The main difference between a worm drive and a circular saw is that worm drive a worm drive has a fast cutting speed, but a circular saw has a slower cutting speed. The distinction between these kinds is more than just about the speed.
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 is worm drive on a circular saw?
A worm drive is a type of circular saw whose motor is attached at the rear end giving them a sleek profile that is useful for working in tight spaces. They are named after the spiral gear that powers the motor. This design produces excellent torque which is rotational speed and therefore greater cutting power.
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.
Is worm drive table saw better?
The extra torque from a worm drive is excellent for the higher-stress rip cuts that a table saw has to endure by nature.
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.
Why is it called worm drive?
Worm drive saws are the older type of saw and are so named because they incorporate a 'worm drive' to turn the blade. What this means is that the motor is located at the back of the saw and the blade is at the front.
What are the disadvantages of worm?
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 are worm drive saws left handed?
Traditionally, all worm drive saws operated in a blade-left orientation. Furthermore, this orientation likely places the weight of the saw over the portion of the material the user wants to keep, making it easier to stabilize the saw during the cut.
What are the pros and cons of worm and wheel drive?
One preferred standpoint that makes worm drives attractive over other gearboxes is that they have relatively few moving parts in high reduction proportions, essentially two shafts, i.e. input and output, which are backed by four bearings....Cons:Moderate Efficiency.Large package in design.Relatively costly to fabricate.
Who make the best worm drive saw?
The 5 Best Worm Drive Circular Saws:Top Pick: DEWALT DWS535B. ... Lightest Worm Drive Saw: SKILSAW SPT77WML-01. ... Best Overall: Milwaukee 6477-20. ... Least Expensive: Makita 5377MG Hypoid Saw. ... Notable Mention: Bosch CSW41.
What is the advantage of a rear handle circular saw?
What is the advantage of a rear handle circular saw? One of them is the extended reach you get, which is extremely helpful when cross-cutting sheet goods or long rips on framing lumber, the other is power.
How does a worm drive table saw work?
Worm drive saws deliver power from the motor to a worm drive gear which allow the motor to run cooler but provide more torque and cutting speed. Full cuts of plywood that are often difficult to manage on a portable table saw can be easily ripped on a the new SKILSAW SPT70WT-22 table saw.
What is the difference between a hypoid saw and a worm drive saw?
Worm gears are the most common gear type. But when it comes to efficiency, the hypoid gear set is generally better over a given ratio range and efficiency does not vary with rotational speed. The hypoid gear also has better torque density, due to the material used and the geometry of the tooth itself.
What is a worm drive motor?
Worm gear motors work by using a worm gear attached to a motor to move the main gear. This set up is ideal for a machine requiring a massive reduction ratio, meaning more torque for less speed. Secondly, the simplicity of the set up avoids the need for unnecessary gears in its operation.
Who make the best worm drive saw?
The 5 Best Worm Drive Circular Saws:Top Pick: DEWALT DWS535B. ... Lightest Worm Drive Saw: SKILSAW SPT77WML-01. ... Best Overall: Milwaukee 6477-20. ... Least Expensive: Makita 5377MG Hypoid Saw. ... Notable Mention: Bosch CSW41.
Does Dewalt make a worm drive saw?
The DWS535 7-1/4" Worm Drive Circular Saw has a 15 Amp motor that delivers 4,800 rpm and features 53° bevel capacity for advanced applications. Lightweight and durable magnesium construction for optimum user handling, comfort, and strength includes electric brake which stops blade after the trigger is released.
What is the difference between a worm drive and a circular saw?
The biggest difference between a worm drive and a circular saw would be the fact that the blade is located in different places in relation to the motor. So, when it comes down to which one you should buy, it all boils down to the type of jobs you plan on using the circular saw for.
What is a worm drive saw?
As for the worm drive, it has a blade that is on the left side, which puts most of the weight of the saw on the right side. With this design, the way the blade is installed changes and it will be easy for you to follow that cutline, but it can be a bit tricky if you’re the type of person that works with sawhorses. Many users choose to use a worm-drive saw when they plan on cutting on the stack of lumber. However, they may also take advantage of the weight of the tool by using the handheld position to cut boards. The tool is longer than the sidewinder saw, so it’s useful for cutting long sheets or wide stacks of lumber. Plunge cuts are also easier to do because of the shape of the worm drive.
What type of saw do carpenters use?
You see, out West, and in the Midwest, the most common choice are worm drive saws. However, in the East, sidewinder saws rule the world. Many carpenters have both and use them for different applications. What’s the difference between these two saws anyways? Let’s put them under a microscope and see!
