My crew and I have been using a prototype version of this tool for several months now. It's everyone's favorite saw. For rip cuts the rear handle is nicely angled to give the user greater control . The leftside blade design provides excellent visibility. We also liked the anti-snag feature in the design of the lower blade guard. The 15 amp motor and the magnesium housing give the saw both power and stability. The magnesium footplate tracked nicely along straightedges - not riding up like the stamped ones on other makes. Any downsides? Yes. It's such an attractive saw that it was the first tool taken in a smash and grab theft from my locked van while my crew was working inside.

I've been building houses for 12 years and have become a worm drive lover . The first saw I cut my teeth on was the work horse skill saw it was very heavy and the guard gets caught on everything which required 2 hands for most of my tasks.brThen came the dewalt it was much lighter and very smooth to operate .However the motor and gears make a lot of rattling noises and I'm on my third one in approx. 5 yrs but I was willing to keep buying them because of how easy they are to usepThen bosch came out with this saw it is light enough powerful and boy is it smooth it's guard is even smoother than the dewalt .As many are aware bosch and skil are together now and they came up with this long awaited answer to my questbrSimply put this is the longest lasting most user friendly saw that there is

The Bosch Worm Drive Construction saw is so well made, that you might want to put it behind glass for awhile. You can tell this is a quantum leap in quality. The fit, the finish, the exactness are all there. Fresh out of the box, I took a 2x6, set the blade depth, and hand cut through it without a guide. Then I took the Bosch Digital Protractor, and measured the angle of the cut. (Another highly recommended item. It measures in tenths of a degree, which is equal to 3600 dots in a circle, no matter how small the circle.) When I measured the angle of the cut, just using the factory set detent for 90 degrees (plunged all the way to the end) it measured 89.9 degrees. That is accurate to within a tenth of a degree. There is an allen wrench able, threaded stop that you can adjust for that detent. So I could tweak it to totally perfect if I want to get the last tenth of a degree. For now it is sufficient :-) It is nice that Bosch takes the time to accurately set up the saw from the factory. brThe nice thing about the cut in the 2x6 was that it was super smooth, just using the 24 tooth, very sharp blade that comes with the saw. Almost imperceptible saw marks anywhere on the edge. That is something for a non-edge guided handheld circular saw. It didn't even slow down, and no need to put on ear protection to use it. If I can exaggerate, and only a little, this thing is about as quiet as an electric can opener. The geared transmission gives it a smooth, slower spin rate, that is able, thanks to the gear reduction, to plow through anything. I have never met a saw that cut with such ease. brThe other thing is that this saw almost guides itself. I don't exactly know why, but I have had to fight to keep a line on lesser saws. This one keeps the line for you, or at least it seems that way. brI am going to mount it to the Tru-Grip Pro FTR series clamping edge guide. With 2, 4, and 8 foot models, using their saw base plate, you can easily, and accurately rip a 4x8 sheet of plywood, or any size material. They also make a router base plate, and stop for that system. brThe nice thing about the Bosch Worm Drive is it has a threaded hole in the base for mounting the available edge guide. Between that, and the other 3/8" hole in the base, I can easily mount, and dismount it to the Tru Grip system, or the Bosch edge guide. That way I can use it freehand, and when I want to install it to the Tru Grip system, it is only two screws, without having to drill holes in the base. The Tru Grip Pro Series with the saw base plate, gives you table saw accuracy, out in the field. No slight off angles, leaving saw marks in your work. You could build furniture with this thing, or use it to rip through any size wood. brI also checked the accuracy of the base plate to the blade, as in is the edge of the base plate exactly parallel to the blade. If it is off, when used as the edge for your guide, it will bind your blade, burn your wood, and constantly revolt by kicking back at you. The results, the right side base plate is perfectly true to the blade. So there is no off angle from the front of the blade, to the back of the blade, relative to the base plate. brI know you probably think I'm nuts writing about this level of exactness in a circular saw, but that is just how accurate this thing is. What this all means is that when you are powering through a two by twelve, this thing sings right through it. Yes it does sing. The sound it makes is chimes. Now you really think I'm nuts. But check it out. I guess you can tell I love this saw.brJust click on the picture, and blow it up on your screen, and see what I am talking about. This isn't a saw it's artwork! Fine is the artist that loves his tools as well as his work, and this saw is worthy of your attention. Highly recommended. Costs a little more than the competition, but every dime is put into the saw.

