Worm Drive...

ruskent

I was checking out worm drives the other day at the tool store and was wondering what you guys thought of them. I never used one before, or seen someone use one before. Whats the advantages of them compared to a regular cicular saw?

jmic

Although I've never owned one myself I have used other peoples. Personally I don't care for the torq you get when starting the saw, although they are very good for heavy duty saw cutting. I still prefer using sidewinders.

__________________
___"Remember You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression"______________________
Joe

Eric K

I have the ridgid worm drive and I love it. Feels like I can cut straighter than with a regular saw. Takes time to get used the the blade on the left side (wear your saftey glasses!) I do hate the torque at start up as jmic stated.

Teetorbilt

#1 answer is ......they have torque and lots of it. They are also heavier and don't squirrel around as much thus making cuts straighter. Then there is speed, you can push them harder (faster).

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

Steve Unkie

Once you get used to the weight and learn to let it work for you, I think you'll like it. It's my favorite saw.

Steve Unkie.

RobertCDF

I have a ridgid and a bosch and a really beat up mag77 and I would never use a sidewinder again. I have borrowed other peoples sidewinders before and found them to be awkward to use, although they are lighter than the worm drives. I think the weight is what I like best about the worm drives it gives you lots of stability.

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

hatchet

I used to use Skilsaw but also didn't care for the torque on startup.. tried the Dewalt and like it quite a bit better. I'm not a big Dewalt fan other than this circular saw and the HD cordless. The motor sits at a different angle so you don't get quite as much rotational torque and it's lighter than the Mag 77 Skilsaw (or at least it feels like it is).

__________________
Rich
WIT Construction Co.
Superior MT Contractor

Blackhawk

i use to go through several saws a year bought me a wormdrive and still have it that was twenty years ago .. i like the power and being able to watch my blade cut the line easlily..

Scott Young

i have a magnesium skil saw. the hd77mag, i think. it is the red one. what i like best about it is its blade on the left. i hate using a sidewinder. i want a sawboss just because its blade is on the left. i have had mine since 90-91 and it is still going strong. it did a bunch of framint for a while. the cord is a little cracked, but under the wear somethings got to wear out...cause the saw won't.

another thing i like about it is i can cut a whole sheet of ply from one side cause it has that extra reach.

nadonailer

The weight is a key factor, makes it much safer (less kickback) as well as easier to handle. The Makita hypoid drive saw is great too, will go forever and has a 'clutch' that allows the motor to back off when needed.

__________________
"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid”.
Dwight D. Eisenhower

RobertCDF

I would avoid the dewalt worm drive... its lighter because its not very strong. The ONLY dewalt worm drives I saw that were intact were ones less than a month old. After that they get very beat up and the casing cracks the handles break not very well built. I would buy the skill saw mag77 or the bosch worm drive. The ridgid is not bad but its not quiet as durable as these other two.

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

Greg Di

Ditto.

No one else mentioned the fact that you can see the cut line better!

Worms are cheap enough (especially on eBay) that you should definitely get one to try out. You don't know what you are missing...kind of like how some guys have never tried impact drivers or laser levels.

K2

I'm with Greg. Work one for 3-6 months, (full time ), and see if you go back to the other side.

hatchet

I've had my Dewalt wormdrive for about 7 years.. cut hardiplank, aluminum (blade in backwards), and more appropriately wood. Used for demolition.etc..etc..
Never failed me and I definately won't be going back to Skilsaw.

__________________
Rich
WIT Construction Co.
Superior MT Contractor

D.C.

What's a sidewinder?-LOL
I tried one once, never again. Damn things are backwards
Barely ever see them in CA

K2

Type of rattlesnake that will bit your fingers off. Or your tootsies.

scentralpirate

mag 77 is the way to go for framming and demo just replace the stock cord with something a bit longer ( oh, about 50' longer ) and you be set.

change the gear oil in them every so often and they'll last forever.

not to bash on dewalts worm drive, but nearly the whole thing is made of plastic. and after a while they sound like mad squirrels on a creaky excersize wheel.

i do like my porter cable sidewinder when I'm doing siding and other light duty cutting.

just cant ever have too may tools around

A+Carpenter

Dude without a doubt the HD77 from Skil-

It will outlast and outcut any saw on the market. I tried the sidewinders and all I got was negative feedback from them.

All sidewinders are pretty much 15 amp. If you want serious cutting power use the worm drive skil, Dont be fooled by makitas hypoid knock off oil bath model.

__________________

N.E.Bldg&Rest.LLC

Ditto

__________________
"Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all."

Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)

snapper21

I got my craftsman in 84 and still use it today. I don't use it as a bench saw but as i call it an "ugly saw". I cut roofs through the shingles for skylights etc. with it and it has it's purpose. A guy I work with said he'd have to buy 2 of them if he got one. One to beat the other one with. But you have to learn to use it. Cutting rough cuts at your feet is good for them.