Skilsaw Releases First Ever Cordless Worm Drive Saw | Tool Junkie

For the past few years, tool manufacturers have been making cordless tools possible that no one thought could be done.  We now have battery powered table saws, 12” miter saws, even battery powered pipe threaders.  But one thing that no one has done yet, until now, is a battery powered worm drive circular saw.

Skilsaw is synonymous with worm drive power tools.  They’re so synonymous that a very large number of tradesmen still refer to any circular saw, whether it’s made by Skilsaw or not, as a “skill saw.”

Side note: One of my favorite channels on YouTube, Essential Craftsman, uses Skilsaws exclusively and has a really fantastic video of “pro tips” for users of the saw.

Skilsaw’s Mag 77 has been a favorite of carpenters and framers for decades, but as nearly every other professional tool brand has released a cordless circular saw, Skilsaw remained a corded-only brand.

Now owned by parent company Chervon, Skilsaw has finally ventured into the cordless tool game.  It might initially scare you that this is Skilsaw’s first battery, but Chervon also owns the popular Outdoor Power Equipment (OPE) brand, Ego, whose batteries are very well respected and definitely pack a lot of punch.

I should explain here that DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, and Hilti all have blade-left circular saws that look like worm drive saws, but do not have an actual worm drive motor, which is known for it.  They are only considered “worm drive style.”

That’s enough of the history lesson, let’s talk about the new tool now:

SKILSAW 7-1/4-inch TRUEHVL Cordless Worm Drive Saw

The first thing you’ll notice about the new cordless worm drive is that it looks nearly identical to the trusted Mag 77.  It features include an all magnesium base, a brushless motor, electronic blade break, and an integrated dust extraction system through the handle of the tool.

Probably the second thing you’ll notice is the size of the battery.  It’s a 48V 5.0 amp-hour high voltage lithium ion battery – and it weighs 4.25 pounds. For the sake of comparison:

• Milwaukee’s 18V 12.0ah battery weighs a couple ounces shy of 3.5 pounds

• Craftsman’s V60 5.0ah battery weighs just about 4.25 pounds

• DeWalt’s 60V 3ah battery (the largest I currently have, but they do make a 60V 4ah) weighs just under 3 pounds

The new saw, by itself, weighs 11.09 pounds, making the tool and battery a combined 15.34 pounds, that’s roughly an average of 3 pounds heavier than the other manufacturer’s “worm drive style” saws. The corded lightweight Mag 77 weighs in at 11.5 pounds and the heavier Mag 77 weighs 12.45 pounds, so the battery adds an additional 3 to 4 pounds by dropping the cord.

With a battery that size, you might be worried about charge time, but Skilsaw is kitting the tool with a quick charger that will fully charge a drained battery in 1 hour.

As far as cost goes, my friends at CopTool have reported that the saw, one battery, and a charger will retail for $399. The kit will be available for pre-order in mid-October and will finally arrive in November of 2019.

The saw is also backed by Skilsaw’s 180 day Guarantee, so if you aren’t satisfied with it in that time frame, Skilsaw will give you a full refund

Specs

• 5,800 RPM

• Brushless Motor

• Arbor: 13/16” Diamond Knockout

• TRUEHVL™ Battery: 48V, 5.0Ah, 240Wh

• Bare Tool Weight: 11.09 lbs

• Battery Weight: 4.25 lbs

Cut Capacities

• 53° Bevel Capacity

• 2-3/8” depth of cut at 90°

• 1-15/16” depth of cut at 45°

• 1-11/16” depth of cut at 53°