Best Sidwinder Circ Saw Out There

mikeybobo

which sidwinder circular saw do you guys think is the best all around framing saw out there. I have a dewalt 368 that I've been using for 5 years flawlessly. I'm looking into getting a second sidwinder because I find my bosch worm drive BIG AND HEAVY. 9.5lbs compared to 14lbs makes a difference. you guys are probobly going to give me all sorts of sh** for being a baby and all
I dont really understand the attraction to worm drive saws. I do own the bosch and it does cut great and operates beautifully, but why do a lot of people like them with the added weight. I get the extra power is there, but I've never found a piece of wood that I needed more power than my dewalt saw offered with a decent blade on it. I looked back on some previous posts and saw something about the added weight of them prevents kick back,
but so does cutting properly
Anyone use the bosch sidewinders? Like I said my worm drive is a quality product, so maybe the bosch sidwinders are too? I like my dewalt being 9.5 lbs and a 56 bevel capasity. 54 max for 2X cuts though.
The company I work for has a makita which I have no complaints about really, a couple of really cheezy hitatchis, which I dont recomend to anyone, and those good old heavy skil worm drives again

neolitic

I swear by my Porter-Cables.
Have both of 'em the right hand
and the left hand.
They are light, 15 Amps,
great line of sight.
Friday I was bevel cutting 2X8 and
2X10 wet, frozen, treated joist
and they did just fine.
I'm too old to carry the extra bulk
of a worm drive just to prove how
macho I am. There's never anyone
pretty enough on my jobs that I'd
to want to impress with how much
punishment I can take.

__________________
Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

KentWhitten

I see lots of people here using Makitas. They seem very good. I have one of the small siding saws and it is a fantastic piece of equipment.

__________________
If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place ~Lao Tzu

Custom Cabinetry - Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Kennebunkport, Yarmouth, Falmouth, Cumberland, Ogunquit, Maine

Salmon Falls Cabinetry

curapa

I will also say Porter Cable. The base is thick and durable and the saw is pretty light.

I have Makitas and although they are decent and affordable the bases seem to get warped more easy than the PC.

I have a Ridgid and it was a decent saw when new but the bevel adjustment has worn prematurely, I wouldn't buy another one.

I have never understood the fascination people have with the worm drives, too heavy, too bulky, I have never come across anything my sidewinder couldn't handle.

__________________
www.ParkerFenceandDeck.com

mdshunk

I have a Milwaukee sidewinder, and the darned thing is as heavy as a worm drive. I don't really recommend it based on weight, but it is a good saw otherwise.

wallmaxx

http://www.makitatools.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?ID=24030

This is my current model. I like the all the time LED being on. Around 4pm it starts getting dark here, so the light really helps.

I also have a liking for the Milwaukee Tilt-Lok.

Don't let people ride you about worms being a "man's" saw. They all speak from ego.

I learned on a sidewinder...I use a sidewinder everyday. Board for board, I can out cut a worm drive any day. Even the NW worm drive guys that help me on occasion, are converting...although one has a blade-on-left Porter Cable sidewinder. He said he likes to watch the blade when he cuts. (He must think I am cutting blind or something)

After about 3 hours of compound jack rafter cuts, they really lose all love for the worm drive.

neolitic

Well said, my man!

__________________
Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

joasis

PC gets my vote....I have a Bigfoot saw based on the Skil worm drive....haul that boat anchor around a job site a few minutes!

__________________

curiouscanuck

Well... I have the elcheapo Dewalt and it is tough and does everything I ever wanted it to do.

That being said I love the Milwaukee. It's not light but it just feels solid and comfortable in my hand.

I think it's a pretty aesthetic thing that is different for each person. I've used the PC and Bosch quite a bit and they are light weight and solid, but just don't turn my crank the way the Milwaukee does.

While I would not want to frame with it all day everyday, one of the guys I work with has the 8 1/4 Dewalt. If you do a bunch of light Timber work it is pretty handy, I'm considering it when my saw craps out. Construction is identical more or less to the better 7 1/4" dewalt.

Matt

neolitic

Welcome aboard.

__________________
Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

woodworkbykirk

i have a milwaukee and love it, i want a 2nd in a left hand but cant find one

the makita are allright,
the newer dewalts are decent, i can actually see what im cutting unlike the model from 6 years ago.......i couldnt see a damb thing

just recently used a bosch, feels really heavy for a compact sidewinder

pc's not a bad saw
hitachi's are junk, awkward, not enough power
im considering getting a ridgid wormdrive, ive heard good things about it from a friend who has one, have yet to try it though

__________________
putting down subfloor with glue and screws, well i saw dr. smith and the robot too , i had a martian burger and a sonic shake

We Fix Houses

Have had a couple of Bosch's . Just got the Makita Mag last April. Well balanced, good features. I checked out the PC Mag. Seemed like my hand needed to be bigger to grip the PC. Great fit for the Makita. Get a grip on both before you buy.

HitchC&L

I love my milwaukee tilt lock

The adjusting knobs seem to be right in the right place for my hands and they slide pretty easily, all around it works great.

ScipioAfricanus

You just can't go wrong with a Porter-Cable.

Andy.

curiouscanuck

Thanks Neolitic, happy to be here.

Matt

seifconst

My next one will be a milwaukee tilt lok. My brother brought his to the site this summer and I fell in love with it. I've skil worm drives my whole career, but after trying his milwaukee out I'm hooked. Most of my tools are the "red stuff" anyway. You just can't go wrong with most milwaukee products.

I think some of the attraction to worm drives is derived from reliability, more controled, straighter cuts from its length and with this extra length I find it easier to reach the other end of a 4' sheet while cutting between horses. My 2.

__________________
A smart guy won't say anything and a dumb guy don't know the difference!

WarriorWithWood

I've had the Bosch sidewinder for about a year now and i like it. it has plenty of power and if some dumbaass cuts the cord I can just grab another. There are 2 problems I've had with it so far; 1. make sure whoever sets it up puts the cord into the locking loop (guys tend to hand down the saw by the cord) 2. the bevel and depth control levers are made of some sort of plastic and break off when you overtighten.

The PC lefty I've had for a few years and I've beaten the snot out of it and it still works like new.

My vote is for the Mag. PC.

__________________
-Dennis
www.bowmanch.com

Gold Tie

The PC lefty is awesome!!! Having a left and a right is great when cutting hip/valley rafters! One on each end so you can stay on the same side of 32' rafters!!

Overall though, I absolutely love my bosch worm drive. Not cause it is manly or anything, just works best for me I guess... To each their own.

dkillianjr

I will give another vote for the milwaukee tilt lock. I have had dewalt, porter cable, and the milwaukee and theres just something about it. It has a real nice smooth feel. Although my oldest milwaukee was made in the USA, the second was made in Mexico, and now the newest one is from china!



Dave

gallerytungsten

I like the Bosch worm drive. Lots of power.

As a side note, I had my Bosch jigsaw break a few weeks back; took it to the local Bosch repair place and got it fixed for a great price. Service on the spot and with a smile too. It's extra nice when you know the manufacturer backs up their tools like that.

(I should note that I broke the tool, there was nothing wrong with it from Bosch.)