The worm drive saw is geared (no pun intended) to a very specific customer, the pro. I've used several different worm drives, including Black Decker (now DeWalt), Skil, and of course Milwaukee. This model, while a very good model, has a few flaws. I've never used one that didn't leak a little around the spindle lock button. This is ok as long as you remember to check the oil level, but that doesn't happen often enough in the real world. The start-up torque is excessive, compared to other models. And the shoe does not run parallel to the blade, making it difficult to use an edge guide for straight rips. With proper care, it is a very good saw. The 15 amp motor gives you more than enough power to cut through almost anything. But I would not buy this one again, I'd go with the Skil HD77M.

Just pick this bad boy up and you know you've got something heavy duty. Even the cord is huge! Easily twice as thick as any other saw I've used. At fifteen amps we are maxed out on power input. All this beef comes at a price. It's pretty heavy. But some times the extra weight comes in handy , like when you are cutting off rafter tails from above.Or stand a 2x12 on edge and cut down through it. The saw just walks itself across the board. The tough fiberglass reinforced nylon body really takes the abuse . The warranty is like no other. LIFETIME baby! If you run over it, you pay for the repair. If it ever fails due to parts or workmanship , Milwaukee pays. No body stands behind their power tools like that. No body. Now to be fair I have to say that warranty aside ,I prefer the Skil mag 77. First, it's a few pounds lighter. The worm gear is a little smoother. At 13 amps it is rated at less power. BUT! In toolpigs tool test The skil Whooped everything else in time trial ripping in 2x douglas fir by a couple of seconds.(Tools tested; This Milwaukee ,Skil mag 77 13A , Dewalts 378g hypoid framing saw 15A, Porter Cable 843 blade left framers saw 15A, Makita 5277B hypoid saw 14A We used brand new Marathon blades in all saws. At the time we were sure that the Milwaukee would take top honors. We were disappointed. Time after time the skil came out on top. Even after changing blades around and changing operators. What's a second or two ? We just had to know. Still this is a mean saw. If you need something that is over built this is your saw. You will never wear this tool out. Sure you might drop it off a roof or smash it with a fork lift but you're not going to wear it out.

When I buy tools I like to spend a little more up front to get a high quality tool and hopefully trust that I'll have it for years. Nothing frustrates me more than getting poor results from a tool or having to hassle with returns, exchanges, etc.
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br /I chose wisely when I picked the Milwaukee 7 1/4 in. worm drive circular saw. I used it to tear up all the old hemlock flooring in my house and it worked beautifully. I found it to be very powerful and the extra length seems to help it track better on long cuts. The saw might be overkill for homeowners who just cut 2x4's occasionally but if your strategy when buying tools is similar to mine then you won't be disappointed.

As per usual, one can expect quality out of a USA-made Milwaukee tool. Contrary to what one reviewer would have you believe, however, Milwaukee tools are not always the best in their class. This would be a case in point. While the Milwaukee unit performs admirably, I would consider none better than the Ridgid hypoid unit that sells for upwards of $75 less than the Milwaukee and is of a more worker-friendly design.
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br /But setting the Ridgid aside, the Milwaukee is clearly out-classed by the godfather of all circular saws, the Skil HD77. Available in a variety of configurations, the Skil ranges from around $150 as a Craftsman or entry-level unit to upwards of $200 in magnesium form under both the Skil and Robert Bosch labels. The Skil-made units (all produced in the USA) result in less kick-back than the Milwaukee and contrary to the slogans of Milwaukee, set the standard in Heavy Duty. The Skil units have been a mainstay of contractors for over 20 years and legions of carpenters swear by their quality, performance, and endurance.
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br /If you want an overpriced, outperformed worm-drive circular saw that is guaranteed for 5 years, go for the Milwaukee. If you want a tool that will last a lifetime, buy a Skil (Bosch or Craftsman).

WHEN YOU SEE A TOOL THAT'S RED AND GRAY YOU AUTOMATICALLY KNOW IT'S THE BEST, IT'S A MILWAUKEE. THE MILWAUKEE TOOL WILL REGULARLY HAVE MORE POWER, BE MORE EVENLY BALANCED WHICH MAKES THE JOB EASIER, AND LAST LONGER THAN OTHER COMPARABLE TOOLS MADE BY OTHER COMPANIES. THE THING I LIKE THE MOST ABOUT THE MILWAUKEE WORM DRIVE CIRCULAR SAW, COMPARED TO OTHER BRAND NAMES, IS THAT IT DOESN'T JERK WHEN YOU FIRST START CUTTING. IT HAS GREAT BALANCE AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING. IT MAKES A SMOOTHER, MORE EVEN STARTING CUT. THE MILWALKEE WORM DRIVE CIRCULAR SAW IS ALSO MORE DEPENDABLE. WE AVERAGE BUILDING 12 - 14 HOUSES A YEAR. WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BUYING A NEW SAW EVERY TWO OR THREE HOUSES WITH THIS ONE. BUYING DEPENDABILITY SEEMS A LITTLE HIGHER AT FIRST BUT REALLY ADDS UP TO BIG SAVINGS OVER THE YEAR. I'VE WORKED IN CONSTRUCTION FROM AGE 17 TO 57. IN THESE 40 YEARS I'VE FOUND MOST UNION AND NON UNION WORKERS USE THE RED AND GRAY BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT'S THE BEST.