Skil Brand of Circular Saws! - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

CJ21 · 02-10-2009, 06:16 AM

I am wondering is my Skil 5400-01 Circular Saw good enough for rough framing it has a 12 amp motor and is made in the USA. Right now I have a 24 tooth Hitachi framing blade on there.

PA woodbutcher · 02-10-2009, 06:27 AM

If it will cut a 2X it's good enough. Problem will be, what kind of beating will it take and how long it will last. Keeping a good blade on it and a short extension cord will help.

CJ21 · 02-10-2009, 06:33 AM

Yes it has cut lots of 2x4's

wolffhomerepair · 02-10-2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PA woodbutcher

Keeping a good blade on it and a short extension cord will help.

agreed a good sharp blade will make any saw look good.

john5mt · 02-10-2009, 10:11 AM

Tell us how many houses before it dies.
Typically any tool made by skil (except the worm drive saws) are homeowner grade crap that poop out if they are used on more than one job.
Friend of mine (homeowner) built a house and had a skil jigsaw he bought for the finish work in the house. It didnt even make to the end of his little job.

Gary H · 02-10-2009, 10:31 AM

Take the saw back to the Big Orange store and buy a Skil worm drive. They will last a long time.

Winchester · 02-10-2009, 11:58 AM

Skil is to Bosch as Black & Decker is to Dewalt.

mnjconstruction · 02-10-2009, 12:58 PM

I have an old "skill" saw that still works good. I have had it for around 10 years or so. Of course I do not use it all the time, mostly use my makita or hitachi, but the old skil is there if needed. keep a good high quality blade in it and it will last.

TempestV · 02-10-2009, 10:11 PM

I've had good experiences with the little trim saw that Skil makes. However, the worm drives and that little trim saw are the only decent tools that skil makes. If you are a professional who makes a living with your tools, then get a better saw.

TempestV · 02-10-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnjconstruction

I have an old "skill" saw that still works good. I have had it for around 10 years or so. Of course I do not use it all the time, mostly use my makita or hitachi, but the old skil is there if needed. keep a good high quality blade in it and it will last.

My dad has an old Skil sidewinder that he keeps around for times when he needs the blade on the other side of the saw, and it seems to do all right. Skil probably dropped their quality on a lot of there tools over time. It's kinda like buying old metal case Black and Decker tools.

sore thumb · 02-16-2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary H

Take the saw back to the Big Orange store and buy a Skil worm drive. They will last a long time.

i second that,,,i still use the Slkil worm drive i purchased new in 1985,awsome saw

really great for cutting truss tails,and you can set back while cutting so the saw dust doesnt pelt you in the face

**loneframer** · 02-16-2009, 07:07 PM

I have 5 Skil wormdrives in varying degrees of decay. The oldest is at least 15 years old. Ocassional switch replacements, changed the oil once after fist week of service. Makita makes a nice circ. saw for the $$. Dewalts are for the hired help.

tonyeastern · 02-16-2009, 08:13 PM

I did not know that.

roadweiry · 02-17-2009, 11:05 PM

Ive been trying for 7 months to kill a cheap Skil. Had to replace the cord cause it was too stiff and totaly broke in half in the cold weather. Sharp blade all the time will add years to any saw or at least make it perform better while it is alive.

ArmstrCarpentry · 02-20-2009, 09:49 AM

I use a skil, been using it for about 5 years - it sounds like the bearings are going but works fine otherwise... When it finally kicks I will probably get another skil

CJ21 · 02-20-2009, 07:19 PM

I am looking at replaceing my Skil Circular Saw with a Makita 7-1/4" Magnesium Circular Saw Model: 5007MG.

woodworkbykirk · 02-20-2009, 10:13 PM

this week i finally got to use the rigid wormdrive, baracus on the boards owns it and lent it to me, awesome saw, last time i used a wormdrive was 6 years ago and it was milwaukee. needless to say i think ill be buying a wormdrive and save my sidewinder milwaukee for a beater

HomeWS · 02-20-2009, 10:45 PM

I got to use a wormdrive a few times. It was a great saw, great control. In the meantime I have an old skil circular saw that was like a hand-me-down. I actually got it in college when my landlord sold the house and left it in the shed. It sat there for a couple years then I found it. Free tools never hurt, It still works fine.