1985-1986 Skil Power Tools List

[BDFan1981]

I'm also beginning work on a database of Skil power tools sold in the 1985-86 buying season (approx. July 1985-June 1986) and most of that list includes several legacy power tools with model numbers dating from the 1940s and 1950s, including the ubiquitous model 77 7-1/4" worm-drive saw. The list mentions descriptions and the first and last years produced.

During the period mentioned, the 77 would be one of those tools to become part of the "Skil Professional" series (with the black and silver label) of tools for DIY'ers as well as for the industry, construction and farming trades. If I'm not mistaken that line became official on November 23, 1985. Other Skil legacy tools (which retained the black and red label design prominent since the 1970s) had newer model numbers by January 1, 1985.

Example of models:
Model 367 6-1/2" Worm-Drive Saw, Heavy Duty (becomes model 5825 eff. 11/23/85)
Model 439 1/4-Sheet Finishing Sander (became model 7182 eff. 9/22/84)
Model 515 Vari-Orbit Auto-Scrolling Jig Saw, Variable Speed, Heavy Duty (becomes model 4560 eff. 11/23/85)
Model 534 6-1/2" Circular Saw (1-1/2 HP) (replaced by model 5125 eff. 9/22/84)
Model 551 5-1/2" Trim Saw, Heavy Duty (becomes model 5510 eff. 11/23/85) (first sold October 1982)
Model 552 6-1/2" Builders' Circular Saw, Heavy Duty (becomes model 5625 eff. 11/23/85)
Model 553 7-1/4" Builders' Circular Saw, Heavy Duty (becomes model 5650 eff. 11/23/85)
Model 554 8-1/4" Builders' Circular Saw, Heavy Duty (becomes model 5665 eff. 11/23/85)
Model 559 7-1/4" Circular Saw (2-1/4 HP) (replaced by model 5350 eff. 9/22/84)
Model 574 7-1/4" Circular Saw (1-3/4 HP) (replaced by model 5150 eff. 9/22/84)
Model 576 7-1/4" Circular Saw (2-1/8 HP) (replaced by model 5250 eff. 9/22/84)
Model 807 7-1/4" Drop Foot Circular Saw, Heavy Duty (becomes model 5750 eff. 11/23/85)
Model 808 8-1/4" Drop Foot Circular Saw, Heavy Duty (becomes model 5765 eff. 11/23/85)
Model 810 10-1/4" Drop Foot Circular Saw, Heavy Duty (becomes model 5790 eff. 11/23/85) (first sold in January 1983)
Model 825 8-1/4" Worm-Drive Saw, Heavy Duty (becomes model 5865 eff. 11/23/85)
Model 2000 Cordless Screwdriver, Single Speed (130 RPM), 3.6 Volt (became model 2305 eff. 11/24/84) (first sold in November 1982)
Model 2003 Cordless 3/8" Drill & Screwdriver, 2 Speed (100 and 300 RPM), 3.6 Volt (became model 2230 eff. 11/24/84) (first sold in October 1980)
Model 2007 Cordless 3/8" Drill & Screwdriver, 2 Speed (same as 2003 but with charge indicator light) (became model 2323 eff. 11/24/84) (first sold in October 1980)
Model 2011 Cordless 3/8" Drill & Screwdriver, Single Speed (750 RPM), 7.2 Volt (removable Quick-Charge battery pack and charger) (becomes model 2520 eff. 11/23/85) (first sold in October 1982)
Model 2016 Cordless 3/8" Drill & Screwdriver ("BOAR GUN"), Dual Range Variable Speed (0-250 and 0-750 RPM), 7.2 Volt (removable Quick-Charge battery pack and charger) (becomes model 2725 eff. 11/23/85) (first sold in October 1979)

Most of the legacy power tools mentioned in this list were first sold in the 1950s, some even dating from the 1930s (the model 77 was first introduced in 1937) and the 1940s.

EDIT 1-14-2013: Changed some dates... particularly those for the four double-insulated circular saws, as I spotted the 5350 (and the 4395 jig saw) in a November 1984 issue of Popular Science.

~Ben

[Jack Wallace]

I'm also beginning work on a database of Skil power tools sold in the 1985-86 buying season (approx. July 1985-June 1986) and most of that list includes several legacy power tools with model numbers dating from the 1940s and 1950s, including the ubiquitous model 77 7-1/4" worm-drive saw. The list mentions descriptions and the first and last years produced.

