As a blogger in the home improvement world I've come to know quite a few construction professionals so when I had a question regarding the differences between circular saws, more specifically the worm drive and the sidewinder, I asked my friend Robert Robillard who is a carpenter and also writes about tools and home improvement challenges at A Concord Carpenter.
As a seasoned DIYer who lives on the west coast I've only really shopped for sidewinder saws which I always just called circular saws. But circular saws also come in another variation which is a worm drive saw.
It seems there is a regional bias for what type of saw contractors use. Early on the sidewinder saws were marketed to the east coast and the worm drive to the west coast. The SKIL 77 worm drive saw is a legendary workhorse and many right-handers prefer it because you don't have to look over the motor to see the blade cut. Sidewinders have become the preferred choice among DIYers because of their lighter weight and lower cost.
Comparison
Robert breaks down the differences for me.
Carpenters from coast to coast have used worm drive saws for framing, stair and roof rafter construction. The "Worm drive" is the name of the gears inside the saw. The motor drives a worm gear that transfers power to the blade. Because of this a worm drive has more torque and will cut when a direct drive saw would stall out. Which means more powerful!
It also means more weight and for years this was a negative for a lot of carpenters who are not framers.
In my opinion, worm drive saws are unmatched for their line of sight and blade visibility [blade on left for right handers] as well as their ample power. As a carpenter I can attest that my job site needs change and evolve with newly developed materials, updated building techniques and streamlined methods of working. Todays worm drives are lighter like the DEWALT 13.8 saw.
Many carpenters who do rafter and stair work would have a worm drive and a side winder for the opposing bevels.
Sidewinders or direct drive saws are small, light and get the job done. I personally own both and if I'm making a few cuts I use the lighter sidewinder. If Im on a framing job - it's the worm drive.
I'd love to hear what type and brand of circular saw you use and why?
photo: Fine Homebuilding
We've been optimistic about battery powered OPE gear but much of what we've seen has been underwhelming. There are battery powered products available but they don't really have much power. The exception to this is the STIHL BGA 85 electric leaf blower. It truly rocks and we were excited to review this unit.
These units have been available in Europe for a couple years and they've only recently introduced them to the US. In our opinion this leaf blower will become de rigueur among homeowners who need a solid solution for clearing their yard but also want an environmentally safe solution.
We spoke to a STIHL rep who introduced us to this product and he has also seen this unit make inroads among commercial landscapers who are now dealing with sound ordinances as well as clean air laws. If this leaf blower can withstand daily use then its more than good enough for a homeowner.
Features
We tweeted a photo of this leaf blower last week before this review and received a lot of great comments as its design is unique and almost sci-fi.
It is well balanced with the battery pack that slides into the back and the large blower nozzle in the front. The handle is sturdy and there is a lock so you don't need to pull the trigger while operating (like cruise control). The power is variable speed so in case you don't want to blow away the whole neighborhood you can simply use as much power as you need.
The battery has a handy "fuel gauge" so you know how much juice you have left and the brushless motor is commercial grade and will last years.
We can't overlook the convenience of battery power. No more messing with gas and oil and the maintenance an engine requires. This lithium-ion battery setup is simple, clean and powerful.
We can see this unit being used with some type of strap as it may get heavy after prolonged use. Some women (and men) as well as older people might get fatigued while holding it. It's not heavy at 10.8 lbs (with the larger battery) but a strap might help some.
STIHL claims it produces air flower of 102 mph at the nozzle and at 64 db it's significantly more quiet than most gas models. STIHL still recommends you use hearing protection when using this blower and they also recommend wearing all the proper safety gear such as goggles and gloves.
We highly recommend this product and believe that other manufacturers better step up quickly or else STIHL will continue to dominate yet another OPE category.
Check out more from STIHL.
For basic woodworking projects around the home a jigsaw is indispensable. It takes up little space and is fairly safe and easy to work with.
We've been using a Black & Decker model for years and it's held up well but one major drawback is that its corded so we would always have to watch out for the cord when making turns in cuts and creating more detail.
That's why we were stoked to see the new cordless jigsaw from Milwaukee last year and knew we had to have it. Milwaukee is known for contractor grade quality and everything they make is "heavy duty". But their M12 system is also DIYer friendly and this jigsaw is no exception.
Features we liked included the battery fuel gauge, easy grip (even for small hands), high RPM cutting speed and overall durability. But the major improvement over traditional jigsaws is the portability of this model and its power even though its cordless. If you've got other M12 power tools you are in luck and can just swap out batteries and keep going all day. Milwaukee also prides themselves on making top quality blades and this jigsaw comes with a fine wood cutting blade that has yet to show much wear after putting about 4-5 hours on it.
Do yourself a favor and consider adding this cordless jigsaw to your stable of tools and you'll never go back to corded.
As the saying goes "you need the right tool for the job" and that not only includes the actual tools you use, but also applies to your clothing.
This week we're teaming up with Toughweld Workwear who are offering a Metabo SBE560 1/2" Hammer Drill (retail value $183) to the lucky winner of our Giveaway.
You may ask why do I need a hammer drill I already have a drill? Standard drills are great for going into wood or metal, but for masonry jobs such as drilling into concrete or brick you'll need the functionality of a hammer drill as it not only spins the bit but punches it out providing more driving force. This power tool is a must-have for any serious DIY enthusiast, and if you win this contractor grade Metabo it will last you for years.
HOW TO ENTER
You can enter once-per-day and you've got two options! Enter both ways to double your chance of winning!
1. Leave a comment below saying Toughweld for safety and style.
2. Tweet this contest on Twitter with the words "Win a Metabo Hammer Drill from @Charles_Hudson @toughweld http://bit.ly/toughweld #giveaway"
note: Please don't add URL's or email addresses in the actual comment as it may go to spam. Make sure you provide a working email in the comment form so we can contact the winner.
PRIZE
One winner will receive a Metabo SBE560 1/2" Hammer Drill (retail value $183).
Features:
* Variospeed Full-wave Electronic Speed Control - The speed can be varied from the lowest speed value to the maximum
* Aluminum die-cast gear housing
* Maximum speed controlled by adjusting dial
* Reversing switch
* Chuck - 1/2" keyless
GIVEAWAY DEADLINE
We will select one random winner at 12 midnight EST on February 20th, 2011 and he/she will be notified immediately.
