LumberJocks
DAILY DEALS Confetti Lamp Inserts  |  Makita Makita Recon LCT203W 10.8 Volt Lithium Ion Impact Driver 2 Pc Kit

Oldie But a Goody

Review by bbqking posted 450 days ago 1007 views 0 times favorited 15 comments Add to Favorites Watch
Oldie But a Goody Oldie But a Goody Oldie But a Goody Click the pictures to enlarge them

You guys know that these have been around forever and I know that none of you use them but let me tell you what happened tonight. I bought this saw probably 10-12 years ago. Used it for construction, etc. Has been living under my bench for 5-6 years. Anyway, I needed to cut leg blanks for a table. Only piece of white oak was 10’ long. Did not feel like horsing it over to the TS. Laid the oak over the bench, measured 1” over, and grabbed this saw that has not been used for 5-6 years. Original blade. Hit the trigger, torque pulled HARD to the left (that’s why it has 2 handles). Cut straight and true, 2’’ white oak 14” wide in 3-4 seconds. Did not bog down. Did not burn. Is itching for more. Put the saw away and carried my leg stock over to the table saw. These saws are awesome. Had to post this because it is an impressive tool and an old friend. bbqKing

-- bbqKing, Lawrenceville

View bbqking's profile

bbqking

332 posts in 621 days



15 comments so far

View Karson's profile

Karson

25806 posts in 1298 days


posted 450 days ago

I have one of those puppies and they almost break your wrist when you turn them on. A great saw. Yours looks cleaner than mine.

Red spots – Looks like you need to return it to the rental place.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6456 posts in 881 days


posted 450 days ago

sold … will get one some day !

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View tenontim's profile

tenontim

1319 posts in 642 days


posted 450 days ago

I have the Craftsman copy of this saw and I wouldn’t trade it for any other. Only maintenance I’ve ever done on it was to take it apart and give it a good cleaning after using it to cut a bunch of Hardi board.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

View frank's profile

frank

1503 posts in 1104 days


posted 450 days ago

Hello bbqking;
—-now your going to have to go in and edit that statement above….;’’and I know that none of you use them’’....LOL.

Yes I have an older Skil 7-1/4 magnesium saw HD 77 and been there, done it and I’m still doing it with that 77. I’ve used it for all types of woodworking, use it in timber framing for cutting half laps and also cuttting a line into the ends of the timber and then sometimes I finish up with a hand saw….if I’m not using a chain saw, also for cutting scarf joints in timbers, used to use it for gang cutting multiple plywood sheets and the 77 will drive right through, still use it for cutting slabs of wide boards on the end cuts and ripping down the length, use it for all types of 2’’ x construction and any time I’m looking at heavy//thick wood, I still grab that 77.

This saw was made to cut some miles of lumber and the worm drive gives it the kick….just remember to all-ways check that oil level.

The only other thing is, from what I’ve heard these saws are now made//farmed out to other countries, so I’m not sure of there quality now.

and yes, you are right….’’these saws are awesome’’....

Thank you.
GODSPEED,
Frank

-- --frank, NH, http://frank.wordpress.com/

View FJDIII's profile

FJDIII

169 posts in 708 days


posted 450 days ago

For the longest time this puppy was in my hands. Pound for pound the best buy ever. Short of dropping them from the heights they are indestructable. Worm drive all the way for me! Plenty of framers don’t want to lug this moose but I was always happy to have one at my side. I have a 6-1/2” model as well that is a little lighter than the 7-1/4” saw.

I’m right handed and the first time I used this saw it was a revelation. You mean I don’t have to look over the saw to see what I’m cutting? There’s a novel concept. I wondered who in the hell would put a blade on the opposite side of a saw. Sorry lefties!

Here in the Northeast where I am located almost all the framers use the conventional power saws. They are too light for my liking and don’t offer the same control when cutting as you get with the heavier more stable worm drive. Man would it be great to be cutting a set of rafters right now and taking in that smell of gear oil and fresh cut pine.

Thanks for the post it brought back a lot of great memories!

