers/wharfs, then buy a real worm drive saw - Skil or Milwaukee. You won't find the DeWalts doing those jobs (but you will find the old B&D worm drives that the DeWalt replaced).The DeWalt is not a serious heavy duty tool but is priced as one. Let's face it - cutting 2x spf doesn't take a strong machine. There are plenty of machines that wil do the same job (Porter Cable and Milwaukee are good examples) that are cheaper than the DeWalt and are good framing saws.It continues to amaze me that folks buy tools without any investigation, place great weight on what a salesperson tells you (usually a big box person who worked in outdoor products)and buy whatever the next person has. Go to a good, local contractor's rental yard and ask to see a 2 year old saw - see what they have that has withstood the test of time. Go to a local tool repair shop who repairs all brands and ask about reliability. Tools are still an investment - treat their purchase as one!

8. 
   boyd_miller | Oct 05, 2001 01:45am | #12

   *Hey how about a Mag 8 1/2 with an 8 1/2 blade that will cut double jacks? It wouldn't be too heavy especially if it's main use was wall framing at your feet. How about does anyone know if Hitachi's 8 1/2 combo blade for their slide saw fits on any 8 1/4 saw safely? How about any 8 1/4 saws that cut 2 15/16, some say they do . Is that enough to just snap off the waste?

9. 
   jim_at_great_white | Oct 05, 2001 04:48am | #13

   *Do they make a Mag 8 1/4? I have the big ass 5890 and yes it cuts 2 29/32 I need to wack the extra off with a knife though to get things tight. I did however have a custom blade built. It cost about twive as much as the throw aways from the store,but, the guy who built it says I should be able to have it sharpened three of four times. Also he said the teeth they put on will last alot longer than the throw aways.I plan on trying it in a week or so for wall plating. I'll let you know how it goes.jim

10. 
    JonC_ | Oct 05, 2001 04:49am | #14

    *I'm very happy with my dewalt. Bought it mainly for the feel and balance after my old 77 dove off the roof of a small barn to a slab. Weight and balance might not have been much of a factor if I was working downhill cutting stuff across my foot all day.(that'll never be the case again)Havent noticed any lack of power. Being short armed I do kind of miss the extra reach of the 77, mostly on sheet goods. If I were to get another 77, I wouldnt walk out of the store without getting a hook for it. I'd still have my old saw if it'd had one and I cant imagine ever having another saw without one.JonC

11. 
    boyd_miller | Oct 06, 2001 07:33pm | #15

    *Jim, no they don't make an 8 1/4 mag but what i was saying was wouldnt an 8 1/2 mag be great if thats all it took to get a 3" cut. It did bug me enough to e-mail Skil and i got a reply saying it was a good idea and they were considering bringing out some bigger saws. I didn't think about a custom blade but i am now.Thanks.

12. 
    jim_at_great_white | Oct 10, 2001 03:47am | #16

    *Boyd I'll give you a report next week on the big blade, Time savings, effectiveness, blah blah blah. I really think it should help speed up plating walls. maybe even twice as fast.jim

13. 
    Mad_Dog | Oct 13, 2001 11:38am | #17

    *The dewalt is a fantastic saw. As far as the power issue goes, if you have a decent blade it has tons of power and it isn't bogging down. Dull blade, well...duh. But the blade that came with the saw was incredible. Even after seeing a fair number of nails up close it was still cutting a good line.if you combine power, weight, ease of use, price, blade, I don't see a better saw available, though the mag 77 would be a close second. I guess if either one came with a case, I'd buy that one.

2. 
   Steve_Hoover | Oct 13, 2001 11:38am | #18

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   Any ideas on which saw is the better performer? Durability of the Dewalt (this particular tool)?