Replies

1. 
   _mj_ | Sep 21, 2020 08:18pm | #1

   Model number?

2. 
   IrishBill_NY | Sep 21, 2020 09:36pm | #2

   SPT99T-01.......it’s the 8¼” model.

3. 
   john_c2 | Sep 22, 2020 06:29am | #3

   If I was going to spend that much for a little portable saw, I would spend just a little more and get a 10 inch cast iron saw. You can grow with it and do a lot more.

   You can use a 6 inch by 1/2 inch dado with that saw, but really, I wouldn't. It's just a lot to throw at a small motor and bearings. I doubt very much aftermarket fences will work.

   I used a 99 dollar (new) 10 inch Delta portable saw for a few years as my only table saw. Similar saws are still the same price. It was fine for ripping. I still use it when I need to throw it in my truck for a job somewhere. But it's just not capable of using jigs and the kind of cuts a full size saw can do. And honestly, I wouldn't consider it safe for those things, either.

4. 
   stantheman | Sep 22, 2020 09:16am | #4

   What are you going to make with it? For general woodworking a larger blade is more versatile. If you were only making small stuff, like picture frames, and working with non-rough limber it might be enough. If you need an 8" dado blade then you've already answered the question.

5. 
   _mj_ | Sep 22, 2020 11:56am | #5

   That's essentially an upside-down-mounted circular saw. You can probebly find a good quality cast iron contractor type saw for that money and be better served.

   Ripping a sheet of anything when the saw weighs less than the stock is a baaad idea.

6. 
   john_c2 | Sep 22, 2020 12:15pm | #6

   Yes mj. Id find a 40 year old cast uron Craftsman for 200 bucks, and be ahead in both money and quality.

7. 
   geedubbee | Sep 22, 2020 08:37pm | #7

   Not to just jump on the bandwagon here but, that is more than I would ever pay for that saw. You are nudging into the more serious job site saws price-wise.

8. 
   IrishBill_NY | Sep 23, 2020 01:55pm | #8

   It uses same worm drive motor as the 10”. Not underpowered, did a lot of research, just can’t find anything on dado use with it.

9. 
   john_c2 | Sep 23, 2020 03:07pm | #9

   Dado information is right in the user manual, available online.

10. 
    godelescher | Sep 23, 2020 05:38pm | #10

    So, if the advantage of a worm drive saw is more torque and slower blade rotation, you have to ask yourself what you'll be doing with it.

    It's a jobsite saw and it has a small blade. I haven't looked at the specs, but I'd be surprised if it had any dado capability at all. Most jobsite saws have short arbors and specifically state that dado blades aren't to be used.

    With the slow blade rotation, it's going to be bad at cutting plywood or cross cutting hardwoods. However, if you need to rip lengths of Ipe (or some other ironwood) for a deck, this saw might be perfect.

    Other than ripping lengths of tough material, I don't see a small bladed, slow turning, jobsite saw as having much value as a stand alone table saw. This saw seems very job specific.

11. 
    Estoe | Apr 21, 2022 02:02pm | #11

    Have to jump on to defend this beast of a saw. Yes, of course you can get bigger, heavier, faster saws for less money. But for those of us wanting a high torque, highly portable little workhorse this is the one. Not all of us want to lug around hundreds of pounds of cutting power for small hit & run jobs. That’s what a shop is for. This thing is a brute, well-built, excellent for field duty, worth every cent. And yes, I’ve used dado blades on it since I’ve owned it & never had issues. Not making furniture with it, but it’s the best lightweight portable saw I’ve used.

1. 
   john_c2 | Apr 21, 2022 05:38pm | #12

   In this case, the OP didn't seem interested in a lightweight saw to toss in the back of a truck. Asking about an 8 inch dado and aftermarket f3nces says something else entirely.

12. 
    pantalones868 | Apr 21, 2022 06:40pm | #13

    Depends on you. What are you going to use it for? Are you planning on hauling it places? I travel alot for my work doing installs or projects,at least I used to, and have a set of tools just for that.Almost every tool in my shop has a twin in a box ready to go. Since I have a full size cabinet saw in my shop I never could see paying a high price for a portable saw which I call a Tupperware saw. I wanted something that i could toss in my truck or ship someplace. I've burned through a few,Makita,Craftsman, Delta maybe several Deltas and a Skil at one time. I think the one I have now is a Delta. Often a saw or shop set up is supplied and I have used several of the better made "Tupperware " saws. I like the Bosch best and the Dewalt is pretty good as well. I used a portable Makita in Thailand that was also very good but Makita makes a whole range of tools that never show up on this continent and it was light years better than the Makita I had owned . All the saws cut wood and if your not afraid of possibly frying it they'll cut a dado but you might have to do some innovation to get them to do it. The manufacturer probably says " NOOOO!" The main thing to look for is the fence. The fence design on alot of these saws it seems someone was just phoning it in. That Skil your looking at with the worm drive means it may have some guts but what I don't like is that it uses an 8 1/4" blade. Go down to your hardware store and ask for a 8 1/4" blade. I'd go 10". Light weight saws are pretty dangerous because, well ,they're light weight! They get used not mounted to things and can move when in use or the thing they are mounted to is also light weight and the saw wants to tip on longer stock or, my favorite, set on a floor so that your on your knees and completely out of balance using it. I'd bet the vast majority of tablesaw accidents are from portable saws. With a stationary saw you don't stick your fingers in the blade and you avoid kickback situations. This is also true with a portable saw but these things can also chase you! I use a light weight saw stand also but I would pick up a bag of cement and set it on the bottom cross bars. If you don't need the portability I'd go with a stationary saw.
    Tupperware saws I have used that have that type of fence adjustment were pretty good. I haven't used that particular model Skil. Also, the worm gear is likely going to give you better torque but does it necessarily mean that it has a slower rotation? I ve used and owned Skils model 77 with the wormdrive circular saw. I hate them, I think them clumsy, they have there place but lots of torque and I never thought of them as slower than the Milwaukee that I prefer.