Help Wanted, Worm Drive Saws

woodyuk

Help wanted! I am a frustrated roof framer in the UK, I am trying to locate a Worm drive saw over here new or second hand with no success can anyone help?? would also want the chain saw attachment.

TempestV

as I recall from other posts by UK tradesmen, job site tools are 120volt, so if it comes down to it, you should be able to buy a wormdrive from the US, cut off the plug, and get a plug to match what you use over there for 110v. Just read the reviews and decide what you want. Most any of them will you fine, although the industry standard is the skil Mag77. as for the chainsaw attachment, The name I believe you are looking for is the prazi beam saw attachment.

Edit- I'm not sure what saws the prazi will fit on, they claim most all except the dewalt, but I know it will fit on the skil, and I beleve it would fit on the bosch as well, since the bosch is basicly an improved skil.

RobertCDF

The bosch is a lot better than the mag 77. I have owned both and I will never buy the mag 77 again.

__________________
Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

TempestV

The bosch is a better saw, I must say. The direct connect has yet to grow on me yet, I still prefer a cord, but the power and 55 degree bevel I do like. I don't see much advantage to the rafter hook that Bosch provides, as I like a larger hook for hooking rough cut and engineered materials, so if I ever buy a saw that comes with a hook, I'll be taking it off and putting on a 2 1/4 inch hook.

Note to Woody- if you do buy a bosch, do not buy the direct connect because you can't change the plug to the one that you will need.

Really though, the mag77 is a good saw, the bosch is literally an improved mag77. I've also heard good things about rigid, and I was drooling over the new makita saw last week- it looks like a real winner.

Something else I thought of woody- make sure that you can get the saw that you buy serviced in the UK- If you are having trouble finding a saw, you might find that you have more trouble having it serviced if it breaks down.

KentWhitten

I have about 6 old ones in the shop that have broken plastic handles, and bent tables. You don't mind if they've been dropped off a roof do you?

__________________
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

Jack Rafter

Oddly enough their made by the same company

__________________
http://www.josephfusco.com

RobertCDF

I hate the direct connect too... My brother owns 2 with direct connect and I own 2 without (along with a ridgid and the old mag 77) The ridgid is fine, I bought it when it was $129 but I would not pay any more than that for it. You can still track down the corded versions of the bosch in some places.

__________________
Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

TempestV

like I said, the bosch is literally an improved mag77- Bosch bought skil so that they could copy the saw, when they did, they threw on a more powerful motor, set it up to bevel to 55 degrees, and added a saw hook from the factory (I think it's to small, but it's a nice gesture). pretty much everything else is skil.

KentWhitten

and don't forget they replaced the guard lever with a plastic one and IMO did something with the worm gears inside because I have bent at least 3 or 4 in a one year span.

__________________
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

TempestV

none of the people I work with that have the bosch saw have had any problem with the gears failing, but I and everyone I know that has used the bosch saw hate that stupid plastic lever. But, I have to say, that's my only complaint. It couldn't be that hard to find a metal lever from a mag77, it should fit fine.

wallmaxx

I am just wondering why so many people are worm drive fans? I have framed since 1989 and I was brought up using circular or "side winder" type. I never had a problem cutting everything correctly.

Now that I live in WA state, it seems that ones manliness is challenged if you don't own/use a worm drive. (ha ha) I even had one guy show up asking for a job - on day two, when I had him cutting some PT deck joists, I noticed that a shark could have bit the wood cleaner than his cuts - to which he started complaining about how he had a hard time sighting the blade with the line "since the blade was on the wrong side." I quoted my mentor, "NEVER LET THE TOOL BEAT YOU!" He lasted 3 more days then was arrested for driving with an expired drivers license, expired plates, no insurance and an outstanding warrant for something. (Don't get me started on a thread about WHAT THE HELL IS DEAL WITH THE SCUMMY HELP THAT BLOWS IN TO THE JOBSITE ASKING FOR WORK - WHERE ARE THE REAL MEN?)

So other than the blade sight and increased torque, why use a saw that is so much heavier? (I bought one just to try it out - Rigid)

I cut all my roofs from 2x6 to 2x12 and there is no way I am going to add that much weight to my arm all day, needless to say that tilting the deck the opposite way from what I'm used to when cutting jacks is pretty hard on my brain (old dog new tricks syndrome).

I currently use the Makita 5007MG but I like the Milwaukee Tilt-Lock and the DeWalt Front adjustment one with the blade brake)

I'd like to hear why y'all use them - and I will take the good points under consideration.

TempestV

I personally don't notice the power difference between sidewinders and geared saws when cutting single layer plywood or dimensional 2x material. however, if you set the blade full depth into something that isn't easily cut, that's when I find you will see the difference- drop the blade into a green douge fir beam, and you'll see the difference. In addition, I like the extra reach my Mag77 provides me when cutting sheet goods.
as for which side of the saw the blade is on, I guess it comes down to what you are used to- I grew up using a skil saw, and can run it with either hand equally well, and it seems normal. I don't feel right trying to use the sidewinder beam saw at work because the blade is on the wrong side.

Scott Young

i use both. for framing i use the wormdrive and for finish and finishing work i use a sidewinder.

i guess it is what you learn on. i know i can gang cut sheathing with a wormdrive all day, where a sidewinder would choke.

DrewD

I own both, a Dewalt sidewinder and the Dewalt worm drive. I have to cut some pretty heavy timber, GluLams, LVLs, 12x12 Doug-Fir girders and other huge chunks of lumber. The worm drive might bog down slightly but it never stalls or locks out. I still use the side winder but I find myself pulling out the worm drive more often. As for weight, I use my worm drive all day and really don't notice it, maybe cause i'm young.

KentWhitten

Personally...you're not a man without using one....LOL, JK. Most everyone here on the east coast uses circular saws. You get out west and they're all worm drives. I used it for two things. Line of sight (yes, the sawblade is on the wrong side with regular circular saws IMO) and ability to put the board on my foot and let the saw do the cutting.

If it was the only thing available, then obviously I would be using the circular saw. I just got used to worm drives is all. Not any better or worse.

One of my favorite saws is the makita 5005BA. It's a small circular saw with the blade on the left of the saw. It will cut 2x's but not really used for framing. It will cut one bitching smooth cut and if it ever kicks back on you......damn! Watch out!

I honestly think the king worm drive, the skilsaw, was killed by Bosch. They bought it, then they buried it. They put cheap parts in it and it's a crap saw now.

__________________
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

RobertCDF

I have never had an issue with the "cheap" plastic lever on the guard. Also notice the guard is built better and if you are cutting with the depth properly set (who does that?) The guard wont catch like the mag77 does. I know I had to use a mag the other week and it drove me nuts how often the guard would not get out of the way.

__________________
Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

TempestV

on my mag77, the only problem I have ever had with the guard is when cutting at a steep angle. I've never once had it hang up where proper depth makes a difference- even when it's set wrong.

summertime

Hi Woody, I live in Stockport Uk, got 2 Skill Mag 77, in excellent condition would sell one, get in touch if still interested. tel 0161 442 0381
Roy

metalmark

I use dewalt gear drive saws most of the time and wouldn't use anything else on a daily basis, but in my truck i have a skill 81/4", 10" big foot, direct drive and cordless saws. I use them all for different cutting needs.

neolitic

I don't understand this "blade-on-the-wrong-side" thing.
I've got Porter-Cable 347 and 743.
Got a blade on whatever side I want, and they don't weigh a ton!

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