Skilsaw has announced a new worm drive miter saw, adding to their list of portable power tools powered by such a motor. In 2015 they introduced a worm drive table saw, and last year they introduced a larger worm drive table saw with rolling stand.
The new Skilsaw worm drive miter saw features a 12″ blade, and it’s a slider. The new Skilsaw miter saw features an LED shadow light system, which I presume works similarly to the systems Dewalt, Milwaukee, and Ridgid have been featuring on their more premium saws.
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Skilsaw intends for their new worm drive miter saw to be used to cut trim and molding, and has said that their new saw is the “lightest in its class.”
A “dual field” motor is said to help keep the motor cool.
Other details and specs are not available yet.
Price: TBA
ETA: TBA
First Thoughts
To date, there are only two cordless 12″ miter saws, and they belong to Dewalt’s FlexVolt lineup, both being powered by (2) 60V Max FlexVolt battery packs. The corded 12″ sliding miter saw market, on the other hand, is a lot more competitive, and although there are new releases every so often, it takes a lot to be noticed alongside current market leaders.
Full details about the new Skilsaw worm drive miter saw are not yet available, but it looks like the main selling point is the lighter design, although they haven’t yet said how much lighter in weight it is than competing models.
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From the materials I’ve seen, there also isn’t much about the benefits of the worm drive motor, aside from the cooler-running claims about the dual field aspect.
The LED shadow light cut line indicator is always a nice touch, and a feature I’d consider a must-have at least on more premium models.
Pricing and availability information isn’t out yet, nor is there any information regarding performance or total cut capacity.
In the 12″ sliding miter saw space, the Dewalt DWS780 ($599 via Amazon) seems to be the most popular premium corded model, especially during seasonal promos when it’s bundled with a free miter saw stand. I would expect to see the new Skilsaw 12″ sliding worm drive miter saw to be priced somewhere between $400 and $600.
In today’s world, where brushless rear-handled framing saws by Dewalt and Makita are increasingly being seen as cordless replacements for worm drive circular saws, it’s still surprising – but welcome – to see Skilsaw finding new tools to develop corded worm drive motor tech for.
Thank you to Steve for putting this on my radar!
satch
Pretty neat. I am glad to see Chervon taking the old brand’s name seriously. To be honest, I do not think this saw would seen the light of day under Bosch’s umbrella. And I am a Bosch fanboy. I will be interested in seeing some hands on reviews.
Cody
Skil also has a 16″ carpenter worm drive chainsaw coming out in April for cutting large beams
fred
That would be good. the Makita is good but getting a bit long in the tooth and somewhat unwieldy – and the Mafell is great but way too pricey unless you do a lot of timber framing.
We bought this Makita that could cut a 6x
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-15-Amp-16-5-16-in-Corded-Circular-Saw-with-32T-Carbide-Blade-and-Rip-Fence-5402NA/203010061
But for a bit smaller stuff – we had an old Skil77 with a bigfoot attachment that handled a 12 inch blade. The guys like its configuration better than the Makita.
The Mafell can cut deeper – but sells for 7.5 times what the Makita costs
https://www.timberwolftools.com/mafell-mks185ec-beam-saw
Matt
The Super Sawsquatch (not gonna lie…I love saying that) has been out for a while. I think we picked it up almost a year ago. Is this a new 16″ model, Cody? What’s changing? We’ve been happy with ours for deck framing.
Most heavy timber guys I’ve known have preferred the Prazi chainsaw conversion kits for the 77s over the big Makitas. I think it’s for partially blade cost/availability reasons, but they do seem to do a nice job as well.
Chris
I heard 51 pounds. Not sure how it compares to other saws.
But this looks like a really solid saw. Nice.
Kent
Since mine will be permanently mounted in my woodshop, I would happily sacrifice weight for money – a heavier cheaper saw would fit the bill just fine.
Kyler
Hope the build quality is better than the table saws. My worm drive table saw fell apart after a month of mild usage. Still love the classic circular saw though and their reciprocating saw is good too.
Jerry
I would find this unbelievable considering I have the SPT 99-12. I got rid of my Delta 34-444 contractor saw which I had for 30 years because of how amazing the Skilsaw has performed. Best table saw ever, Skilsaw cares about their customers too; have spoken to Customer Service and they were great!
Hang Fire
What, if anything, is the benefit of a worm drive gear on a miter saw?
Stuart
Good question, wish I had an answer.
Rick
Most likely bevel cut capacity. The motor is in the way when cutting an angled beveled cut usually, depending on your motors placement, but most direct drive units operate this way.
