Skilsaw

Last updated
SKILSAW
Company type Subsidiary
IndustryManufacturing
Founded1924
Headquarters
ProductsPower tools
Parent Chervon Ltd.
Website www.skilsaw.com

SKILSAW Power Tools is a manufacturer of circular saw-cutting technology serving the professional construction market. [1] Since 2017, SKILSAW's headquarters has been located in Naperville, Illinois.

Contents

History

SKILSAW was founded in 1924 by Edmond Michel and Joseph W. Sullivan. Originally dubbed "The Michel Electric Handsaw Company," the company was renamed to SKILSAW Incorporated in 1926 after Michel left. [2] In 1928, the SKILSAW Model E was invented by Art Emmons. [3] The Model E was equipped with an 8-inch blade and was the world’s first portable circular saw. [4] This saw's invention also spurred the use of worm drive gearing, a dual-field motor, and die-cast aluminum motor housing. In 1937, its successor, the SKILSAW Model 77, became the benchmark of portable saws, [5] along with the SKILSAW Model 87 circular saws, and it continues to be used on job sites across the United States.

During the post-war era, the company expanded and began producing bench top tools and tools for a do-it-yourself audience. The company name was changed from SKILSAW Inc. to SKIL Corporation in 1952. Then, in November 2014, SKIL rebranded, [1] making SKILSAW the brand serving the professional construction market and SKIL the brand serving the consumer do-it-yourself market.

Since rebranding, SKILSAW has introduced a variety of new professional-grade saws for cutting both wood and other materials commonly used on job sites. The initial product lineup following the rebrand featured SKILSAW's pro grade, Sidewinder circular saws. Additionally, their larger worm drive saw called the "SawSquatch" was the first 10-1/4-inch worm drive saw. [6] The following year, 2016, brought three new metal cutting saws, including the first 8-inch worm drive optimized for metal, a 12-inch dry cut saw and a 14-inch abrasive chop saw.[ citation needed ] In addition to metal cutting, SKILSAW also announced a saw for fiber cement in 2015 [7] and the first worm drive saw for concrete in 2016. [8] Both of these saws were developed to meet new OSHA guidelines[ citation needed ] that protect workers from respirable silica dust. The company also expanded beyond traditional circular saws with the first worm drive table saw in 2016 [9] and two reciprocating saws in 2017. [10]

Products

SKILSAW’s product lineup includes worm drive saws, SIDEWINDER-branded circular saws and benchtop saws for various materials including wood, metal, fiber cement and concrete. In 2017, SKILSAW expanded its product offering from circular to linear cutting with its first reciprocating saws since rebranding. [11]

Ownership history

In 1991, the Emerson Electric Company and Robert Bosch GmbH entered into a joint venture by combining their power tool subsidiaries. In 1992, the new venture came to fruition as S-B Power Tool Co. In 1996, after four years of the partnership, Robert Bosch GmbH took over complete ownership of Skil.

On August 23, 2016, Chervon (HK) Ltd., a global power tool manufacturer based out of China, acquired [12] the SKILSAW brand from Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, which gave them control over the SKIL businesses in both North America and the European market.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circular saw</span> Power tool

A circular saw or a buzz saw, is a power-saw using a toothed or abrasive disc or blade to cut different materials using a rotary motion spinning around an arbor. A hole saw and ring saw also use a rotary motion but are different from a circular saw. Circular saws may also be loosely used for the blade itself. Circular saws were invented in the late 18th century and were in common use in sawmills in the United States by the middle of the 19th century.

A power tool is a tool that is actuated by an additional power source and mechanism other than the solely manual labor used with hand tools. The most common types of power tools use electric motors. Internal combustion engines and compressed air are also commonly used. Tools directly driven by animal power are not generally considered power tools. Power tools can produce large amounts of particulates, including ultrafine particles. Airborne particulate matter is a Group 1 carcinogen.

A saw is a tool consisting of a tough blade, wire, or chain with a hard toothed edge used to cut through material. Various terms are used to describe toothed and abrasive saws.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chainsaw</span> Portable handheld power saw with a rotating chain

A chainsaw is a portable handheld power saw that cuts with a set of teeth attached to a rotating chain driven along a guide bar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Table saw</span> Woodworking tool

A table saw is a woodworking tool, consisting of a circular saw blade, mounted on an arbor, that is driven by an electric motor. The drive mechanism is mounted below a table that provides support for the material, usually wood, being cut, with the blade protruding up through the table into the material.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bandsaw</span> Power saw with a long, sharp blade

A bandsaw is a power saw with a long, sharp blade consisting of a continuous band of toothed metal stretched between two or more wheels to cut material. They are used principally in woodworking, metalworking, and lumbering, but may cut a variety of materials. Advantages include uniform cutting action as a result of an evenly distributed tooth load, and the ability to cut irregular or curved shapes like a jigsaw. The minimum radius of a curve is determined by the width of the band and its kerf. Most bandsaws have two wheels rotating in the same plane, one of which is powered, although some may have three or four to distribute the load. The blade itself can come in a variety of sizes and tooth pitches, which enables the machine to be highly versatile and able to cut a wide variety of materials including wood, metal and plastic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackhammer</span> Pneumatic tool

A jackhammer is a pneumatic or electro-mechanical tool that combines a hammer directly with a chisel. It was invented by William McReavy, who then sold the patent to Charles Brady King. Hand-held jackhammers are generally powered by compressed air, but some are also powered by electric motors. Larger jackhammers, such as rig-mounted hammers used on construction machinery, are usually hydraulically powered. These tools are typically used to break up rock, pavement, and concrete.

