In 1996, after four years of the partnership, Robert Bosch GmbH took over complete ownership of Skil. There is a lot of info on the history of the company itself, but very little on the progression of tool models through the years. I havent really had much luck tracking the history of Skils early tools. Store SKU: Customer Part Number: SKIL SPT77WML-22 Circular Saw, 120 V, 15 A, 1800 W, 7-1/4 in Dia Blade, 13/16 in Arbor, 53 deg Bevel. In 1992, the new venture came to fruition as S-B Power Tool Co. This is what I believe to be an first generation model 77 Skilsaw. In 1991, the Emerson Electric Company and Robert Bosch GmbH entered into a joint venture by combining their power tool subsidiaries. Compatible with the following: Skil: 5825 6-, HD7, SHD77 7 1/ Worm Drive Skil, SHD77 7 1/ Worm Drive Skil, 5860, HD5860 Worm Drive Skil, HD77-72 7-1/4 Worm Drive Saw w/Twist Lock Includes (1) 1619X01363 Handle. In 2017, SKILSAW expanded its product offering from circular to linear cutting with its first reciprocating saws since rebranding. SKILSAW’s product lineup includes worm drive saws, SIDEWINDER-branded circular saws and benchtop saws for various materials including wood, metal, fiber cement and concrete. The company also expanded beyond traditional circular saws with the first worm drive table saw in 2016 and two reciprocating saws in 2017. Both of these saws were developed to meet new OSHA guidelines that protect workers from respirable silica dust. In addition to metal cutting, SKILSAW also announced a saw for fiber cement in 2015 and the first worm drive saw for concrete in 2016. The following year brought three new metal cutting saws, including the first 8-inch worm drive optimized for metal, a 12-inch dry cut saw and a 14-inch abrasive chop saw.
The initial product lineup following the rebrand featured pro grade Sidewinder circular saws, and the first 10-1/4-inch worm drive saw. Since rebranding, SKILSAW introduced a variety of new professional-grade saws not only for wood cutting, but for cutting new materials used on jobsites.
Then, in November 2014, SKIL rebranded, making SKILSAW the brand serving the professional construction market and SKIL the brand serving the consumer do-it-yourself market. The company name was changed from SKILSAW Inc.
In 1937, its successor, the SKILSAW Model 77 became the benchmark of portable saws, along with the SKILSAW Model 87 circular saws and continues to be used on jobsites across the United States.ĭuring the post-war era, the company expanded and began producing bench top tools and tools for a do-it-yourself audience. This saw's invention also spurred the use of worm drive gearing, Dual-Field motor and die-cast aluminum motor housing. It was The world’s first portable circular saw. With the invention of its flagship tool, the SKILSAW Model E, equipped with a 8”-inch blade. If your really into classic Skil you will also want one of their model 100 "Surfboard" planers.SKILSAW Power Tools was founded in 1924, by Edmond Michel. If your looking for a collectible saw I would either suggest a Model E or for a more modern one, one of the 250 saws that Skil offered as a limited edition, that was painted in an American flag style color scheme. While interesting, it is not yet really collectible due to the sheer numbers of these saw that where produced. Production of this tool was started in 1928 in, I believe, Chicago. Skils original model saw was called the Michel Electric Hand Saw Which later came to be called the Model E.
Skils own website provides a nice overview of their history. I haven't really had much luck tracking the history of Skils early tools. This is what I believe to be an first generation model 77 Skilsaw.
I have been unable to find an owners manual or any other literature on this saw and would appreciate any info any one could shed on this tool. It continues to run well, although I can't say that I run this saw often enough to comment on its durability. So I drained the oil out and regreased it. Not having an oil level hole to gauge capacity as this tools only access is through a access hole on top of the tool, I took a guess and just covered the end of the worm drive gear. After going back and forth with Skils customer service who insisted that none of their model 77s ran grease, I tried oil. When I purchased this saw its gearcase was filled with grease, not oil, and included in the tools case was a tube of Skil branded grease. It has enough power in my opinion, to still be quite useful.