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Sidewinder circular saw??? #7730856
11/30/22 02:17 PM
11/30/22 02:17 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 178
Illinois
2
2zwudz Offline OP
trapper
2zwudz  Offline OP
trapper
2

Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 178
Illinois
Im looking to get a new sidewinder (not a worm drive) circular saw. What saw do you recommend?

Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: 2zwudz] #7730890
11/30/22 02:58 PM
11/30/22 02:58 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,927
SEPA
L
Lugnut Offline
trapper
Lugnut  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,927
SEPA
I had to look up that term. That’s the first time I’ve heard a regular circular saw referred to as a sidewinder. I didn’t know that was a thing.


Eh...wot?

Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: 2zwudz] #7730916
11/30/22 03:31 PM
11/30/22 03:31 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,369
Green County Wisconsin
G
GREENCOUNTYPETE Offline
trapper
GREENCOUNTYPETE  Offline
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G

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,369
Green County Wisconsin
while I have been very happy with my Milwaukee and it has been running a long time, I use the rigid battery operated saw more now , just so eady to not have to run a cord unless I am cutting a bunch of stuff , I missed the worm drive because of the blade on left side that I used to use working construction.

I see Skilsaw does a blade on left "side winder" I also had to look that term up it appears to be a Skilsaw branding name

being right handed getting the guard out of the way with my left hand thumb and seeing the blade though was easier , it probably depends on what exactly you are cutting like sheet goods I want the saw on the sheet not what I am trimming off but also don't want to have to lean way over the whole sheet

i may be odd , I also bought a lefty bait casting reel

it would be nice if they put a rafter hook on it , seems like every saw should come with a rafter hook these days

Last edited by GREENCOUNTYPETE; 11/30/22 03:32 PM.

America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: 2zwudz] #7730920
11/30/22 03:40 PM
11/30/22 03:40 PM
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,497
Southern NJ
maintenanceguy Offline
trapper
maintenanceguy  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,497
Southern NJ
worm drive used to be the "standard" circular saw. That's why the sidewinders got a nickname when they came along - so you could tell them from the "standard" worm drive that everyone already had.

Last edited by maintenanceguy; 11/30/22 03:41 PM.

-Ryan
Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: Lugnut] #7730922
11/30/22 03:43 PM
11/30/22 03:43 PM
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 2,363
Interior Alaska
O
Oh Snap Offline
trapper
Oh Snap  Offline
trapper
O

Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 2,363
Interior Alaska
Originally Posted by Lugnut
I had to look up that term. That’s the first time I’ve heard a regular circular saw referred to as a sidewinder. I didn’t know that was a thing.


I served my apprenticeship in Southern California in the early 60’s and I worked on a commercial building framing crew and the saw we used was a side winder saw. Must be a west coast term.


I love the smell of burning spruce---I love the sound of a spring time goose---I love the feel of 40 below---from my trapline I will never go!
Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: 2zwudz] #7730927
11/30/22 03:51 PM
11/30/22 03:51 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,124
McGrath, AK
W
white17 Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
white17  Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,124
McGrath, AK
Generally sidewinders have inadequate torque for all the things a guy needs to do.


Mean As Nails
Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: 2zwudz] #7730933
11/30/22 03:59 PM
11/30/22 03:59 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,835
Pa
W
Wright Brothers Offline
trapper
Wright Brothers  Offline
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W

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,835
Pa
If you are asking about regular corded 7 1/4 saw Porter Cable or Makita get my vote.
Though I have not used every modern model made.





Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: 2zwudz] #7730934
11/30/22 04:00 PM
11/30/22 04:00 PM
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 2,363
Interior Alaska
O
Oh Snap Offline
trapper
Oh Snap  Offline
trapper
O

Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 2,363
Interior Alaska
I was remodeling the Security Police building at Clear AFS in early 90’s. Lots of outside work all winter. Worm drives had to be kept warm so I bought a Rockwell side winder and it had a grease fitting that I could grease it with low temperature grease and that ended the problem with having to keep saws warm.

I suppose I could have flushed the gear box on the worm drive and that would have worked. Didn’t think of that!


I love the smell of burning spruce---I love the sound of a spring time goose---I love the feel of 40 below---from my trapline I will never go!
Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: 2zwudz] #7730965
11/30/22 04:40 PM
11/30/22 04:40 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,151
Alaska and Washington State
W
waggler Offline
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waggler  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,151
Alaska and Washington State
I have never been able to figure out how a righthanded person uses a sidewinder; plus a worm-drive is much more stable and seems to make a truer cut.


"My life is better than your vacation"
Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: 2zwudz] #7730967
11/30/22 04:42 PM
11/30/22 04:42 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,927
SEPA
L
Lugnut Offline
trapper
Lugnut  Offline
trapper
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,927
SEPA
I’ve been using a pair of Dewalt 13 amp, 11 pound circular saws since I went into business in 1996. They are just regular circular saws, I guess that’s what you guys call sidewinder saws.

Anyhow they have served me well over the last 26 years. And I never thought they were inadequate in any way, torque or otherwise.


Eh...wot?

Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: 2zwudz] #7730981
11/30/22 05:05 PM
11/30/22 05:05 PM
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 2,363
Interior Alaska
O
Oh Snap Offline
trapper
Oh Snap  Offline
trapper
O

Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 2,363
Interior Alaska
Worked on 9 bridges on the I5 and no power saws. The company kept all our hand saws sharp every week. Then I worked on a framing crew framing 8 plexus and only saw on the job was the one the stair guy had. Everything came Pre cut on flat bed trailers, even all the blocking. Every day and one half we completed one. Day after day!


