Skill Saw Vs Circular Saw – What’s the Difference?

Skill saw vs circular saw, are these two different products?

A skill saw and a circular saw are the same kind of tool. Both terms refer to a handheld power saw with a round toothed blade, used to cut lumber, sheet goods and other materials.

The term “skill saw” is a misspelling of Skilsaw, a long-standing circular saw brand so popular that its name became generic, like “Kleenex” and “Band-Aid”.

Skilsaw dates to 1924 and is credited with the first portable electric circular saw. Other brands followed.

Below, we look at whether Skilsaw circular saws differ from other brands.

OUR TOP PICK

Our top pick for the skill saw roundup is the Skilsaw SPT77W-RT. This heavy-duty tool offers the best worm drive features for the toughest cutting jobs.

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OUR TOP PICK

Now looking into circular saw brands other than Skil, we pick the Dewalt DCS570B. This 20V MAX brushless sidewinder gives you cordless convenience. The battery and charger are sold separately.

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Skill Saw Vs Circular Saw: Some Reviews

Product	Details
1. Skilsaw SPT77W-RT Saw	1. Skilsaw SPT77W-RT Saw Top Skill Saw	- Blade diameter of 7-1/4-inch - Powerful 15-amp motor - Worm drive gears - 51° bevel for a wide variety of cuts - Ergonomic handle and controls	Check Current Price
2. Skilsaw SPT77W-01 Saw	2. Skilsaw SPT77W-01 Saw	- Lightweight aluminum construction - 7-1/4-inch blade diameter - Worm drive gearing - 15-amp heavy-duty motor - Anti-snag lower guard	Check Current Price
3. Dewalt DCS570B Circular Saw	3. Dewalt DCS570B Circular Saw Top Circular Saw	- Brushless motor - 7-1/4-inch blade diameter - High strength aluminum shoe - Bevels of up to 57° - 20V MAX battery (sold separately)	Check Current Price
4. Makita 5377MG Circular Saw	4. Makita 5377MG Circular Saw	- Heavy-duty 15-amp motor - Oil bath technology - Heat treated hypoid gears - 0° to 51.5° bevel capacity - Magnesium components	Check Current Price
5. Craftsman CMES510 Circular Saw	5. Craftsman CMES510 Circular Saw	- Powerful 15-amp motor - Blade diameter of 7-1/4-inch - 55° tool-free bevel capacity - Contoured overmolded handle - Magnesium shoe design	Check Current Price

1. Skilsaw SPT77W-RT Saw : Best Overall

This is a reconditioned (refurbished) version of the SPT77W aluminum worm drive saw. It combines worm drive torque with a lighter aluminum body.

Specs

• Blade diameter of 7-1/4-inch
• Powerful 15-amp motor
• Worm drive gears
• 51° bevel for a wide variety of cuts
• Ergonomic handle and controls

Skilsaw builds this saw around its Dual-Field motor, designed to run cooler under load.

The guards, foot plate and housings are aluminum, which keeps weight down for a worm drive.

Keep in mind that this is a reconditioned saw. So, it may or may not come with all the necessary accessories.

Pros

• Lightweight design reduces user fatigue
• Worm drive gears deliver superior torque
• Multi-function wrench is highly versatile
• Easy to make a wide variety of cuts with 51° bevel
• Handle and controls are ergonomically designed

Cons

• May not come with important accessories
• No storage bag or box is provided

Conclusion

The Skilsaw SPT77W-RT is a reconditioned saw, so it costs less than a new SPT77W while offering the same worm drive design.

Overall Rating – 4.9

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2. Skilsaw SPT77W-01 Saw : Best Value for Money

This 7-1/4-inch aluminum worm drive saw is built for framing work, from OSB to engineered lumber.

Specs

• Lightweight aluminum construction
• 7-1/4-inch blade diameter
• Worm drive gearing
• 15-amp heavy-duty motor
• Anti-snag lower guard

It uses the brand’s Dual-Field motor, which is designed to run cooler under heavy cutting loads.

The Cut-Ready depth system makes depth changes quick.

It ships as a bare tool, so any extra accessories cost more.

Pros

• Worm drive gears provide power and torque for rugged use
• Aluminum body and guard reduce weight
• Cut depth ready for effortless cutting depth adjustments
• Dual-field motor is dependable for difficult cuts
• Ergonomic handle allows for superior control of the unit

Cons

• Comes as a bare tool, no accessories
• Worm drive gearbox oil must be checked and topped up per the manual

Conclusion

The Skilsaw SPT77W-01 is a good fit if you want worm drive torque in a lighter aluminum body.

Overall Rating – 4.8

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3. Dewalt DCS570B Circular Saw : Best Cordless

The Dewalt DCS570B is a 20V MAX brushless 7-1/4-inch cordless circular saw with an electric blade brake.

Specs

• Brushless motor
• 7-1/4-inch blade diameter
• High strength aluminum shoe
• Bevels of up to 57°
• Uses 20V MAX batteries (sold separately)

The aluminum shoe has easy-to-read markings.

Bevel adjustment runs to 57°, with stops at 22-1/2° and 45°.

The battery and charger are sold separately, and there is no hard case.

Pros

• Brushless motor
• Wide bevel angle adjustments for added versatility
• Superior depth of cut for tackling difficult jobs
• Runtime depends on the battery you pair it with
• High strength aluminum shoe is highly versatile

Cons

• Battery and charger not included
• Doesn’t come with a hard storage case

Conclusion

The Dewalt DCS570B is a solid choice if you already own 20V MAX batteries.

