The worm drive saw is a common prototype of a popular “circular saw”, but not as same as you guess. You can get double the benefit with a qualified worm drive. The worm drive cuts any materials with increased torque faster, smoothly, and quietly.
However, it depends on to what extent your saw fits your woodworking projects.
To empower your workshop for excellent carpentry, you need the best worm drive saw at your hand. You may fall into a trap if you can’t purchase the right one ensuring all features.
You’ll find the worm drive saw reviews are accomplished with a buying guide to help you with some key factors to keep in mind.
My Top Picks
Top 5 Best Worm Drive Saw
In the following section, we’re going to summarize my study on the best worm drive circular saw showcasing what I like most. Check them out carefully and grab the one you like most.
1. SKILSAW SPT77WML-01 Lightweight Worm Drive Circular Saw
SKILSAW SPT77WML-01 15-amp 7-1/4-inch lightweight worm drive circular saw takes the pride of winning the first position and woodworkers’ heart with well-designed and built-materials. A saw is an option for those who think a worm drive can’t be so powerful yet lightweight. Thanks to its well-thought engineering and magnesium components.
Weighing only 11.6 lbs., Skilsaw spt77wml-01 became the lightest worm drive saw in the market. And its engineering process is done by a renowned manufacturer. All components are made of magnesium that serve the saw for both weight and durability equally that is best for overhead use. Besides, this feature will minimize user fatigue.
On top of that, a 15-amp motor is featured that is again a dual field version and efficiently spins the blade up to 5300 RPM. The dual field motor with double copper winding always keeps the motor cool all the way long that helps to performs expectedly as it should be.
The Skilsaw spt77wml-01 worm drive saw is Key with versatile cutting capacity by introducing outstanding features. The cut-ready depth of the cut system is another core feature that makes the depth measurement so easy and quickens the process of fly adjustment putting the blade on the left. The cutting capacity in this position is ¼, ½, ¾ and 2x ply.
When it comes to bevel cuts, Skilsaw is further improved than convinces the saw for up to 53-degree allowing different variation in the cuts.
An anti-snug lower guard is featured to prevent inconvenience for small cut-off accurately. However, the grip might irritate you as it’s not comfortable enough and rubberized.
Features at a Glance
- A 15-amp dual field motor that provides 5300 rpm for ripping and cutting.
- The motor is improved with dual copper windings to protect against overheating.
- Made of magnesium components, weighs only 11.6 lbs., with no user fatigue.
- Allows up to 53-degree bevel cuts, and an anti-snug lower guard for easy and smooth small cut-offs.
2. DEWALT DCS577X1 FLEXVOLT Worm Drive Circular Saw
DeWalt DCS577X1 flexvolt circular saw kit is my premium pick for the incredible capacity of smooth and accurate cuts. Coming from a world’s leading power tool manufacturer, it keeps us satisfied with sawing by the ease of use and safe by its protective initiative making it an ideal circular saw for framing.
While it features a 9.0 ah battery, it comes with a brushless motor that means it makes less friction resulting in less vibration. The motor can provide 5800 RPM to wildly spin the blade for efficient cutting. Stopping the spinning blade is fun with the featured electric brake. Whenever you need, just release the trigger if you need to stop the saw.
With the powerful motor and well-thought-out engineering allows the saw for bevel cutting. You can have up to 45-degree bevel cuts with two positive stops at 45-degree and 22.5-degree. On top of that, the Dewalt worm drive circular saw is further optimized with a line of sight putting the blade at the left. It makes it easier to monitor the cutting line through the position of the rear of the handle.
The built-in dust blower is one more pro-woodworking features that boost the possibility of precision cutting cooperating with the line of sight. The magnesium-built shoe leaves the saw for a long-time use providing jobsite durability and dedication. The speed is controlled with an electric brake to stop the spinning blade.
It weighs only 10.9 lbs. DeWalt DCS577X1 flexvolt positioned the second lightest saw in my worm drive saw reviews. It also features a rafter hook that gives extended comfortability when you require to hang the saw in job site.
