Blade on left

[walter cruse]

I am a big fan of the plunge cut saw & guide, however most of the time I find my self cutting left handed (not my preference).

How about a saw with the blade on the left.

 

[chrisrosenb]

I always did say that circular saws with blades on the right were designed by a left hander.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I think the point of that is to keep you away from the blade.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I always did say that circular saws with blades on the right were designed by a left hander.

I doubt it.  I'm left handed and my first circular saw was a left-blade Craftsman because the grip, blade and controls fit me.  But like many left-handed people, I've gotten used to using whichever hand a tool requires. 

Dave R.

 

[tbellemare]

I think the point of that is to keep you away from the blade.

That's always been my understanding too...

Your free hand should not be on the same side as the blade.

Tom

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

There was a recent thread about this very topic.  Here is my response which describes why the saws are designed the way they are.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/which-hand-do-you-use-ts-55-and-ts-75/msg90271/#msg90271

 

[Inner10]

This has always been and will always be an East - West debate.

The blade left wormdrive was a west coast thing and the blade right sidewinder was an east coast thing.

Westerners claim that it provides better visibility.

Easterners claim it is safer, less chips get blown in your tool-belt (ok not with a vac hooked up) and the majority of the weight of the saw is on the stock not the off cut.

It is a chicken and egg argument

 

[jmbfestool]

My Makita Saw is right blade and my Cordless Milweuakee is left blade and I much prefer left as you can see the blade making easier for all types of jobs but also i think its safer because I find my right hand is stronger so if it kicks back I can hold it more but also my body naturally not directly behind the saw  so less likely to kick up and cut my chest!!!! I am talking about non plunge saw!!!

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Why would anyone care about seeing the blade or sighting
in on a rail guided saw?

 

[spikfot]

Why would anyone care about seeing the blade or sighting
in on a rail guided saw?

So one knows when to stop the saw?

I was a bit shocked when I moved to metricland and discovered all the saws were blade right, but Iv'e adjusted and now use both. Battery saws are mostly blade left. I still miss my wormdrives....that smooth whine.