Skilsaw used STAFDA 2018 as the launch pad for its new Skilsaw Worm Drive Miter Saw. Yes, they have worm drives on miter saws. Many in our office wanted to experience this first-of-its-kind new product for themselves. We also don't see a lot of buzz about corded power tools these days. We have reviewed the Skilsaw Portable Job Site Table Saw and the Heavy Duty Worm Drive Table Saw. In case you're wondering, we use the heavy model as our main model.
advantage
- excellent cutting force
- excellent accuracy
- Highly Visible Bevel Gauge
- Shadow cut line indicator
- rock solid rails
- Lightweight for a full-featured 12" miter saw
shortcoming
- The extension of the fence can swing left and right
- The spare blade vibrates a bit
- Dust removal has room for improvement
Editor's note: Check out our best miter saws article for our top recommendations.
Skilsaw SPT88-01 Worm Gear Saw Impressive Crosscutting
We included and recommended this saw in our best 12" miter saw review article. It can handle an impressive 4 x 14 90° crosscut. It tilts 48° left and right and has all the expected stops.
The Skilsaw has an LED shadow cut line indicator – we prefer the movement of the laser. Lasers dim in daylight and often go out of calibration (if they were accurate to begin with). Cutting with a shaded cutting line means you can always see the blade marks on the material.
Light weight makes this miter saw portable
Skilsaw claims it's the lightest in its class at 51 pounds. A quick survey of other major Pro brands of 12" sliding miter saws range in weight from 51-65 lbs, so this is definitely the lightweight product you're looking for. We found it easy to carry once it was fully mitered and locked into place.
Powerful worm drive and motor
Skilsaw uses one of their 15 amp dual field motors. We'd expect a 15 amp motor on any 10 or 12 inch miter saw, so this shouldn't be a surprise. Skilsaw's dual-field design claims to run the motor cooler, extending its life and reducing the risk of overheating.
Pro tip: Watch your oil level. On a standard miter saw this isn't something you have to worry about, but the worm drive design requires oil. Check the oil level daily. Plan to replace it after the first 10 hours of use and every 60 hours thereafter (or annually).
Skilsaw Worm Drive Miter Saw Cutting Performance
The 15 amp motor on this saw spins the blade at 4,000 RPM. With a worm drive, you also get some extra torque. In order to experience this firsthand, I quickly took a few hits. Without a belt drive, the Skilsaw Worm Drive Miter Saw feels different from other models.
The Skilsaw SPT88-01 is smooth – really smooth. Where you feel a little hesitation when using a belt drive saw, you won't have any hesitation on this model. It's also harder to get stuck in. I believe the technical term for this is "great power".
Find the Right Cutting Speed and Power
Even with that much power, I don't like forcing a blade through. You get better results when you let the motor and blade do the work. It felt like this saw had an easier time maintaining its high rpm than many of the belt drive models we've used. However, if you force it, you can introduce some chatter and blade deflection.
There is some native chatter when using the 60T stock blade on 2X wood. However, the cut it left was no more or less sharpened than I expected with that blade. I switched to a Guhdo 100T fine polish blade and a lot of the noise went away.
You get the best results when you let the blade and motor do the work for you.
While the direct-drive cutting action of the Makita 10-inch miter saw produces a smoother cut, the Skilsaw closes gaps better than any other model we tested.
Skilsaw Worm Drive Miter Saw Cutting Accuracy
Out of the box, the Skilsaw SPT88-01 is about 1/2º to 1º off the slope. This is one of the reasons why the first thing you should do before you start using your miter saw is to calibrate it. Carry a square with you at the start of each workday for a quick check for best results. It only took a few minutes to get everything straightened out.
elephant in the room
One of the reviews found some issues with the squareness of the fence and tables. We verified the deck using the Empire Level rafter grid and did not find any part of our sample that did not conform to the grid.
Also points out that you can swing the fence extension side to side, against the bolts that hold it in place. This also happens to our saws. Interesting that it stays square with the fence. While it's disturbing that it can move, it doesn't move during the cutting process. Just screw it on.
They also noticed that the dining table extension was not at the same level as the dining table when they were out. Again, our rafter squares found ours to be level. The rails supporting them might be bent, I imagine. If you're only carrying a lot of weight on one side, it might tip a hair. This shouldn't be a huge problem, as you do need the extension of the miter saw stand to secure material that hangs more than a few feet from one side.
It could be that those who did the original review got an early sample, possibly pre-production. I have no doubt that the experience with the saw they received was authentic, but it doesn't seem to represent the model on store shelves right now.
Beveling with the Skilsaw Worm Drive Miter Saw
The miter stop uses a sliding step system. They are easy to use and see, but sawdust can collect on them as you cut. If you make miter cuts a lot, be sure to blow them off.
The bevel locks at the back, and we undoubtedly prefer models with it on the front. However, back locks are still the standard design for this type of miter saw. Even several flagship models from other brands have adopted this style.
How does SPT88-01 handle miter cuts?
The miter adjustment is pretty standard, with a front lock and detent overlay. The good thing is that the brakes are nice and strong. So far we haven't seen any plate wear that would cause us to lose accuracy.
smooth track system
The Skilsaw Worm Drive Miter Saw uses a 2-rail system that is aligned with the saw rather than off to one side. It is rock solid with no wobble and makes the saw glide smoothly. However, it is not one of the space-saving designs. You need to make sure you leave room for the rails.
Between the rail and the worm drive motor location, a possibly unintentional benefit is that it makes the bevel gauge easier to see.
Check dust collection
The onboard dust collection on this model is okay. If you're concerned about keeping the mess to a minimum, be sure to hook up a vacuum. Even if there is one, plan on doing a few minutes of cleanup around the saw. While other saws may do a better job at dust removal, I haven't found a job site model that eliminates the need to clean up around it, so take all of that with a grain of salt…or dust.
Professional-grade 12-inch dual-bevel sliding compound miter saws start at around $369 and go up from there. Skilsaw doesn't position itself as a budget brand, and their $629 retail price tag puts them on the same level as other high-end models. Here's how some other flagship miter saws compare:
- Metabo HPT C12RSH2M: $449.97
- DeWalt DWS780: $499.00
- Skilsaw SPT88-01: $629
- Makita LS1219L: $627.18
- Bosch GCM12SD: $592.71
- Milwaukee 6955: $699.00
There are certainly many players in the miter saw category. If you want to give up some features, you can save some money. If you're looking for the very best each manufacturer has to offer, Skilsaw's prices are in line with other top brands.
Skilsaw Worm Drive Miter Saw Specifications
- Model: Skilsaw SPT88-01
- Motor: 15 amps
- No-load speed: 4000 RPM
- Blade Diameter: 12″
- Bevel range: 0° – around 45°
- Bevel stop: 0°, 22.5°, 33.9°, 45°, 48°
- Miter range: Right 60°, Left 50°
- Miter stop: 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, 45°, 50° left, 60° right
- 90° cutting capacity: 4 x 14
- Weight: 51 lbs
- Price: $629
- Warranty: 1 year
the bottom line
While the Skilsaw Worm Drive Miter Saw could be improved in some areas, it is a capable and precise saw. It's also easier to move around the job site than most of its full-featured competitors.
Thanks to its powerful features, this is a great miter saw for framers and remodelers. Keep an eye on your calibration, it's also great for carpenters and joiners. Since you're using a worm drive, it's important to keep an eye on the oil level. Pruning carpenters and fine woodworkers should plan on upgrading their blades for best results.