left and right handed circular saws??

masraum · 03-17-2009, 12:02 PM

Is there a reason that some circular saws are right handed and some are left handed. I don't believe that they are marketed as "right" or "left" handed. I had a ryobi or something like that a few years back. Now I have a Porter Cable that I inherited that says "framing saw" but the motor is on the opposite side of the handle.

So, educate me tool guys.

KFC911 · 03-17-2009, 12:06 PM

Hmmm...because some of us are left handed? Seriously, I've never had "left handed" tools, but have just learned to adapt to being in the 10% minority...you know, the "smart ones"

. Some tools I just use as a right handed person would, and some I hold caddywompous and just make do...

masraum · 03-17-2009, 12:06 PM

In case you don't get what I'm trying to explain.

mudman · 03-17-2009, 12:07 PM

yup, made for right and left handed guys. weird that you've seen them unmarked, most guys I know that have them have had to special order them.

masraum · 03-17-2009, 12:08 PM

I could understand if they were marketed as right or left handed, but I've never seen them sold like that. And to tell you the truth, I'd be pretty surprised if they made them for that reason.

KFC911 · 03-17-2009, 12:11 PM

Steve, I take it you're right handed? A circular saw is a prime example...If I used one a lot, I'd dang sure order a "left handed" version. Some power tools don't matter to me, but using a circular saw designed for the "other folks" is a PITA, but I make do.

masraum · 03-17-2009, 12:19 PM

The odd thing is that the saw that I currently have which is (based on my searching) called a blade on the left and I think more unusual than a blade on the right saw is actually better for a right handed person. If you're holding the saw in your right hand, then you can more easily see where the blade and wood meet because the motor isn't in the way. I guess that based on that, a regular saw is actually a left handed saw.

It seems like I remember using my previous saw with my left hand (which is odd since I'm right handed).

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

I've had a thousand circular saws come through my shop but never saw a lefty. The 'wormdrives' strike me as being lefthanded but I'm sure they're made that way for a reason.
Jim

KFC911 · 03-17-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

....I guess that based on that, a regular saw is actually a left handed saw.....

Yes, but they're designed for a right-handed person to use. As Jim confirmed, us lefties are simply SOL when it comes to many power tools or something as simple as scissors

. I actually don't even think about it...you just learn from day one to adapt.

masraum · 03-17-2009, 12:31 PM

I just found this online which I thought was interesting.

Quote:

Many of the worm-drive circular saws have the blade to the left of the
motor.
Visibility to the line of cut is typically the reason. The saw is still held in the right hand using the left hand on the knob.
Having both RH and LH saws means that the weight of the motor (and the bulk of the shoe) can be oriented over the larger piece of lumber or plywood. when cutting near an edge.
Safety glasses are even more important when the blade is closer to the user's face than the saw motor. The body of the saw no longer blocks the chips that fly out the side of the blade guard.

And then this response.

Quote:

> A blade on the left saw isn't necessarily a left handed tool.

Actually it is. Read the owners manual for a left blade saw and notice that
the saw is to be held with the left hand.

> The blade on the left allows right handed users to see the blade.

And any excess saw dust that may fly up in your face. There is a reason
that the blade is hard to see when used correctly.

> Lefties have enjoyed this for years.

My lefty friend hates the right handed saws for the above reason.

I've also noticed that depending upon where I'm cutting it can be a pain because the motor is on the discard side of the cut. Interesting.

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

The right handed saw only eats left handed fingers and vice versa.

turbo6bar · 03-17-2009, 03:00 PM

I originally bought a left blade saw to see the cut better, but it does throw up a lot of crap. If you want precision, clamp a straight-edge to the material and run the circular saw against it. Much better than visually watching the blade.

It can be helpful to have both. When cutting mitered stair skirtboards, it is a lot easier having a left and right circular saw on hand.

The pictured Porter Cable is a nice saw. I have the left blade version.
jurgen

splinterAMG · 03-17-2009, 03:09 PM

Love my magnesium Skilsaw 77. It’s earned its keep.
Never really used any other type -- with which to confuse myself.

Safety glasses and hearing protection are a must, though.

look 171 · 03-17-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by on2wheels52

I've had a thousand circular saws come through my shop but never saw a lefty. The 'wormdrives' strike me as being lefthanded but I'm sure they're made that way for a reason.
Jim

You could get a worm drive Skill, I think, saw in both left or right hand at one time about 20 years ago.

look 171 · 03-17-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splinterAMG

Love my magnesium Skilsaw 77. It’s earned its keep.
Never really used any other type -- with which to confuse myself.

Safety glasses and hearing protection are a must, though.

Becareful with the bent sold plate.