Dremel is a multinational brand of power tools, focusing on home improvement and hobby applications. Dremel is known primarily for its rotary tools, such as the Dremel 3000, 4000 and 8200 series, which are similar to the pneumatic die grinders used in the metalworking industry by tool or moldmakers. Dremel later expanded its product range and now produces butane tools, benchtop and hand-held saws and oscillating tools. The company was purchased by Robert Bosch GmbH in 1993, and is now a division of the Robert Bosch Tool Corporation.

A hacksaw is a fine-toothed saw, originally and mainly made for cutting metal. The equivalent saw for cutting wood is usually called a bow saw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angle grinder</span> Handheld power tool for cutting or polishing

An angle grinder, also known as a side grinder or disc grinder, is a handheld power tool used for grinding and polishing. Although developed originally as tools for rigid abrasive discs, the availability of an interchangeable power source has encouraged their use with a wide variety of cutters and attachments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reciprocating saw</span> Type of machine powered saw

A reciprocating saw is a type of machine-powered saw in which the cutting action is achieved through a push-and-pull ("reciprocating") motion of the blade. The original trade name Sawzall is often used in the United States, where Milwaukee Electric Tool first produced a tool of this type in 1951.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiber cement siding</span> Building material used to cover the exterior of a building

Fiber cement siding is a building material used to cover the exterior of a building in both commercial and domestic applications. Fiber cement is a composite material made of cement reinforced with cellulose fibers. Originally, asbestos was used as the reinforcing material but, due to safety concerns, that was replaced by cellulose in the 1980s. Fiber cement board may come pre-painted or pre-stained or can be done so after its installation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bucksaw</span> Hand-powered frame saw

A bucksaw is a hand-powered frame saw similar to bow saw and generally used with a sawbuck to cut logs or firewood to length (bucking). Modern bucksaws usually have a metal frame and a removable blade with coarse teeth held in tension by the frame. Lightweight portable or foldable models used for camping or back-packing are also available. It is often referred to as a bow saw in the North American hardware market, but that term traditionally refers to a different type of saw with a wooden frame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milwaukee Electric Tool</span> Power tool manufacturer

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, known more commonly as Milwaukee Tool, is a multi-national company that develops, manufactures, and markets power tools, hand tools, tool accessories, tool storage, and personal protective equipment. Milwaukee Tool was last sold in 2005 for $626.6 million to the Hong Kong-based Techtronic Industries, also known as TTI Group. The company is now a subsidiary of TTI Group alongside brands like AEG, Ryobi, Hoover, Dirt Devil, and Vax. In 2022, $206 million was invested in Wisconsin research and development facilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skil</span> Brand name of power tools

SKIL Power Tools is a brand of electric power tools and accessories located in Naperville, Illinois, United States. It is a subsidiary of Chervon, a company based in Nanjing, China.

Edmond Michel was a Frenchman who immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century. He lived in New Orleans. His claim to fame was the invention of the handheld circular saw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grinding (abrasive cutting)</span> Machining process using a grinding wheel

Grinding is a type of abrasive machining process which uses a grinding wheel as cutting tool.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oscillating multi-tool</span> Power tool which works by oscillation

An oscillating multi-tool or oscillating saw is a multitool and power tool that oscillates, powered by battery or mains. The name "multi-tool" is a reference to the many functions that this tool can perform with the range of attachments available. "Master Tool" is also a trade name used in North America, short for the original tool by Fein called the Multi-Master. Attachments are available for sawing, sanding, rasping, grinding, scraping, cutting, and polishing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disc cutter</span> Power tool used to cut hard materials

A disc cutter is a specialised, often hand-held, power tool used for cutting hard materials, ceramic tile, metal, concrete, and stone for example. This tool is very similar to an angle grinder, chop saw, or even a die grinder, with the main difference being the cutting disc itself. This tool is highly efficient at cutting very hard materials, especially when compared to hand tools.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jigsaw (tool)</span> Type of saw

A jigsaw is a saw which uses a reciprocating blade to cut irregular curves, such as stenciled designs, in wood, metal, or other materials.

References

  1. 1 2 "SKILSAW Set to Redefine Brand Identity | Pro Tool Reviews". Pro Tool Reviews. 2014-11-14. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
  2. Koehler, Kenny (2019-01-25). "Who Invented the Circular Saw - the History of Skilsaw". Pro Tool Reviews. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  3. Koehler, Kenny (2019-01-25). "Who Invented the Circular Saw - the History of Skilsaw". Pro Tool Reviews. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  4. "History of the Circular Saw - Worm Drive Saw - Sidewinder Saw - Invention of Portable Saws - asktooltalk.com". www.asktooltalk.com. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  5. "Power Tool Institute - SKILSAW Power Tools". www.powertoolinstitute.com. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  6. rob (2014-12-24). "The New SKILSAW to Get Back to Professional Circular Saw Roots". Belts And Boxes. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  7. "Skil's Fiber-Cement Saw". www.toolsofthetrade.net. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
  8. "Skilsaw's Medusaw is First Worm Drive Saw Specifically for Concrete". www.forconstructionpros.com. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
  9. "Worm Drive Table Saw". Professional Deck Builder. 2017-05-31. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
  10. angelkipfer (2017-09-08). "Vibration-suppressing reciprocating saw". Woodworking Network. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
  11. "Skilsaw Buzzkill 13-Amp Reciprocating Saw Review | Pro Tool Reviews". Pro Tool Reviews. 2017-08-21. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
  12. "Chervon completes acquisition of SKIL power tool brands from Bosch". torque-expo.com. Retrieved 2017-12-12.