Skateplate Circular Saw Roller Base - Tool Review
Skateplate Circular Saw Roller Base
Let me start this review by saying that I am not a regular user of worm drive circular saws – and there’s a reason for that. For me, they’re too bulky, heavy and awkward to do what I usually need to get done. Apparently I’m not the only person who’s found that to be the case – the guys at Woodman Tools were in the same boat. They did something about the problem, and called it the SkatePlate.
Overview:
The idea is both simple and ingenious at the same time. The SkatePlate replaces the stock baseplate that ships with the saw. It took me about 10 or 15 minutes to get the product out of the box and installed, so I’d say that’s pretty simple for starters.
Rollers at the front and rear elevate the plate a few fractions of an inch above the worksurface. In doing so, it eliminates the usual friction you get when using this type of saw. The result is a saw that you can move along a cut line almost effortlessly. This video will give you an idea:
Skateplate in Action
There aren’t any saws I know of that can be moved along a surface with that little effort. By removing the friction, you can simply concentrate on where the blade is tracking – and they’ve made that simpler, as well. Reference marks along the width of the rollers give you a visual indication of where the cut line is at all times.
Results:
In my testing – on a roof installing a ridge vent – the plate performed better than I had expected. Again, I’m prone to disliking these saws to begin with, but the SkatePlate seemed to cure what was ailing me, or the saw, or both.
I didn’t do a drop test on the unit, but the manufacturer says it’s made of a fiber-enriched composite (sounds like it should be good enough to eat!) that won’t ever bend. Only time will judge that claim.
Strictly from a user-standpoint, the SkatePlate feels solid, did what it was supposed to do – and actually surprised me a bit in its performance, which is rare these days.
Give it a shot and let me know what you think, especially if you’re a worm drive regular. I’d love to hear what you have to say about your experiences with the tool.
For more information: Woodman Tools
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