Best Worm Drive Circular Saws – 2021 Reviews

| Last Updated: December 30, 2021

There are a lot of things you can accomplish with a standard circular saw; however, with the help of a worm drive circular saw, you can do twice the work by putting in half the effort. These saws are useful and incredibly unique for different kinds of cuts. 

The operation of these kinds of saws is very easy and also incredibly smooth. These units are a great investment to have in your workshop as they make your entire work experience extremely enjoyable. However, in order to get the maximum benefit out of your worm drive saw, you must get the right model. 

Now, this is not an easy task since there are plenty of options to choose from. However, with this guide, you will find the best worm drive circular saw present in the market for your use.

Comparison of the Best Worm Drive Circular Saws

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Lightest magnesium construction lessens fatigue
  • Offers quick, accurate depth measurements
  • Anti-snag lower guard for smooth operation
View Latest Price →
  • Circular saw provides better comfort and control
  • Delivers 5 300 no-load Rpm
  • On-board multi-function wrench for blade changes
View Latest Price →
  • Best for the Money
  • Can execute log cuts and compound angles
  • Will cut angles up to 45 degrees
View Latest Price →
  • Best Dewalt Worm Drive Circular Saw
  • Aluminum construction for durability
  • Electric brake stops the blade quickly
View Latest Price →
  • Best Skil Worm Drive Circular Saw
  • 15 Amp of power for more power
  • 53° bevel allows wider variety of cuts
View Latest Price →
  • Best Makita Worm Drive Circular Saw
  • High-quality, heat treated hypoid gears
  • Oil-bath technology and sealed gear housing
View Latest Price →

What is a Worm Driver Circular Saw?

Worm drive saws were manufactured in the early days where people faced difficulties in cutting sugar cane with machetes. These worm drive saws helped these workers do their work faster and more efficiently. They position the blade in the front of the motor and turn the blade using a strung worm drive that goes down its shaft. 

This saw has many benefits, and the most common benefits include the following:

  • This saw has led to an improved capacity

  • It provides you with a clear view of the cutting line and also enhances the accuracy

  • These models are heavier and have a solid construction that makes them sturdy and long-lasting

  • It is incredibly powerful and assists in speeding up the entire cutting process without compromising its precision and quality

What to Look For When Buying a Worm Drive Circular Saw?

A worm drive circular saw is a big investment. To ensure you don’t end up wasting your money, there are some factors you should keep in mind before purchasing one. Some of these factors include:

Cutting Depth

Pay good attention to the cutting depth of your saw at both 90 degree and 45-degree angles. Ignoring this depth can make it very difficult to cut certain types of materials. 

Motor

This is an essential component of the worm drive circular saw. An unreliable and weak motor is not ideal for use. It is common these days to easily get your hands on a fifteen amp motor that provides you with 5400 to 4500 RPM. If a motor has lesser power, then it is probably an underpowered model. 

Bevel Capacity

It’s also a smart idea to know the bevel capacity of the saw as this dictates the types of cut you will get. Also, a larger bevel capacity will provide you with greater freedom and flexibility when cutting the material at a specific angle. Also, a preset bevel stop will make the entire working experience simpler and easier. 

Weight

Like with any other tool present in your house, the weight has a very important role in the saw’s functionality. For quick and small DIY projects, weight might not be a problem, but when it comes to noticeable projects, every pound must be taken into consideration. 


Review of the Best Worm Drive Circular Saws

Even with all the information present above, finding the best worm drive circular saw is incredibly difficult. There are so many options in the market that you can easily get confused. To make this decision easier for you, we have compiled reviews of the top products present in the market. Read on below to find out more about them and which one you should buy. 

Best Overall:
SKILSAW SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 

SKILSAW SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4-Inch Lightweight Worm Drive Circular Saw , Silver

PROS

  • Extremely easy to use
  • Allows for a wider variety of cuts
  • Lightest magnesium constructed saw
  • Depth of the cut system allows for quick deep, accurate cuts
  • Anti-sag guard provides smooth operations for small cut-off pieces

CONS

  • Grip is not completely rubberized
  • Wrench needed for oil and blade changes 

What Recent Buyers Report

Recent buyers have been very happy with their purchase, and have stated that it is extremely light, which allows for easy use. They have also said that it cuts quite smoothly and provides a great amount of torque. However, you need to keep it clean and well maintained. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

One of the lightest models in the market, the Skilsaw is an incredibly well-designed saw. It is a magnesium saw that has an ample amount of torque to help you make the most difficult cuts. Its 115 amp dual motor allows for all-day use without you worrying about it heating up. It also features a cut ready depth adjustment level that allows for easy and quick adjustments.

