
What circular saw should I buy?
What Circular Saw Should I Buy?
- #Power Source. ...
- #Mechanical Style: We can notice two types of mechanical styles for a circular saw in the market, sidewinders and worm-drive.
- #Power Rating. ...
- #Blade Size. ...
- #Ergonomics. ...
- Conclusion: Hopefully, today’s guide was enough for you to explain this topic in a very good way. ...
What are the disadvantages of a circular saw?
Disadvantages Of Cordless Circular Saws
- Requires A Battery. As much as batteries allow for better portability and convenient work, it still limits the cordless saw.
- Requires Constant Replacements. If batteries are damaged, it’ll cost you extra money to replace them. ...
- Has Limited Operational Time With a Heavier Saw. ...
- Lacks Enough Power and Strength. ...
What are the uses of a circular saw?
What Materials Can Be Cut with a Circular Saw?
- Wood. The most common material to be cut with a circular saw is wood. ...
- Plastic. Circular saws can also be used to cut plastic, particularly hard and rigid plastic such as PVC piping.
- Metal. ...
- Masonry. ...
What's the advantage of worm drive saws?
The main advantage of a worm drive saw is that it provides more torque which makes it a great choice for cutting hard and dense materials. However, let's see some more advantages. Due to it's more length, it becomes simpler to make plunge cuts. This means that you can easily cut shapes or do carvings inside a piece of wood.

What is the advantage of a worm drive circular saw?
Longer lasting, great sightlines for many users, more torque, accuracy and power – these are top advantages of the worm-drive power saw. The main drawback is the weight issue.
What are the benefits of a worm drive?
Worm gears can be used to either greatly increase torque or greatly reduce speed. They are also the smoothest and quietest of the gear systems, as long as they are properly mounted and lubricated. Another advantage of worm gears is that they have good meshing effectiveness.
What is the pros and cons of a worm drive circular saw?
Worm drive saw pros and cons They are typically blade-left design, great for longer rip cuts but need more handling experience to maneuver precisely. Worm drives will cut through tougher materials such as hard wood but have less speed and can cost significantly more than sidewinder models.
Are worm gear saws better?
Advantages of a Worm Drive Circular Saw The longer distance between the handle and the blade extends your reach while making a cut, which is helpful for crosscutting sheet goods. A worm drive also has larger gear teeth with more load-carrying capacity than a direct drive, which provides more power but also adds weight.
What are the disadvantages of worm gear drive?
The main disadvantage of worm drives is their low performance offered by these gearbox stages, which can be close to 15% due to the high friction and associated axial stresses.
Why is it called a worm drive saw?
The main difference between these two types of saw lies in the positioning of the motor relative to the blade and how the motor transfers its power to make the blade spin. Worm drive saws are the older type of saw and are so named because they incorporate a 'worm drive' to turn the blade.
Why are worm drive saws more expensive?
The extra metal required for the worm drive, however, significantly increases the weight of the saw. This can lead to fatigue in the hands and shoulders on long workdays. The worm drive saw is thus heavier, more powerful, and more expensive than a regular saw.
Do worm drive saws kick back?
Thought I might add my 2 cents: Kickbacks do happen even if we are careful to let the cut off end drop free. There are several elements that make a kickback not so dangerous with a wormdrive saw. 1. Make sure you are using a quality saw—like Skil, Bosch, Rigid.
Do worm drive saws need oil?
Worm-drive saws need their gear-oil changed regularly because it gets dirty through use. Once it's sufficiently dirty, it's lubricating ability is compromised and the internal gears will wear out faster than they would with fresh oil.
Can you cut metal with a worm drive saw?
Using the Skilsaw Metal Worm Drive The Skilsaw Outlaw is very smooth and easy to use; it cuts through steel like wood.
Can worm gear rotate in both directions?
Worm drives have the ability to be constructed with either right-hand or left-hand gearing, allowing them to rotate in either clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. Both sections of an internal helical gear need to have the same hand in order to function properly.
How deep does a worm drive saw cut?
TIM Uhler At 90° the saw cuts up to 3-7/8” deep. At 45° the depth of cut is 2-3/4”. In late 2014, Skilsaw released a 10 ¼-inch beam saw called the Sawsquatch. I was excited to try this saw out because this was a saw designed to spin a larger blade, unlike the Big Foot saws we had been using for years.
What can children learn from worm farms?
A worm farm is an ongoing learning experience. It's a terrific way to educate children about the importance of sustainable practices, and has endless learning opportunities including maths, language and literacy and scientific areas such as biology and soil chemistry.
