The new Skil Sawsquatch Skilsaw (model SPT70WM-22) is exactly what it sounds like – a beastly worm drive circular saw. The Sawsquatch is built around a monstrous 10-1/4″ blade size, which gives it huge cutting capacity. It can even cut through 4x lumber with just a single pass, and Skil says it’ll do it smoothly and cleanly too.
The Sawsquatch is among one of the first Skilsaw saws to sport their new brand identity, as they try to distance themselves from less professional Skil offerings.
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Skil’s circular saw product manager says that the Sawsquatch’s 10-1/4″ blade size will help users get things done quicker and with fewer and faster cuts. The saw is well suited for applications such as framing, cutting fence posts and deck beams, and even general purpose ripping and crosscutting tasks.
It’s got a “DualField” motor, which Skil says has a unique copper winding pattern to help keep the motor cooler. This should help increase the saw’s long-term durability.
You also get magnesium components – upper and lower guards, and the foot – to save on weight and reduce user fatigue. Any weight savings will be much appreciated on any worm drive saw, let alone one of this size. The motor housing is made of aluminum.
Features and Specs
- 15A motor
- 4600 RPM
- 3-11/16″ cutting capacity at 90°
- 2-3/4″ cutting capacity at 45°
- 51° bevel capacity
- Aluminum motor guard, magnesium upper and lower guards, magnesium foot
- 8-foot power cord
- 16.45 pounds
- Comes with a 40T Diablo carbide saw blade
We asked Skil if the new saw can fit 10″ saw blades – which would be awesome – but it doesn’t. It only works with 10-1/4″ saw blades that have a diamond arbor hole.
Don’t try to attach a regular 10″ blade with 5/8″ arbor either – Skil says “it will not locate correctly on the inner washer or the shaft in both radial the radial and axial directions,” resulting in significant misalignment that will create additional stress on the motor. You would see reduced motor life, the tool would vibrate, cuts won’t be clean, and there would also presumably be a safety hazard. Additionally, a 10″ saw blade wouldn’t allow for clean one-pass cuts of 4x wood materials.
In other words, make sure to only use 10-1/4″ blades with diamond arbors. A replacement 40T Diablo blade is ~$32 via Amazon.
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Price: $449 $369 as of July 2018
Buy Now(via Acme Tool)
Buy Now(Non-Diablo-blade version via Amazon)
First Thoughts
I haven’t used a worm drive saw of this size yet, but the benefits are obvious. If you want to cut through 4x material in a single pass, this is the saw to do it. It probably plows through sheet goods and 2x lumber as well.
But if cutting through 4x wood cleanly and smoothly in a single pass doesn’t matter to you, then the nearly 16.5 weight and $449 price tag will probably convince you to look at smaller saws. Additionally, while there are a couple of brands and styles of 10-1/4″ saw blades, you don’t get anywhere near the selection and availability of 7-1/4″ or even 6-1/2″ circular saw blades.
The Sawsquatch is a big saw for making big cuts.
cody
Still not as big as Makita’s 16 5/16 beam cutter circular saw.
Dan
Those are monstrous, I wouldn’t want to even have a go with one.
Dan
Mafell makes a bigger one at 17 11/16″ though
Nathan
for something like this I’m not a fan of the magnesium foot – for an extra 1/4 – 1/2 lb they could have used something more abrasion resistant. since it’s what the saw rests and rides on for every cut it wil make. thin steel over AL, or something would be nice. either way though – damn. shame it’s not a common blade but I can see why. might as well roll a 12
mike aka Fazzman
Glad I dont have to lug that around all day. Cutting 4×4 in one pass would be pretty nifty if you’re doing alot of fencing or something.
Dan Cox
That task is easily performed with a chainsaw vs expensive and specialized circular saw.
skfarmer
i am sure there is a market for these but i never get where. it seems like if you are cutting fence posts or demolition where precision may not be needed a chain saw would work just as well. if you are doing construction and need some precision it seems like some sort of mitre saw or table saw would be better.
i would think it’s weight and the size would make for a dangerous combo in many situations. not in the business but i just can’t think of a time that i would have said “yup, the best tool for this job is a gigantic circular saw”.
MBC
I build a lot of decks. I typically use 6×6 (actual) or 6×6 (5 1/2 x 5 1/2) as support posts. I use a Makita 5377MG to cut these posts, but it requires a pass on all 4 sides and then a finish with a hand or reciprocating saw for the roughly 1″x1″ chunk that remains in the middle.