Who Will Use This the Most

This is a great unit for professional construction workers. It is solid and hardly slows down. It feels great in your hand and allows you to do a great job. This is best for anyone who likes doing wood projects, and it is ideal for both professionals and beginners

Bottom Line

Powered by a dual field motor and cut deep adjustment for easy adjustments, this unit is one of the best saws available today. A well-balanced model with soft rubber grip gives you hassle-free cutting, while the 15 amp motor allows for powerful cutting. With the Skilsaw, you just can't go wrong.

Runner-up:
Bosch 7-1/4-Inch Worm Drive Circular Saw CSW41 

BOSCH 7-1/4-Inch Worm Drive Circular Saw CSW41, Blue

PROS

  • Extremely lightweight design
  • Makes it easier to track cutting angle
  • Accurate cutting and comfortable hand grip
  • Has a custom wrench that lets you swap parts
  • Has a great torque and excellent cutting power

CONS

  • Requires oiling up 
  • Has minor workmanship issues
  • Should have had a few more safety features

What Recent Buyers Report

Recent buyers have been very happy with their purchase. Users stated that it cuts through 2-inch hardwood without any trouble and allows for an easy cutting experience. It is a great piece of engineering with a well-powered motor. Buyers have all been very happy with the new saw and love the fact that it is so lightweight.

Why it Stands Out to Us

The Bosch CSW41 is a great saw that provides power and versatility. It has a great gearing ratio and a magnesium footplate that allows for lifetime reliability. The unit has an extremely easy to handle feature and a multi-function wrench that allows users to change blades easily. It also features an easy to use spindle-lock.

Who Will Use This the Most

This is a perfect saw for all woodcutters. No matter what you plan on doing, this is a must-have tool if wood is involved. It is a professional unit that makes woodcutting easy and trouble-free. Furthermore, with an amazing motor and great grip, wood cutting becomes more fun. 

Bottom Line

The Bosch saw provides great comfort and control. It features a multi-function wrench blade and gives increased accuracy and precision, making your woodwork a work of art. The model is also one of the very few saws that come with a built-in tool hook, providing convenient storage space in between cuts.

Best for the Money:
Prazi USA Beam Cutter for 7-1/4 Inch Worm Drive Saws 

Prazi USA PR-7000 Beam Cutter Blades, Circular Saw Blade Attachment Part, Increase Cutting Power and Capacity, Fits 7.25-inch Saws

PROS

  • Can cut up to an angle of 45 degrees
  • Compatible with Skil and Bosch drive saws
  • Vertical blade allows smooth and precise cuts
  • Has a built-in site which ensures glide management

CONS

  • Manual is confusing 
  • Does not fit all worm drive saws

What Recent Buyers Report

Recent buyers are reported to have said that this unit is far superior to chain saws and many other products out there. It doesn't require much oiling and easily cuts through many stacks of wood. It can easily cut through 8x8 and larger beams and is one of the fastest cutting machines out there. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

The Prazi USA Beam cutter allows for cutting at a 45-degree angle. Its vertical footplate and a built insight allow for smooth and great precision. This model is a well-built machine that makes cutting through or following up with a previous cut hassle-free. It further has great safety features, such as dust deflector, guide bar, kick-back resistance, chain guard, and much more. 

Who Will Use This the Most

This unit is mostly used by professionals; however, its safety features and easy to use mechanics make it suitable for anyone who's into wood projects. 

Bottom Line

A great piece of machinery that is lightweight and sturdy; this model allows for precision cutting and has quite a few built-in safety features that make cutting wood far less dangerous. The unit is further designed for versatility and has interchangeable parts. All in all, it is extremely easy to use and is certainly one of the best models available today.

Best Dewalt Worm Drive Circular Saw:
DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw Worm Drive (DWS535B) 

DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw, 15-Amp, Worm Drive, Corded (DWS535B)

PROS

  • Strong and well built
  • Has extra bevel options
  • Very powerful and robust
  • Built-in break helps prevent kicks
  • Comes with a great three-year warranty

CONS

  • Cord is relatively short
  • Heavier than other models
  • Does not have a wrench holder 

What Recent Buyers Report

The majority of the buyers have been happy with this unit, and have said that it works quite well. Some buyers have stated that it is quite heavy than other saws that they have; however, the three-year warranty makes it a great product to own and experiment with. They also said that it has a great grip that makes woodcutting comfortable and very easy.

