Last Updated on June 8, 2023 by Georgie Smith
You would be hard-pressed to find a job site without a circular saw. Saws are an indispensable tool for framing, long crosscuts, and even beveling. If you have much plywood to cut too, you might consider a worm drive, or direct drive circular saw.
If you are like many woodworking enthusiasts, you might wonder which best circular saw to go for or instead which circular saw is suited for what job.
Moreover, in this comprehensive guide, we shall look at the best circular saws and compare their differences. We want to explore what saw is suitable for what task and look at some of the features you need to consider before buying one.
Read on…
Worm Drive Vs. Hypoid vs. Sidewinder Circular Saws: Which Saw is Best for You?
Before you buy a saw, several factors will influence your decision. These factors are:
- Type of task at hand
- Power requirements of your task
- Working orientation. Are you a righty or lefty?
- Experience-Newbie or pro
- Your budget
Worm-Drive and Hypoid Saws
On a hypoid and a worm drive saw, the centerline of the motor is parallel to the plane of the saw blade. This orientation gives the worm drive a narrow profile allowing you to get into more confined spaces.
The worm-drive and hypoid saws have a longer distance between the handle and the blade, which extends your reach to cut and is helpful for crosscutting sheets. Unfortunately, the long-distance and length of the saw reduce the speed of the blade.
The longer saw has larger gear teeth with more load-carrying ability and is consequently heavier.
It is always important to note that since the handle is further from the blade on this saw, you get a little more margin of safety from kickback.
Sidewinder Circular Saws
The sidewinder saw, also known as a direct drive saw has a blade next to the motor which creates a broader profile but a shorter overall length.
The direct-drive saw is lighter and compact, and because the handle is close to the blade, it provides more control for less-experienced users. However, there is a reduction of the blade reach.
Righty vs. Lefty
Though your working orientation does not confine you to a circular saw, you should consider the positioning of the blade.
For instance, the blade on the sidewinder circular saw is on the right side, so it is easier for a left-handed operator to see the cutline.
On the other hand, the blade on a worm drive is on the left side, making it easier for a right-handed operator to see the cutline.
Comparing Worm Drive Vs. Hypoid vs. Sidewinder Circular Saws
| Worm Drive Circular Saws | Hypoid Circular Saws | Sidewinder Circular Saws |
|---|---|---|
| Worm drive gear | Spiral bevel gear | Spur-gear |
| Heavy and bulky | Heavy and bulky | Light and compact |
| The blade is on the left side | The blade is on the left side | The blade is on the right side |
| The motor on the right side | The motor on the right side | The motor on the left side |
| Slower spinning blade with more torque | Slower spinning blade with more torque | Faster spinning with less torque |
| A motor at right angles to the blade | A motor at right angles to the blade | The motor shaft and saw blade shaft is the same direction |
| Best for Long Rip Cuts and Harder Woods | Best for Long Rip Cuts and Harder Woods | Best for Cross Cuts and Softer Woods |
A Review of the Circular Saws
| DeWalt DWS535B 7 | Makita 5377MG | SKILSAW SPT67WL-01 |
|---|---|---|
| Worm Drive Circular Saws | Hypoid Circular Saw | Sidewinder Circular Saw |
| 15-Amp | 15-Amp | 15-Amp |
| 4800 RPM | 4,500 RPM | 5300 RPM |
| 13.8 pounds | 13.2 pounds | 8.6 pounds |
| 7 ¼ inch blade | 7 ¼ inch blade | 7 ¼ inch blade |
| 53 degrees bevel capacity | 51.5 degrees bevel capacity | 53 degrees bevel capacity |
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DEWALT DWS535B
Brand - DEWALT
Blade Length - 4 Inches
Power Source - Corded
Speed - 4800 RPM
Makita 5377MG
Brand - Makita
Blade Length - 4 Inches
Color - Teal
Hand Powered
SKILSAW SPT67WL-01
Brand - Skil
Blade Length - 4 Inches
Corded Electric
Number of Teeth - 24
Worm Drive Circular Saws:
Worm drive saws are usually easy to handle than the sidewinder, and in the section below, we review the DeWalt DwS535B worm drive saw.
