SKILSAW SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4-Inch Lightweight Worm Drive Circular Saw , Silver

This is a saw that should be at every carpentars side . Powerful , lightweight and true angle cutting . Forget about those other saws this is the one !

Growing up on the east coast in Massachusetts, I had never seen anyone use a worm drive circular saw before. Everyone carried sidewinders. I loved carpentry but this was one of the few tools that just did not feel natural in my hands. I fought to cut razor sharp lines, as even minor corrections at the handle resulted in huge changes in the cut line. I learned to wrestle down kickbacks, and fight binds on angled cuts using a sidewinder. I know that if a sidewinder is used perfectly they cut fine, but I will tell you that they are a tough tool to use perfectly because of their ergonomics. The motor weight is off center and the handle is positioned such that you are pushing down into the work, as opposed to through the work. Yes they work, and I made them work for many years, but it was far from an ideal experience. At 40 years old I read a book by Larry Haun, and started watching The Essential Craftsman on YouTube. Larry Haun is a legend in the carpentry space (look up his videos on YouTube), and both these men used a Skilsaw worm drive saw. I decided to give one a shot. After unboxing the saw I could tell that this thing meant business, it has heft and just feels rugged. The first time I propped a 2x4 up on my boot, positioned the saw plate parallel to the end of the board, and cut I was absolutely blown away. The weight of the saw and gravity literally carried the saw right through the board like it was a hot knife going through butter. I thought it might have been a fluke so I grabbed a 2x8 and tried the same thing, again the saw just carried itself right through the lumber, and it was like it was glued to the line. You will quickly discover that this saw does most of the work for you if you let it and gravity help. The torque is simply unmatched, this saw can power through wet 2x lumber all day. The handle is positioned back behind the saw, which gives you very good accuracy as you are pushing forward and the long length makes corrections less extreme. This translates to a more accurate cut. I feel like a fool for not knowing how much of a difference a worm drive saw makes over a sidewinder for 40+ years. My only regret is having not tried one sooner. Thank you Larry Haun and Scott Wadsworth (aka The Essential Craftsman) for showing me a better way.

I started out using a craftsman sidewinder that was giving to me as a gift about 20 years ago. It always got the job done and became easier to use over time as my skill increased. As serviceable as it was (‘sufficient’), it was never a top end saw and left something to be desired. Fast forward to my last project and the bearings have finally started to fail and I could hear the blade whining with no load. I don’t like the idea of a fast spinning cutting blade coming loose if the bearings failed, so I decided to replace it. I was actually excited to upgrade it, because thousands of sheets of plywood and 2x lumber have proven the saw was only sufficient. I’m very weight sensitive due to a shoulder / arm issue and so I was deciding between the dewalt lightweight sidewinder (slightly lighter than my old craftsman’s) and of a style that I was immensely familiar with and knew how to use safely, and this worm drive, which was about a pound heavier (way lighter than other worm drives) and a completely new style I’d have to learn the nuances of safe use and handling. I ended up with this worm drive, and all I can say is WOW. It cuts so much better and so smoothly that I’m amazed, and even a little irritated I was given such a cheap saw as a gift previously (not really, but this saw is SO MUCH BETTER in every way!). It’s difficult to put in words how much smoother and better the cut is, but that’s the first thing I noticed and continue to notice. I’m assuming this is due to the power or torque. There is a slight learning curve how to do some things safely with this, versus a sidewinder, but that’s pretty minimal. Having been reasonably skilled with a sidewinder, I’m so happy I made the switch and would never go back. If I were brand new to saws, I wouldn’t appreciate the difference, and this *might* be a little too much saw to start out with (but not if you’re careful and have a good background with tools and safe use). Just a recent example of how well this cuts, I was able to cut large width boards, a lot of smaller exterior trim and some compound miter cuts on 6” wide trim with this saw and a speed square. It’s stupid fast and accurate to do with this saw because of its precision adjustments and how well it cuts. In fact, some of the compound cuts are easier and safer with this circular saw than my miter saw, because I’d have to flip and reenter the cut on the opposite end of the miter to complete the cut with my 10” miter saw. This saw just zips all the way through in one stroke. This is so much faster making these cuts, that I’m not sure when I’ll get out the miter saw again. Additionally, not having to get out and clean up a second saw saves even more time, especially when I only have an hour or two to work some days.

As a full time builder in the northeast for the last 16 years, Iv only used sidewinder saws since I started. That is all I have ever seen around here. But after doing a lot of online research and hearing all the west coast guys taking about the mag 77 I just wanted to try one out. I liked the idea of a left sided blade position, rafters hook, and also the ability to cut steeper angles without holding or pinning up the guard. Had no idea if I would like this thing or hate it. Iv only had this thing for about 3 weeks now but have had the chance to cut studs, rafters, and sheathing with it. First thoughts of it was “heavy”! BUT- after more use I found out that that’s not a bad thing unless you just have wimpy arms and wrists! It seems like the weight helps the saw track much better then the lightweight sidewinders im use to. Also easier to control and not so finicky. I love not looking over the saw to see the blade, as Iv always been one to watch the blade more then the shoe guides. And wicked power. Not the high pitch fast blade, but big time torque. I’ll prob get the beam cutting attachment for it too. Only thing Iv found being January in the northeast, the saw doesn’t love the cold weather. Framing last week in the cold, took a bit to get it warmed up and going full speed. All in all, I love this saw and it will be my new “go to” framing saw. Great feel, excellent quality, good power, and sounds like it will hold up for a long time from all that Iv read. Sorry sidewinders, you’ve done me good for many years, but Iv found my new baby 😄. Note- after more research, I definitely want to try the sidewinder southpaw by skilsaw. Looks like that could be a nice one too.