The Bosch rear handle worm-drive is a real pleasure to use. It's even better than the Skil Mag-77. The extra amps of the motor are noticeable when cutting. It also seems to have a slightly softer start with less twist than the Mag-77. You'll say "Ooooohh" the first time you use it. The built-in saw hook is a nice touch and very useful for keeping it off the ground.

I own six worm drives, two of which are now Bosch, the other four are Skil Mags. I have to admit that I don't always choose the Bosch first. I try to reserve it for more "Special" projects. It may be silly but I try to protect this very durable tool from itself. After two years and many thousands and thousands of cuts, they still perform as they did right out of the box, with precision, speed and solid, comfortable control.pIn my opinion Bosch makes some of the very best tools available today. If Amazon could vouch for me, they would tell you that I have most of the Bosch tools available though their website. This saw hovers at the very top of tools that I have purchased in my 28 years of construction experience.pBosch tools and Amazon.com prices and service has greatly improved my attitude about buying tools. I am always looking for ways to improve the way I perform on my jobs and believe that good tools are a big part of the quality we strive for.pBuy the saw, you won't regret it.

On a tip from a friend out west I purchased this saw sight unseen. It has turned out to be the one tool I will never voluntarily part with. The first day I brought it in to the site everybody said,"Why pay so much for a silly looking saw? What's wrong with our typical DeWalts or Makitas?". Well, they quickly learned that the silly looking saw beat the pants off anyone else's saw. Use it once and you will never go back. Everything about it is smart and solid. Plenty of power, from compound angle cuts in 2X material to cutting green red oak mortise housings, never a lack of torque. The base is lightweight but solid enough to withstand a good fall off the scaffolding. A great framing hook that bites well into stock and will also nicely fit on pipe staging rungs, so it never has to experience that good fall from the scaffolding! Far less noise and vibration from this saw than from any other I have ever used, which after days of relentless rafter cutting you will appreciate. Honestly the best saw I have ever run. And those guys who laughed at me the first day? Every time I turn to use it they have grabbed it instead of their old standby!

I own this saw. I frame houses and use this saw everyday. It is the best saw I have used. I have tried every saw on the market. It is lighter, more powerfull and feels better in the hand than any other wormdrive saw. This saw comes with a hook that is soooo nice. There are less table parts to replace if you do just happen to drop it. The table and miter gauge are one piece. This means better angles and virtuly impossible to get out of alignment.

My Skil 77 was a tired old work horse so I started shopping around for a new worm-drive saw. There were several new left side blade saws on the market, but they looked and felt cheap and I was really happy with worm drive. I was about to settle on another Skil 77 when I ran across this beautiful piece of machinery. What sold me was the extra 2 amps of power. Having used the 13amp Skil for many years, I was surprised to find this 15 amp monster. This Bosch has about the same feel of the Skil. The 15 amp motor doesn't slow down at all even when ripping through wet, heavy, pressure treated lumber. I bought this saw a year ago and it is still an absolute joy to work with. It cuts smoothly, straight and true. The plate is much better built than that on my skil. I still have my skil 77 and use that for ripping up pallets and scrap lumber for the camp fires!

This saw is awesome. It has all of the innovative fearures of the Dewalt saw, with the proven chassis of the Skill 77. This saw is powerful, very light, and has great features like a magnesium shoe, 50 degree bevel, rafter hook, and a smoother guard for angle and bevel cuts. I would highly recommend this saw. It is definitely worth the extra $20 over the Mag.

