DeWalt's high-torque framing saw is a good option for people who prefer the torque of a traditional worm drive saw but don't have time (or memory) for the regular oiling worm drives require. It has a 15 amp motor that provides 2,000 watts of output power. The bevel and depth-of-cut gauges cannot be recalibrated, so after taking a few hard jolts users may want to rely on a tape and secondary bevel gauge for accuracy. That said, although the base is narrow, it's one of the toughest bases we've seen and it isn't likely to warp easily. While its design is similar to that of a worm drive saw, the gearing is situated at an angle to the base, keeping the handle closer to the blade and making for better balance and control than what most worm drives offer. The shaft lock button is on the opposite side of the saw from the blade, so blade changes require some awkward hand positioning to use the wrench while holding the button--not an ideal situation, but not a huge inconvenience either. We appreciate the easy external brush access on this tool, which can eliminate a trip to the repair shop as the saw ages. We also like the built-in rafter hook, a bonus feature not found on other circular saws. This DeWalt has only been on the market for three years, so while the hypoid gearing lets it provide the same level of torque as a worm drive saw, it remains to be seen whether it has the long life span we've come to expect from our old worm drives. We think it's a great saw for people looking for a burly circular saw at a reasonable price. --Brian Trinen

DEWALT's Heavy-Duty 7 1/4-Inch High-Torque Framing Saw is designed to provide powerful cutting action on the most demanding of work sites. Featuring a powerful 15.0 Amp motor that delivers cutting speeds of up to 4600 RPM, this heavy-duty machine has a high-strength cast aluminum base and a lower guard design for superior durability and performance. This framing saw also features an electric brake that safely stops the blade after use, a bevel capacity of 50 degrees for a wide range of applications on the job site and an integrated hook for quick and easy storage.