Overall, and so far, this is probably one of the best saws I have owned, and I have owned many of many different brands. What I like a lot is the left hand situated blade as a right-hander, and I like the low, aft-sitting handle. There are though a couple of areas for improvement that I hop the Skil company hears and addresses. 1. No case included or available. This is unacceptable. Make a damn case for your tools. This trend among tool manufacturers is really unacceptable. And don't give designing the cases to interns that have no clue there actually is a power cord that has to fit in the case too, and not in a 2" space. I will not buy another power tool that does not have a case made for it, and everyone reading this should tell them this too. Period. I had to buy a huge deWalt plastic box for my Skil saw, which does not hold it very well - total BS. 2. There is no way to set the saw down without it falling over onto the side of itself. It's crazy. No case to store it in, and it just tumbles over every time you set it down. Really? Are you trying to make me gouge it up and wreck it? No thought what so ever put into something so very basic. Kind of troubling. 3. At max shoe-plate lift, the blade still extends below the shoe by 1/8" or so. That additional 1/8" of an inch was too much to add to the slot of the bracket or something? Dumb stuff. So you cannot do a plunge with the shoe starting flat on the surface. What? Do these people even test their products? It's just not clear if the suits are overriding the logic of the engineers here - I suspect so. There's a lot to like about this tool, I did give it a 5 overall, which was incredibly generous, and the things I mention should definitely be addressed. If they are not, I don't expect to be a Skil customer ever again, and I will actively warn others away for all the reasons I mention.

As this is the only other worm gear saw I have used I have nothing to compare it to. I have used it heavily and it is much better than the old skill saw I had. I got used to it quickly and was able to use it with one hand which was nice. My understanding is that it is easy to get parts for these and that they will last a really long time. It came with a blade or two and everything was of good quality. You will need to add the gear lube when you get it.

I have been using the Mag77 since it came out. Basically the same as the 77, just lighter. They had made a few changes here and there, but nothing major. A while back they allowed the saw table to tilt just beyond 45 degrees, (just after I bought a replacement that was the older style). The new saw tilts further than the Mag77, the 45 degree stop release lever is in a much better location, and, wait for it...you can actually read the degree indicator on the tilt protractor! It is marked with white numbers and hash marks on a black background, and the pointer does not block the numbers, unlike the older Skilsaws. Also, it has every degree indicated instead of every 5 degrees like the old saw. You can definitely feel that it is lighter, in fact when I picked up a fellow worker's 77 I felt like I was going to pull my shoulder out of it's socket! What a difference 4 pounds makes! It also has a blade wrench that stows on the saw table, at the rear under the handle. I have not had a problem with it falling out, and it feels secure. The blade guard has been redesigned and works better, I do not have to pull it back nearly as often as the older saws. They changed the blade lock from the side to it's new location at the oil fill bolt. I cannot get used to that, it feels very awkward, but I guess if you are new to this saw it will be fine. It has softer rubber inserts on both handles that help improve the grip. There are some other changes internally and on the table, but they don't make the saw feel any different, except for reducing the weight. Definitely worth the extra money, very happy with it.

This is my first work drive saw, replacing a transitioning circular saw, and I love it. First, it feels very sturdy. The controls and adjustments all feel great and are easy to see, read, and manipulate. Second, if you are right handed, this places the saw blade where you can see it without leaning over the saw. This is essential for really straight and custom cuts. Third, this saw has more oomph and therefore doesn’t jump like a traditional saw when you start it. I think of it as being like a diesel versus gas engine. It spins at a slower speed but has more torque than I am used to. That inspires a lot of confidence. The cord is very sturdy. Switches snap. Everything feels quality. It does have a lot of plastic on it but that’s just the world we live in. The plastic feels sturdy. It also has a hook for hanging or letting it down from a height. That’s a very thoughtful touch. I expect this saw to outlast me, but time will tell. So far so good.

Having used a sidewinder for home projects the last 10 years going to this machine reminded me of that famous scene in Crocodile Dundee movie many years back (That's not a knife, this is a knife" Well is this case the comparison to my sidewinder becomes " That's not a saw, this is a saw!" From the moment I first struck a 6 inch post I could not believe just how easily it went through it, I was just absolutely fascinated. I then tested it to see just how swiftly I could rip a 12 foot long 2x10 down the middle in order to build a sawhorse. Following the line was an absolute cinch, and this machine cut as fast as I could run and I'm not kidding, a 12 foot rip in what seemed instantaneous! It's definitely heavier than my sidewinder but using it just feels much more effective to me. If your on the fence about such a purchase and can handle the 2-3 extra LBS over a sidewinder, DO NOT HESITATE TO BUY THIS MACHINE.

Es muy liviano y muy bueno es realmente perfecto lo recomiendo al 💯% te hace el trabajo más fácil y es muy potente

One of the best tool I have -High quality - the saw is strong and works really well

Exelente sierra muy fuerte,pura calidad la recomiendo

This is an excellent saw. It's much easier to see the cut line when using this saw, than with a sidewinder. It's as light as the Makita circular saw that I had and has much more power. I purchased it because I had to cut a bunch of 6"x6" vertical posts for a deck to cut in position and was concerned about kick-back issues when using the other saw. It worked perfectly cutting the vertical posts in position. At no time did the saw kick back as I have had happen when using sidewinder saws. I had several people helping and when making cuts, it was always the saw that everyone went to.