Which hand do you use TS 55 and TS 75

[JeromeM]

In the thread  which is related to a 1 armed woodworker
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/opinions-on-festool-use-from-a-'different'-perspective/ an interesting point has come up. If the general consensus is the one I suspect there may be a case to suggest a design change or tool option to Festool.

So far 6/Feb/2010 11:30 JST there are just 2 people who have stated a preference. To avoid making that thread  too long and hijacking it this is a better place for replies.

This may give some surprising results.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Like a blade left?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I think that Christian has mentioned this before but I'll reiterate it...  Our engineers have taken this into consideration and all future tools will be designed with ambidextrous use in mind.  This has been the case for I believe a couple of years now and is probably one of the reasons that the handle on the Kapex is designed as it is, as an example.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I think that Christian has mentioned this before but I'll reiterate it...  Our engineers have taken this into consideration and all future tools will be designed with ambidextrous use in mind.  This has been the case for I believe a couple of years now and is probably one of the reasons that the handle on the Kapex is designed as it is, as an example.

I am not quite sure if that translates to blade left, or we have to be nice to lefty's? [big grin]

 

[JeromeM]

I think that Christian has mentioned this before but I'll reiterate it...  Our engineers have taken this into consideration and all future tools will be designed with ambidextrous use in mind.  This has been the case for I believe a couple of years now and is probably one of the reasons that the handle on the Kapex is designed as it is, as an example.

Hi Shane
For most of the tools this does work and as the linked thread shows it mostly does for the Track saws. But it may be (depending on the results of the poll) that a different orientation of the saw is better and that is much more than just making the saw more ambidextrous.

I started the poll to discover if there is any point in suggesting an alternative or if I am part of a small minority

As I Said "I still think the TS55 is better than all the others for the jobs it is meant for and a great saw."

 

[jeffinsgf]

My response wasn't an option, and that is -- both, depending on the cut, the material the support set up, etc.  I'm left handed so prefer to run the saw with my left hand.  But, if it is a repetitive operation on the MFT, I tend to set things up from left of the guide and run the saw with my right hand. If it is one cut, and the offcut isn't supported, I run the saw left handed and catch the off cut with my right hand. I think that sort of natural "work with your body on the off cut side" is why so many right handers like a left cut saw.

 

[danjames]

Yep I use both hands as well, depending on the cut and how it is set up.
I'm right handed.

 

[score0matic]

I have found that I had to Retrain my self and use the festool left handed,  I have always been a blade left guy (first PorterCable later Skill and Bosch worms) the ability to see the cut is so important + if you use a Cutting table it lends it self to the left.  besides i don't have to worry about going off line with my left when it is on the rail [big grin]

Craig

 

[jonny round boy]

I'd vote for either, depending on the size of board I'm cutting, and how much of it I'm cutting off.....

But that's not an option  [sad]

 

[honeydoman]

I am right handed and use it right handed. Most times but sometimes left hand when necessary. I hand a one arm man work for me. He was always happy to give me a hand!  (just sat morning humor).

 

[wnagle]

Lets see... now I'll have to get a right and left handed 55 and a right and left handed 75 and then try to calibrate all 4 of them exactly the same to the guide rail zero clearance strips...or I guess I could just get 4 complete sets of rails.  hey it's only money!! [eek]

 

[johnsonri]

Right handed here and mostly use the right hand when cutting.

However, I have been known to use my left handing, depending on the cut. I've noticed that when I am cutting very thin strips, I am more likely to use my left hand to make the cut.

Rey

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I think that Christian has mentioned this before but I'll reiterate it...  Our engineers have taken this into consideration and all future tools will be designed with ambidextrous use in mind.  This has been the case for I believe a couple of years now and is probably one of the reasons that the handle on the Kapex is designed as it is, as an example.

I'm happy to hear that Festool is taking that into consideration.  As a southpaw (a left hander), of my Festool machines, the one whose switch position I find most annoying is my OF 1400.  However, we left handed people are used to dealing with products that are designed for right handed people, so it is really only a minor inconvenience, and an occasional surprise when I unintentionally power on or power off a tool due to my gripping it with my left hand.

Does anyone know why Festool's T12+3 drill directional switch does not have a null detent as do drills from many other manufacturers.  I worry that if it is placed back in the case and some other item in that case moves during transit that the motor will be energized.  And the Systainer is not designed so both bateries can be carried in the case along with the rest of the set other than mounted to the drill.

Dave R.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

There are instances when safety is a design consideration as is the case with the TS.  I had heard this before but had since forgotten about it.  I have to give credit to my colleague who some of you may know from calling us, David McGibbon, for reminding me about it.

