Mag Worm Drive Saw

I currently own several worm drive circular saws. A Skil HD77, Skil HD77M, Bosch 1677, and a Rigid 3210. I use them all, but I am partial to the Skil Mag 77 & and the Bosch 1677. Before you go thinking that I am a complete nut, I got all of my saws at bargin prices, by shopping around. Also, I got them over an extended period of time, as the deals came my way. I am an avid DYI’er, not a professional, and these saws are by far my favorite hand power tools. For me, once you go to a worm drive circular saw, you just can’t go back to a sidewinder. The power and the weight becomes a part of you. I sure wish that Skil (or Bosch) would make a small worm drive trim saw, similar to the Porter Cable 314. That little sucker cost about $250 new, and of course I want one, but it’s too rich for my frugal blood. Of course recently Skil upgraded the motors of their HD77 and HD77M, from 13 amps to 15 amps, they include a carbide saw blade (a welcome change from the useless stamped steel combination blade I never use, but save to put back on any worm drive saws I might sell), and include a rafter hook (another option that I always added to my other Skil saws), to keep from just laying them on the ground. In fact, I built a special saw horse just to hold my saws by the rafter hook, when I work in my shop. I wanted the upgraded version of the Skil Mag 77 immediately, but I did notice that the price had gone up about $30 on the newest models. The new SHD77M is selling for around $190 and up. I cashed in my spare change that I had been saving in a coffee can for about six months, and earned some money from a garage sale, and it was burning a tool hole in my pocket. The new higher price of the SHD77M put me off for a while, after all did I really need another worm drive saw? The old version of the Skil HD77 and HD77M had been building America exceptionally well for decades. But the fact that there was an upgraded version on the market, stayed in the back of my mind. I had been considering getting a factory refurbished version of the new model SHD77M, for $149, but I’m just a little skeptical of “refurbished”, and I could not justify $190 for a brand new one. But I was patient, and kept my eyes peeled, and finally found a brand new one, still in the sealed factory box, at a reduced price. I got mine for $157, only $8 more than a refurbished one. I guess my previous HD77M, which was extremely loved and well cared for, is going to have to find a new home to make room for the newer model. I keep different types of blades on all of my saws (I guess to justify owning four worm drive saws), so I don’t have to change blades for different situations. I break down a lot of hardwood plywood for cabinets and shelves, before I square them up on my tablesaw. A 40 tooth carbide blade does that job very well. But I also use my saws for general construction type work like building a deck or a shed, and a 24 tooth carbide blade fills that bill just fine. I did not have to be sold on Skil’s reputation for making a superior product, I’ve owned them and used them for years, and their quality and durability is already very well established. I just needed to have the latest upgraded version of the legendary Skil Mag 77, in my workshop, so I would be able sleep at night.