Overall Rating – 4.8

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4. Makita 5377MG Circular Saw : Best Magnesium Design

The Makita 5377MG is a 7-1/4-inch hypoid saw (a rear-handle, blade-left design similar to a worm drive) aimed at framers, roofers and carpenters.

Specs

• Heavy-duty 15-amp motor
• Oil bath technology
• Heat treated hypoid gears
• 0° to 51.5° bevel capacity
• Magnesium components

Makita pairs the 15-amp motor with a sealed gear housing and oil bath lubrication for less maintenance. It cuts 2-3/8 inches deep at 90° and weighs 13.2 lbs.

Magnesium components keep weight down for a hypoid saw.

Makita’s spec list does not include an electric brake, so the blade coasts to a stop after you release the trigger.

Pros

• Magnesium construction is lightweight
• Ergonomic hand grips minimize operator fatigue
• Depth and bevel markings are clearly visible
• Large cutting capacity for efficient operation
• Very versatile for a range of applications

Cons

• No electric brake listed
• No flexible carry bag is included

Conclusion

The Makita 5377MG’s hypoid gears deliver strong torque for framing. It offers good balance, clear sight lines and easy depth and bevel adjustments.

Overall Rating – 4.7

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5. Craftsman CMES510 Circular Saw : Best Value Design

The Craftsman CMES510 is a corded 15-amp sidewinder for general cutting.

Specs

• Powerful 15-amp motor
• Blade diameter of 7-1/4-inch
• 55° tool-free bevel capacity
• Contoured overmolded handle
• Magnesium shoe design

It pairs a 15-amp motor with a magnesium shoe.

The overmolded handle helps with comfort on longer jobs.

No edge guide or carry bag is included, so budget for those separately.

Pros

• Bevel cut adjustments are tool-free
• Metal upper and lower guard add durability
• Spindle lock for easier blade changes
• Ergonomic handle improves comfort

Cons

• No edge guide is provided
• You don’t get a durable carry bag

Conclusion

The Craftsman CMES510 is a budget-friendly corded circular saw for DIY and light jobsite work.

Overall Rating – 4.7

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Circular Saw Vs Skill Saw (Skilsaw): What to Look For

Because a skill saw is a circular saw, the buying factors are the same.

And they include:

Direct Drive or Worm Drive

You will see two main styles: direct drive (sidewinder) and worm drive. On a sidewinder, the motor sits beside the blade and drives it directly.

Sidewinders come with the blade on the right or the left. Choose one that gives you a clear view of the blade and cut line.

On a worm drive saw, the motor sits behind the blade. A worm gear turns the power ninety degrees to the arbor, which adds torque.

Skilsaw is famous for worm drives, but it also sells sidewinder models today. Across brands, circular saws are either direct drive or worm (or hypoid) drive.

The bottom line when choosing between the two styles is this, if you like a light saw, then look at a direct drive circular saw. If you want torque for framing, look at a worm drive or hypoid saw.

Amp Rating

Amps are the standard unit for measuring the strength of an electric current. The amp rating of a skill saw or circular saw is normally found on its nameplate.

It is usually thought that higher amp ratings mean more power, and in most cases this is true. But don’t rely solely on amp ratings as the single deciding factor when comparing these power tools.

A less efficient motor can draw more current to do the same work, so compare build quality too.

Blade Depth Adjustment

Depth adjustment usually comes in one of two styles: pivot foot and drop foot.

For a pivot foot saw, you can adjust the blade depth by pivoting the base at a point at the saw front. On the other hand, a drop foot saw would require you to move the base up and down to adjust blade depth.

Safety

Whether you are planning to buy a skill saw or a circular saw, safety is extremely important. There are a few things that determine how safe a power saw is:

• Electric Brake: stops the blade quickly after you release the trigger, instead of letting it coast.
• Slip Clutch: lets the blade slip if it binds, which reduces the jolt of a kickback and protects the motor. It does not prevent kickback.
• Blade Guards: OSHA’s hand and power tools guide says a portable circular saw needs an upper guard and a retractable lower guard that returns automatically when the saw leaves the work. Never pin the lower guard open.

Skilsaw/Skill Saw Vs Circular Saw: What Differentiates Them?

We will have to go back in time to understand what the names are all about. In 1924, the brand Skilsaw was founded, and so is the first portable circular saw.

Skilsaw’s worm drive saws dominated jobsites for decades, so “skill saw” became slang for any circular saw. Technically, it is just a misspelling of Skilsaw.

Today, “skill saw” can mean a Skilsaw-brand saw or any portable circular saw. Skilsaw itself now sells both worm drive and Sidewinder models.

In our time, contractors and woodworkers will compare circular saws from Skilsaw, Dewalt, Makita, Craftsman, Porter-Cable and others to pick the most versatile tool for their applications.

Final Thoughts

Skilsaw worm drive saws combine worm gear torque with a rear-handle layout that framers like.

A “skill saw” is still a circular saw, so choose by drive type, weight, power source and safety features rather than by name.

The Skilsaw SPT77W-RT Saw is our pick for worm drive torque on large jobsite cuts.

However, the brushless motor, large cutting capacity, and superior runtime of the Dewalt DCS570B Circular Saw make it our pick if you want a cordless saw.

Sources

• Hand and Power Tools (OSHA 3080), OSHA
• 5377MG 7-1/4" Magnesium Hypoid Saw, Makita USA
• High-Performance Cutting Saws, SKIL