Left handers..?

[ScotF]

Interesting thread...I am somewhat ambidextrous -- while I write with my right hand, I seem to do a lot with my left.  My wife is convinced I was supposed to be a lefty that got changed in school.  I used to write with a pronounced slant, but now my handwriting is so bad no one can tell what kind of slant it has -- looks like a two year old got a hold of my pen/pencil.  I think that the saws are set up for either right or left -- just flip the rail and cut direction and you are good to go.  The sanders and Domino and drills do not matter either other than the power switch being on one side my favor right over left. 

Scot 

 

[PaulMarcel]

Like some others, I'm a righty, but have used the TS-75 with either hand depending on the best way to get at it.  I'm extremely not left-handed... wish I wasn't so left-challenged.

 

[sancho57]

Lefty here,

It has its advantages and disadvantages. I dont really notice a difference after all these years…

I learned to do things with either hand.

Some things are more awkward then others.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Being ambidextrous I find the plunge cuts saws very easy to use with either hand.

......Comments about it being a "right handed world" ... I can't see that, maybe a few items of inconvenience. Most left handers I know are significantly more capable with their off hand than a "righty", so I feel I have an advantage in all honesty.

I agree Kev.  I favor finer motor skills with my left hand, tasks that require more strength with my right.  I believe JMB is the same way.  I don't mind saying we are superior. [tongue]   

 

[Davej]

Another ' cack hander ' here .. Never found it a problem and always use my ts55r  with my left hand, to me the saw is left handed as when i cut out for sinks etc the marks for the front and back of the blade when plunging are in clear sight . Someone i used to work for years ago asked me to do a particular task as i was a ' lefty ' I just laughed at him and  told him to get on with it as he wouldnt expect me to get him to do something because he was righthanded , he had to admit defeat and struggle on . As other people have mentioned i also cant use left handed scissors but can swop from left to right at will , where as all right handers i know cant swop hands . So maybe lefties are the superior race  [big grin]

 

[Tinker]

Hey guys, THE BEST OF US ARE LEFTIES.

Like Vin, I bought lefty scissors for both THE Boss and myself.  Niether one of us can use them.  i cna use them but for most uses, i prefer the right handed shears.  I do hate to use rigth handed shears for metal work, tho.  That gets me into all sorts of trouble.

I am guessing that Bandsaws were invented by a lefty, bless his heart.

when i was in the eary grades in school, the ball point and even a decent fountain pen were things in the future.  I hated using those "straight" pens and was either spattering ink all over my desk (and all desks within 6 feet of me) or i would break the points.  also, always had a blue hand.

Just about all other tools, I can use right handed.  I am like Brice & JMB in how i use my hands for different tasks.  Being a mason for years, the heavy lifting was all done with the right hand while the left did the finness trowel work.

Tinker

 

[peter halle]

Non-Leftie here, but I can use the TS-55 with either hand.  My favorite non Festool circular saw is a leftie Porter Cable.  I love being able to see the line.  Too bad they have been discontinued.  I have a line on a great looking used one.

Peter

 

[skids]

Non-Leftie here, but I can use the TS-55 with either hand.  My favorite non Festool circular saw is a leftie Porter Cable.  I love being able to see the line.  Too bad they have been discontinued.  I have a line on a great looking used one.

Peter

Peter I have this saw too, it's my fave as well. Great tool, and your right can't find anywhere anymore. I have been replacing alot of my old tools and consigning them, that is one saw I won't ever let go of.

 

[peter halle]

Non-Leftie here, but I can use the TS-55 with either hand.  My favorite non Festool circular saw is a leftie Porter Cable.  I love being able to see the line.  Too bad they have been discontinued.  I have a line on a great looking used one.

Peter

Peter I have this saw too, it's my fave as well. Great tool, and your right can't find anywhere anymore. I have been replacing alot of my old tools and consigning them, that is one saw I won't ever let go of.

