Would anybody here happen to own the (latest version of the) smallest member of the sidewinder trio of Skil's heavy-duty circular saws? If yes, I would appreciate it.
It is the model 552. The version in question I am speaking of has the plastic body shared with such domestic models as 534 (late '70s), 537 (late 1960s/'70s), 559, 574 (late 1970s) and 576, which I believe started at Type 12 in 1977. There was also a "Super Duty" version called the 866.
I only have pictures of the bigger units 553 (7-1/4" blade) and 554 (8-1/4" blade) to jog your memories here.
The plastic-bodied 552 timeline:
Type 12 = 1977 to 1981 (date codes CY to HHX)
Type 13 = 1982 (date codes HHY to HJX)
Type 14 = 1983 (date codes HJY to HKX)
Type 15 = 1984 to 1985 (date codes HKY to HMX)
(on 1979 and later units, the date code will be found stamped on the blade size decal applied to the upper blade guard)
The official Skil parts lists will also help identify which type numbers of which models are covered: for example, the 552 type 15 parts list will also cover model 553 type 11 and model 554 type 11. These were replaced by Professional models 5625, 5650 and 5665, respectively, for the 1986 sales year.
~Ben