What are the two major advantages of using a worm and wheel gear set?
The advantages of worm gears include noise and vibration reduction as well as compactness. A worm gear system is the most compact type of gearing system; this makes it capable of being placed in very small spaces and still providing high ratio speed reduction.
How efficient is a worm gear?
Worm gears typically have a 5:1 to 60:1 ratio range. The efficiency of a single worm set varies with ratio and speed; this efficiency can vary from 40 to 93%.
Are worm gears back drivable?
Due to the friction between the teeth of the worm screw and the worm wheel, a worm gear cannot be backdriven.
What is a worm drive circular saw?
A worm drive saw is a reliable type of a circular saw which can enhance your cutting experiences. The main advantages of using a worm drive circular saws are that it has a long-lasting nature, provides more torque for cutting which increases the efficiency, offers great sightlines for most of the operators, have more torque, power and accuracy.
How does a worm drive saw work?
In a worm drive saw, the motor transfers the power to the blade through a threaded worm drive down the shaft which turns the pair of gears oriented at 90-degree angle from each other. This causes the saw to spin in reduced rotational speed but with better torque. This torque provides the saw with enough cutting power.
Why is a worm drive saw called a worm drive saw?
A worm drive saw is named so, because it consists of a ‘worm drive’ which is an arrangement of gear. In this arrangement, a worm (which is a gear in the form of a screw) meshes with a worm gear (similar to a spur gear). This results in transmitting more torque and also leads to less spinning speed.
What is a worm drive saw?
A worm drive saw is a powerful type of circular saw which consists of a motor located at behind the blade. The motor transfers the power to the blade by the means of gears set at certain angle. This arrangement of gears results in less speed — around 4500 RPM and more torque. A worm drive saw is named so, because it consists ...
How much does a worm drive circular saw weigh?
So it’s a possibility that this saw can put more strain to your hands while operating it. The average weight of a worm drive saw is 13 to 16 lbs.
What are the advantages of a worm drive saw?
Advantages Of Using A Worm Drive Saw: The main advantage of a worm drive saw is that it provides more torque which makes it a great choice for cutting hard and dense materials. However, let’s see some more advantages. Due to it’s more length, it becomes simpler to make plunge cuts.
Does a circular saw come with a weight?
Along with the weight, it also comes with added length in comparison to other circular saws which may cause discomfort in using it.
What is the trigger handle on a worm drive saw?
The trigger handle is much lower and more behind the motor on a worm drive saw than on a conventional straight drive model, meaning that the saw should be held more out in front of the operator than from above. This position of the trigger handle makes it easier to cut sheet goods by freehand with a worm drive saw, ...
How many amps does a worm drive motor have?
Both the straight drive model and the worm drive can be purchased with up to a 15- amp motor depending on the manufacturer, but the worm drive has the advantage of being able to use spiral gears to provide more torque to the saw blade, which can help to power the saw through tough cuts where the straight drive model might bog down. Read More.
What is a circular saw?
Circular saws are a staple of construction sites, as they are one of the most useful and versatile home building power tools, but there are also plenty of uses for a circular saw in fine woodworking.
Which side of the saw is the blade on?
The worm drive saw is much longer in length than the boxy straight drive model, and the saw blade is on the left side of the saw's body, which gives right-handed operators a much more clear view of the saw blade as it engages the cut line.
Can you cut with a left handed worm drive saw?
If you're left-handed, cutting with a worm drive saw can be particularly challenging, because the rearward position of the trigger handle isn't conducive for leaning over the saw to see the saw blade engaging the cut line.
Who is Chris from Woodworking?
Chris is a freelance writer who specializes in woodworking, designs his own projects, and is experienced in commercial carpentry. Circular saws are a staple of construction sites, as they are one of the most useful and versatile home building power tools, but there are also plenty of uses for a circular saw in fine woodworking. ...
What makes a circular saw different from other saws?
The features of a circular saw are what makes it different from other power tools found on the market. These components are vital to the overall performance of the saw, and both the circular saw and worm drive saw feature similar internal components. The blades of a circular saw are quite powerful and can be found in many different forms ...
What is the difference between a worm drive saw and a circular saw?
Firstly, it’s important to answer the important questions; what is the difference between a worm drive saw and a circular saw? The main difference between these types of circular saws are the location of the blade in respect of the motor
What is a circular saw called?
To start off our guide, it’s important to note that this guide will be focusing on what’s known as the ‘standard’ type of circular saw, which is known as the sidewinder saw, (or direct drive saw as it’s often known as). The worm drive saw, like the sidewinder, is another class of the circular saw.