What is a sidewinder blade?
With a sidewinder, as I just explained, the blade will be located on the right of the saw, this means that the weight of the tool is going to be on the left side. With this type of design, the weight of the tool will be placed n the solid part of the board, and not on the cutoff. The tradeoff? Well, it’s not as easy to see the cutline. Typically, cuts are made right on the pile of lumber or on sawhorses. However, for working overhead, the sidewinder is great because of the light weight. Some individuals have stated that the position of the blade is great because it makes it so that both hands can be kept a safe distance. When it comes down to the use, the lightweight, compact sidewinder would be the easiest for you to handle.
How long will I be using a circular saw?
If you go out and buy yourself a good circular saw right now, you can expect to be using it 15 to 2 years from now. In this guide, the sidewinder and the worm drive are going to be going head to head, but first, I want to give you some tips you should keep in mind when you’re out there shopping for your new circular saw …
How fast does a sidewinder saw spin?
By nature, the motor will need to be lined up with the spinning blade. What this means is that the blade spins fast, around 6,000 rpm. Due to the motor position on the sidewinder saw, you will be dealing with a saw that is fairly compact and light in weight.
Where is the blade on a circular saw?
Worm-drive saws are long and short, and the handle is located behind the blade, while the blade is located on the left. This makes it visible for those individuals that are right-handed. They have a tendency to be a bit more on the heavy side and have more torque than the sidewinder saws.
What is a worm drive circular saw?
For the worm drive circular saw the motor will always sit behind the blade, giving them a sleek profile that’s useful for working in tight spaces . Named after the spiral gear that powers the motor, the mechanically efficient design of worm drive circular saws produces excellent torque – and therefore greater cutting power.
What determines the performance of a circular saw?
Generally, the size of a circular saw’s motor relative to the diameter of its blade will determine its performance. The type of motor drive providing the power to your saw can be just as critical, though – which is why you’ll need to understand the differences between worm and direct drives.
What is direct drive saw?
The motor in a direct drive saw will always sit beside the blade, making the saw shorter and wider. Featuring a less involved internal mechanical design, direct-drive circular saws rely on a common spur gear to power the blade. This results in a lighter weight saw, but one that also produces less torque and maximum cutting power.
Is a worm drive circular saw more powerful than a direct drive saw?
In short, a worm drive circular saw will be heavier, more powerful, and more expensive than a direct drive saw. This makes them popular amongst professionals who require the extra cutting power, but not as useful or desirable to home improvement and DIY enthusiasts.
Is direct drive better for woodworking?
The hobbyist woodworker or amateur construction enthusiast will often be better off with the lightweight and easy to use direct drive style and will receive the added bonus of substantial savings on cost.
Is a direct drive saw more expensive than a worm drive saw?
Lighter, more portable, and less expensive than the worm drive saw, the off-balance setting of a direct drive saw’s motor also makes them harder to use for accurate cuts. They’re a fine tool for anyone who prioritizes cost effectiveness and portability over power and accuracy, such as amateur woodworkers and anyone with small DIY construction projects.
What is the difference between a circular saw and a worm saw?
The first big and most important difference is in the mechanism of both types. A regular circular saw has a design where the motor is placed beside the blade. Or you can say they are perpendicular to each other, and the motor is directly connected to the blade. That is the reason it is called a direct-drive or sidewinder circular saw.#N#On the other hand, a worm drive saw has a mechanical design where the motor is right behind the blade. So, instead of connecting directly, the motor and the blade is connected by a worm gear.
What is worm drive on a circular saw?
Worm drive on a circular saw means that it has a motor connected to the blade by a worm gear. A worm gear consists of two parts where one is called worm screw and another is worm wheel. As you can see one in the picture, this allows the motor of the circular saw to be placed just behind the blade parallelly.
What are the advantages of a direct-drive circular saw?
The higher RPM makes it perfect for cross cuts and crafting softer woods.
What is a worm drive saw?
That is the reason it is called a direct-drive or sidewinder circular saw. On the other hand, a worm drive saw has a mechanical design where the motor is right behind the blade. So, instead of connecting directly, the motor and the blade is connected by a worm gear.
How fast is a circular saw?
The facts are that regular circular saw has average speed of 6000 RPM and worm drive saw provides around 4500 RPM. But the torque is higher in the worm drive because of the worm gear mechanism. For powerful cutting, low RPM and high torque is the clear winner and worm drive can get serious industrial projects done.
How much lighter is a direct drive circular saw than a worm drive saw?
If you are looking for a lightweight circular saw, direct drive circular saw is the one, and it is approximately 2-5 pounds lighter than the worm drive saw.
