I’m right handed, but kind of tempted by saws that have the blade on the left because I would imagine it makes it easier to see the work/line/etc. What am I missing? Does having the blade on that side kick up too much debris or something?
Once I saw the lefthand blade saws I began to wonder why all of us righties use the other type.
Replies
I tend to like the blade to be on the left side of the saw, I can see the cut better. As for the sawdust, I have a 90 degree elbow coming out of the dust port and I turn it to the opposite side I am on and hook the shopvac up to it. It works for me.
Steve
JD,
Go for the blade on the left, I have a porter cable saw like this and love it, it also has the elbow to direct waste away from you. I will never use a saw with the blade on the left again. Just remember, the side of the blade with the printed name, etc. goes into the saw so you won't see it while the blade is mounted - I have forgotten a few times and put the blade on backwards with the printing facing out.
I've heard this question debated before and I think the answer is pretty simple:
If you intend to freehand cut mostly then get a blade on the left (if you are right handed). It is much easier to see the blade follow the line.
If you intend to use straight edges to guide your cuts, then get a blade right saw. Having the wider part of the saw's table against the straight edge gives the most stability to the cut and puts more of the table on the keeper part of the board.
I own both a blade left worm drive and a blade right sidewinder for the different scenarios, though I always prefer the sidewinder with a straight edge whenever possible. Even when framing, I simply make a tick on the edge of the board at the desired measurement, line the blade up to the tick, hold my speed square on the board and against the table with my left hand and watch the table run true against the square as I make the cut. Superior results every time.
It was always my belief that the original circular saw was designed by a left handed person.
I'd recommend the blade right version. I use the dewalt trim saw with a left blade. I took a shot to the eye the other day; I know, where's the glasses! Anyway, I prefer the cutoff to not support the saw; this seems to cause more tearout and the dust and such is thrown away from me on the blade right versions.
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