What Is a Rafter Hook on a Circular Saw? (DeWalt & Skil Guide)
A rafter hook is a fold-out metal clip built into worm drive circular saws — standard on Skil and DeWalt’s DCS570–DCS578 series (replacement part #N560335) — that lets you hang the saw from a rafter or I-joist with one hand free. Skip it on overhead framing and you’re gripping 8–12+ pounds of saw while balancing on a ladder. This guide covers which saws have a built-in hook, how to add one to a sidewinder, and how to install a replacement.
Why Use a Rafter Hook on a Circular Saw?
A rafter hook solves a real overhead-work problem, not just a convenience. Circular saws are heavy enough that holding one one-handed while balancing on a ladder or straddling a joist is genuinely risky — the hook lets you set the saw down without setting it down.
- Frees a hand at height: hang the saw from the rafter you’re standing on instead of gripping it while you reposition, mark a line, or climb.
- Steadier, more controlled cuts: once the saw is hung and released, you guide the blade with both hands instead of fighting the tool’s own weight — that’s what actually improves alignment.
- Keeps the tool off the ground: a hung saw stays out of dirt, wet lumber piles, and foot traffic instead of getting kicked around the deck between cuts.
Worm Drive vs. Sidewinder: Which Circular Saws Actually Have Rafter Hooks?
Rafter hooks come standard on worm drive saws almost across the board. Sidewinders rarely have one built in, and that split traces directly back to how the two saw types are built and marketed.
| Saw Type | Blade Speed | Weight & Torque | Rafter Hook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worm Drive (Skil HD77, DeWalt DCS570–578) | ~4,500–4,950 RPM | Heavier, higher torque | Standard on nearly every model |
| Sidewinder (inline motor) | ~5,200–6,000 RPM | Lighter, less torque | Rare — only on select models |
📊 Worm drive saws spin roughly 4,500–4,950 RPM versus about 6,000 RPM for sidewinders — the slower speed comes from the worm-gear reduction that also boosts torque, which is why worm drives got the extra weight (and, historically, the hook) that sidewinders skipped. — Source: Fine Homebuilding, “Circular Saws: Sidewinder vs. Worm-Drive”
3 Things to Know Before Choosing a Rafter Hook
Rafter Hooks Aren’t Universal
Much like arbor adaptors solve a mismatched-blade problem, rafter hooks are shaped and sized for specific saw models — there’s no universal part that bolts onto every brand. Have your exact model number ready before you buy a replacement.
They Come in More Than One Size
Even within the same brand, hook size and swing radius can differ between models. Check your saw’s model number against the replacement part’s fitment list rather than assuming “DeWalt” or “Skil” alone is specific enough.
Check for a Factory Hook First
Most modern worm drive saws already ship with a hook folded flat against the housing. Before buying anything, unfold every hinge point along the body — it’s easy to miss a factory hook that’s simply tucked away.
Best Rafter Hook Pick
Toolhangers Unlimited Retractable Saw Hanger – $25.75
An aftermarket retractable hook built specifically for Skil wormdrive saws — the same hook style this guide describes as the worm drive standard.
- Best for: Skil wormdrive owners whose factory hook broke or was never included
- Why we picked it: purpose-built for the exact saw family this article covers, not a generic clamp
- Main drawback: Skil-specific fitment — confirm your model before ordering
Compare more rafter hook options
 Option 1 DeWalt N560335 Rafter Hook – $17.99
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 Option 2 Makita 199386-8 Tool Hook – $20.28
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 Option 3 M745RB Spring-Loaded Hook – $11.19
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Which Circular Saw Models Have a Built-In Rafter Hook?
DeWalt’s 20V MAX XR 6-1/2″ brushless cordless circular saw (DCS565B, and the DCS565P1 kit) ships with a built-in rafter hook, and the same DeWalt 20V brushless circular saw line spins its blade at roughly 4,950 RPM. DeWalt’s larger 7-1/4″ worm drive saws — the DCS570, DCS573, DCS574, DCS575, and DCS578 — all share one replacement hook part, #N560335, when the factory piece breaks or goes missing.
Milwaukee’s worm drive and band saw lines use a similar round metal folding hook, and Skil — the brand that popularized the worm drive circular saw — builds one into nearly every worm drive model it sells, including the classic HD77. Sidewinder saws from any brand are the exception: check the spec sheet for “rafter hook” or “hanging hook” before assuming one’s included.
“DeWalt markets the rafter hook on its 20V MAX XR DCS565B as a convenient-storage feature for jobsite use, built into a saw that also spins its blade at roughly 4,950 RPM — a manufacturer-designed feature, not an aftermarket fix.”
How to Install a Rafter Hook on a Circular Saw
Most modern worm drive saws already have a factory hook folded against the body. If yours doesn’t — or the factory hook snapped off — here’s how to add a replacement.
- Gather the tools: the correct replacement hook for your exact model, a screwdriver, and two mounting screws (usually included with the part).
- Find the mounting spot: look for two small threaded holes near the handle or rear housing — that’s where a factory hook normally bolts on.
- Drill pilot holes only if your saw was never built for one: mark the spot, use a bit slightly narrower than the screws, and drill two shallow pilot holes into the housing.
- Attach the hook: align the hook’s mounting holes with the housing, then drive the screws in snugly — don’t overtighten into plastic housings.
- Test the fit: unfold and fold the hook several times, and hang the saw briefly on a scrap board to confirm it holds without wobbling before trusting it at height.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all circular saws have a rafter hook?
No. It’s standard on almost every worm drive saw — Skil, DeWalt’s 7-1/4″ line, Milwaukee — but rare on sidewinder saws unless the manufacturer specifically added one, like DeWalt’s DCS565B.
Can you add a rafter hook to a sidewinder circular saw?
Yes, but usually with an aftermarket hanger rather than a factory part — some tradespeople repurpose nail-gun-style hangers (Toolhangers Unlimited makes several) and mount them through the same screw bosses used for the handle. It’s a workaround, not a drop-in factory fit.
Are rafter hooks universal across brands?
No. Hook shape, mounting-hole spacing, and swing radius are specific to each saw model. A DeWalt N560335 hook won’t fit a Skil or Milwaukee saw, and it may not even fit every DeWalt model.
How much does a replacement rafter hook cost?
Real listings run roughly $11 to $26 depending on brand and whether it’s an OEM part or an aftermarket equivalent — generic spring-loaded hooks sit at the low end, brand-matched OEM parts at the high end.
Bottom Line
A rafter hook is a small feature that solves a real overhead-work problem: most worm drive saws already have one, most sidewinders don’t, and retrofitting either type is a short job once you have the right part. Confirm your saw’s exact model before buying a replacement — hooks aren’t interchangeable across brands or models. For more accessory and buying guides, browse our full circular saw coverage.