First, let me say this: I'm not in construction. I don't use this saw for framing or cutting rafters, etc. I'm a furniture maker and I wanted a good agile saw for cutting rough lengths of stock and sheet goods. This saw might be a little overkill for what I need, but it does what I need VERY well. There's something about a wormdrive saw...it can't be explained, you have to try it.
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br /What I like:
br /* This saw, surprisingly, cuts like butter through *everything*. My true test was 8/4 White Oak and I braced myself for kickback or bog-down...and almost lost control of the saw when it zipped though it like nothing. Scared me!
br /* It's a nice low profile saw. Less machine means more view, better control.
br /* I'm getting used to, and falling in love with using a "lefty" saw. It's hard to get used to not leaning over to see your cut line, but once you try it, you won't go back. I don't like stabilizing the base with my hand so close to the blade, but you find other ways.
br /* I never used the blade that came with it. I immediately replaced mine with a Freud Diablo 24 TPI Framing blade...sweeeeet! Highly recommended.
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br /What I don't like:
br /* This saw is heavy. Really really really heavy. It's deceptive because it's such a small profile saw, but you'll be surprised the first time you heft it.
br /* Start up torque is immense. Lay the front of the saw flat on a surface, pull the trigger, and the right side of the base will jump a full inch off the table. This means you need to keep a death grip on the handle and keep it well away from your work-piece until the saw is up to speed.
br /* NO CASE. I know it's a contractor's saw that is expected to be in use more than traveling, but I know a lot of circular saws that come with cases... cmon Bosch...
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br /This is a serious saw with a lot of power that will simply buzz through anything you put in front of it. It's a tad heavy so I'm not sure how guys on the job will use the "belt clip" without pulling their pants clean off. It's also a bucking bronco for the first 2 seconds after you fire it up, but after that it's smooth as silk. All-in-all it performs solidly well.

After using many sidewinders, I finally went to the worm drive and can only ask myself; what took you so long? This saw is used regularly for framing and decking and it is a workhorse. It is light, relatively speaking. It has the magnesium motor housing and sole plate which makes it noticeably lighter then even the mag77. One of the best things about this saw is the sole plate. It is rigid and durable like the Porter Cable sole plate. You can't bend it, and you can't say that about any of the other worm drive saws that I have seen. The saw comes with a rafter hook attached which is a necessity. pThe bottom line on this saw, is that it is truly a joy to use. It is by far the most accurate circular saw I've ever used. You can accurately and squarely shave 1/32nd off the end of a framing member and it almost follows a chalk line by itself. It has a 15 amp motor and I've used it regularly to cut laminated beams (it takes two full depth cuts on opposite sides) and it has plenty of power for the task. For framing and general carpentry, you will be hard pressed to find a better made, better performing saw.

What can I say? There's not a tool anywhere that can out perform this saw. It's the most user friendly saw out there. Everyone raves about this saw, it's my favorite tool!pThis saw packs a lot of power, but is light weight and easy to carry from place to place. I've tried every saw on the market and this by far surpasses them all. It fits so great in your hand. pNo question about it, I would highly recommend this saw. It is definitely worth twice the price.

I am an old carpenter that has been using Skil model 77s for the last thirty five years or so. Those old saws never die if you maintain them but they do get beat up.
br / I just bought a new Bosch for a high end framing job at Lake Tahoe. The body is the same as the old Model 77 Skil. Bosch owns Skil now. The improvements are the solid base plate, a hanging hook and an extra five degrees on the bevel. Compared to my old beat up saws the flat baseplate makes it easier to follow a line and to cut square. The baseplate is milled flat on the side so it is much better when using a guide compared to the old stamped base on the model 77 Skil. The Mag 77 Skil is nice too and the baseplate is improved but it only swings to 45 degrees.
br / When using the bevel on the Bosch, the guard still catches but not as much as the old saw.
br / Don't believe the post about using this saw for finish work and how wonderfully smooth the cuts are with the 24 tooth blade. This is a serious saw for framing but for finish work you need a miter saw.
br / I am used to the old 77 Skil so there was no transition for me. The new Bosch is a few pounds lighter but there is still enough weight for a stable feel. The motor has an extra 2 amps over the old model 77. If you are not used to the heft of a worm drive then you may need a little time getting used to the feel of this saw. For framing, the worm drive saw is far superior to a sidewinder especially when ripping.

