Skil SHD77 and SHD77M? Issues?

[Nate Nagel]

So I sold some tools that either I didn't need or weren't what I really wanted, and was going to take the proceeds and buy myself a circular saw... figured on getting a Skil 77 because that seems to be the default "real" saw. I'd seen one at Lowe's (the 77M) a week or two ago, looked on their web site, it's on closeout! Awesome! (I thought) well, they must have really closed it out because it's already been taken down (from earlier today) and replaced by the regular 77 - but my local store has neither. (I was just there helping a friend get ideas for a remodel project.)

So I look online at Amazon and they have a good price w/ free shipping but I see that the reviews are somewhat mixed... most love the saw but seems like the magnesium version has some issues with the baseplate not being flat and/or not holding adjustment without slop. Anyone have any idea how common those are? I wouldn't normally obsess about this kind of thing but don't really want to pay the premium to buy at Home Despot... nor do I actually *like* patronizing Home Despot... but am wary of ordering online if there's a real chance of getting a bad one?

other question would be, how much difference does it really make to have the 2 lb. lighter magnesium version? Would that something that would really only be noticed if one were, say, putting in a whole day's work framing a house?

nate

[dpb]

On 7/24/2011 9:20 PM, Nate Nagel wrote: ,,,

...

Or in awkward, like overhead positions that occur on occasion but generally not regularly.

I've never had any issue w/ the baseplate; first I've heard of it...then again, mine is quite old; perhaps they've made changes since, that I can't say whether is so or not.

[Tony Hwang]

Hmmm, You like Skil? I think now B&D owns the name. My current saws are Milwaukee and Bosch.

[N8N]

I'm pretty sure Bosch owns the Skil name, the only reason I'm drawn to the Skil 77 is it is pretty much the original and seems to be the most popular - kind of like Milwaukee and the reciprocating saw a.k.a. "Sawzall" (have one, love it.) My drill is Milwaukee as well, mostly because that's what I could get a deal on when I needed a HD 1/2" drill, but it seems to have been a good choice as that is what I see a lot of installers using at work.

nate

[N8N]

First I've heard as well, but here's the Amazon page for the 77M

reviews seem to be split between "this is the finest saw ever" and "great but the base isn't flat" or "the base doesn't lock securely"

Of course, I guess if you have a problem with a product you are far more likely to post a review than if it is perfect...

nate

[Tony Hwang]

Hmm, Both of my saws aare vintage real thing. Drill is DeWalt, also I have Tiger Saw. For using around the house they are lasting my life time.

[Rick]

The latest issue of the Journal of Light Construction has a review...the authors choice was DeWalt DWS5100 first, Skil third

[N8N]

I have lots of "vintage, real thing" tools - unfortunately my grandfather did not see fit to leave me a handheld circular saw, nor have I found a good one at a yard sale... so I have to buy new :(

It is a sad commentary that I'd rather use my grandfather's old tools (my scroll saw actually used to belong to my great-grandfather) than what you can buy at the store today... but that's another discussion...

nate

[Joe]

Your chances of getting a bad one are between zero and nil. Got mine from Amazon, perfect, out of the box. No problems with any adjustments, and it cuts a far straighter line in plywood sheathing which I badly needed. I have parked my DeWalt sidewinder forever, but loan it to friends on occasion...never the 77M.

[Nate Nagel]

well, I found that I can get a "factory reconditioned" one for $126 shipped... (on sale until 8/1) so I pulled the trigger on that. We'll see how it is when it shows up, but as long as it is tight, true and works I'll be happy - my tools aren't showpieces or collector's items :) (in fact, I think my friend is going to sucker me into helping him completely gut and redo his bsmt bathroom so it might have a use in a few weeks.)

nate

[jw]

I can do you one better. I have a Craftsman circular saw that was owned by Jesus's father Joseph. Joseph was a carpenter. He always used all Craftsman tools. He built over 100 mangers every year with those tools, and the tools still work superb. :)

[gpsman]

No Craigslist in VA, huh...?

Well, you're a helpless nitwit that can't pick a saw on his own...

1. Buy saw.
2. Don't like it, take it back.
3. Repeat as necessary until satisfied.
4. Report your imaginary difficulties achieving satisfaction here. -----

- gpsman

[N8N]

no really good deals. Also don't like driving all over creation to get stuff unless it's a screamin' deal.

You're a douchebag who doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground.

see, that's what I'm trying to avoid. Don't have time to play those games, just want something that works and works well.