I have a bead on a used one that looks unused in a flea market.  I might check next week if it is still there.  And fire it up.  [poke]

Peter

 

[Tinker]

Those old Skill worm drives were lefty saws, but most carpenters i saw using them right handed.
Tinker

 

[tjbnwi]

Baseball mits got mentioned, first basemens were easy to find. I think I own the only left handed catchers mit ever made.

I've adjusted to right handed items for so long it doesn't matter anymore.

Tom

 

[lambeater]

I'm a Lefty and really has no effect on me I just adjust and adapt! I can even drive on both sides of the road!

thx
Lambeater

 

[greg mann]

Baseball mits got mentioned, first basemens were easy to find. I think I own the only left handed catchers mit ever made.

I've adjusted to right handed items for so long it doesn't matter anymore.

Tom

Only one of two LH catcher's mitts. i grew up with the other guy who had one.

 

[John Stevens]

I am left handed, so I understand living in a right handers world. [snip]
I have the older ATF55, and I run the saw through cuts with my left hand guiding the saw.

Same here, left hand on the handle, left thumb and fingers working the switches.  Love it!

Regards,

John

 

[Claimdude]

How many of you/us are left handed, and just how do you get on with right handed tools ?

I tried out a T55 yesterday and doubt I'll get one as it is just so right handed, though sadly all the other circular saws I looked at were just as handed, so I may have to.

 

I am left handed with no right hand. The TS55 works great for me.

Jack

 

[Jaybolishes]

What a great thread.  It's nice to hear all the points of views from fellow lefties.  I bat righty, I snowboarded goofy at first, but now I like going either goofy or regular stance equally.  I too can't use lefty scissors worth a darn. Metal snips I use the left and right cutting snips with either hand.   My handwriting is so terrible it's embarrassing unless I put 100% effort into every letter.  Smudging the ink while writing has always been a pain.  I too find my right hand does the heavy work, I lifted a lot of weights playing football and basketball in college, and always wondered why my right and was stronger.  I always wondered to if my right handed brother taught me to bat righty, or was it meant to be.  I wonder if I batted lefty if I would have hit more home runs in high school baseball, and men's league softball.  Who knows but it's always been on my mind.

 

[alex946]

Hmm. I'm right handed, but always use the tool with the hand, what is more convenient at the moment. We're not saying that the bandsaw invented left-handed, right?

 

[Eli]

Left handed Goofy foot. Almost never use the TS with right hand. I like to walk along the edge of the rail when I'm cutting. Not sure how you'd do that right handed with this saw.

 

[Tinker]

When i was learning the building trades, i work for three brothers who did everything.  I worked at everything, but eventually ended up as a mason.  When framing, i would use either hand with hammer and even with the saws.  No power tools at that time.  I would switch hands according to what position i had to work from.  The youngest brother, 12 years my senior, would go crazy and yelling at me to learn to work with one hand or the other.  The older brother, a very good friend as years went on, would just tell the youngest that i used my left hand mostly because i could not do anything right. when i used my right, I was just proving it. he and i got along great.

i have many tories about my "adventures" with that crew, but for this time, i'll spare you.
Besides, i have to go to work.
BTW: work today means riding around on my big lever operated riding mower.  There are two levers.  I operate one with my left hand and the other with my right.  [big grin]
Tinker

 

[Brice Burrell]

What a great thread.  It's nice to hear all the points of views from fellow lefties.  I bat righty, I snowboarded goofy at first, but now I like going either goofy or regular stance equally.  I too can't use lefty scissors worth a darn. Metal snips I use the left and right cutting snips with either hand.   My handwriting is so terrible it's embarrassing unless I put 100% effort into every letter.  Smudging the ink while writing has always been a pain.  I too find my right hand does the heavy work, I lifted a lot of weights playing football and basketball in college, and always wondered why my right and was stronger.  I always wondered to if my right handed brother taught me to bat righty, or was it meant to be.  I wonder if I batted lefty if I would have hit more home runs in high school baseball, and men's league softball.  Who knows but it's always been on my mind.

Even when I concentrate on every letter I'm still embarrassed at the outcome. [tongue]