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Mine is a Black & Decker that has held up OK for about a couple decades, but of course track records don't mean anything if they don't keep making them the same way. Maybe you could get one of the gentlemen in the big box store to hold forth on the matters of your concern, they've been quite helpful for me. (Not entirely joking, I really did get some very useful power tool info from one of those guys.)

Worm drive, or regular?

I have the impression the Skil worm drive is still the same heavy duty stuff, is that not true any more? The shop types tell me worm drive is great and it puts the saw on the side you want it on, but I haven't tried it. Seems to me my direct drive saw is on the wrong side about half the time, so it would come out about even.

I could have some comments on saws, but I have to go slave over the fire all morning.

Just curious...why have you decided to pass on the worm drive saws?

Try to avoid big-box stuff. Too often important parts are of plastic rather than metal and you know where that is going! Bosch is one terrific company, never selling out quality for mass appeal. I have made a living with tools for a very long time and I have had one old Skilsaw [don't bother with the new ones!] and one Bosch for over 40 years. Never owned Makita anything, nor Dewalt. I've had luck buying the best Hitachi stuff I could afford, too.

bloke wrote:Are there any saws made that the guard can be pulled back and held out of the way?

I tie mine back with string, when it's in the way. I'd be astounded if any manufacturer would ever provide this feature.

190MM, 240V Circular Saw
Details
Brand: Bosch
Category: Circular / Mitre Saws
Part Number: GKS1902
Find The Best Deals!
Manufactured in
Country: Made in China


From their website

http://www.productfrom.com/products/0/Bosch/0/3" target="_blank

Not positive of Bosch origin now, but tools are still quite good. I'll look in the morning at the label of my latest purchase, an impact driver with a lot of ---guts.

I currently carry a Ridgid with me for work; I need to have one but I don't use it constantly. (As with most of my stuff.) It is probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 years old. Much better than what I was carrying before, but I can't recall what that was. (Skil, Black and Decker or mid-grade Craftsman maybe) I bought it for about half price at Home Depot (only place to buy Ridgid as far as I know) on clearance. The framers and siding guys and trim guys all use a lot of Makitas. (5007 may be the model.) They seem to like them for the price. I also have a battery powered Dewalt (18 volt with as few years on it) Blade is on the other side on the battery powered saws generally.

I also have a set of Porter-Cable saws, 743 and 347, I think. One is left-side blade; one is right-side blade. I don't think it makes any difference which side the blade is on. They are good saws also.

I have a Bosch which is retired because the switch went out on it for about the third time. Who knows, that could be as much from not using it enough to keep it limbered up as form wearing it out. I liked that saw too.

Somewhere there should be a Milwaukee.

But none of this is experience with recent manufacture except the Makitas that the framers keep buying.

To hold the blade guard back, they usually use a wedge of wood. Be warned, it is dangerous. You already know that. But be careful. People have lost fingers, saw can run around on the floor and find feet if it is set down before the blade stops turning. Also OSHA does not approve.

I don't think Black and Decker power tools are made the same as they used to be, so people who have a long track record with them obviously have an older saw. I do find the Dewalt (a part of the Stanley / Black & Decker) brand to be a big step up from the currently produced Black and Decker line. You might want to look at what Dewalt has to offer. The Dewalt tools are manufactured marketed more for the professioncConstruction and contractor market, while Black and Decker has become a cheaper alternative for the occasional homeowner / hobbyist market.

Harbor Freight - 10 amp circular saw . I mention this only because it's cheap and you know why it's cheap . No wondering about the quality so you don't regret when it fails on you . I don't know if it uses a worm gear .
That being said, I have no experience with this saw but I do with other tools from Harbor Freight and have been pleasantly surprised and how well it actually does hold up. I had a power miter saw that withstood 7 years of "Harry Homeowner" use and abuse before I dropped it on a concrete floor and broke the neck . It turns out the crappy aluminum/pig metal was not repairable because it would not stand up the heat of any welding torch . Oh well .... I just went and spent another $60 or $ 70 and bought a new one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-14-in-10 ... 61440.html

oldbandnerd wrote:I don't know if it uses a worm gear .

The worm gear thing is a way to mount the motor so its axis parallels the blade. They look different.

bloke wrote:If you (any of you) have a c. 1-to-3-year-old saw that is a model that is STILL MADE, have offered it somewhat rough treatment (used it enough to have actually worn out a blade or two), are REALLY HAPPY with it, NONE of the adjuster lockdowns have broken off,.and NONE of the adjuster-lockdowns are plastic-with-metal-inside (i.e. looking for ALL-METAL adjuster-lockdowns), I'd like for you to list the specific model that you decided to buy.

I don't, but my father has a Makita 5007NB*. Actually, I think he has 3. In the past 10 years, he's built countless sheds, fully renovated a cottage (New roof, siding, insolation, new basement, two decks, and countless other projects). I've seen one of the older ones saw through a solid oak 2x4.


*Quick research shows that Makitas sold in Canada are still made in Canada, the Chinese made ones might be of differing quality.

bloke wrote:Mrs. bloke's next future batch of baby chicks...

Interracial marriage?

Congratulations on your saw find!
I owned the Skilsaw for 20 years and worked it every single day until the guard spring broke; it would have cost more than you paid to get it replaced, and then only a workaround fix. I now use it in a sled, cross-cutting siding, where I don't need a guard.
That particular Milwaukee I found to be a horse, but very heavy and awkward ergonomically. YMMV.

bloke wrote:A sheet of 4x8 1/2" plywood that needed to be two 4x4 sheets, the Milwaukee saw, and an outlet all (literally) happened to be at the same place at the same time.
- It IS a VERY heavy saw.
- It DOES cut well...and (crediting something other than myself...I'm good with a saw, but this saw actually seemed to "help" me) STRAIGHT.

I did mention that was one of the chief drawbacks of the Milwaukee! It is tiring to use due to the weight and the ergonomics of it: it just isn't user friendly. Power aplenty, though. You will wind up using the Skilsaw over the long haul!

I don't know, a saw that's even slightly more likely to cut a straight line, that sounds pretty user friendly to me. Bet it weighs a lot less than a second sheet of plywood. I think it's a similar trade-off with the "worm gear" designs - heavier, but easier to keep pointed the right way - but I've never used one.

Donn wrote:I don't know, a saw that's even slightly more likely to cut a straight line, that sounds pretty user friendly to me. Bet it weighs a lot less than a second sheet of plywood. I think it's a similar trade-off with the "worm gear" designs - heavier, but easier to keep pointed the right way - .

"but I've never used one"------------------which is why I wouldn't bother explaining this to you. Without a saw that "fits" you, you will do only butcher work with it. Nothing "keeps it pointed the right way.

Evidently bloke's experience, where the saw seemed to help, shows that the Milwaukee fits him to some degree. It's sweet, kind of, bloke and his sturdy Milwaukee circular saw going through life together for many years to come.

bloke wrote:I'm thinking the sheer weight of that Clydesdale sorta kept it on the right track when I was making that 4' cut...

You're a lot better off clamping a straightedge to the work and letting that make a perfect cut every time.

Go with bosch