A worm drive saw is a type of circular saw that has the motor attached at the rear, with gears oriented at 45° angles. This setting allows the engine to produce more torque but less Rotation Per Minute (RPM) of about 4,500. The blade speed is slower but the torque is improved, making it ideal for higher pressure tear cuts that a regular circular saw can struggle to slice through. A worm drive saw also has larger gear teeth with more load-carrying capacity than a direct drive, which provides more power but also adds weight. The centerline of the motor on a worm drive saw is parallel to the plane of the saw blade, giving the saw a narrow profile that allows users to get into more confined spaces. The longer distance between the handle and the blade extends your reach while making a cut, which is helpful for crosscutting sheet goods. The main drawback of a worm drive saw is its weight, which can be an issue for some users. However, some manufacturers have introduced lighter models that still provide the benefits of worm drives, such as the Bosch CSW41 worm drive saw that weighs only 13.2 pounds.
In summary, a worm drive saw is a circular saw that has the motor attached at the rear, with gears oriented at 45° angles. It provides more torque but less RPM than a regular circular saw, making it ideal for higher pressure tear cuts. The main drawback is its weight, but some manufacturers have introduced lighter models that still provide the benefits of worm drives.
