A worm drive circular saw has certain torque advantages over a more normal motor in direct linkage to blade type of saw.
Yea, you use a worm drive all day, (1/4" thick x 12" speed square is highly recommended as a technique for accurate cuts) and you grow some muscles, but the
power is there in cutting anything.
I have a Skill worm drive and a 14.4v cordless DeWalt saw. Both normally have an abrasive fiber metal cutting blade on them. The worm drive cuts
thru 1/4" plate like butter, and the DeWalt cordless cuts
thru industrial padlocks four at a time before needing a fresh battery. Had them for years now and been very satisfied in wood and steel.
Remember that it's not just wood you will be cutting in your future, it's Sch. 40 pipe,
Unistrut, threaded rod, stuck bolts and other things you will rip out your corded saw for, in addition to in having to use such a thing all day long, you will be as per fraiming carpender and not just occasional use. Think simple and go with Jiggsaw or
Sawzall, think carpenter, and you are ever so much fraiming caprenter at the end of the day. In fact, many
stage carpenters start out as such but in the end go for the money in housing carpenter. We know detail and finish
effect. The same is still, if you use your corded
hand saw, it had better be for a good reason. Given this, once you
plug it in, it had at best be for a good reason, and often stay plugged in all day long. No less than a contractor.
For a tech person, the one that shows up with a contractor grade worm drive has the coolness factor - especially if they know how to use it and can use it one handed. Only if they know how to use it, but once you know how to, you use a panel/
trim cutting baby saw or cordless for easy stuff and the worm drive for what you really need to cut. Once you go Worm Drive, you will never go back.
Yea, the balance is off what you are used to, and it's sheer
power will have a
bit of twist and jump to it once it starts, but the concept of any saw is center of gravity more close to the surface than away from it when at all possible. The Worm drive as opposed to home owner style is very close to the surface, has a huge amount of
power for even green (fresh lumber) and it is in the end much more accurate.
Skil is well known for worm drive saws. DeWalt is also a good brand for a worm drive. As advertised, Porter Cable and Bosch also will have good lines but secondary ones. Milwaukee is in it's own mid range between the two. But worm drive is the specific key in buying one saw that will be that of your career saw and only corded saw, and that home owner grade that will work but bog down once you really need it.
On cordless, I was one of the first perhaps in the theater to own the 9.6v
Makita cordless. Good for 3/4" lumber while on a ladder and not much else. The 14.4v DeWalt once introduced was a far cry above it. Oh' how the cordless if part of your 14.4v
system has it's uses.
But still in your first corded saw, I was raised on the Craftsman (Royobi) built home owner saw just as most people. Once I built my first show with a worm drive, I never have gone back. There is no advantage of other than worm drive for corded saw.
If you have any faith in me, buy one of two - old or new model of the
Skil Saw Worm drive - old or new. Get used to it's off balance as something that is of advantage in cutting as opposed to what you are used to. The
power and new found accuracy is something way above normal saws in never going back.
In the end however since it's only words, I can only attest the fact that the worm drive I bought in about 1996 has never failed me and cuts
thru anything including steel. Once used to it, yea it is heavy, and once I did have one
chase me down a roof as I rolled off it, but I would never go back. Your
hand belongs behind the motor/blade not well above it.
For sheer
power, there is no sense in going anything less. You get used to the worm drive in weight and it will not be anything other than what you are used to.
Hope this message has the strong feelings of intent intended in getting the saw the contractors prefer - why do you think that is?