-- Fred.... Poconos, PA ---- Chairwright in the making ----

View gusthehonky's profile

gusthehonky

131 posts in 640 days


posted 450 days ago

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

This was my fist experience with a worm drive, about 10 years ago, when I was new a framing. An old-timer went to lunch and never came back for tools or pay. Two seasons later I upgraded to the mag77 and never looked back. By far the best on the market. Pictured above is a B&D, inscribed with his name and 1970, now retired from work but still sees shop use on sheets or to shorten long stock.

-- Ciao, gth.

View dsb1829's profile

dsb1829

369 posts in 525 days


posted 449 days ago

Yep, those are good ones. I have a direct drive PC saw now, but grew up using those big worm drive skillsaws that my dad had. I like the fact that my PC doesn’t feel like it will take my arm off and that it weighs half as much, but taking on hardwood 2in thick I would rather have one of these beasts in hand.

-- Doug, woodworking in Alabama

View bbqking's profile

bbqking

332 posts in 621 days


posted 449 days ago

Karson- Everyone I work with knows the stuff with the red dot belongs to bbqKing, even the rental place.
Frank- Mine actually has a sticker proclaiming “Proudly Made in the USA”- Hooray!

-- bbqKing, Lawrenceville

View Grumpy's profile

Grumpy

14932 posts in 749 days


posted 449 days ago

Those old tolls are great ones King but usually a lot heavier than the modern version. That can be an advantage sometimes.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

View RWR's profile

RWR

41 posts in 499 days


posted 447 days ago

Read your comments on the wormdrive and decided to bring out my old Black and Decker wormdrive I purchased several years ago for some framing work. Been on the shelf eversince. Put a new Diablo carbide blade on it, and made a sawboard also. Forgot how powerful this puppy is, nothing seems to slow it down when cutting. Probably won’t use it too much (use a PC SawBoss for cutting up plywood), but will keep it on tap for tough projects. Yep, it does weigh a ton.

-- Wayne

View Josh's profile

Josh

107 posts in 836 days


posted 445 days ago

I still use my worm drive saw a ton. It is about 16 years old and still works as good as the first day i bought it. They sold a mag version, which was a lot lighter, but i went with the cheaper one. It is real hard on the wrist though.

View miles125's profile

miles125

1441 posts in 903 days


posted 445 days ago

I don’t own one but have used them before. Besides the rather hefty weight they are a pleasure to use. Sorta like the hand held version of a Unisaw!

-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""

View Tim from Iowa City's profile

Tim from Iowa City

186 posts in 498 days


posted 445 days ago

I have the Skil HD 77. Great saw. Miles – I kind of like the hefty weight, as it makes for a very stable cut and solid control. I have used other circular saws and they just don’t compare. My saw decided to roll off my roof during a project once. It is built like a tank. Glad there wasn’t anyone below. :)

-- Tim from Iowa City, IA

View Julian's profile

Julian

695 posts in 423 days


posted 395 days ago

I’ve got two old but strong 6 1/2, and 8 1/4 skilsaws. For rough framing there is no comparison. These are the only saws to use period. I can take one apart, and rebuild it in my sleep. New parts( i.e. tables, triggers,cords, handles) are easily found, so its always best to find them used at garage sales, or flea markets.

-- Julian, Park Forest, IL

View ferstler's profile

ferstler

138 posts in 418 days


posted 368 days ago

I have the Mag 77 version and I have done two things with it.

First, I shortened the 25-foot cord that came with it to a couple of feet. That way, I can select the extension-cord length I want. The 25 footer was just too awkward to deal with at times, and most of my workshop work out on my workdeck gets away with a 12 footer.

Second, I installed a Freud Diablo blade that seems to cut cleaner through tough wood. Also, the stock blade was not a carbide job in the first place.

This saw has been recently uipdated by Skil to a 15-amp version (like the Bosch model that is styled a tad differently) but my 13-amp job sure has enough power to suit me now. It is also about a pound lighter than the standard aluminum version.

Howard Ferstler

You must be signed in to post the comments.

  • View all advertisers
  • Advertise with us

DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. LJ will not be held liable for the actions of any user.

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

HomeRefurbers.com

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

GardenTenders.com :: gardening showcase