I love the smell of burning spruce---I love the sound of a spring time goose---I love the feel of 40 below---from my trapline I will never go!
Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: 2zwudz] #7730989
11/30/22 05:23 PM
11/30/22 05:23 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,365
New York border
Cragar Offline
trapper
Cragar  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,365
New York border
This is what I use.
[Linked Image]

Porter - Cable
1 left hand blade
1 right hand blade

Both 15amp - 5800 rpm - electric brake - magnesium base
Approximately 15-20 years old. No issues ever. Both work great.


NRA benefactor member
Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: Cragar] #7730995
11/30/22 05:36 PM
11/30/22 05:36 PM
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 2,363
Interior Alaska
O
Oh Snap Offline
trapper
Oh Snap  Offline
trapper
O

Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 2,363
Interior Alaska
Originally Posted by Cragar
This is what I use.
[Linked Image]

Porter - Cable
1 left hand blade
1 right hand blade

Both 15amp - 5800 rpm - electric brake - magnesium base
Approximately 15 years old. No issues ever. Both work great.


Look brand new!


I love the smell of burning spruce---I love the sound of a spring time goose---I love the feel of 40 below---from my trapline I will never go!
Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: Oh Snap] #7731001
11/30/22 05:47 PM
11/30/22 05:47 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,365
New York border
Cragar Offline
trapper
Cragar  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,365
New York border
Originally Posted by Oh Snap
Originally Posted by Cragar
This is what I use.
[Linked Image]

Porter - Cable
1 left hand blade
1 right hand blade

Both 15amp - 5800 rpm - electric brake - magnesium base
Approximately 15 years old. No issues ever. Both work great.


Look brand new!

I don't do huge amounts of carpentry. Plus these cost a fair amount , I think I paid about $125 each when I bought them. I try to take good care ( mostly ) of my tools , always keep them in their cases and stored indoors in a climate controlled environment. Pay a decent buck for something , ya take care of it. Also I don't loan them out , that's a huge factor too.


NRA benefactor member
Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: Cragar] #7731076
11/30/22 07:54 PM
11/30/22 07:54 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,292
Sugar Grove, WV
J
JTfromWV Offline
trapper
JTfromWV  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,292
Sugar Grove, WV
Originally Posted by Cragar
This is what I use.
[Linked Image]

Porter - Cable
1 left hand blade
1 right hand blade

Both 15amp - 5800 rpm - electric brake - magnesium base
Approximately 15-20 years old. No issues ever. Both work great.

I use the one on the right. I have had it for almost 30 years. It has a lot of miles on it and has been a good one. It has built a house, a two story garage, 30 x 60 barn, and numerous out buildings and decks. I don't know if the new ones are the same quality.

Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: 2zwudz] #7731204
11/30/22 09:25 PM
11/30/22 09:25 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,780
St. Cloud, MN
trapperkeck Offline
trapper
trapperkeck  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,780
St. Cloud, MN
I am still using the Makita saw I bought in 1990. I worked on a framing crew for three years, using that saw daily. It's been used moderately since then, but it is my favorite circular saw, by far. I've used most of the others, but the Makita fit me best. I think the model is 5007 NM-B. It is the saw with the aluminum bed. They made one with a steel bed, at the time, that was junk. I've only replaced the cord a couple times because my help had a habit of cutting them in two.


"The voice of reason!"
Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: trapperkeck] #7731236
11/30/22 09:50 PM
11/30/22 09:50 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 178
Illinois
2
2zwudz Offline OP
trapper
2zwudz  Offline OP
trapper
2

Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 178
Illinois
The Makita was the one i was looking for but none of our big box stores carried them.

Last edited by 2zwudz; 11/30/22 09:51 PM.
Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: 2zwudz] #7731243
11/30/22 09:58 PM
11/30/22 09:58 PM
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,557
lewis county,new york
N
newfox1 Online content
trapper
newfox1  Online Content
trapper
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,557
lewis county,new york
I also use the makita 5007f , I’ve made thousands of cuts with mine, for the money you can’t beat them, and it doesn’t have that sideways torque that cranks on your elbow like a worm saw does.

Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: 2zwudz] #7731303
11/30/22 10:56 PM
11/30/22 10:56 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,958
St. Louis Co, Mo
B
BigBob Offline
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BigBob  Offline
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B

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,958
St. Louis Co, Mo
What's a rafter hook?


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Beware! Jill Pudlewski, Ron Oates and Keven Begesse are liars and thiefs!
Re: Sidewinder circular saw??? [Re: BigBob] #7731316
11/30/22 11:12 PM
11/30/22 11:12 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,369
Green County Wisconsin
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GREENCOUNTYPETE Offline
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GREENCOUNTYPETE  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,369
Green County Wisconsin
Originally Posted by BigBob
What's a rafter hook?


it is a hook that attaches to your saw it folds down to be out of the way when you don't want it , then flips out to habg on a 2x board so you are not trying to ballance your saw some place or alwasy setting it on the ground
you can hang it on the saw horse , floor joist , ladder , scafold or rafter

https://thetoolscout.com/what-is-a-rafter-hook-on-a-circular-saw/


America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
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