SKILSAW SPT67WMB-01 15 Amp 7-1/4 In. Magnesium Sidewinder Circular Saw with Brake

Regardless of how power tool innovations have evolved, the circular saw is still the basic power tool from professional framers to DIY homeowners. You just can't do without it. Skilsaw brand is synonymous to circular saws. However, it has taken a backseat to all the other Skilsaw wannabees flooding the market with all the cheaply made power-tools.After researching all the information about the new Skilsaw, I decided to buy one. I couldn't be happier because this saw is designed and build correctly with all the attributes of what Skilsaw is all about.Firstly, the magnesium alloy used in the motor housing, chassis and bottom-plate is a winner. The weight savings are real and the cast magnesium sole-plate further strengthens the rigidity of the saw. Every user that is competent with a circular saw know the importance of a solid saw chassis contributing to being able to cut a straight line. This saw is light and yet very sturdy. Also, the weight saving of the saw enables overhead cutting with ease. Part of the original Skilsaw worm-drive is the hefty weight that makes overhead cutting a real challenge. With this newly designed sidewinder, and the powerful motor, it easily does everything a worm-drive saw does and more.I also like the way they designed the saw brake. If you use the other brands (Dewatt, Makita, or Bosch), the braking actions are instantaneous, almost too abrupt and as a consequence once you let go of the trigger, the entire saw jerks and jumps due to the inertia and the braking of the motor's centrifugal force. To me, the brake being a safety feature is quite detrimental to safety for framers using it on a construction site high above the ground. The braking function of this Skilsaw is different. Apparently Skilsaw has given a lot of thoughts and came out with a soft brake function. Yes, it takes a little longer to stop the blade, but the brake acts softly and progressively slowing down the spinning blade in about 2 seconds. This braking action to me is a very good compromise because it has the safety as well as taming down the sudden jerkiness of the saw in your hands when you release the trigger.I also tested the flex of the sole plate and there just isn't any. To test it, I set the blade to its highest point with the saw elevated way above its footprint. I then cut a piece of lumber while pressing down on the handle as I make the cut. The saw didn't flex at all. It just cuts true and straight.Yes, this saw is made in China. However there are no cheap components sourced in this saw. I even unscrew the brush caps to look at the spring-loaded harness and verified that everything is made of copper and brass. At this price point, with all the qualities shown and the features provided, it costs the same as the other big names, but the saw just shows a class higher in quality compared with the rest. It makes you wonder how in the world the other big-name brands can charge at similar pricing and yet give us inferior product that are also sourced from China. That tells me is where the corporate executives lining their pockets by squeezing their supply chain and the consumer ended up paying for inferior products. The old saying, "you get what you pay for" makes perfect sense. However, in this case Skilsaw did it right. Its not a cheap saw, but by operating on a business model of rewarding their supplier with reasonable profit instead of gouging them, you get the quality product as shown in this circular saw.All in all, I just couldn't find any negatives with this saw. Out of the box, everything is aligned perfectly. The saw blade is aligned parallel to the sole plate. At 90 degrees it is dead square. All the markings on the saw are engraved, not painted and every scale is prominently shown visibly. It comes with a 24-tooth blade, but no case or rip guide. Personally I prefer it this way that I'm getting quality instead bundling all the accessories that are cheaply made.This is a new model from Skilsaw and only time will determine on its long-term durability. However, the first encounter is thumbs up and I vouch for it that no circular saw could come close to this one at this price point. In fact as it stand right now, at any price point, including the European exotics.If anyone really wants value, Skilsaw also offers one without the electric brake function. The model SPT67WM-22 is identical to this saw in every way except it doesn't have the braking feature. There are pros and cons of circular saw with and without the electric brakes. Basically to those used to saws without the braking mechanism tend to always build up a habit of waiting for the saw to stop before doing another cut. Those used to the braking will tend to make another cut right away. However, I did get a close call once thinking that the blade has stopped, but didn't know that the electrical brake malfunctioned (it happens when the brushes got worn down) and I tried to lift the guard for a plunge cut while the blade was still spinning. It is true that at a very unusual circumstance the failing of the brake could lead you into a false sense of security. I would say the SPT67WM-22 is the real bargain for those that can live without the braking action.

I once had a full and complete wood shop but had to sell almost everything when I moved to a home with no basement, so I only kept a handful of 'essential' tools. After the move, I started building custom Tack Boxes for horse owners and found that all I really needed were the tools you see in the photo. I purchased this saw to replace an older one when my 20 year old Skil saw died. I wanted something safe but of very high quality. After reading the reviews I purchased this SKILSAW and have not been disappointed. It is of very high quality.Some of the reviews mentioned misalignment issues but I found that my particular example is dead on both parallel and perpendicular - makes perfectly straight and square cuts every time. I did replace the blade with a 60 tooth Diablo blade, and have now finished more than 10 of these Tack Boxes (all solid maple) with no degradation in cut quality.

I didn't post a review right away because I wanted to take some time with this saw first. The magnesium shoe is lightweight and solid. The adjustments are easy and seem to stay in place. I use this saw mostly for rip-cuts, and it works great with both the Kreg tool and a clamped straight edge. I didn't give the blade that came with it a chance as I swapped it immediately for a finer-tooth blade for ripping. The few times I have done free-handed cuts, I've definitely appreciated the light weight, balance, and power that this saw provides. The brake does let the saw blade spin for a couple of seconds after the cut, but it's always done spinning by the time I'm ready to put it down. Great saw!

A great saw sturdy and accurate.

Good saw. Have used it daily since I bought it. Plenty of power. Good balance, and the extra weight of the brake model allows nice straight rips. Brake still works unlike DeWalt products I have owned.

I am a homeowner DIY type of guy, if you own a home, you need all kind of tools, an electric circular saw is one of them. I have a Black & Decker that I bought 400 years ago, still works like the first day, but I thought is time to get something better and newer, Skilsaw came to min mind! Let me tell you that this thing is made in China (where else, right?) but is well made, feels solid, the AC cord is thick (14AWG) which is the correct wire gauge for 15A. Another detail that I wanted on my new circular saw is some kind of "brake saw", well this one has that.

This was gifted and the receiver really likes it. I would buy again.

When we used this saw, we noticed that the blade was not at 90 deg. to the base. It is made offset 5-6 degrees. So, before cutting a board, we always check to see if it is still at 5 degrees to keep it a square cut....but it will move on you as you cut. Also, to secure at the proper angle, the lever to hold the 90 degrees is over the fence nut. What a piece of junk. Probably a college graduate that designed this nightmare. Manufacturers should be ashamed of selling this saw.