Right or Left Hand Circular Saw ???
Greetings to all!
I’m right-handed, and I’ve been using a right-handed circular saw for some time now. However, it would sure be nice to be able to see the cutting edge of the blade while I’m following a marked line. This would be much easier with a left-handed saw.
According to a poster at Lowes, right-handed saws are designed such that the left hand can hold the front of the saw without “crossing over the blade”. Is this “crossing over the blade” issue a serious concern with today’s circular saws? Is it unsafe for a right-handed person to use a left-handed saw?
Thanks,
Frank
Replies
Frank ,
I find I use one hand to hold the saw , the other to steady myself or the stock I am cutting. Most of your sidewinder saws as a rule are right hand and your heavy worm drive saws are left hand. I think as a whole it is a matter of preferance as to which saw you use . Here is an example. You are trimming the sheeting on a roof with your right handed saw, one side of the roof is going to be easy while the other side your line of site is going to be off and you are going to feel as if you are hanging off the edge of the roof to get your line straight. This is were a left handed saw would be nice. Porter Cable makes a left and a right. They are in Amazon for 129.99 each with case. Nice saws. Hope this is not to confusing for a Sunday Morning :) Rick
Not at all. Extreme care should be used at all times with any power tool.
I have a right handers worm drive but love using my left sided 6" PC Sawboss. I find seeing the blade a safer way to cut.
I am right handed and use a left blade PC saw just for the reason you stated. I like to look down on the blade when I cut as opposed to having to look over the saw body and motor. The one drawback I find is that on fine cuts, there is not much of the plate on the stock and you have to be careful to keep the blade perpendicular with the stock surface you are cutting. In the end though...I think it is what you like and what you are used to that will work for you.
Brian....Bayview Renovation
Frank,
If you check the archives, type in "right left blade saw" you will find over 250 messages where this has been discussed recently. You will see that there are many strong opinions among the pros here, few of which would be influenced by a poster at Lowes.
Have a look. Hope this helps. Rich.
I bought a right handed PC last summer and found the cutting experience much different than the 8 1/4" PC that I have had for 20 years. The guide notch on the base plate is opposite the old saw, so I have to look over the body to see the line or cut from the other direction. I prefer to have the waste drop off to my right not left. It is a great saw, light, powerful, etc., but took some time getting used too. I got it from Amazon for $129 as well.
I switched to the LH pc mag saw and instantly found it to be easier and more comfortably (I'm way right handed). That said you should try it for yourself, it is personal preference. From a safety standpoint, might be safer if you wear a tie while cutting-beyond that no difference L or R.
Kevin
I have an anecdote reguarding a possible safety concern. An excellent trim carpenter friend--with great safe work habits--but 20 years of using a right-handed saw, bought a left-handed trim saw, and cut himself during his first week with the new saw. The cut only required a few stitches, but was a warning to me that years of experience with a saw handed the other way can make extra care very important while you learn your way around the new tool.
I own both saws and keep them both handy, but have found myself reaching for the left-handed saw more often.
You right about that.
First day and first time that we bought a left bladed cordless Circular saw.
Alex reach for the lever to lift the guard in order to do a plunge cut. The blade chew-up his finger. He never realize that the blade was in the left.
I Imagine the same can happen with the right bladed saw in someone else hands.
Hi Frank.
Think about it. Blade next to your hand that holds the wood, Saw dust in your face, The saw drops with the cut-off... kickback and accident?
What saw gives you all the above?
The only good??? thing about left bladed saws is that you can see the spinning blade better. And that it self is wrong. Focusing in a spinning blade it takes the awareness of the working environment away and that's deadly wrong.
In case of a kickback or whatever, you're ready for an accident.
Now. Some professionals like the left bladed saw and have master the tool for many reasons. But for a non professional the right bladed saw is the right choice.
And is good to see that Lowes is taking the Right step.