Why is a worm drive called a worm drive?
It is called worm drive because of the meaning of the word ‘worm’. In a mechanical dictionary, it means something spiral and the screw-shaped top part has spiral linings. That’s all about worm drive and a thorough discussion on worm drive saw vs. direct drive saw is the next item on the menu.
What is a Worm Drive?
A worm drive is a type of circular saw whose motor is attached at the rear end giving them a sleek profile that is useful for working in tight spaces. They are named after the spiral gear that powers the motor. This design produces excellent torque which is rotational speed and therefore greater cutting power.
What is a Circular Saw?
The circular saw is a type of saw whose motor is attached at its side, besides the blade. This makes the saw shorter and wider. They are also commonly known as sidewinders or direct-drive saws. Circular saws were invented in the 18th century and were commonly used in sawmills in the US in the mid-19th century.
Similarities between Worm Drive and Circular Saw
Both saw blades are made of types of steel depending on the material they are designed to cut.
Differences between Warm Drive and Circular Saw
The worm drive has a higher torque than the circular saw. This is because it is more powerful and durable which makes it able to handle high energy. The worm drive is also designed to have larger teeth, thus enabling greater loading capacity than the circular saw.
Worm Drive vs. Circular Saw: Conclusion
The worm drive and circular saw are both good saws. If you are looking for a cost-effective and portable saw, you have it in the circular saw. If you are looking for power and accuracy, then you have it in the worm drive. Wondering which one to pick between the two? It all depends on you.
FAQS
It’s a saw with the motor attached at the rear with two gears set at 90 degrees apart to drive the motor.
Why use a worm drive?
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.
Which side is the blade on a circular saw?
Whether a user is right or left-handed does not confine him or her to one type of circular saw, but consider this: The blade on a worm-drive saw is on the left side, so it’s easier for a right-handed operator to see the cutline.
What is a sidewinder saw?
The blade on a direct drive saw (often called a sidewinder) is next to the motor, creating a wider profile but shorter overall length . Because the handle is closer to the blade the reach is reduced, but this can provide more control for a less-experienced user. Direct drive saws are lighter ...
What is the most important feature of a saw?
One of the most important features of a saw is how it feels. When choosing a new tool, try it out whenever possible. Feeling comfortable and safe using a tool is more important than any spec sheet.
Is a direct drive saw better than a sidewinder?
A direct-drive saw is lighter, more compact and easier to manage, making it ideal for DIY users, but a pro-grade sidewinder will still have plenty of power for most jobsite tasks.
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.
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.
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.
Is a sidewinder lighter than a worm drive saw?
Conversely, sidewinders are almost always lighter than worm drive saws and offer very similar performance. In fact, modern cordless sidewinders have eclipsed the speed and power of corded sidewinders in our most recent best circular saw reviews articles.
Who invented the worm drive saw?
The Worm Drive was the first portable circular saw that was invented. Edmond Michel invented the saw back in 1924 which later on became known as Skilsaw. So when you see Skilsaw and why they are number one with Worm Drives, now you know. They invented and perfected the saw.
What is a Worm Drive and What is a Sidewinder?
Before we jump into the similarities, differences, advantages, and disadvantages, it’s helpful to understand how each tool works and what separates them into each category. The main difference between each saw is where the motor is placed on the tool and yes, it does make a difference where the motor is placed.
Why do sidewinders have a higher blade speed?
Since torque and speed have an inverse relationship, the Sidewinder will have a higher blade speed. Maintenance – Most Worm Drives require the user to add oil because Worm Drive requires lubrication. There are some Worm Drives that have closed systems and do not require the user to add lubricant. Sidewinders are closed systems ...
How much does a worm drive weigh?
Typically a Worm Drive weighs about 11-15 lbs while a Sidewinder only weighs 6-9 lbs. Power, Speed & Torque – The true nature of a Worm Drive offers more torque than its counterpart, the Sidewinder. Since torque and speed have an inverse relationship, the Sidewinder will have a higher blade speed.
What is a sidewinder?
A sidewinder is great for the contractor who isn’t only a framer and that isn’t their primary tool.
What happens when a blade spins slower?
The faster the blade spins, the less torque you have. The slower the blade spins, the more torque you can produce. The same holds true for drills and impacts and this is something manufacturers always have to weigh when designing and marketing power tools.
What can a saw blade cut?
Each tool has a motor that spins a blade which in return can cut wood, plastic, metal, cement and more. As we will see, each saw will excel at different types of cuts and different types of materials. Features – Both saws do feature the ability to change the depth of cut and make bevel cuts.
