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Cars & Coffee Killer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: State of Failure
Posts: 32,246
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My Circular Saw Died Today
The deck at the new house had railings supported only by 2 x 2's. A couple people leaning against the railing would have caused it to collapse.
I decided today to reinforce the railing with some 4 x 4's. I bought a few 4 x 4 x 8's and had to cut them down to 43". It took two passes (one on each side) to cut through the 4 x 4's. I still have my dad's 25 year-old Craftsman circular saw. The first couple of cuts went fine, but it seemed to struggle more and more the more cuts I made. Towards the end, it started making a "bad CV joint" noise. I assume the bearings were going bad. Finally, I could pull the trigger, and nothing. So I guess I am in the market for a new circular saw. My primary requirement is that it lasts longer than I do, and I'm 32. I would prefer made in the U.S. (or at least not in China), and a laser and dust collector would be nice, but not required. Jet is my normal go-to brand for quality tools, but it appears that they do not make circular saws.
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Some Porsches long ago...then a wankle... 5 liters of VVT fury now -Chris "There is freedom in risk, just as there is oppression in security." |
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06-26-2011, 07:14 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Posts: 14,224
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My Makita (US made?) is still going strong after 22 years. I've had to replace a few parts from abuse/damage though.
Last edited by A930Rocket; 06-26-2011 at 07:22 PM.. |
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06-26-2011, 07:19 PM
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I have a twenty year old Dewalt, still going strong.
Makita makes a pretty good saw. I wouldn't worry too much about the laser and get one with a good base (shoe?) and with good adjust ability.
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Bill K. "I started out with nothin and I still got most of it left...." 83 911 SC Guards Red (now gone) And I sold a bunch of parts I hadn't installed yet. |
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06-26-2011, 07:23 PM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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DeWalt is nothing more than a fancy BD these days...
Go get a good makita, and don't worry about the blingy features... |
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06-26-2011, 07:31 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SoFLA
Posts: 5,536
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Two words: "worm drive".
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06-26-2011, 07:31 PM
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Maybe it can be fixed? I'd rather my dad's 25 y/o Craftsman than any new saw.
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1989 3.2 Carrera coupe; 1988 Westy Vanagon, Zetec; 1986 E28 M30; 1994 W124; 2004 S211 What? Uh . . . “he” and “him”? |
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06-26-2011, 07:33 PM
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Detached Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: southern California
Posts: 26,964
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Worm-drive Skil Saw, it has a transmission that you put oil in, and hopefully change once or twice in it's lifetime. You would seriously have to try to make a crooked cut.
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Hugh |
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06-26-2011, 07:48 PM
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Banned
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Earth
Posts: 31,744
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Quote:
You could take a worm drive, mark your board, tie the trigger back with tape and let it run free down the line. It would still could straighter than an old circular sidewinder. |
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06-26-2011, 08:09 PM
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JW Apostate
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Napa, Ca
Posts: 14,164
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Mag in a bag...
KT
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'74 914-6 2.6 SS #746 '01 Boxster |
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06-26-2011, 09:24 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 17,404
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Get a Skill saw (same as Bosch). I like the Mag 77 saw. The base can't take a lot of abuse like the regular model 77 saws. The regular model 77 saw will last you a long time. Make sure you check or change the worm gear oil when necessary. We can't kill that saw. We finally kill the Makita hypoid saw after 15 years of abuse by my men.
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06-26-2011, 09:38 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 9,108
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The batteries died on my Makita of 20+ years. I'm not picky about a battery powered circular saws, because I use them for light work - which is what they're for. I got a new $200 DeWalt from H.D.'s marked down table for $120. I did have to order about $8 worth of parts that weren't on the saw. The DeWalt is made surprisingly sturdier than the Makita was. For heavier work I use my Makita worm gear, corded saw. The last job I did with that was make cuts through 3 inches of concrete slab - with the right blade of course.
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Marv Evans '69 911E |
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06-26-2011, 10:01 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 2,357
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I'll have to take a look at mine later today. As far as I can tell it's from sometime in the 1960s / 1970s. There's a punchcard in the box that you're supposed to fill out for warranty purposes but I think it's probably expired by now.
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'87 924S (Sold) |
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06-27-2011, 06:25 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Posts: 6,069
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Worm drive Skil is the go-to.
Except if you are left handed as I am. I bought a Milwaukie. Great saw. Larry |
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06-27-2011, 06:29 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Posts: 14,224
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When you guys say "Skil" saw are you talking about the "Skil" brand or just calling all circular sws Skil saws? To me "Skil" is the bottom of the barrel.
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06-27-2011, 06:45 AM
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I have a Mag 77 and I don't use it very much but when I do it is a workhorse.
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Jacksonville. Florida https://www.flickr.com/photos/ury914/ |
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06-27-2011, 07:19 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 17,404
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Quote:
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06-27-2011, 08:22 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 17,404
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Quote:
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06-27-2011, 08:22 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: So. Calif.
Posts: 19,910
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It could be the brushes are worn out. Inspect, then replace them, clean the commutator, regrease, then continue.
However, if you want to buy a new one, read the above and go for it. Sherwood |
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06-27-2011, 08:52 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Posts: 14,224
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I looked the 77 up and it looks good. One plus is the blade is on the left side, making it easier to see your cut. My view of the rest of the Skil brand stuff hasn't changed.
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06-27-2011, 09:48 AM
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May not want to use those worm drives to trim rafters.
Jim
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down to jap bikes that run and a dead Norton |
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06-27-2011, 02:52 PM
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1983 Porsche SC
1986 Porsche 944 2.5l
1989 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2
1973 Porsche 914 1.7 very modifed
the stable a few years ago
2013 
