Bosch Worm Drive With Direct Connect

ApgarNJ

hey guys, i'm thinking of getting a 7 1/4 worm drive saw, for when the bigfoot is just too big to use on most framing. the only one i'm really interested in is the bosch 7 1/4 but not sure if all of my cords will work with this direct connect. how many of you use homemade cords with black wire and yellow ends that you can take off and repair it if it gets cut etc?
most of my cords have these yellow ends and i'm worried that possibly it won't fit into the direct connect hole. maybe they made them for smaller factory sealed end ext. cords?

i may have to find out if the HD near me has this saw in stock. then i can take a cord in to see but I don't think they have it. just the corded model.

on a side note. i bought a port cable blade left mag saw today, i needed one in a pinch because my dewalt blade right just got in a bad accident on tuesday.
for the money, i'll be willing to try this out. i never liked the dewalt that much.
i have heard that pc isn't as good as it used to be, but I couldn't find anyone today that stocked a makita blade left saw. i have used these in the past and like the blade on the left a lot. even if the weight of the saw is going to drop off as you cut the piece.

let me know about the cords. thanks guys!

RobertCDF

My brother has 2 of the direct connects... I have 2 non direct connects... I like the nons a little better. The direct connects do have kind of a small hole but I have not had a problem the few times I have used his saw. But I dont know for sure the size or your cord end.

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Colorado Springs Custom Decks
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ApgarNJ

my cords are 12/2 out door black cord with ground. and the normal sized round yellow repair ends that you can buy just about anywhere.

i thought it would be nice to not have to worry about the cord end catching on things as you are cutting.

BKFranks

There are two version of the direct connect. One for your standard extension cord and one for twist lock. Any regular extension cord end will fit in there. The really big bulky replacement ends will not fit.

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sore thumb

ive had the same "Skil" worm drive saw i bought more than 20 years ago,and still love it every bit as much today as when it was new

the guys call it "the beast" because they think its too heavy for an every day saw,to me the Skil is the best worm drive out there,its been tried and tested over time

i like Bosch tools but admit only own a hammer drill and a jig saw,but didnt even know they made a worm drive

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i hate it when i hit the wrong nail !!!

sore thumb

forgot,dont really see the need for a disconnect on a saw,ive cut a couple cords over the years as does everyone at some point,but i have the bad habit of sliding my saw down by the cord which the quick disconnect would seem to inhibit,and besides,cut a cord and usually embarassment keeps it from happening again for some time

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i hate it when i hit the wrong nail !!!

ApgarNJ

i'm not worried about cutting a cord. i'm just looking for a nice way to plug in a long ext cord and not have the knot or the cord come unplugged as you are pulling it across something. it just sounds like a good idea. although. i don't want to have to get all new cords just for this saw. so i'll have to think about it. i only have one extension cord that has factory type smaller sealed ends on it. the rest are the replacement ones because i like making certain length cords up and they are easier to repair if they get cut. which rarely happens.

i was looking on amazon, i don't see the two models. i remember a while back tehre being two models of twistlock and direct connect but i don't see the twist one now. is the twistlock one have to use a special cord? what type of end is it that goes in and locks? that would be ideal. never pull out and have the saw shut off on you.

s. donato

dan

i have the direct connect model and love it but i will say i also own a makita hypoid and love it. i am not a everyday framer so YMMV but its worth looking at IMHO.

my direct connect lives on my prazi these days. i do like the direct connect feature for the reason you stated but at the same time i keep a 9' cord on it now all the time.

i do know the yellow ends your talking about i have a few on my cords but never tried them on that saw. i would think they are not going to fit.

Stilts

You should give the bosch a try. They bought skil and the bosch is an updated model of the skil. It is a little more comfortable feeling to me, has a built in rafter hook, larger motor and a nicer guard and base.

As for the direct connect. I hate them. Give me a cord any day. Too many aftermarket plugs don't fit in them, and if you are doing something small where there is power, or just making a few cuts, you've got to drag out an extension cord instead of just plugging it into the wall. Think about it, even if you run a long cord to where you've got your shop set up, then plug in a 4 or 6 way to run all your tools, now you have to either unplug the 4 or 6 way or pull out another extension cord to plug in the wormdrive.

Gold Tie

They come with a 25' cord that you can leave plugged in.

I have those yellow aftermarket ends on my cords and they fit just fine! I love the direct connect. Not only do you not have to worry about it coming unplugged but it also works great for lowering/raising the tool if you are working up high! I love this saw so much I'm going to buy another one for no real reason!!!

ApgarNJ

does the twist lock version accept any cord and then it locks it in? and the other model doesn't lock the cord in?

bosch's website and amazon do a poor job of telling the real difference between the 1677mdt and the 1677md

bosch's site says twist lock. but amazon doesn't say a word.

i wish stores actually carried good quality saws like this so i could just go and look at it. everyone is so afraid of keeping inventory now. everything is special order. or order online.

went to lowes the other day and you cant' even pick up any of their power tools. they were all wiretied down with plastic ties. i told the guy, who do you expect anyone to buy them if you don't get to feel how the tool is in your hands?? these people are morons.

sore thumb

ive had that saw for way too long to retire it for something new,i do like Bosch tools,dont get me wrong,but everytime i plug in that Skil it gives me a great feeling,and its as smooth as the day i purchased it new

ive replaced the cord a couple times,the handle on top was broken a couple times and replaced,but other than oil changes and re-zeroing occasionally its been the best saw ive ever owned,its seen many come and go and its still here,lol

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i hate it when i hit the wrong nail !!!

ApgarNJ

since bosch makes the skil. it's going to be the same saw. skil or bosch
ialready have the bosch worm drive with a cord, it was just purchased as the bigfoot. same saw though.

dkillianjr

Apgar, with the bosch twist lock saw they are reffering to a twistlock cord. Regular cords will not fit. The cord looks something like this.

http://www.hammondmfg.com/plg15Atwist.jpg


Dave

ApgarNJ

ok. thanks. i thought it was just a way to lock a normal cord on by twisting it. they should put that in the directions because a lot of people wouldn't know it has twistlock and needs a special cord.