Customer Reviews

Bosch 1678 7-1/4-Inch Wormdrive Construction Saw with Top Handle

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Quality, power, ease of use, quiet and smooth - this is the Bosch 1678. From the arbor lock which keeps the blade from turning when you change it, to the padded handle, to the saw hook that swings out when you want to hang the saw from a sawhorse or a rafter, these are just a few illustrations of the thought that has gone into the design and construction of this saw. I purchased the rip guide which is specific for this saw and I got a Bosch soft side case for the saw and accessories. A saw with the blade on the left took some getting used to for me. Now, I am beginning to see the advantages - easier view of the cutting line which means more accurate cuts. Also, this saw stays on the line and does not seem to want to "wander" as some others I have used in the past. One note of interest - this saw does not have the electic brake that many others do - the blade coasts down to a stop in about five seconds, instead of two. The tradeoff is that the brushes in the Bosch will last a long time. Electic braking plays hell with brushes. You will never regret this purchase. Mine arrived in perfect condition. I have saved its box for other stuff.

as a framing carpenter I rely on a good saw and bosch hasn't let me down. This is a strong, durable saw with plenty of power. However, the packaging problem has not yet been addressed. The blade was not secured to anything in the box, and caused a good bit of cosmetic damage on the footplate and along the motor casing. But like I said, it was just cosmetic and has not hindered performance.

As a homeowner, i bought this saw for siding replacement and some framing work. It is indeed a powerhouse! The saw works perfectly and cuts through materials like butter! As for shipping...that is another matter. Amazon did it's job and shipped in a very timely manner. The packaging job done by Bosch was ridiculous! The carbide blade was obviously bouncing around in the box and did a excellent job of chewing up the footplate and bladeguard. I didn't return the saw because the beating it took did not effect it's perfomance...*****UPDATE**JUST THOUGHT I WOULD LET POTENTIAL BUYERS KNOW THAT I WAS CONTACTED BY BOTH AMAZON AND A BOSCH VP REGARDING THE SHIPPING PROBLEMS I HAD. WHAT GREAT FOLLOW-UP SERVICE! BOSCH OFFERED TO IMMEIDATELY EXCHANGE THE SAW ADDING THAT THEY WERE ADDRESSING THE SHIPPING CARTON PROBLEMS. IN THE END, I KEPT THE SAW BUT WAS HIGHLY IMPRESSED BY THE CARING RESPONSE FROM BOTH AMAZON AND BOSCH. IN MY OPINION THIS IS INSIGHT TO PRODUCT SUPPORT ONE COULD EXPECT FROM BOTH COMPANIES. THANKS FOLKS! (P.S., BOSCH SENT ME SOME GOODIES TOO!:-)

I found the same issues with the packing however the blade had not damaged anything in the box. Love the ballance and feel of the top handle. Outpreformed my friends Makitas and put them to shame. Now if only Amazon would offer the rip fence as an accessory.

This saw is the best worm drive I've used. It is light weight and has a nice balance. Good power. The built in saw hook, arbor lock and rubber cushion grip are all extras to a great tool. Well done Bosch.

I am a framing carpenter and need a good, long lasting saw. This saw has great power, sturdy construction, but i've only had it a year and it already doesn't work. I pull the trigger, but nothing. I haven't been rough on it. I'm hoping it's just the brushes, bt still...only one year? I have much less expensive Skill saw that was nearly ten years old before the brushes needed replacement. Can't say that i am extremely pleased with this saw.

Pro carpenters already know about worm-drive saws; They deliver more torque, the blade is easily visible on the left side (where it should be for right handed users) and they are durable.

Pros also know about Bosch quality: sound engineering, strict quality-control, smooth bearings and rugged components. (as witnessed by solid Bosch warrantees.) So, if you are even looking at this saw, you probably already know all that.

What I love about the saw is the BALANCE. It FEELS RIGHT.

Bosch engineers placed the handle on top of the motor instead of behind it. For Two-by cutting and panel cutting that makes this saw much less tiring to wield all day. Even if you use it only occasionally, you will find this handle placement makes the saw feel more secure and balanced. That promotes straighter, smoother cuts and therefore improves safety by reducing the likelihood of kickback. Carpenters prevent problems if we don't have to "fight" or "force" our tools.

Look at the picture of this saw from the side view. Notice how the rear handle, the front handle and the arbor form a triangle? The saw's weight and your weight are centered above the inverted apex of that triangle. ALL of that weight is centered on the baseplate.

When you use both hands on this saw, your hands are far away from the blade, above it and on both sides of the center-of-gravity. The center-of-mass is easier to control in this position. You don't have to "drive" the saw or steer it. The saw "swings" into position and stays-put, like a curling iron. You can maintain even pressure on the front-and-back, keeping the saw level and sawing straight. Even when you use only one hand to operate it, it still tracks better than other worm-drive saws because of this handle-placement.

The specs say this weighs 14 pounds, but after using it all day, it feels much lighter than other saws. The handle-placement and balance are why this saw is easier to use. It feels like a natural extension of my arm and politely applies power exactly where I expect it. It delivers worm-drive torque but with no drama, no wrestling. My wrist, knees, forearm and back all agree, especially after a long day. Cuts through sheet goods like butter. I never feel like I'm forcing it. Cross-cuts with a good carbide-tipped blade are smooth. I've even cut timber-frame joinery with it: large tenons, laps, v-grooves, summer beams, etc. Nice smooth fast accurate cuts. No "Mulligans." The angle adjustments are accurate and secure. The base glides against straightedges without catching.


There are other good quality saws out there and I have used them all.
I always preferred worm-drives for the power and line-of-sight.
But this one is dramatically better balanced, smoother, easier to use.

If I had to choose just one 7-1/4 circ-saw, this is my favorite.

The loose blade is a definite shipping hazard, both to the saw which sustained more than cosmetic damage and to the unsuspecting cartoon opener as the blade was protruding through the side of the Bosch box. Having decided to probably send this saw back, I bought the rear handle version of it from a local hardware (after checking it for loose blade damage). I tried both and like the rear handle better, it has better balance and is easier on the wrist, follows your line better. Both saws have a tendancy to rotate with the motor when you first start them up, so keep the blade away from your work.

I received this saw as a gift a couple years ago. While I don't use it to make a living, I have done quite a few small scale building projects with it and never had a problem. It took a little while to get used to the left-handed blade, but now I think I actually prefer the left blade over the right blade, but that's personal preference. I really like the top handle. It gives me more control and just feels "right". Also, it is a lot quieter than other circular saws, not sure if thats because of the worm-drive or not. This thing is so well built, that I'm sure this is the last saw I will ever need to own.

I need to rely on a good saw and like all of my other Bosch products this saw has never let me down. You will get a life time of work out of this workhorse. Don't hesitate, buy this great saw...Bosch reputation alone is enough reason!