Get a new hobby, f****it. Your stalking is lame.

nate

[gpsman]

So go to Sear, nitwit.

Yeah, well, you don't see me here searching for help here for the most mundane and simple tasks, do you...?

Craftsman.

Yeah. Step 1: Play victim card. -----

- gpsman

[N8N]

Does Sears sell contractor-quality tools?

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Your taste in tools is just as discriminating as your knowledge of... well... everything that you've ever posted. Crapsman is SHIT compared to real, quality tools.

Step 2: tell gpstard to f*ck off.

f*ck off.

nate

[gpsman]

You don't say!

From: N8N Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:12:46 -0700 (PDT)

"There are no "driving schools" per se,..."

Have you notified GE Aviation...? They use only Craftsman.

Tee hee. -----

- gpsman

[N8N]

I do indeed!

Another post where you demonstrated your idiocy for the whole world to see.

Pay me enough money and I'll slap a Harbo(u)r Freight sticker on the side of my truck and tell the whole world they're the greatest tools ever. Still won't make it true, though.

I will say this, decades ago you would have actually been somewhat correct. Crapsman *used* to make quality tools at a decent price. Now they make (OK, contract to have made) barely acceptable tools at a high price.

Well, get on it, f****it.

nate

[gpsman]

My idiocy is debatable. I didn't assert there are no driving schools, and, unlike yourself, I don't live within 800' of one.

Straw man. They're plenty good enough.

Uh huh...

When did you last buy a Craftsman tool...?

Hey, 'member when you had those unneeded sacks o' sand and were all discombobulated about what to do with them...?

-----

- gpsman

[N8N]

Only the degree. It's clearly established that you are, in fact, an idiot.

The post is valid, if you read the whole thing.

Which one? Craftsman? Or HF? In my mind the former is only a step above the latter.

Couple years ago, needed a torx bit that I didn't have. Sears didn't have the bits, but they did have sets of Torx screwdrivers. Being in a hurry to accomplish the task at hand, I bought a set. One of them had the handle twist on the shaft while attempting to loosen the choke cover screws of a brand new, just out of the box Edelbrock carburetor (e.g. not abusive use or attempting to remove overtightened or corroded fasteners.) This was the first use of that tool.

NOT ACCEPTABLE.

I also have got some new Crapsman screwdrivers from gathering old ones up from my collection and my friend's garage, either because the tips have twisted, stripped (Phillips) or have become nicked somehow. Some of the replacements are already damaged after a year or so of light use.

NOT ACCEPTABLE.

I've had better luck with "Kobalt" from Lowe's. Store is more convenient, sales staff is more clueful. Haven't had to warranty anything yet. They're not pro grade either, but still. Likewise I have used and abused the snot out of my Klein 10-in-1 and other than one of the "sleeve" things starting to bind in the barrel after application of Excessive Torque (tm) it is still in quite usable shape.

I've never broken a Proto, S-K, or Snap-On brand tool. Unfortunately none of those three make handheld circular saws. Skil, however, does, and last time I checked they had an excellent reputation, but that was a while ago and I saw some conflicting information online. Hence my inquiry to see if anyone else had experienced those issues. I think that pretty much everyone but you got the point. (as per usual.)

Tools are expensive, so I prefer to spend a little more money up front if it means that I will get years of service from a given tool rather than hours. Unfortunately it is sometimes difficult to tell the difference without fondling the merchandise personally, as high price is not necessarily an indicator of quality. Even more unfortunately, pro-quality tools are not often available at local retail outlets.

nate

[gpsman]

Pfft.

Do you remember the 1000th time I reminded you you do not read well?

Sure.

No, your lies are not.

Sure.

There's always conflicting information online, Sparky.

I don't believe you have any intent to buy a saw. You have little or no use for one or you'd have mentioned what you had to cut, why, where, how long/wide, ad nauseum.

You aren't replacing one. You've managed your whole life w/o a saw.

You've been using Usenet as your social media for years, pretending to be something you're not, because you have no friends.

Sure. You don't have a pot to piss in, but you think you need a c- saw.

Thanks, Cap'n.

It's tough living out in the sticks of Fairfax VA, ain't it?

Tens of thousands if not millions of professional mechanics find Craftsman tools perfectly acceptable, but they ain't good enough for you. You can't open a letter with a Craftsman screwdriver without breaking it, so obviously it is the fault of the tool.

If you were any more full of shit we'd be able to smell you via Usenet. -----

- gpsman