Why it Stands Out to Us

Dewalt is a very popular brand due to its high quality and reliable power tools. The saw features an electric brake and is made of aluminum, which makes it extremely lightweight. It has tough cord protection and a spindle lock for ease in changing blades. The unit also has a great cutting depth and comes with a three-year warranty.

Who Will Use This the Most

This is a great tool for professionals who make their living by doing woodwork. It is a great and handy tool that has quite some safety features, which makes it a great buy for those new to woodwork as well. If you're starting a DIY project or any other construction project with wood, this is a tool that will make your work easy and fast. 

Bottom Line

This machine boasts a lightweight and powerful design, and a tough cord protection system that prevents it from cord jerks. To put it simply, you just can't go wrong with Dewalt. It has a respectable image in the market, and this is undoubtedly one of their best power tools. 

Best Makita Worm Drive Circular Saw:
Makita 5477NB 7-1/4" Hypoid Saw 

Makita 5477NB 7-1/4' Hypoid Saw

PROS

  • Ensures durability and longevity
  • Has a handy rafter hook and good balance 
  • Very powerful with a great amount of torque
  • Features a hypoid gear system that lasts longer than worm gears

CONS

  • Doesn't feature a dust collection port
  • Initial torque can sometimes be a little too much

What Recent Buyers Report

Almost everyone who invested in this product has been more than happy with its performance. They have said that it has way more torque than other saws in the market, and its easy grip and easy to use features make woodcutting fun. It also allows for precision as it lets you easily view where your blade is running. However, it is quite heavy, but that doesn't bother most consumers due to the fact that it's heavy-duty as well. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

The Makita Hypoid Saw features a powerful 15 MP motor that allows for increased productivity. It has a hypoid gear that delivers greater power and more surface contact than worm drive gears. The unit's heat-treated hypoid gears are designed for long-lasting performance. It further boasts easy to use features and is engineered for a range of applications.

Who Will Use This the Most

This is an extremely well built saw that's ideal for professionals. If you have to cut wood and are into the construction business, then this is a great product for you. However, if you are new to cutting, we would suggest using other products first, due to the fact that this is a heavy-duty saw. 

Bottom Line

It uses a heat-treated hypoid steel gear system as opposed to a traditional bronze alloy worm gear, which gives it an upper hand amongst other saws. Professionals who need a long-lasting and high performing saw should definitely go for the Matika 5377MG Hypoid saw.

Worm Drive vs Circular Saw- Comparison Overview

When talking about worm drive and circular saws, we are actually talking about a worm drive saw, and a sidewinder saw. They both are circular saws but of different types. What separates these two types is the position of the blade. Some differences between these two include the following:

Worm Drive Has Better Torque

Worm drive saws have the blade positioned in front of the motor. This placement allows the blade to turn by a worm drive that goes down its shaft. This further makes the blade have more torque and allows it to cut dense and thicker material. 

Sidewinder Saw Has a Higher RPM

As the name suggests, the blade in a sidewinder saw is situated next to its motor. This allows it to turn directly instead of the gears doing it, thus, resulting in a higher RPM rate compared to a worm drive saw. 

This saw lacks the torque provided by a worm drive saw, but since they are affordable, they can be a good investment as well. These saws also spin faster than worm drive saws. 

Conclusion

With all the information present in this article, you can easily go out and find the best worm drive saw for yourself. However, make sure that you do your own research as well. Read the buyer's guide thoroughly and then use the features mentioned in it to find the model that's perfect for your use. 

People Also Ask

Even with the information present above, some people are left with questions. In order to cover every aspect of the worm drive saw, we have answered the frequently asked questions down below for your ease. 

What is the Difference Between a Hypoid Saw and a Worm Drive Saw?

The major difference between a hypoid saw and a worm drive gear is the power transmission it provides. The worm drive tends to work like the steering gears in the car, whereas the hypoid saws work like the rear gears. They can also be used with one another to get better precision cuts. 

Why Are Worm Drive Saws Left-Handed?

Usually, all worm drive saws feature blade-left orientation. This orientation places the weight of the saw over the portion of the material that the user is focusing on cutting. This makes it easier to stabilize the saw during the cut. 

Bosch 7-1/4-Inch Worm Drive Circular Saw CSW41

How Often Should I Change the Brushes on a Worm Drive Circular Saw?

The brushes on a worm drive circular saw need to replaced if they have worn out to about a quarter of an inch long. Also, if you feel as if the brushes are breaking or burning, then it should be replaced. 

Who Invented the Worm Drive Circular Saw?

Edmond Michele manufactured a motorized machete with a small 2" circular saw blade and driven through worm gears.