06-22-2020, 03:01 AM
(06-22-2020, 12:44 AM)Scott Parat Wrote: There was a time I would use nothing but a worm drive, blade is on the left and could plow through everything.
I haven't bought one in a while but have seen them, they look have the size and half the weight than when I was using worm drives for cutting framing lumber. If you're gonna be a cut man doing houses or bigger projects I would think you gotta go worm drive.
On the other had when working with my father in law 20 years or so ago he had a 5 1/2 inch skilsaw, blade on the left and powerful little saw. I used to laugh at him though for being a wussy using that little toy. Sooner or latter I tried it and pretended not to like it! Eventually I probably bought 5 or more of those over the years. Not made any longer but it was a pretty solid little saw and you could write it off as job cost. Bottom line is that I liked it because it was light, small and easy to use.
Battery saws were made when I was working but dewalt was still around 14 volts, the saws they made at that time might have worked for the happy home owner or diy'er but not for a carpenter or contractor......so I never used one on the job.
I'm just starting to work around the house again, been sick, and really wanted a left sided blade saw, read some reviews and was surprised that some carpenter/contractors were giving high praise to the dewalt 20 volt 6 /12" saw. PJ sent a Home Depot special for the saw and battery and my son was kind enough to buy me one.
I gotta tell ya, from someone who has built for 45+ years that saw rips. I has surprisingly taken me some time to get a handle on it so it feels natural ...but for me the blade on the left is a big deal and it rips through framing lumber like a beast. I bought the jigsaw too so I have [2] 3 amp batteries, would be nice to have one big one. I suppose the saws and batteries will get better and better over time but if I were running my own company (as I have) I would probably switch over to all cordless.
Good luck with your new saw young man
How far cordless power tools have come over just the last few years is really amazing.
That was nice of your son, now we just need to get you a flexvolt battery for it. Adds a bit more weight but lasts a lot longer.