DEWALT DWS535B 7 Reviews:
The DWS535B is easy to use, accurate, stable, but most importantly, affordable. The saw has everything you will ever need for a plethora of applications. With this tool, versatility should not be questionable.
With a powerful 15-amp motor, which delivers around 4,800 RPM on no-load speed, this tool can handle general-purpose tasks efficiently without strain. The motors drive the 7 ¼” 18 tooth general purpose carbide-tipped blade.
The 53 degrees bevel capacity on the tool is quite good, considering that most of the high-grade sidewinder models have a capacity of around 45 degrees.
Though it is not the lightest model in its class, the 13.8 lbs weight of the saw, courtesy of the magnesium construction augments the portability and promotes excellent user handling.
When you buy this cutting tool, you get a big, extra wide rafter hook, which is quite handy, primarily if you are working off the ground and you need to place the saw without it toppling.
However, if you happen to drop it, it would not be so much of an issue, thanks to the bevel adjustment and depth drive adjustment. The magnesium cast into the foot with some steel backing takes all the hitting, and it`s less likely that your saw is going to shatter to pieces.
The proprietary TOUGHCORD cord protection system bolsters strength and robustness by jerking damage.
Good Stuff
Bad Stuff
The DWS535B saw design is with you in mind. It has plenty of easy-to-use and time-saving features like the top accessible spindle lock, which makes changing blades easier and faster.
Hypoid Circular Saw:
Though the hypoid circular saws are a tad heavy, you can benefit immensely from the increased torque and stronger gear assembly of this cutting tool. Additionally, you will appreciate the added cut length due to the motor orientation.
Makita 5377MG Reviews:
With super ergonomics, excellent build quality, accuracy, and precision, the Makita 5377MG looks stunning and genuinely high-end.
Easy to use and powerful enough to cut through anything without too many issues along the way, this power tool is suitable for both DIYers and pros.
Performance-wise, the Makita 5377MG is like a worm saw, but Makita markets them as hypoid saws because of the heat-treated hypoid steel gears that they use. The heat-treated gears rather than bronze-alloy gears are used in most worm-type brands.
These gears, in combo with Makita`s 100 percent oil bath gear coating, make this tool among the most durable and maintenance-free on the market.
Moreover, when it comes to performance, it does not skimp either. With the powerful 15-amp motor, with optimal speeds of around 4,500 RPM, the 5377MG truly delivers on the expectation of hypoid saws. The motor is more than that of the standard circular saws and provides just the sufficient power needed for about any professional, or contractor-grade task.
What`s more? The startup torque is on another level. Immediately you engage the blade by pulling the trigger; the saw fires up to full speed instantly.
When it comes to durability, the Makita 5377MG is amazingly long-lasting and robust, especially when you consider that it only weighs a mere 13.2 pounds.
The manifestation of durability is not only visible in the sturdiness of the magnesium housing, but also because of the inclusion of modern engineering in most of the other features, which increases its life without the need for regular servicing.
To make life a lot easier for you, the Makita comes with rubberized levers that allow easy and fast adjusting of cutting depth and bevel angle. Additionally, the changing of the blade on this tool is quick and easy.
Finally, it`s versatile and gives you control over a wide range of materials including standard stock, dense wood, panels, masonry, and framing walls, among a list of other materials.
Good Stuff
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A longer lifespan and shorter maintenance are the selling points of the Makita 5377MG. This high-grade power tool will provide you with services for an extended period without breaking down or calling for repair.
Sidewinder Circular Saw
The sidewinder saws are a category of circular saws and are lightweight, and compact. They give the perfect solution for your home-based and general tasks.
SKILSAW SPT67WL-01 Reviews:
If you are budget-stricken and looking for an affordable and economical option with some superb cutting abilities, the SKILSAW SPT67WL-01 is the perfect option.