I also cut a fair amount of 4×4 and 4×6 for both decks (rail posts, typically) and headers (framing). These are less of an issue because they don’t require the recipro step, but a worm drive/hypoid that would cut all these things in one or two passes would be nice.
All that said, $449 is too much for what appears to be a standard Skil Mag77 body/motor with a larger blade. That’s a $275 premium over the 77, plus the goofy blade size is one more thing I’d have to shop for (probably online). For that money, I’d probably spend a little more and spring for the big daddy Makita 5402NA mentioned above—much more capable.
Ryan
I do a lot of big timber work, and bought the milwaukee version of this saw for $300 (it will take a 10″ blade). I also put the prazi beam saw attachment on my skill mag77 and the combination of these two saws works great for pretty much anything up to an 8×10 for a total investment of about $425 (if you have a skill worm drive laying around).
Hang Fire
Sawsquatch? Really? Since the competition 10-1/4″ saw (really saw kit) is named Big Foot? (Stuart, you really should have mentioned the Big Foot saw).
Stuart
Big Foot’s saw and conversion kits is a post ideal for later in the week. 😉 That’s why it’s not mentioned here.
Jerry
Hmmm….I can’t decide if I’d prefer the Bigfoot or the Sawsquatch. Maybe I’ll hold out a bit ant see if someone comes out with a Yeti.
Duncan
Get the sawsquatch. It’s much more powerful (3.3 hp (estimated) vs the big foot’s ~2.8 hp motor).
Matt E.
Wait, if you’re looking to do 4×4 in a single cut…wouldn’t a 12″ Sliding Miter saw work?
I mean, yeah, it’s not as portable as the saw above, but for $500 you can get your self a really nice one, and use it for a heck of a lot more.
AngryDrumGuy
I expected more than 4600rpm.
Forgive my ignorance, but would that be dangerous with a blade that big?
Brian
cutting speed is what matters, and a larger diameter at a given RPM means more speed. thats about the speed of your typical 10″ table saw.
Grady
The only thing that I could relate to is a 12″ pneumatic ( 1″ hose ) saw used to cut steel slabs. Not ear friendly.
caleb
Why not make it to use standard 10″ blades? The odd size makes it less useful. Well, that and the price.
Jeff
This saw isn’t for everyone or every cut. When you need to cut 4x beams or rip beams for pitch you have to have this saw. You need that size blade to get the depth. Its a saw for carpenter craftsmen not do it your selfers.
NjB
I stand by my sawsquatch weather im cutting wall plates to ensure even cuts to cutting 6×12 gluelams. It hasn’t let me down after almost 2 years and I use it a lot. Saves time and ensures a job is done right the first time.
james
the only thing that would make it better would be a 60 degree bevel like the 8 1/4 saws. this is really the kind of saw you don’t need very often, but when you need it you really need it. plus i think the bigfoot conversion kit is not much cheaper and you have to have a skil 77 series to put it on.
Jason Powers
The handy part of using a Sawsquatch saw to cut 4 by 4 fence posts, is that most of the time the posts are in the ground and already part of the fence assembly. At that point a miter saw is impossible to use. A lot of fence builders set the posts , build the fence, and then cut the posts at the same elevation after the fact. They are a handy saw , when you need one . As one gentleman pointed out, a very handy tool when cutting big roof beams that have to follow the pitch of the roof . As a carpenter , I did without one for many years. I finally broke down and bought one. When you have the opportunity to put it to use , I think it’s money well spent. I found the saw brand new in bay area lumber yards for about $300 . A lot cheaper than the old Bigfoot saw.
Duane Douglas
Great Article. post . I loved the info , Does someone know where my assistant might get a template TX Travis County Form 14-317 document to edit ?
Dave
There is only one blade available for this saw driving me nuts
I need a finish cross cut for thick table tops
Craig
I absolutely love this saw. We run 2 of them almost every day. Light weight and easy to use. I have a guy that weighs 120lbs, runs that saw all day, never complains about its weight. I like it so much, a lot days I use it to 2xs all day. Awesome tool. Thanks Skill.
bob
I don’t understand how you can review a product without actually using “it”. No matter what the product. This comes off as, and is, fraudulent. Spring the $400 some odd bucks and have integrity with your review.
I had more insight from some of the framers reviews who gave practical applications of use.
Stuart
This was a new tool preview, NOT a review. It’s a news post, published when the tool first launched, and described as such. We never called this a review.