Worm Drives/Hypoids

Tester Comments
Your extension cord plugs directly into the handle of this saw with a clever loop device that locks the cord in place. Add to that a skyhook, a 0?50 degree bevel capacity great for cutting rafters, light weight, and tough construction and what you’ve got is a great wormdrive saw.

Price
$189

Contact
Bosch Power Tools
877-267-2499
www.boschtools.com

Tester Comments
While this saw has plenty of true wormdrive power, a good guard, and good bevel capacity, because of the way this top-handle saw feels it might be better suited for other sites.

Price
$180

Contact
Bosch Power Tools
877-267-2499
www.boschtools.com

Tester Comments
The Craftsman is built on a classic design and is powerful with a great blade guard. It bevels only 0-45 degrees and has no skyhook. This true wormdrive worked hard and didn’t flinch with any job we gave it, though I wish it shipped with a carbide-tipped blade.

Price
$160

Contact
Sears/Craftsman
800-377-7414
www.sears.com/craftsman

Tester Comments
You gotta love this saw. It has a powerful motor, is the lightest in the group, and has a great guard. It comes with a carbide-tipped blade, a skyhook, and a great warranty. It also has the best body?the offset handle sits at a perfect angle to the work. Add to that a carrying case, a great price, and a hypoid gear that means no more oil changes.

Price
$139

Contact
DeWalt Industrial Tool
800-433-9258
www.dewalt.com

Tester Comments
The 5277NB is a good quality tool at a very reasonable price. It performed dutifully in all areas of the test. Power and comfort are great, and its sealed hypoid gear system means it requires less maintenance than a conventional wormdrive saw. Its 0?50-degree bevel capacity comes in extremely handy cutting rafter stock, though there is no auto-stop at 45 degrees.

Price
$139

Contact
Makita USA
800-462-5482
www.makitatools.com

Tester Comments
This saw was all business in the power department, and its 9-foot power cord is the thickest of the bunch. The saw is heavy, however, and the guard needed help rolling over compound cuts. It has a great five-year warranty.

Price
$188?266

Contact
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp.
800-729-3878
www.milwaukeetool.com

Tester Comments
These guys thought of everything: an easy-rolling magnesium guard, the largest bevel capacity in the group (with an auto-stop at 45 degrees), and painted markings on the bevel scale that are easy to read. The adjustments are oversized, and the tool feels very light and comfortable. The 12-foot rubber cord is high quality and has a light indicating the tool is hot. And, the warranty is ironclad.

Price
$170

Contact
Ridgid
800-474-3443
www.ridgid.com

Tester Comments
This is the saw that most of my crew and I cut our teeth on. Its classic design has stood the test of time, and it was a workhorse in our test, too, plowing through everything we gave it. Plenty of power and a great blade guard kept this tool working, but it only bevels to 45 degrees, has no skyhook, and comes with a steel blade.

Price
$160

Contact
Skil Power Tools
877-754-5999
www.skil.com

Tester Comments
The HD77M or “Mag 77” is a lighter-weight version of the original HD77. It uses the same dependable motor, gear system, and blade guard as the HD77. While the tool will probably outlast your youngest crew member, it only bevels 0?45 degrees, has no skyhook, and comes with an old-style steel blade.

Price
$179

Contact
Skil Power Tools
877-754-5999
www.skil.com