I'm a beginning woodworker, but this thing makes me look like a pro. I'm extremely happy with this unit. The lightest saw of its kind I've found, and if you are working through a long day you will be grateful for it. Blade changes are easy, and angle adjustments for bevel cuts are easy and solid. Do yourself a favor and don't buy the cheap circular saws - if you are really interested in woodworking get good tools to start with. This is definitely a good one.

Overall, this is the best saw I have ever used. Very similar to the Skil Mag77 worm drive saws. The Bosch saw cuts great, is easy to operate and has a good design. The built in rafter hook works great as well as the saws ability to cut bevels at 50 degrees. Very versital and worth every penny.

Bosch has done it again. This saw is great. I ripped 3 sheets of plywood on top of each other and could not go fast enough to bog the saw down. Now that's POWER! I used to use a sidewinder, never again. This saw reminds me of a self propelled mower, it almost pulls itself through wood. Unfortunately, it is so good mine has already been stolen. At least the thief knows a treasure when he sees it. Send me another one Amazon!

This saw is a great saw. The fact the it is based upon the Skill Mag77 immediately puts it leaps ahead of the rest of the pack, but what sets it apart from the Mag77 is the built-in tool hanger, carbide blade, and magnesium waffle base plate that is thicker than the aluminum base plate on the Mag 77. The extra thickness helps prevent it from sliding under a guide rail when cutting long lengths of sagging wood. Plus, the saw is available with Direct Connect, model 1677MD, or Direct Connect with a 25 ft. extension cord, model 1677MDX. Direct Connect allows the user to plug their extension cord directly and securely in the handle of the tool. The cord loops and hooks immediately below the handle and cannot come loose.
br / The advertised depth of cut at 90 degrees is 2-3/8", but by filing off the top ridges of the waffle web in two spots, I'm getting 2-1/2". The location of the rear handle puts the user behind the saw and out of the sawdust plume, which is a plus. Regarding the finishing of the saw, it's definitely finished more like an Abrams tank than a Ferrari, which is a testament to its durability. And, it cuts better than a Ferrari!
br / The only disadvantage of this saw is its weight. But then again, it's lighter than its Skill ancestors, and it will give you big burly arms. If only it could do something about the midsection...
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this saw became an essential part of my tool collection the day i got it. i have used it for a bunch of framing as well as cutting in ridge vents, siding, sheathing and all around general construction. easy to cut a straight line, great visibility, 15 amp motor. from the same company that makes skil saws, so i trust its reliability. in my opinion - worth every penny.

I am a contractor and have owned this tool for about 2 months.It is better than my beloved Mag-77.Very powerful,surprisingly lightweight,very good saw table,and best of all a functional built-in hook!I highly recommend it.

I've used mostly skill saws in construction. I recently bought a Dewalt worm drive with a built in sky hook. This quickly became my favorite saw for framming. I am not sure of the durability of the saw as it seems to be mostly plastic so same may fail if dropped. I also just started using a new Bosch worm drive. It seems to be the smothest saw I've every used, could be because its new. I've cut 4x12's the other day and ran both the Dewalt Bosch. The Dewalt is slightly more comfortable in my hand but the Bosch is smoother and seems to have slightly more torque. If you have the extra $ the Bosch may be the best.

Finally a worm-drive you can use all day long with the guard down. Hook is nice, extra point on it will catch and hold on a sloped 2X rafter, something the tool hanger for the mag won't. But also makes it stick even harder on 1 3/4 material.Adjustment screw for squaring the foot is better than trying to bend the stop on the mag. The whole crew uses mag 77's and they all like this saw especially for compound bevel cuts.

