As worm drive circular saws go, the Bosch CSW41 is on the cutting edge.
submitted by monman1
I have had the Bosch CSW41 worm drive saw for about a month now, and it is one nice saw! As many of you know I’m a full time framer, so I use my circular saws a lot! This is my first big review of any kind, so now on with the review of the Bosch CSW41 worm drive saw. First of all I should mention that as a professional carpenter and framer, using a circular saw is second nature to the job. I am constantly cutting, and with the ease of sight lines and strong motor of the worm drive saw, it makes my job more efficient to have a quality saw in my hand. I own a lot of circular saws that I use in home construction and remodelling jobs, but I wanted to make special mention of the Bosch CSW41 worm drive saw because I found it has some exceptional qualities. OK, now on with my review of the circular saw.
What Sets the Bosch CSW41 Worm Drive Saw Apart
Power: The Bosch CSW41 worm drive saw has a powerful 15 amp motor. In my daily use of the circular saw I have yet to trip a circuit breaker with it. I usually have my 10 amp compressor on with it, and I have it all on a 100′ 12g cord on a 15 amp circuit breaker. The motor is smooth and very powerful. The torque jump is barely there. The power delivery feels smoother, and the rpm has been increased to 5300 from 4400, which is the standard RPM of most other worm drive saws I have used in the past. The Bosch CSW41 worm drive saw will cut any kind of wood you put in front of it, and it will cut it like it’s a burning hot knife through butter!
Ergonomics: I like that this worm drive saw has a smaller handle, it’s actually smaller than a factory SKILSAW HD77. It’s also smaller than a replacement SKILSAW handle. I have always found the SKILSAW handle too big for my hands.
A cool feature that most other saws don’t include is the rafter hook that is built right in to the worm drive saw. This is an excellent feature and makes it so you don’t have to buy one. It has a nice rubber overmold on the main handle, but not the auxiliary handle which is made from durable plastic. The blade lock is a lot easier to lock since it’s on the oil fill port.
Weight: It’s a lot lighter than a SKILSAW HD77. The SKLISAW is 17.3 lbs, the Bosch CSW41 worm drive saw weighs in at 13.2 lbs. That’s 4 4bs lighter, and at the end of the day you feel the 4 pounds.
Blade wrench: It has the blade wrench on the saw in the table. The blade wrench also can remove the diamond knockout on blades, and open the cap to the motor brushes, and adjust the miter nut and depth nut. Nice and handy, right where you want it (and not stuck in the bottom of a toolbox somewhere).
Blade guard: It does not get hung up when cutting angles and roof rafters like the SKILSAW does.
Blade: The saw comes with a thin kerf, 24 tooth carbide blade, and it cuts a little rough at first, but cuts better after you use it a bit.
Base Plate: It’s made from magnesium, so it won’t get warped up like the steel ones on the SKILSAW HD77. It has a screw to adjust 0, the SKILSAW HD77 tables where always off a bit at 0. It bevels from 0 to 53, it has a stop at 45 to get 53 you have to pull the red tab.
Depth Adjustment: The depth adjustment slide now has markings of common cuts. If you need to cut a 1/2″ plywood sheet, you set it at 1/2″ Ply, and it adjusts the saw to the correct depth, about a carbide tooth deeper than the required depth.
Specifications for the Bosch CSW41 Worm Drive Saw:
15 amp motor
Depth of Cut @ 90°: 2 3/8″
Depth of Cut @ 45°: 1 15/16″
Depth of Cut @ 53°: 1 1/2″
Power Cord: 8 ft.
Here’s me working this saw and cutting up a storm.
Review of the Bosch CSW41 worm drive saw conclusion
If you’re a full time framer or an avid DIY’er looking for a worm drive saw that will cut a lot wood fast, and lasts a long time, then the Bosch CSW41 worm drive saw is what you want!