Hang Fire
Yes, this would be it. Thanks, Rick.
fred
I guess that all would depend on how slim a profile can be achieved by mounting the motor in-line with the blade and using the worm gear drive. Many miter saws try to achieve a compact side to side dimension by mounting the motor behind the blade and then using a belt to transmit motor power to the blade.
satch
Like others I cannot say with any certainty. However, if you look at their lineup since Chervon bought them, they have made a focused effort on integrating their worm drive feature into several new products including the table saws(were they pre or post Bosch?), a couple of newer models of their circular saws to include the newer large blade models, and now this mitre saw.
I would say Skil is aiming these directly at framing contractors who need day to day ruggedness over ultimate precision. If there is one attribute Skil’s worm drives are renowned for it is durability. Add in their torque and this could be quite the job site saw. Most of these 12 inch models still have a cord and are used like stationary equipment even on job sites. They are heavy and awkward to carry. I wouldn’t want to lug one of these beasts any more than I had to. Skil is very adroitly giving contractors a one brand, one stop solution for portable(Mag77), semi-stationary(this new mitre saw), and job site table saw. It may work out well for them.
Stuart
It might be possible that the worm drive gearing allows for a smaller motor, helping to keep the weight down.
satch
That would be a big bonus. I never thought of it like that. The worm drive circular saws tend toward being the heaviest models. If it has the inverse effect for a mitre saw it could be a big deal in the contractor world.
Logan
Looks like more marketing jibber jabber. What was the benefit of a worm drive table saw vs a spur gear or belt drive?
Thinking they’re just releasing tools with worm drives just because the worm drive saw is what Skil was known for. Marketing thing.
Dual field is likely a common manufacturing feature with a trademark on it like Fuel, BL and XR.
So basically it is a miter saw with a different method of transferring torque to the blade? So same truck with a different transmission?
John
“Looks like more marketing jibber jabber ” What I was thinking.
John
Not being an expert with this type of saw I cannot see any advantage in a worm drive. Is it a marketing gimmick?
At the moment my son is using a Makita LS0715 with an Irwin blade to cut decking at his house and that is a great tool. I’d not used it before today but I really like it!
Dave
Chervon is really stepping up their game. They make essentially the best cordless lawnmowers (EGO). If I was in Hong Kong (TTI) or Connecticut (Stanley Black & Decker)…I would not dismiss Chervon.
Nathan
don’t they make that worm drive chain saw beam saw machine too. It’s the circular saw with a gear and blade arm that drives a chain saw blade.
I’m curious as to how well this will be made. They say for trim work so I hope it has all the accurate bits correct. and being the name and the like I expect it to be well less of the milwaukees, dewalts, etc.
I could see this having some of the torque benefits making it cut well into hardwoods – or thicker pieces. I also could see the worm drive benefiting is letting the saw cut closer to the arbor area – like that table saw did – letting it have a bit wider capacity.
and like said before maybe a better bevel ability. OH and with the motor more in line it might balance on the slides a bit better. might. will be interesting.
fred
The ones I recall were made by Prazi:
https://www.amazon.com/Prazi-USA-Blades-Cutter-Drive/dp/B0000224SA
Jim Felt
Stuart.
With respect you’re such a tool spec nerd I’ve got to ask you a favor for all of us here.
Please research the basic reason for the long term (since olden daze) success of the Mag77 worndrive saws.
Every framer I’ve ever seen on the west coast swears by them. Not at them. The MAG 77 simply being the most recent (now for decades) alliteration of the now ancient concept.
10-4
Stuart
From what I could tell, it’s part tradition, part performance.
It’s tried and true, and it works well.
If you’re on a laptop or desktop, are you typing with a QWERTY keyboard, or Dvorak?
Is your tape measure imperial, or metric?
Box beam level or I-beam?
The tools we choose and use are sometimes influenced by outside opinions. Many electricians favor Klein tools. Why?
There are regional, generational, and trades-specific tool and brand preferences.
Maybe it used to be that those tools were the best for the job. Maybe they’re still the best for the job. But there are also so very many other aspects that can affect trends and preferences.
Redcastle
Stuart
With regard to Klein I cannot speak for electricians in the UK but I have been watching their increasing profile in the UK which can be attributed to their decision to appoint Super Rod as their distributor automatically gaining access to high levels within all the major electrical wholesalers.