Based on Mr. Feeser's prosaic review, I bought the Bosch 1677 with great expectations. While this is a good product, mine didn't come assembled ready to work well. The blade angle needed minor adjustment but there was another assembly fault with the plate's tilt angle cam-lock lever. While it appeared to work correctly when I set the saw up initially, the mechanism wasn't seated correctly and eventually came loose while I was cutting stair risers. Needless to say, you don't want to discover that your saw was poorly assembled when you're making precision cuts on risers. The lever lock nut was loose by nearly a full turn once the poorly seated lever arm was vibrated into its correct position. It was easy enough to fix the loose adjustment nut, but I'd highly recommend that you check the cam levers carefully before you use the saw the first time and on every critical cut thereafter. Obviously you can't rely on every one of these saws to be assembled as well as Mr. Feeser's.
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br /Otherwise, I'm pleased with the saw's power, quietness, and solid feel (once I fixed the angle lock) of this saw. The cord design is an excellent feature for convenience and safety. I'm disappointed the saw didn't come with a case. My Bosch impact drill came with one but it doesn't need protection like the saw does to keep the alignments true and the blade sharp.

I love this saw. I have been using it for about 2 1/2 years and I can't see myself ever using a different saw. The blade guard is much improved over the skilsaw, and does not get hung up on thin cuts the same, but it is still a guard and can be annoying sometimes. The rafterhook is a life saver, when you are acutally in the rafters or simply just up on a lader, you can hang it and not worry about it. It has plenty of power, which I love. I keep a good blade on it, and cuts are always effortless. One of the best things about it is the base plate. With it's waffle design, it does not warp like the Mag 77. My boss has 3 mag 77, and all of them have warped, bent base plates. Mine it still true and flat. And it has an adjustible allen screw so that you can adjust it to a true 90 deg. Just remember to adjust it before you start using it. I got mine and it was a few degrees out of square. All in all, this is a great saw, I would highly recomend it, and have absolutely no complaints about it.

I have owned Skil wormdrives for 20 years. I purchased this saw as an upgrade for my Skil Mag77's. I returned it the next day. The motor sounded worse than my 15 year old skil, and I did not like the plastic handle on the blade gaurd. I admit it, I use a wedge under the metal blade gaurd , to hold it up for special cuts. This is not possible with the plastic handle. I am now back with my trusty and superior Mag 77's.

This saw is the same as the other bosch saws. heavy duty cast foot. I am glad it doesn't have the stupid chord plug in handle. If you have one chord and need to use 3 tools that thing is a huge hassle. I hope the engineers realize this and stop putting it on these saws.
br /
br /mine showed up without the saw hook which was a bummer. That thing is nice for hanging on a joist or saw horse. the chrome is neat but I got them because they were cheap.
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This is a great saw, lives up to the specs. I had a DeWalt worm drive saw before this. It too was a great saw but since some bonehead stole it and ALL my other tools I had to by a new one and thought I would try this Bosch.
br /Plenty of power and easily tracks through wood. The sky hook is a great feature also. I swear the amazon ad declared this saw to be "NEW" but it is remanufactured according to the packaging. All outward signs show no wear so who knows why it was ever returned. I figured the saw may come to me remanufactured since the company who sells it thru Amazon, CPO Remanufacturers or whatever they call themselves are probably in the business of selling remanucfactured tools. I really don't mind now that I have checked it out but "NEW" is "NEW" in my book. So make sure you get what you think you are getting. It does have a warranty too.