You have likely noticed that to use the TS saw, a user who is right handed must reach across his body during operation. These saws were designed that way very much on purpose for safety reasons. While the TS saw is inherently safer than most saws due to it's plunge design, the handle position makes it more difficult for a right handed person to put his free hand close to the exposed blade.  It is highly recommended that even a left handed person trigger the saw with his right hand for this reason.

There are few things about our tools, if any, that are by chance.  There is a LOT of consideration, engineering and research that goes into the design of each of our products.  I have found myself using them and find out "wow, they thought of that too".  I still think an important part of the process to listen to everyone's feedback and thoughts on the matter.  So, by all means, feel free to give your opinion.  But hopefully this information will bring some insight into why the saw is the way that it is.

 

[JeromeM]

My response wasn't an option, and that is -- both, depending on the cut, the material the support set up, etc.  I'm left handed so prefer to run the saw with my left hand.  But, if it is a repetitive operation on the MFT, I tend to set things up from left of the guide and run the saw with my right hand. If it is one cut, and the offcut isn't supported, I run the saw left handed and catch the off cut with my right hand. I think that sort of natural "work with your body on the off cut side" is why so many right handers like a left cut saw.

Hi Jeff (?)
You may have missed the part about excluding use on the MFT?

I think that for the majority of users (who are right or left handed) use on the MFT will be right handed as the whole set up is designed for right hand on the saw.

Since the majority of use off the MFT {I think} will be for cutting sheet material {mine is} I am interested in off MFT use. I also think that most users will not be ambidextrous off MFT.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

On a side note:  On the home page this thread tittle reads, "Which hand do you us..." [scratch chin]

 

[JeromeM]

There are instances when safety is a design consideration as is the case with the TS.  I had heard this before but had since forgotten about it.  I have to give credit to my colleague who some of you may know from calling us, David McGibbon, for reminding me about it.

You have likely noticed that to use the TS saw, a user who is right handed must reach across his body during operation. These saws were designed that way very much on purpose for safety reasons. While the TS saw is inherently safer than most saws due to it's plunge design, the handle position makes it more difficult for a right handed person to put his free hand close to the exposed blade.  It is highly recommended that even a left handed person trigger the saw with his right hand for this reason.

Whilst I understand the reason you give I feel that the argument is fundamentally unsound. if a safety feature is difficult to use (designed to be or not) it will be worked round or discarded. The result is often worse than if it had not been there in the first place.

A case in point is the design of US table saws compared to UK (European) ones. Until recently riving knives were virtually unknown as well as good blade guards mounted on them or in other ways. This caused a large number of users to immediately remove the guard and never put it back on. You now have many people who automatically discard guards and shows that encourage this.
It is clear that an unguarded blade is much more dangerous than a guarded one. All you have to do is look at accident reports.

FWIW My UK table saw that is at least 40 years old {and not at all unusual} has both a riving knife and a short fence this combination has meant that until very recently I did not even know that kickback existed. This has nothing to do with any skill that I may have and every thing to do with good easy to use safe design.

There are few things about our tools, if any, that are by chance.  There is a LOT of consideration, engineering and research that goes into the design of each of our products.  I have found myself using them and find out "wow, they thought of that too".  I still think an important part of the process to listen to everyone's feedback and thoughts on the matter.  So, by all means, feel free to give your opinion.  But hopefully this information will bring some insight into why the saw is the way that it is.

I agree completely on the superb design and thought on {almost} all of the tools. This includes the plunge saws when used on the MFT what I am trying to find out about is the use off the MFT.

I am also trying not to influence the result by posing a neutral a question as I can think of. I am not {at least not yet [unsure]} trying to suggest that any change would be needed or even a good idea.

 

[harry_]

Yep I use both hands as well, depending on the cut and how it is set up.
I'm right handed.

ditto

 

[JeromeM]

Yep I use both hands as well, depending on the cut and how it is set up.
I'm right handed.

ditto

OK you now have the option of ambidextrous off the MFT and you can change your vote if you want to

 

[justinmcf]

i am shocked that festool has designed the ts-55 this way, i have experienced kick back with the ts-55 and i was glad i was holding it with my left hand. had i been holding the saw with my right hand across my body then the saw would have been even closer to hitting my vital organs.

however, i dont find the fact i use my left hand a major problem. i have been working as a carpenter for twenty years and i am quite used to using both hands for difficult operations.
i find the festool saw to be an amazing product and the current design is flawless, i cant think of anything else you could do to make this saw any better than what it is now.

regards, justin.