Guys, Please. The question is not how much and why YOU like YOUR left bladed saw. Some times what is good for some, may not be good for others.
Frank. Why not draw an offset line instead the cutting line and follow this line with the edge of your saw base? You can make an offset square with one piece of plywood and one 1x3. Position the square on your cutting line, but mark the other side. It takes the same time to draw a line on the left instead on the right of your square. Then, you have a full visible line to follow before you even start cutting. And you have non of the above mention problems.
Rez. I'm out for few days.
To YCFriend and all who kindly replied...
You folks are the BEST! Thanks for your speedy and informative replies. There's lot's of great advice here.
YCFriend makes a good point - especially since I'm not a professional carpenter. Although I've done a good deal of renovating, I should give my right-hand saw another chance and construct the offset square he recommends.
There's also the good point about the small amount of plate on the stock once a left-hand saw has completed the cut.
But it's good to know that, if I'm still not happy with the right-hand saw, many folks have (with care) safely made the switch.
Again, thanks to ALL!
Frank
I'm right-handed in Calif. We use worm-drive almost exclusively, in the trades. I have seen a few homeowners with a sidewinder. Since I have been using my Skil model 77 for over 25 years, I can't imagine any other way. I can snap a line and cut truer than a factory edge, skin potatoes, and trim my fingernails with it. (hyperbole)
I look at the surrounding work environment before I cut, and concentrate on the cutting - while I'm cutting. There are safety issues with any circular saw. Know your tools and always treat them with respect. I recommend you use only YOUR saw, and ONLY YOU use it. Keep the blade sharp, and repair or replace if any defects. EVERY TIME you pick up your saw (like your car keys), remind yourself that a little carelessness could result in a major injury.
im not sure about "right hand" or "left handed" saws? i do know about right side and left sided blades. now im worm drive guy for about 18 years now and im right handed. i own the 6 1/2" skill worm, my second, sidewinders just dont feel right to me. so i feel a left bladed worm is the most ergonomic. i feel like the hunchback of notredame using a sidewinder. but you should have both really. so i bought 8 1/4" bosch for the prime reason of making the seat cut on the pilings i notch,thats how we builem out here on the outer banks, i just had my 10" makita rebuilt for bout $200.00. plus the bosch has an bevel override to 60 degrees.
oops im rambling again.
anywho thats my thoughts.
tyke
Just another day in paradise
Tyke.
Is how and from where you're looking at he blade.
If you look from the back of the saw and your back is close to the saw, then the right blade saw becomes left and everything is right.
tell me more about that Bosch override, and 60 degree cuts. I think I need that saw!
saw has stop at 45 deg bevel then another little lever that thats lets you go past up to 60 degrees. it works ok. saw has no brake though.tyke
Just another day in paradise
Ignore lowes posters
get's what comfortable for you
or just buy one of each, at different times it comes in handy to have the blade on one side or the other.
If you are righty and know how to use a saw - get a worm drive. If you don't know how to use a saw, get a sidewinder and read the last million posts on this subject.
DCS Inc.
"He who xxxxs nuns will later join the church." -The Clash
I prefer a left blade PC but blade vision has almost nothing to do with it. It's all about balance, control, location of torque energy and having the motor weight on the strong side of my grip. Ripping is where it has the greatest advantage for a right hander because you are on the correct side to catch the offcut with your left hand as you rip with your right.
Guard vision is another reason I like the left blade, but if you want to make the switch because you feel it will help you to see the entire blade while you are cutting, I would say no way. It mystifies me why manufacturers keep touting that as an important feature.
Most of the time, all you need to see of the blade, as you begin a cut, is the front teeth where they enter the stock. I find my vision of that spot is actually better on my properly designed right blade saws. IMHO, Left blade is only better, vision wise, on plunge cuts.
I also agree with YC Friend. Right blade is safer for most users, if they remember to lean over and check the guard every time they set it down.
If we fail to catch a cosmic fish it may be a trillion years before the opportunity comes again