HF worm drive circular saw - anyone use one?

[Jetboy]

I finally killed off my spur drive circular saw last week. I assume it's some type of clutch or gear failure. Motor spins... blade not so much.

I see HF has a knockoff of a worm drive saw. If it's OK quality, I'm not a professional. Maybe it would be good enough for me. I'm not sure I can justify spending $200+ on a professional quality saw that gets used a few times a year. The HF saw is about $90.

Anyone used one? Thoughts?

 

[e9999]

I do see good worm gear saws on Craigslist pretty often, and not infrequently for less than $90. Could be a better way to go. A tool like that is not what I would normally trust HF with...
The problem with those, though, is that they are more likely heavily used by construction pros than kept on a shelf by a hoping-to-do-carpentry-work-some-day guy like me (I do have a magnesium one that I used only once or twice ... )
If you go HF, don't forget the usual coupons.

 

[KLF]

Yah, keep an eye on craigslist, they turn up on there occasionally. Some are beat, but some were bought and hardly used because they are heavy and pull serious amps. My old Skil dims the lights when I kick it on, I have to be careful to use a heavy extension cord. But it sure does cut nice... nothin' better for building decks.

 

[Jetboy]

The problem I've generally had with HF power tools is the power part. Sometimes the electric motors tend to be really weak. It's so hit and miss though. I have a drill press that's almost totally worthless because it has such low torque. My dad has a HF mill (one of the big $2k ones he bought 2nd hand at an estate sale) and it works great. It's rarely used as a mill, but makes a great drill press for a reasonable price. Similarly I bought one of their paddle switch grinders because it looked like a clone of a Dewalt grinder. Works - but not nearly as powerful. Probably 50% at best. So it's OK for a sanding disk, but I wouldn't buy again.

Used might be a safer bet.

 

[tclark]

I used to buy cheap crappy tools with the same thought process(hey, I only use it a few times a year). I finally got tired of low power, sloppy fit, inaccurate cuts, etc and try to buy at least decent stuff now. I figure since anything I do like that is a hobby I want to actually enjoy doing it, not be pissed off and cussing crappy tools! It's just so much nicer to work on stuff when you have good tools. Like has been said you can find good used stuff if you look around. I think I've seen a worm drive saw in every pawn shop I've ever walked into. You can also get a Dewalt on Amazon for like $169 with no tax and free shipping(as of a few days ago anyway)

 

[Jetboy]

Ended up with a Makita hypoid saw. In the middle price wise and works pretty well so far. I'd guess I'll never use it enough to wear it out. I really like the blade on the left setup.

I think a 6.5" version of the same type of saw that's 1/3 less weight would sell very well. I almost bought the Fuego circular saw, but the blade is on the wrong side.

 

[95ToyCruiser]

I bought one of the HF metal circular saws about a year ago.. With an extra blade...

I've used it many times, run thought a sheet of 1/8'' and a sheet of 3/16'' (4'x8') making several bumpers and random things and it's still going strong...

I prefer it to the plasma for anything straight, (untill we finally get our 4x8 torch mate up and running)... I can double up 3/16'' (3/8'') and cut 2 identical prices at once...

Just saying, all their stuff isn't junk... Although there is definitely something to be said about buying quality for things you use often..