Read the other reviews for this saw's excellent ability to cut wood. As a remodeler, I sometimes have to cut concrete, fiber cement siding, and steel (plate I-beam). I've used this saw with a segmented rim diamond blade to cut through concrete basements and sidewalks and brick walls using both wet dry techniques. All the dust, force, and sometimes water involved are extremely abusive to the saw, yet my Bosch worm drive continues to perform well. The wood cutting reviews mention the saw's power, but I think cutting concrete at full depth really tests the power of the saw, and this saw has enough power to get the job done. Compared to a larger diameter diamond saw, a worm drive can't cut as deep, but the cuts are very straight and plumb due to the saw's foot. My saw is all scratched up, but with a little cleaning and lubrication it still makes me happy to use.
br /
br /It works equally well cutting fiber cement with a diamond tipped fiber cement blade and steel with a carbide tipped steel cutting blade. It actually did a nice job cutting steel I-beams for a difficult roof we recently framed. The beams would have been too large for our cut off saw and we couldn't get them cut at the factory because we needed to verify measurements in the field. It was pretty cool to use the same saw for both wood and steel rafters and ridge sections.
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br /These saws are so durable, you probably can't go wrong buying a used one.

I love competition with the Power tool companies. It means that the tools just keep getting better. I love my mag 77 saws but they are no longer the best you can buy. Dewalt must have cut into the sales of Skils wormdrive market with their innovative framers saw. I like some of the features on it but still prefer the Skilsaw for its torque and durability. Skil and Bosch must have been listening to their customers because this new (Old) saw is much better than the original 77 or the Mag 77. The shoe is stiffer now. The power is a little better, not that it was lacking before. The hook is nice. Thanks Dewalt. The best thing though is the easier to use guard. It really works better. This truly is the best saw money can buy. It will not only outlast everything else on the market, it will make you smile every time you use it.

I have used skill saws since the eighties, this has the best balance and weight. It is worth the extra money, nice saw.

This is the best saw out there for construction work and breaking down sheet goods. The 15amp motor powers through anything you put in front of it and is the smoothest saw to use. This saw tracks perfectly for long free hand rips and will cut the thickest, densest framing material with ease. The motor is very quiet and super smooth a pleasure to use. Don't be turned off by the weight if you are used to sidewinders, the extra weight works for your advantage. This saw practically propels itself through material, and with the added weight, and in-line wormdrive motor, it is so much safer for kickbacks, which it rarely does. If you are smart when setting up your cuts, this saw should never kickback or bog, unlike sidewinders.
The left side blade is the best for viewing the cutline, the right hand side sidewinders are like cutting blind compared to this saw, I will never use a sidewinder again! Sidewinders scream at 5,800RPMS! this saw is a quiet 4,400RPM. There is a little bit of torque up upon start up, but when you get used to it, it's easy to adjust yourself for, I keep the saw an inch away from the work piece & press down when I pull trigger-no torque jumping anymore. The extra torque from the wormdrive gears makes this saw power through anything & keeps the RPM's down, compared to a sidewinder, where the motor's rotor (shaft) is connected directly to the arbor (no gearing) and needs the higher RPM's to cut the material, thats why you hear the motor slowing down while cutting with a sidewinder; you won't hear that with this saw! the motor spins at the same speed all the way through the cut.
The only minor issue is with the direct connect model 1677MD. You can't fit bigger sized plug ends in the handle,(only factory made extension cord ends will fit) but I still love this feature and this saw packs up very easy at the end of the day. I have worked around this minor issue, and wouldn't use the corded version because you don't have to worry about chaining up multiple cords, just get one that fits the length you need (some 10/3 yellow cords work, all 12/3 factory cords work fine)I will all my tools had this detachable cord feature.
You should get one of these saws, they are the best and will last a long time. For all you sidewinder users, if you try this saw, you'll be hooked!

Used Porter-Cable, Dewalt and various Skil saws over the past six years, but after using my boss' Bosch, I was sold on the 1677. Although it is a bit heavy, it feels good in your hands, has plenty of power, and is extremely durable. The built in sawhook is another great feature. Can't find a better saw. I bought the saw and an extra blade to make my total $200 so I could take advantage of the $25 off deal. So for $175, you can get the saw w/ built-in hook AND 2 blades. Worth every cent.

This saw just hums along...lightweight, durable, top shelf quality --it just sings, which is music to my ears. I do a lot of woodworking and just love this great hard working machine. Bosch keep up the great work!

