Jon I've been thinking about these very points (having to notch the case, and the power sapping nature of bows) since we last talked about putting a bow on that Skil. I'm thinking that you'd be better off keeping the Skil a 'straight' bar saw (you can have the 16" bar I mentioned), and finding you something else to put a bow on. Heck, we could put a bow on that SXL-AO. I've got a few crappy XL-12/SXL clutch covers that I wouldn't mind letting get notched. I have my own bow equipped SXL-AO that is waiting it's turn in the project line as well. A 4200-8500 Poulan or XL-800/900 series Homelite would be a good saw to set up with a bow, as they certainly have the nuts to pull 'em. Same with a C-series Homelite. I've got this good running 2nd C-5 laying around (with an intact but ugly clutch cover installed to replace the gear drive cover that WAS on it) and....