Features at a Glance
- Powerful 9.0 AH battery featuring a brushless motor for ruling different types of materials.
- Features an electric brake to stop the spinning blade as soon as you release the trigger.
- Built-in dust blower to provide cleanliness and helps to get a clear line of cutting.
- Up to 45-degree bevel cuts along with two positive stops and 2 7/16 depth cut at 90 degrees.
3. Makita 5377MG Magnesium 7-1/4-inch Hypoid Saw
When I start the hypoid saw reviews, I didn’t expect to find Makita 5377MG magnesium 7-1/4-inch hypoid saw in the list. You’d love to see this saw in your workshop because of the dedicating sawing capacity along with ease of use. That’ll hit your pocket as the saw is best for money.
This worm drive hypoid circular saw is empowered by a 15-amp motor that provides enough torque to slice through the hardest and the toughest materials smoothly and efficiently. You can expect to get the job done within the blink of your eyes by 4500 round per minute.
Though many of the components are made of graded magnesium to reduce weight at best, some carpenters find it quite heavy. If you can take this 13.2-pound worm drive saw lightly, you have so many things to discover and enjoy inside the workshop.
From cutting versatility to ease of use, the saw surpasses others to a certain degree. The Makita worm drive circular saw is easy to set up and straightforward in operation too. The featured hypoid gears are meant to give you a better experience to deal with an extended area while it boots resilience and power-efficient.
Featuring a powerful motor and a premium ¼-inch carbide tipped framing blade, the saw offers a large cutting capacity. It can deliver up to 51.5-degree bevel cutting letting to stop at 22.5-degree and 45-degree.
It features a retractable hook that means it should be deemed as a light one as the hook tempts you hang the saw conveniently at the jobsite. The saw is the best for money compared to its attributions.
Features at a Glance
- Powerful 15-amp motor for increased productivity and cutting a range of dimension of lumber.
- Made of magnesium components weighs only 13.2 pounds and a retractable hook for convenient storage.
- Features the hypoid gears to increase resilience and power, better than a worm drive gears.
- Comes with built-in dust blower for clean surface and line of cutting.
4. DeWalt DCS577B Flexvolt 60V MAX Circular Saw for Framing
I got another best worm drive circular saw from DeWalt Flexvolt series. I love it as DeWalt DCS577B Flexvolt 60V MAX circular saw cares both sawing and safety equally. This 7-1/4-Inch DeWalt is a bare tool comes with a 60V Max battery presenting an alternative to the previous Makita model for framing.
It can slice through any material with a brushless motor that gives 5800 RPM with a 7 ½-inch carbide-tipped blade. Though it is a brushless motor, it creates minimal friction in the motor that means the vibration keeps in the limit. While you push the saw forward, the saw allows you to monitor the cutting with an optimized line of sight.
The blade is set in the left, and the ergonomically designed handle is positioned at the rear end of the saw that makes it easy to get a clear line of sight. When it collaborates with an integral dust blower, you know how it can boost cleanliness and precision in each effort.
The blade and you both are secured with a metal blade guard. And a high caliber magnesium show increases the smoothness and durability in cutting. The electric brake plays a further role to keep you safe and practical when you need to stop the blade just releasing the trigger.
As Dewalt worm drive saw is designed to treat a variety of materials, it needs to be qualified so. It allows for bevel cuts and depth cuts efficiently. With a capacity of bevel cutting up to 53-degree and 1 7/8-inch depth cut, you can manage the saw for carpentry, concrete shaping and more.
Features at a Glance
- A 60V battery along with a brushless motor provides 5800 RPM for general woodworking.
- Weighs only 10.9 lbs.,and that hits the lightest worm drive cordless circular saw.
- Optimized line of sight and integrated dust blower for increased precision.
- Electric brake and a metal blade guard for maximum user safety.
5. Makita 5477NB Hypoid Saw
Makita 5477NB 7-1/4″ hypoid saw is another convincing hypoid saw you can discover from my worm drive circular saw reviews. It comes with a sound combination of strength and precision – the reason why beginner like it most get the job done with facing trouble.
