Choosing the best worm drive circular saw for your DIY or workshop project can be quite overwhelming due to the thousands of models flooding our shelves. There are many factors to consider when choosing any circular saw.

For instance, users must consider the motor size, bevel angle, user-friendliness, visibility of the cutting line and more.

It’s also important to know that each circular saw model is suitable for a particular task.

For example, a sidewinder saw can’t perform well on applications meant for worm-drive saws.

To make things easier for you, we have addressed some factors to consider when choosing the best worm drive circular saw and also reviewed the top ranked models.

What exactly is a worm drive circular saw?

These circular saws obtained their name from the worm or spiral gear that runs perpendicular to the blade shaft.

Worm-drive saws are ideal where more power and faster cutting are required.

That implies that they can cut through plywood and stud easily for an extended period of time. Its motor is usually parallel to the blade. This motor position ensures that enough torque is delivered to the blade during operation.

However, most worm-drive saws are heavy duty hence come with additional weight. If you don’t have the juice to hold them for a long period of time, you should consider lighter saws.

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What should you look for in a worm drive circular saw?

Cutting Line Visibility

During operation, having a clear view of the cut line is very critical. Therefore, if you are right handed, you should go for a worm-drive saw as its blade is on the left side of the motor. A poorly designed saw will obstruct the cutting line with spindle locks, handles and guards.

Bevel Capability

The better the bevel capability, the easier it will be for you to make angled cuts. Therefore, for improved efficiency, go for tool-less adjustment and positive stops.

The Housing

A magnesium housing is always the best as it protects the motor without adding extra weight to the tool.

Dust Blower

This feature removes dust from the cut line hence you will always see where you are cutting. It also ensures that your working area is tidy.

Blade Changing System

The best worm drive circular saw offers a one-step blade change system (with or without a tool). This minimizes the downtime if blades are switched frequently.

Why Use a Worm Drive Saw: Are there any benefits of using worm-drive circular saws?

Yes, there are. First, worm-drive circular saws are ideal for projects in which lots of plywood have to be cut. These saws offer faster cutting and more power hence can cut through almost anything.

Secondly, their extra weight can act as a guiding mechanism when cutting – you can tilt the work and leave the rest to gravity. The handle is positioned behind the blade rather than beside it.

This provides a longer reach which is suitable for cutting plywood and offers a little margin of safety.

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Worm Drive Saws vs Circular Saw Sidewinder

A worm-drive saw’s motor is located at the rear section of the saw. Its power is transferred to the blade via a spiral or worm gear positioned 90 degrees to the blade shaft. This reduces the overall rpm but increases torque. Also, this design makes it easier to attach longer blades to the system.

On the other hand, a sidewinder’s motor uses a spur gear which is line with the rotating blade. This means that sidewinders offer a higher rpm than worm-drives.

Also, a worm-drive has its blade on the left while a sidewinder has its blade on the right. This means that a huge percentage of the weight in a worm-drive is on the right while most of sidewinder’s weight is on the left.

Lastly, worm-drive saws are heavier than sidewinders.

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Top 5: Best Worm Drive Circular Saw Reviews

… and Hypoid Circular Saws

DEWALT DWS535 7 1/4-Inch Worm Drive Circular Saw

It comes with a powerful 15 AMP motor which can work on sophisticated roofing applications and compound angles at ease. The DWS535 weighs about 13.8 pounds and has the following features:

A maximum no load speed of 4800 rpm.
Lightweight magnesium housing construction.
A bevel capacity of 53 degrees.
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An extra wide saw hook suitable for materials of up to 2.5 inches wide.
Comes with a carbide tipped blade, manual and blade wrench.
Top accessible spindle lock which makes blade-changing easy.

It also comes with a 3 year limited warranty, a full 1 year service contract and 90-day money back guarantee.

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Makita 5477NB 15 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Hypoid Saw

The Makita 5477NB comes with a 15 amp motor which offers 4500 rpm blade speed. It uses hypoid gears which provide more power, superior cuts and better performance. Other features include:

Oil bath technology with a sealed gear housing (less maintenance).
Lower guard design for better narrow and bevel cuts.
A push button spindle lock for faster blade changing.
Top-notch, heat-treated hypoid gears for durability.
A carbide tipped blade and a hex blade wrench.

This model is designed for siding, roofing, flooring and wall-framing operations. It has a 1 year manufacturer warranty.

Makita 5377MG Magnesium 7-1/4-Inch Hypoid Saw

The 5377MG model is manufactured from highly durable magnesium and is powered by a 15 AMP motor. Rather than its hypoid gear system and 4500 rpm blade speed, Makita 5377MG features:

A 24-teeth ultra-coated framing blade.
Positive stops at 22.5 and 45 degrees plus a large cutting capacity at 90 degrees angle.
Sealed gear housing and an in-built fan.
Rubber gripped handle for better control and comfort.
A winding technology which keeps the overall size compact while maintaining performance.

It has a 1 year warranty and comes with a hex blade wrench.

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Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 15-Amp 7-1/4-In Lightweight Worm Drive

The SKILSAW SPT77WML weighs around 11.5 pounds and is powered by a 15-amp motor. It delivers a 5300 rpm which can cut through thick wood. Its outstanding features include:

A maximum bevel capacity of 53 degrees.
Carbide tipped blade.
An ergonomic handle which reduces fatigue during operation.
Magnesium motor housing.
A superficial spindle lock for faster blade changes.

This model comes with a 180 money back guarantee and a 1 year limited warranty.

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SKILSAW SPT77W-01 15-Amp 7-1/4-Inch Aluminum Worm Drive

The SPT77W model is a pound lighter than its predecessor, the SHD77. It’s powered by a 15AMP motor and comes with the following features:

A 51 degree bevel capacity which makes it ideal for a wider variety of cuts.
An aluminum housing hence very light in weight.
An anti-snag lower guard which ensures operations are smoother especially when dealing with cut-off pieces.
A Cut-Ready feature for accurate depth measurements.

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Closing Shop

There’s nothing better than choosing the right tool for your project. Now that you have known some of the best worm drive circular saw models, it’s time to start working on that project.

Top 5: The Best Worm Drive Circular Saws (Hypoid Too)