Skilsaw Worm Drive circular saw. Backyard DIY saw with very little use for such a professional saw. During startup it'll make a pop sound out the back of the motor (sometimes). It's definitely intermittent, that's why I hesitate taking it to a repair shop. I know automotive diagnosticians hate intermittents. The other problem is the saw just doesn't run as smooth as it used to. I've taken the saw apart to perform tests on the armature and inspect the gear set. Armature checks out fine and the gear set looks new. There's probably some way to measure gear backlash, but I don't know what it is. The saw has 5 bearings. I replaced one of them for feeling slightly rough when I rotate it in my hand. The saw is back together and runs exactly the same as it did before disassembly. Parts for the saw are not cheap. A new armature can cost upwards of $100 and a new gear set $60. Lowe's has the saw on sale for $159. Mine is one of the very last saws to be assembled in U.S.A. The new saws all come from China. I haven't tried any of the new saws to compare. What would you do?
SKILSAW HD77M
7-1/4’’ (184mm) Worm Drive Saw F012HM7700
120V 60Hz 13A no load speed 4600/min
SN 78315 HH344112
Assembled in USA
SKILSAW HD77M
7-1/4’’ (184mm) Worm Drive Saw F012HM7700
120V 60Hz 13A no load speed 4600/min
SN 78315 HH344112
Assembled in USA