Budget aside, the SPT67WL-01 is among the lightest pro circular saws that you will ever get on the market. The cutting tool weighs only 8.6 pounds, and if you are working on an all-day project, you will readily appreciate the lightness of the saw.
Impressions matter a lot, and the SKILSAW does not disappoint in any way. The circular saw looks and feels like quality, from the spring in the blade guard to the clicking of the trigger switch.
Under the hood lies a 15-amp motor that provides the power you need even for the most demanding tasks.
The saw comes with a standard 7 ¼ inch Diablo carbide blade. The saw is adjustable allowing tilting of the blade up to 56 degrees for a beveled cut. Similarly, the till locks at a 45-degree angle, which will enable you to make common cuts faster and easier to make.
Moreover, if you dislike the heat produced by friction on other saws, you will appreciate knowing this saw had the answer. The SPT67WL-01 features a Dual-Field motor that allows the saw to continue running longer while staying cool.
Good Stuff
Bad Stuff
The SKILSAW SPT67WL-01 is a back-to-basic, no-frills workhorse. Though it does not have fancy or overly extravagant add-ons, it comes with an objective design meant to get things done.
Which One Should We Choose?
If choosing between the DEWALT DWS535B 7, Makita 5377MG, and SKILSAW SPT67WL-01 is a match; then it would be a deathmatch or a winner-survives match.
See, all the above products have near-similar features, and performance-wise, they give the same results. Each tool is a contender and can serve the purpose of the other seamlessly.
However, if I were to single out one product, I would go with the DEWALT DWS535B 7.
It`s a hard call, especially when you factor in the popularity and reliability of Makita`s products.
Though the DeWalt cutting tool, is the heaviest among the three and more expensive than the SKILSAW SPT67WL-01, it has a decent RPM of 4,800 and more torque. That allows it to run more efficiently and deliver more torque to the band wheels.
However, you should not disregard the rest. Remember that the most important aspect when choosing saws is how it feels. When selecting a new saw, try it whenever possible. Feeling safe and comfortable when using a tool is the most important than any specifications on paper.
Everything You Need to Know
If you are starting out, you would want to know everything about circular saws, and the section below does that.
Is it worth buying a saw?
If you are a woodworking aficionado, research shows that a circular saw is one of the best investments that you can make for your workshop. That is particularly true if you always find yourself working with plastic, metal, or wood.
A circular saw is not only easy to use, but it will also revolutionize the way in which you go about your cutting altogether. Investing in one will allow for an easier and safer cutting for a vast array of materials.
Moreover, you`ll appreciate the fact that the use of the circular saw does not stop at clean through-and-through cuts. You can also use the circular saw for cutting, tearing, and decorative punching.
FAQs:
Q: Why does my material chip out at the end of the cut?
A: Poor blade alignment to the fence, and sometimes poor arbor or spindle bearings may result in chipping or breaking out at the end of the cut.
Q: While ripping, I experience burning of the material. Why?
A: The four primary reasons that cause the burning of your material are an improper alignment of the saw with the fence, heeling blade, a blunt blade, or shifting of the stock from the axis during the cut.
Q: What is the cause of blade vibration, when my saw reaches the greatest RPM?
A: Improper mounting of the blade causes vibration on the blade. Also, check to see that the arbors and collars are clean. Finally, check the arbor to make sure it is running true and not bent.
Q: Why is my blade cutting heavy?
A: There are several reasons for a heavy cut including cutting with too many teeth, cutting too slowly, cutting using an incorrect hook angle, and using a blunt saw blade.
Q: Is a saw with higher horsepower going to deliver better performance than those with less horsepower?
A: Though many marketers promote their products using horsepower rating, it is important to note that horsepower is not the determining criteria on saw performance, but instead the delivery of torque.
Conclusion
Choosing the best circular saw is now easy with our guide. We hope that you will now make a more informed decision when picking your next cutting tool. Whichever tool from the three listed you choose, you will improve the quality of work necessary for a satisfactory job.
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