It comes with a 15-amp ball bearing-constructed motor that is highly capable of slicing through any lumber of different range and dimension. The motor can speed up to 4500 RPM that can smash any materials efficiently. The heat-treated hypoid gears take the saw one step ahead by expanding the surface for greater convenience.
Along with an appealing look, it associates with ergonomic design to increase usability. The combination of rubber and plastic within grip offers maximum comfort and control getting well-fitted to your hand. The rafter hook is another attribute what saves your space and time to store it.
The Makita hypoid saw 5477nb can serve you with angle drill capacity that can travel from 0-degree to 51.5-degree. The process can be done with two stops at 45-degree and 51.5-degree. It leaves a good choice for cross cuts and truss cuts. It comes with a push-button spindle lock that makes easy to change the blade anytime.
As the Makita worm drive saw is engineered with an oil bath and sealed gear housing technology, maintaining the saw is simple and less tricky. If you need to cut nail-embedded wood, you do not worry as Makita 5477NB hypoid saw is improved with a specialized blade that can stand itself for such a situation.
Features at a Glance
- A 15-amp powerful motor for 4500 RPM that can manage lumber without any hassle.
- Features a large lever to adjust easily for bevel and depth cutting.
- Chemically treated base plate to protect rust and stand for longevity.
- Comes with heat-treated hypoid gears for expanding working surface.
What to Consider When Choosing a Worm Drive Saw
Like any other power tool, a worm drive also comes with several specifications and features. It doesn’t mean they all are fruitful for you. That’s why getting a practical tool isn’t always easy to find.Sometimes you can find a model that can be adjustable with the varied assignments and you can somehow manage to modify but always.
You should, therefore, figure out what you need to look in the product you’re investing. The following buying guide will serve you in this purpose by telling you the best way to find a worm drive circular saw.
The Motor
Nothing can be more important than a motor of a power tool. You can’t compromise with the power range of the motor. Vibration is another aspect that is related to the motor. The more your motor creates friction, the more vibration it renders. The brushless motor is the solution that keeps the vibration in a limit.
A motor with dual copper windings helps to protect overheating that is useful to increase productivity. The worm drive tends to feature a motor with the casing in the rear that transfers power faster and boosts the productivity. Most of them can provide 4000 to 5000 RPM. Find a saw that complies with these.
Safety Features
Even the poorest worm drive can slice through the hardest material shortly after you feed the blade. But the only a good one can serve you better cutting keeping you safe and protected from any danger. Luckily, the days come with the safest worm drive within budget. Most of the saw is secured with several safety features.
When do you pay for safety? For instance, if your saw fluctuates during bevel cutting between stiff for stiff joints, you may experience severe danger. Ask your seller how efficient the saw is to protect you.
Motor Housing
The worm drive circular saws tend to be heavier than other circular saw versions. Therefore, they put heavy pressure on the surface that may put the saw and the motor in risk.
So, you have to ensure its proper arrangement to protect. Some saw models feature magnesium housing is much better than those of without magnesium housing.
Get a saw that comes with magnesium housing to protect your saw and its motor.
Blade Changing Mechanism
If you’re a serious woodworker, changing the blade frequently for practicing a variety of cuts is your everyday practice. You have a pretty good chance to face injury related to changing the blade.
So, for the people who look for the safest worm drive circular saw should end up with a saw that features an improved blade changing mechanism.
Some worm drive models I covered in the rundown featuring a built-in push-button spindle lock that eases the process to change the blade without facing or causing any harm without using any tool.
If you like to save time, this feature is a must-have that saves your sawing time making the change faster.
Bevel Capacity
There are several cutting plans in your mind when you decide on purchasing a worm drive. You simply purchase the saw for several cutting capacities, bevel cutting one of them. The worm drive is born for making the cuts easier and effortless.
As you go, keep in mind that, that your saw can provide maximum bevel capacity making the process easier and time-effective. Bevel cuts with a couple of positive stops are useful. Find the saw with such a feature.