During the period mentioned, the 77 would be one of those tools to become part of the "Skil Professional" series (with the black and silver label) of tools for DIY'ers as well as for the industry, construction and farming trades. If I'm not mistaken that line became official on November 23, 1985. Other Skil legacy tools (which retained the black and red label design prominent since the 1970s) had newer model numbers by January 1, 1985.

Example of models:
Model 367 6-1/2" Worm-Drive Saw, Heavy Duty (becomes model 5825 eff. 11/23/85)
Model 439 1/4-Sheet Finishing Sander (became model 7182 eff. 9/22/84)
Model 515 Vari-Orbit Auto-Scrolling Jig Saw, Variable Speed, Heavy Duty (becomes model 4560 eff. 11/23/85)
Model 534 6-1/2" Circular Saw (1-1/2 HP) (replaced by model 5125 eff. 9/22/84)
Model 551 5-1/2" Trim Saw, Heavy Duty (becomes model 5510 eff. 11/23/85) (first sold October 1982)
Model 552 6-1/2" Builders' Circular Saw, Heavy Duty (becomes model 5625 eff. 11/23/85)
Model 553 7-1/4" Builders' Circular Saw, Heavy Duty (becomes model 5650 eff. 11/23/85)
Model 554 8-1/4" Builders' Circular Saw, Heavy Duty (becomes model 5665 eff. 11/23/85)
Model 559 7-1/4" Circular Saw (2-1/4 HP) (replaced by model 5350 eff. 9/22/84)
Model 574 7-1/4" Circular Saw (1-3/4 HP) (replaced by model 5150 eff. 9/22/84)
Model 576 7-1/4" Circular Saw (2-1/8 HP) (replaced by model 5250 eff. 9/22/84)
Model 807 7-1/4" Drop Foot Circular Saw, Heavy Duty (becomes model 5750 eff. 11/23/85)
Model 808 8-1/4" Drop Foot Circular Saw, Heavy Duty (becomes model 5765 eff. 11/23/85)
Model 810 10-1/4" Drop Foot Circular Saw, Heavy Duty (becomes model 5790 eff. 11/23/85) (first sold in January 1983)
Model 825 8-1/4" Worm-Drive Saw, Heavy Duty (becomes model 5865 eff. 11/23/85)
Model 2000 Cordless Screwdriver, Single Speed (130 RPM), 3.6 Volt (became model 2305 eff. 11/24/84) (first sold in November 1982)
Model 2003 Cordless 3/8" Drill & Screwdriver, 2 Speed (100 and 300 RPM), 3.6 Volt (became model 2230 eff. 11/24/84) (first sold in October 1980)
Model 2007 Cordless 3/8" Drill & Screwdriver, 2 Speed (same as 2003 but with charge indicator light) (became model 2323 eff. 11/24/84) (first sold in October 1980)
Model 2011 Cordless 3/8" Drill & Screwdriver, Single Speed (750 RPM), 7.2 Volt (removable Quick-Charge battery pack and charger) (becomes model 2520 eff. 11/23/85) (first sold in October 1982)
Model 2016 Cordless 3/8" Drill & Screwdriver ("BOAR GUN"), Dual Range Variable Speed (0-250 and 0-750 RPM), 7.2 Volt (removable Quick-Charge battery pack and charger) (becomes model 2725 eff. 11/23/85) (first sold in October 1979)

Most of the legacy power tools mentioned in this list were first sold in the 1950s, some even dating from the 1930s (the model 77 was first introduced in 1937) and the 1940s.

EDIT 1-14-2013: Changed some dates... particularly those for the four double-insulated circular saws, as I spotted the 5350 (and the 4395 jig saw) in a November 1984 issue of Popular Science.

~Ben

[bear_man]

My former business partner had an 8-1/4 we used on rough-cut lumber because it'd go all the way through full-2" stock on a 45° angle.  Otherwise we used 7-1/4 Skils.  I recently picked up a Black & Decker (no Mod. #)  8-1/4" on which the "table/bed?" has been replaced with an angle iron rig that's really quite flat.  Heavy to begin with, the angle iron replacement/repair(?) makes it even moreso heavy.  Got it for a song w/ some other stuff and have thought of seeking another table/bed(?), though I'm unlikely at this point in life to do anything with rough cut. 
     Still, my question is did B&D mfg. the Skils or vice versa (or neither, of course)?  I haven't compared the rigs side-by-side yet, but the B&D reminds me of the older Mod. #14 Skil I have (I also have a newer Mod. #77)  Thanks for your work, ben.