| Review by Don K. | posted 216 days ago | 863 views | 1 time favorited | 11 comments |  |
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- Skil Mag77 worm-drive saw
- Brand: Skil | Category: Circular Saws
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I know many woodworkers do not use a “Worm gear” saw because it is not precise enough for fine detail cutting. But at times I still find I need to use one (other than in my remodel business). A few weeks ago, (before easter) I was asked to build a project for my church (A 20ft tall mountain for a Easter play) and I pulled out my trusty 20+ year old Skil worm drive saw to begin work. Guess what, didn’t work anymore. So I jumped in my truck and head down to my local Lowe’s to by a new one.
Enter the Mag77 Worm Drive – Mag77 – Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw, I had read the reviews on this saw….and they did not lie. It is much lighter than the old worm gear saw, but feels like it is a tank. Power ? I have used cheap table saws that did not have as much power as this monster. Very easy to use, well balanced, and the top handle is postioned just right (I do hear it is awkward to use for left handed people). The base plate looks like it could take a real beating and never bend.
All in all this is a great worm gear saw for those in the market.There is one small problem I have found with the saw. The factory preset postions are not accurate at 90deg. Like all hand held saws, these are not adjustable settings, you flip the lever and go back and forth between 45 and 90 degree untill you hit a metal tab that stops the saw. I was making my project for the church with my new saw, when I noticed the cuts were at a slight angle. I played with the adjusting lever, but no mater what I did, it would not sit at a exact 90, close, but not dead on.
The project I was working on was not that critical, so I finished cutting with it, and the next day took it back to the store and got a exchange. Thinking it was nothing more than a slight factory blim, I grabed my new one and out the door I went. Imagine my surprise when I got home, took it out of the box, and the blade still went past 90 at the 90 deg. stop.
As I said, it is close, and for framing work and the such, it is just fine. But if your going to use it for some more precise cutting, don’t trust the factory stop, it goes a few degrees PAST 90, you will need to use a small square to set it at 90.
This is not a big deal, and I highly recomend this saw for anyone wanting a true power house to do rough cutting, framing etc.
-- Don S.E. OK
11 comments so far
Woodchuck1957
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950 posts in 662 days
posted 216 days ago
If I needed precise cutting, a jobsite circular saw isn’t what I’d be reaching for.
patron
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2458 posts in 239 days
posted 216 days ago
after 30 years with my skill 77 , i got the new one too ! ( old one sparked way much , armature worn ) .
to me it’s still the only saw i will use .
i can see my cut line ! i still wonder why they even make saws that you cant see cut line .
as with some tools that are some off ( eventualy they all get that way ) , i find some way to dental glue
a spacer ( washer , metal rod ,some kind of stop ) some where on tool to correct this .
in my fast paced work world inovation is the only fix i get , as many of my jobs are remote , and i can’t take the time to stop and go to town for relief .
thats why i still have my hand tools with me , theres always a way to get the job done !
in todays disposable world you get what they make , unless you can afford what you want !
everything is generic , and corporate greed dictates that they compet (?) with each other , not satisfy our needs .
you got shoe salesmen managing factorys , and pig farmers designing tools , go figure !
good luck to you , we do the best we can !
-- david ,new mexico ,allheart
Jimmy
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26 posts in 238 days
posted 216 days ago
hello i just bought one of these at sears on the clearance rack for $51. i got it home plugged it in and it doesnt seem to work. when i pull the switch it doesnt start. any suggestions? i think it is supposed to have brushes and they arent in it. would that be the problem? any help would be great.
-- 20 year old new woodworker. advice and tools much appreciated.
Woodchuck1957
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950 posts in 662 days
posted 216 days ago
LOL, it never ceases to amaze me.
Pete_Jud
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116 posts in 651 days
posted 216 days ago
I have for over 20 years used my skill 77 for more projects than I can count. even wet cutting cinder blocks. It now looks like hell but I still use it for cutting panels before they come into the shop. Great saw.
-- Life is to short to own an ugly boat.
POPSHOP
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127 posts in 149 days
posted 148 days ago
I own 2 and the oldest is 16 yrs old and still singing . I am gonna build a 10 inch bigfoot saw soon with the same skill as a base assy. Nobody I know will borrow mine cause they weigh 21 pounds. LOL .I dont mind either !!!!!!
-- POPSHOP ,
Karson
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25806 posts in 1298 days
posted 148 days ago
I’ve got the skill 77 and it’s a great saw. i bought it on ebay and haven’t used it much. But when you need the power it’s there.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
JMG
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45 posts in 147 days
posted 146 days ago
What’s the difference in a worm drive saw and a normal circular saw? I like my trusty old Makita circular saw. I can see my cut line just fine with it.
-- -Jon
Don K.
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1095 posts in 224 days
posted 146 days ago
Jon,
Worm gear just has more torq and power…and will last several times longer than a normal circular saw. It also runs in oil Vs. a sealed bearing that circular saws have. Nothing wrong with a Circular saw….I have a few myself.
-- Don S.E. OK
a1Jim
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17022 posts in 475 days
posted 146 days ago
Hey Don
Is this the one you cut your dovetails with? :))
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com
Don K.
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1095 posts in 224 days
posted 146 days ago
Why sure jim…works well…lol
-- Don S.E. OK