I have met the managing director for Super Rod on a number of occasions and have asked of him the question you pose above and he said that it is because the tools just work, they are comfortable to use and are VFM, I give his words more weight than I would a marketing person because he runs a real business and cares about the tools and the industry he works in. The VFM component is not so hard to achieve when your competition is Knipex, Wera, WIHA, etc lots of headroom there.
satch
Redcastle, indeed. A good distribution base is a key element in this. Klein tools are indeed very rugged, great quality hand tools that work quite well. More importantly, they were also keen enough to make sure they were distributed through every electrical, telecommunication, HVAC, and most plumbing wholesale/contractor supply houses for decades.
Until the massive DIY market came to be about 25 years ago, the best tools were only really available at wholesale only supply houses. Most of these houses did not deal with walk in retail sales. They supplied contractors and other businesses who resold the parts and tools and collected sales tax on them at point of sale and then rendered them to the taxing authority. They were simply not set up for retail.
Also, the tool sellers were the point of contact for warranty. They only sold top shelf brands since they did not want to deal with warranty every time they turned around. Only the best was typically sold in these venues. The tradesmen trusted them and they built legend upon it. To this day, even the average bloke knows who and what ‘Kleins’ are. Same for Milwaukee and Ridgid even though they are no longer owned by the same people as back in the 50s through the 70s.
Loyalty is big and many of them have realised the mistake in ignoring heritage. In the old days, Skil77 saws were RARELY sold anywhere but a pro lumber yard that catered to framing carpenters and contractors. I never recalled seeing a 77 on a retail shelf as a child in the 1960s. Even the 70s. Those were for pros. The saws are brute tough and have great torque. Mostly though, they are durable. I have seen some of these things on the job that were at least 20 years old. Beaten, battered, no paint left on them, but still going. I think Chervon is captalising on this and it is a smart move.
Redcastle
Satch
The route they seem to be taking in the UK is pretty much exclusively the national and local electrical wholesalers not seen much if at all on the specialist tool retailers or even Amazon not at all in the big box stores which would match a lot of what you are saying.
I do not know much about Klein’s background but their approach seems to be long term, repeat business within their “community” no desire to rule the world, in some aspects very similar to most of the German tool firms and my preferred kind of supplier.
Super Rod the distributor is also a very interesting company they make rods for pushing cables into holes but they have cutting edge technology and also offer to their users and anyone in the industry to work either in partnership or on a licenced basis to bring ideas to market, I do not get the impression this is a brain suck operation but rather a genuine desire to see the world of useful products grow with the world defined as cable and pipe manipulation tools, clever stuff for void spaces, etc they were supposed to at some point (in partnership with Klein) to be at least trialling their products in the USA. At trade shows they sell the first hundred basic rod sets for £2 for charity though in practice people usually give more it is that kind of firm.
fred
@Satch
Just to clarify what happened to the Ridgid brand.
The Ridge Tool Company was once an independent producer of plumbing trades tools – but was acquired by Emerson Electric in 1966. It is still owned by Emerson – but the brand name seems to have been either licensed or allowed to be used by others – notably Home Depot – who applies the brand to things like shovels made by Ames, extensions cords made by Cerro (a Berkshire Hathaway Co.), drill bits/hole saws – made by R.A.F. Industries and perhaps other tools as well. Emerson may still make Ridgid branded vacuums – and perhaps table saws – but many other Ridgid branded small power tools come from TTI factories. I think this all started when Sears threw Emerson overs as the primary maker of lots of Craftsman branded stationary and benchtop power tools. Emerson – then struck a deal with Home Depot. I believe that many Ridgid pipe tools are still made by Emerson in Ohio.
Redcastle
I meant electricians in the USA not UK someone needs to invent a common sense checker.
Rick
I’ll give a stab at the mag77 bit. Its muscle memory for most. But better is questionable. Their offering is different, and I think it uses a slightly different muscle group. Like asking if a katana or broad sword is better, they are both equally capable in the hands of a master.
There’s something to be said about the mag though, it seems to be able to power through some crazy stuff, more so than a sidewinder would. But I’ve never had a real chance to use one with any real duration- Im a east coaster!!
Redcastle
I am on record as saying I would like to see Skil and Skilsaws reputation restored by the new owner which I did not think would happen by the creation of a me too range of cordless tools but could happen if they produced good VFM not low priced (but you only get to ignore VFM when you are Mafell or Lamello or Sawstop and your product for whatever reason is beyond simply economic considerations) robust saws be they circular, mitre or table if they cater for the worm drive constituency that is fine as differentiation is important.
At the end of the day their saws have a household name to live up to from the comments I see on here this product is not a huge step in the wrong direction.
satch
Redcastle, Skil is a conundrum in the States. Decades ago their products were one tier; professional. In addition to the saws they had nice powerful drills that served their function well. Saws were their forte though.