What is a worm gear?
The worm gear, also known as a spiral gear, is located above another gear, which is positioned at 90°. This allows the blade to rotate and provides speeds of up to 4,200 RPM – which is significantly less than the direct-drive circular saw, but it provides it with more torque – allowing denser materials to be cut.
Why are sidewinder saws called sidewinder saws?
Why are they called sidewinder/direct drive saws? Well, the names refer to the position of the blade in relation to the motor.
How much does a SPT77WML weigh?
Total weight of 11.6 lbs makes it the lightest model in the worm drive saw class, and it’s also powerful – with 15-amps of power and fantastic no-load speed of 5,300. The SPT77WML features an impressive ready-set adjustment level, which allows you to make adjustments of depth up to 10x faster, thanks to its preset settings.
How fast is a circular saw?
A circular saw is made powerful thanks to its motor. Commonly, motors on a circular saw will reach speeds of up to 5,300 RPMs. This is considerably higher than a worm drive saw, however, will provide less torque. In cordless versions, circular saw batteries have great longevity during sessions – which is perfect for those contractors who need ...
What to Look Out for When Choosing a Worm Drive Circular Saw?
When in search of the right worm drive circular saw, here are some essential features you must look out for
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Worm Drive Circular Saw
Here are factors that will affect the overall efficiency of your worm drive circular saw during use:
SKILSAW Worm Drive Circular Saw
The lightweight king is none other than the Skilsaw worm drive circular saw. This elite sawing contraption promises fluid use without you worrying about losing the strength in your arms quickly. All you need to do is place your Skilsaw worm drive on the material of interest and begin cutting.
DEWALT Worm Drive Circular Saw
Safety when using power tools is an essential criterion that manufacturers must constantly meet. The manufacturers of the Dewalt worm drive circular saw state that safety is their watchword as they meet and exceed users’ specifications regarding safety.
BOSCH Worm Drive Circular Saw
The award for the best worm drive saw for heavy-duty projects goes to non-other than the Bosch worm drive circular saw. This worm drive saw is the perfect choice for DIYers and professionals that need durable, efficient, and easy-to-use saws.
How fast is a worm drive saw?
Worm drive saws spin slower than sidewinders. You’ll usually find worm drive saws at about 4,250 RPM while direct drive saws carry speeds of 6,000 RPM or higher. You can count them all, or just take our word for it! This makes up for the (typically) lower torque in sidewinders (read on).
What is a cordless sidewinder saw?
Corded direct drive (sidewinder) saws operate at higher blade speeds. Worm drive saws typically weigh more than sidewinders. Cordless sidewinder and rear-handle saws have surpassed corded worm drive saws in both speed and power (torque). No, we’re not kidding. For cordless tools, it is now a handle- and motor-orientation preference.
What makes a worm drive saw narrower?
That makes a worm-drive saw narrower but longer than a sidewinder saw. A spiral gear (the worm gear) turns another gear oriented at 90-degrees, which turns the blade. This increases the torque of the blade, making these saws very powerful.
Which is better, worm drive or blade left?
The narrower, longer, blade-left worm drive saws give right-handed users a better sightline. Of course, blade-right saws give left-handed users a better sightline. Keep in mind that a clear sightline happens with one-handed use. Using the non-dominant hand on the pommel handle can obscure the line. Rear Handle Worm Drive – Blade Left.
Why was the sidewinder saw developed?
Due to different design ideas or patent constraints or a combination of both , the direct drive saw (sidewinder) was later developed featuring the motor next to the blade. This made the saw wider, but also shorter and lighter, than a worm drive saw. It also provided more control for the less experienced user.
When was the worm drive saw invented?
Skilsaw developed the first worm drive saw in the mid-1920s. The motor sat behind the blade, making the tool relatively long and narrow. Worm drive saws still carry this design today. The centerline of the motor sits in-line with the handles, parallel to the plane of the saw blade. A narrow foot lets users—like remodelers, for instance—get into more confined spaces. The longer distance between the handle and the blade also extends a user’s reach while making a cut, which is helpful for jobs such as framing a roof.
Do sidewinders weigh less?
Well, oops, we gave it away already. Sidewinder saw s typically weigh less, so you can more easily hold and maneuver them for unusual cuts. While the heftier tools might dissuade some tradesmen, you can use the weight to your advantage for longer cuts or quick crosscuts in a downward direction. Of course, the other advantage you get with direct-drive sidewinders has to do with blade options. Small brushless 6-1/2″ circular saws make cutting regular sheet goods and framing material super-easy.
