Worm Drive Circular Saws, Are the good or bad

[Peninsulakid]

Hi Folks.

Living in the UK we can't get our hands on worm drive hand held circular saws. I guess it must be to do with some sort or CE certification.

I've seen many videos on Youtube of carpenters from across the big pond using them.

From what I've seen they appear to be well balanced, don't seem to kick back like the type we have, have very clear sight lines.

They look like the perfect tool for making the vertical cut on the end of a rafter when the rafter is installed. With our saws we have to look over the blade to check we are cutting to the plumb line, very awkward.

So I was just wondering if any of you guys across the pond can let us know over here if they are work having.

Cheers Rich

 

[Paul G]

I have used a skilsaw worm drive for years with good success. Haven't had a kick back but don't think it's inherently less prone, I'm just really careful to not be stupid with it. I cringe when I see folks do plunge cuts with circular saws, no thanks.

 

[Huxleywood]

Worm vs spur drive is a contentious issue, everyone has their favorite and it is also a geographic thing within the US.  Worm drives are slower but have more torque and are longer and heavier but they have better sight lines.  IMO their biggest downfall is their weight is on the cutoff side of a board.  Some contractors will have both and use the one best suited for a specific job.

 

[rst]

My 36 year old 8 1/4" Skilsaw has cut  plywood, 2bys, concrete, and brick faithfully without protest.  It certainly is not a saw that one would like to hold vertically or overhead for long periods.  That being said, a couple months ago I used it with a diamond blade to expand a masonry opening to install a wider door and frame for an industrial customer.  It was in an ice cream plant so I bought an attachment to help collect the dust and attached it to a vac.  As far as it cutting on the off cut side...switch sides and it is not an issue.  I also had a 6 1/4" PC Sawboss for more user friendly jobs.  Writing this just made me realize that I'm as crazy about saws as I am routers(13). Skilsaw, Sawboss, Milwaukee 10", Milwaukee 18V steel cutter, TS75, TS55, Makita track, and just bought the HKC.

 

[peter halle]

As was mentioned earlier, both saws are good.  Just different.

How geography comes into play is interesting and certainly can lead to hours of internet searching when you look for information on the building boom in California in the 60's and beyond.  If you can find articles online by Larry Hunn you will begin to get an understanding.

Worm drive users learned to use gravity to propel their saws.  They used the torque to cut multiples.  All these were important in their processes in the day.

Peter

 

[Christopher Fitch]

Here's a good article/video about it
http://www.finehomebuilding.com/2012/08/22/circular-saws-sidewinder-vs-worm-drive

 

[waho6o9]

Worm saws are nice, had mine for quite some time, but I like the Makita Hypoid saws as well.

Both are great saws.

 

[Peninsulakid]

Cheers guys.

Seems like they have their uses in some areas. I'd love to try and get hold of one and have a go.

rst commented

As far as it cutting on the off cut side...switch sides and it is not an issue

That would mean having to use my left hand. Ages ago we had an apprentice on site who could use his left or right hand to hammer, saw, chisel intact anything, very useful trick. As one of the old boys on site at the time used to say. " Blimey, I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous" !!!!

Many thanks for the comments and the extra reading.

Cheers Rich

 

[Holzhacker]

In my area Worm drives are mostly used for porch work and timber work; i.e. rafters, post, beams, etc. You don't really want to use a worm drive all day every day for regular framing. Your hands and arms will know the difference.
Growing up moving up to a worm drive essentially meant you weren't just a grunt anymore. The Skil worm drive of course has been the King of the Hill.
I have 2 old worm drive still. 1 for carpentry and 1 really beat to crap one for cutting through roofing.

 

[Cheese]

I have a 20+ year old Milwaukee 8 1/4" worm gear that I've used exclusively to cut cement and stone. Nice saw but real heavy...think 15+ pounds. I put in a bluestone patio many moons ago and I cut most of the 2" thick stone with it. It did an exceptionally nice job on edging.

Interestingly enough, I believe Skill used to offer both a RH & LH version of their worm gear. I see that they're now offering a worm gear saw specifically for concrete use with dust collection and water pickup. It can be used wet or dry.  [cool]
https://www.skilsaw.com/product-details?product=SPT79-00

Here's a nice article on Larry Haun.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/27/garden/larry-haun-the-carpenters-carpenter.html

 

[Svar]

Good read on the origin of worm drive saw here:http://www.asktooltalk.com/articles/toolhistory/divide.php

 

[Peninsulakid]

Gents you are fonts of great knowledge and its all appreciated.

I have just read the article in the link that cheese posted about Larry Haun.

Cheese wrote

Here's a nice article on Larry Haun.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/27/garden/larry-haun-the-carpenters-carpenter.html

He has made most of my most favourite videos to watch on youtube. Certainly the ones that I go back to watch again and again. Not just to watch and learn, but because he comes across as such a nice guy and such a lovely guy to listen to. I'm sure he will be missed. I'll defiantly be getting a copy of his book. Many thanks cheese for finding it and putting up the link.

Cheers Rich

 

[EMWLou]

My 30+ year old Skilsaw was my favorite tools for years. The TS55 has passed it by in terms of favorite, but the Skilsaw is still my go to tool for anything that needs to be cut off the rail. When I pick it up, its like hanging out with an old friend. It just feels so right in my hands and always has. The weight doesn't bother me at all and I learned a long time ago how to use it to my advantage. The torque is what makes the saw so great. I used it for finish work for a very long time before I bought my TS55 and it did the job. That's certainly not what the saw is designed for though. Framing is where it shines. IMO, framing is a young man's game and I'm certainly not young anymore so I don't need it like I used to.

 

[Bob D.]

I have a worm drive Skillsaw but it sees little use lately.
They do have more power as others have said but it is heavier.

I also have its smaller cousin, the PC 314H, which is the special
edition of the Model 314 4-1/2" worm drive trim saw. This is a
nice size saw for trim work and one I turned to most times for
breaking down sheet goods before I got my DeWalt track saw.

You can see it here:http://www.normstools.com/images/normstools/pc-314.shtml

 

[Spud]

If Mafell or Festool/Protool made a wormdrive saw with blade on the right, that would be my ideal circular saw.

As far as I know only Hilti and Porter Cable made wormdrives with blade on the right. I have the Porter Cable wormdrive , it not a full size saw though, just 4.25" blade diameter. The blade is less prone to bind in wet or dense wood with wormdrives.