Blade Left Development

[HowardH]

A lot of hard core contracting circ saws, i.e. Milwaukee, Dewalt, Makita, make blade left saws which make it much easier to see the blade contacting the wood instead of guessing a bit.  On a track, it's probably not a big deal but I wonder if Festool would ever consider manufacturing like a HKC saw that could be used without a guide rail with a left blade configuration? If they did, would you buy it? 

 

[Michael Kellough]

With a guide rail there’s no need to put your eyeballs in line of sight with the chip producing part of the saw.

 

[HowardH]

Yes, I mentioned that but for a traditional style of circular saw, like the the HKC, it could be useful if used off the rail, which in this case, is the only way it could be used.  Probably not enough demand to warrant development I would imagine. 

 

[Michael Kellough]

Not to argue Howard but if they did make a blade left saw it could be used on the existing FS rails, but not the HK rails. If Kreg’s new saw fits Festool rails you could have what youre asking about, and if it was cordless it would be very handy.

 

[HowardH]

no worries!  [big grin]

 

[morts10n]

One of the last non Festool tools I use every day is a left blade Saw Boss. I would love it if Festool made a stand alone small saw. I wouldn't buy it tho if it was right blade

 

[woodwrights_corner]

Howard,

I lurk a lot but seldom register.  I am a six decades old southpaw. And, with a few exceptions I had to adapt to right handed stuff all of my life.  No sympathy here.

I love the guide rail system.  I use it left handed or right handed with no complaints.

Learn to be flexible, the world will be twice as good.

Hope you will accept this in the humorous manner in which it is intended.

Signed,

Very, very, very left handed but it's no big deal and I'm not bitter.

 

[rst]

Leftys are the only people in their "right" mind.  My oldest daughter, the artist, is the only lefty in our family.  I have always tried to use my left hand as often as my right...just to be balanced.  My earliest organized sports were Judo and Jujitsu so being balanced and unhanded as much as possible was always part of my outlook on life.

 

[semenza]

Hmmm, not sure Howard's reason was because he is a left handed?

Seth

 

[DeformedTree]

I like the term "left blade" ,  people shouldn't use terms like left handed/right handed on something like a circular saw because was that means is different to different folks.  2 people could look at the same saw and one will say it's left handed, the other right handed. But neither will debate what side the blade is on.

I don't think there is much pattern to which side it's on. It's like fuel doors on cars, same brand has them on either side.  I have 3 Milwaukee's, 2 on one side, 1 the other side.

 

[blaszcsj]

the new kreg track saw a lefty. There is always that [eek]

 

[HowardH]

Hmmm, not sure Howard's reason was because he is a left handed?

Actually, it's meant for right handed use.  If you think about it, using it right handed, you would not have to look over the top of it to see your line like you have to do with a traditional right bladed circular saw.  It's a non event using a track saw.  I wasn't familiar with them until I saw this.

circular saws

It makes a lot of sense. 

 

[Lettusbee]

I would buy a cordless blade left track saw right away, if it was compatible to festool tracks and in dewalt, makita,  or Milwaukee. 

As a remodeler I'm always cutting on existing walls, floors, and ceilings.  It's common that cuts cant be completed with a blade right saw. 

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[peter halle]

I have a Porter Cable left blade corded circular saw.  After buying it I stopped using my Dewalt right blade.  So much better for sight lines.

For a track saw I can't see that it matters.  Your rail becomes your sight line.

Peter

 

[Mario Turcot]

Perhaps blade configuration has to do with dust extraction? Won't you get showered with saw dust if you are on the same side of the dust extraction when not using a dust extractor?

 

[chrisrosenb]

I have a Porter Cable left blade corded circular saw.  After buying it I stopped using my Dewalt right blade.  So much better for sight lines.

For a track saw I can't see that it matters.  Your rail becomes your sight line.

Peter

That is why I always believed that a right blade saw was designed by a left handed person.