After they were sold(unsure if Bosch was the buyer first or if another was between them and the original owners) their focus became mass retail with low quality tools sold at places like Walmart. Except…for the circular saws. Particularly the worm drives. Yes, they have lower spec saws for the same market but someone at Skil-Bosch had the great good sense to leave the pro saws alone.
I do not to this day know how they pulled it off. Typically wrecking your brand leads to abandonment by the trades. Somehow tradesmen were able to separate the poor from the pro tools and keep it sorted. To the best of my knowledge the worm drives and higher end sidewinders were never really knackered and found themselves needing a fix.
I believe this is why Chervon separated the two factions into different entities. They’ve even gone to a retro looking logo and badging on the Skilsaw models. Just today I was at home centre and looked at their new-ish 13A reciprocating saw. Looks to be well made and has a good heft due to the buzzkill vibration damper. Finish was top notch and the overall feel and look made me think Chervon has someone wno knows their work designing this stuff. I love Bosch but being bought by Chervon was an improvement.
Redcastle
Satch
Maybe they will use Skil and Skilsaw as the equivalent of Bosch green and Bosch blue, so long as it is clear which is which. Even now “skilsaw” to a lot of people I know is the reference used for a portable circular saw regardless of who makes it that kind of heritage should be exploited but in the right way.
Our family cars when I was growing up were safari Land Rovers and then Range Rovers which whenever we went home to Ireland were always referred to by everyone over there as “jeeps” I currently drive a Jeep could this be connected?
satch
I think so. Jeep as a brand was so iconic in the States it simply became a catchall for small suv type vehicles. When I was a young turnip the Toyota FJ40 Landcruisers were really popular. Everyone called them the ‘big Jeeps’. They weren’t ignorant of the facts, it was just a way of speaking. Same for circular saws. Skil made the name for themselves(though Porter-Cable patented the helical gear reduction system) and much like Milwaukee’s Sawzall, it took its place as the de facto nomenclature.
Redcastle
Satch
My Jeep while not the largest one they make is considerably larger than the pumped up small sedans that are sold in Europe as small SUVs and which despite their complete lack of off road capability are proving so popular that Ford at least in Europe is talking about cancelling all sedan models. I am aware of the size differential between vehicles in North America and Europe so I understand my Jeep would be considered small in North America. My older son since he was a small boy has always wanted a F150 or Dodge Ram both of which are impracticable in London and not much better in rural Ireland because at some point you have to go into town.
He came to me last weekend and said that following his recent promotion he had decided he would buy a car and that I was right about the F150 and Dodge Ram so I said what are you going to order then and he said a Mustang GT.
He found out today it takes nine months from placing the order till the car is delivered in the UK, boy is he unhappy not made better by my craic that at 28 he has plenty of time to wait. At one point he was wondering whether he should go over to the USA in person however I doubt if any dealers there carry right hand drive models.
satch
Redcastle, tell him to forego the Mustang and invest the money in his gaff. The return will be much better. Of course this type of advise is not what youngsters want to hear but it’s the truth.
Frankly I am surprised the Mustang is offered in righthand drive for Ireland and the UK. I can only imagine what the inmport duty will cost. And no, trying to buy it here and bringing it there will be a nightmare. With treaties, tariffs, regulations, VIN schemes(I believe auto identity numbers between countries are different and makes direct level importation impossible), safety standards orginisation stampings, etc I think it is practically impossible.
On another note as to the suvs. I am beyond staggred at the price points of suvs and light trucks. A decently equipped half-tonne model from any of our big three, even as a 2wd model is between 30,000 and 40,000 USD. Add 4wd, upscale trim packages and 50,000 is rapidly approached. Move up to 2500 and 3500(3/4 & 1 tonne models) and you can easily option one out to 70,000 USD. I’ve no idea how people do it.
And suvs are ecen worse. The last Cadillac Escalade I loooked at online was between 86,000 and 105,000USD! Even the ‘lower’ class Chevrolet Suburban is well over 70,000 spe’d out. Staggering. Whatmdoes this have to do with tools? Plenty if you make your living out of them. The price of used models eith rather high mileage is also bordering on insanity.
Wish we could still get models lie the Range Rover 90 and our little Chevy S-10 Blazers. They had their issues but you needn’t have mortgaged your children to the devil to own them.
satch
Oh btw, I hear lots of rumours thatmFordmwill indeed be ending auto productiin in the States. Not sure if the Mustang will survive but sedans are fast headed for the scrapheap oof history. Honestly, the little suvs like my 2013 Ford Escspe are little more than cars. I would never subject it to true offroad use or trailer or caravan towing.