Dust Blower
A saw without sawdust can’t be imagined. On the other, a healthy sawing and a life can’t be imagined without clean and debris-free surface and surroundings either. However, you have to continue your sawing keeping the reality in mind after all.
How it creates a fuss? Sawdust from woodworking can blur the line of cutting and that in result can complicate the precision in the end. Beyond that, sawdust has been declared as the temptation for cancer.
Luckily, the sawdust had soothed when manufacturers started adopting dust blower with the saw. A qualified dust blower will keep the sawdust organized and the line of cutting clean. So, make sure your saw owns a dust blower.
Size and Weight
Saws tend to come in different sizes and shapes based on the type and the cutting capacity. But they don’t need to fit in all application. However, the bigger saw manifests its power through greater and impressive performance.
When it comes to a worm drive, in general, they tend to be smaller yet heavier. As a handheld power tool, you should think of weight along with the size of the saw. As long as you can carry without feeling pain on hand, you can keep sawing. Find a lightweight one for the maximum benefit keeping the durability in mind.
Depth Cutting
Depth cutting is one of the mostly-sought cuts by a circular saw. It is often associated with the size of the blade; the design of the saw takes part in it too. For example, if you like to cut a work piece 7-inch in width with a 6-inch blade, you can’t accomplish no matter how long you try.
Thankfully, some manufacturers care about the aspect and add a feature to adjust with the cutting demands. Some people think to overcome such complication by dint of their skills. It’s quite tough as most of the time it’s not in your favor. So, find a saw that comes with liberal depth cutting adjustment.
Cord Length
It’s a concern as long as you go with a corded worm drive circular saw. The worm drive can be both corded or cordless. If your working surface has a long distance with the power source, you need to minimize the distance or manage an extension cord. Otherwise, choose a cordless option to avoid such annoying.
How to choose between worm-drive & sidewinder circular saws
FAQs about Worm Drive Circular Saw
The key difference between the two lies in the torque they provide. Featuring a larger gear tooth, worm drive saws can take more pressure than its counterparts by making them sturdier and more power-efficient. The worm drive is also durable enough to manage harder and tougher materials.
If you like to treat wet work pieces, for example, a log of wood or concrete material, a worm drive is useful for such an assignment. A worm drive is powered with a heavy-duty motor that is capable of cutting through tough materials efficiently. A worm drive is equipped with an insightful position of the rear in the grip to let you see the blade. It also helps to protect you from the danger of kickback.
You should take care of your saw regularly for expected sawing. Sometimes your saw will require oiling to keep them energetic and fresh, especially the blade would be volatile otherwise. If your saw is new, you need to change the oil after ten hours of sawing. Later, change the oil once a year or fifty hours of sawing.
A worm drive saw offers a variety of benefits, such as a more powerful motor, greater torque, and a longer lifespan. It also offers a longer blade life and the ability to cut through thick materials with ease.
To keep your worm drive saw in great condition, make sure to clean it regularly and lubricate the gears, bearings, and other moving parts. You should also make sure to replace the blade when it becomes dull or worn.
A worm-drive saw can be used to cut a variety of materials, including wood, metal, plastic, and ceramic tile. However, it is important to choose the right blade for the material you are cutting.
When using a worm drive saw, you should always use proper eye and ear protection, as well as appropriate work gloves. Additionally, you should always ensure that your saw is properly adjusted and in good working condition before use. Additionally, you should never attempt to cut any material that is too thick for the saw.
The main difference between a worm-drive saw and a circular saw is the type of motor used. A worm-drive saw uses a more powerful motor and is capable of providing more torque than a circular saw. Additionally, a worm drive saw is typically larger in size and has a longer blade life.
Final Words
You are at the end of the worm drive saw review post. You have got introduced to some groundbreaking worm drive saws in the review section. Any of them will return your investment for sure.
However, if you can’t find the best worm drive saw from the list, no problem at all. You’re now empowered with adequate knowledge of how you can get the right one. Use that knowledge to find the one that suits you best and meets your needs most.
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