I have to say that I did my homework before I bought this saw. Because of the cost good reviews I chose this one over some of the others, including the Milwaukee. I am so pleased with this saw. It provides the smoothest cuts and when you get used to using it, it becomes much faster and easier to operate like a precision machine. I used it straight out of the box on Christmas morning and it wasn't very loud to my surprise. And wow has it got torque! This saw makes a statement on a job site and if you take care of your tools like I do, it will provide hours of enjoyment. The worm drive is much better than any conventional circular saw and although more expensive, this Bosch is the best buy for your money if you want better results.

Love this saw, Left hand blade is easy to see, nice and quiet and powerful like other Bosch products

I have used all of the professional saws available. Skil model 77 has been my choice for years, and it is a good tool. DeWalt now makes a wormdrive that is okay...but, it's center is too high. That annoying brake on Makita's hypoid saw can ruin a good cut. Milwaukee oughta stick to drills.
br /The Bosch1677M is better than rhe rest, with it's feel, it's stronger motor. that extra 5 degrees...
br /My co-workers agree. They want to borrow my Bosch!

SImply the best saw I have ever used. It is well balanced and light. Every one on my crew fights over this saw.

Pros:
br /1) Lots of power. I have used it to cut through a glued up 2 inch thick red oak counter top and it had no problems at all.
br /2) The blade guard is smooth operating and does not snag.
br /3) The shoe has a small allen head set screw for setting the shoe perpendicular to blade.
br /4) The handles are well laid out and feel good in my hands.
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br /Cons:
br /1) The magnesium saw shoe leaves marks on wood.
br /2) The saw shoe edge was not parallel to the blade. This is only a problem when following a strait edge. This can burn the wood and create a more ragged cut.
br /3) The saw shoe connection is not rigid and allows movement. This is more of a problem when the depth is set for thinner materials. The yoke on the saw shoe is oversized and allows the motor housing to slide from side to side on the pivot pin that goes through the motor housing in the front. The clearance between the pivot pin and hole in the motor housing is too much and allows the shoe to wobble. This combination can result in the tip of blade deflecting by about 0.03 inches under some circumstances.
br /4) When the depth adjustment is set for cutting thin sheet goods (= 0.75 inches) the saw center of gravity is very high and the shoe is not wide enough to stabilize the saw for long reaching cuts. I would imagine this would be a problem for all saws where the motor axis of rotation is perpendicular to the blade axis of rotation.
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br /To correct some of this saws shortcomings when cutting sheet good with a strait edged I have removed the saw from the shoe and made adjustments to the yoke by compressing it so that it just fits the motor housing. I have made a plastic sub base with an edge that is parallel to the blade. I plunged the saw through this sub base and now have a zero clearance base. This is a little dangerous because the guard cannot be used, but when I am using it I just let the saw come to a complete stop and raise the saw depth adjustment so that the blade is not exposed below the sub base. This zero clearance base is also much larger than the original base so the saw is more stable when reaching across large sheets. It has also allowed me to attach a strait edge tunnel to the saw so that it cannot deviate from my strait edge. This just leaves one problem. The hole in the motor housing that the pivot pin goes through can still allow a small deflection if I am not careful about putting too much pressure on the handles. Maybe I could create handles that are attached to the sub base and put a power trigger on one of those handles. A brass sleeve pressed into the motor housing to decrease the clearance might help also. With these modifications and a 60 tooth carbide tipped blade I can make cuts in hardwood veneered plywood without splintering that look better than the factory edges most of the time. Those time that are not 100% satisfactory only have minor saw mark where I really had to reach or let the saw spin down to reposition myself for the rest of the cut. In some cases those will not matter and in places that do matter I leave a little extra bit of material and go back over the cut with my router. I have a sub base setup on my router so that I don't have to reposition the strait edge to trim off the little bit of extra material.
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well i have had this saw for a few weeks and its great saw but i have two complaints one is that the lower gard lever is plastic and the other is you cant prop the lower gard like you can on a skil 77 wormdrive just wondering cause there made by the same people so whats up with that