Circular Saw Blades: Left vs Right - Equal in Choices

Shuriko

I am in the process of purchasing a circular saw. I am new when it comes to shopping for this saw. I always used other people's saws. I am leaning towards a left sided blade saw. What I want to know are the choices (brand, quality, durability, etc) and prices between a left side blade vs. a right side blade about equal? I am refering to the blades and not the saw.

I shopped around on line for left sided blades and it was a task because most of my searches resulted in the actual saw. WhenI found a few sites that offered circular saw blades I couldn't tell the difference between a right side vs. left side blade. What I assumed is the labeling and arrow diagram showing which way the blade spins determines if the blade is a left type or right type.

Thank you.

oh'mike

The blades are the same---you just mount it on the saw on the correct side and make sure you have the teeth pointed in the correct direction-- I prefer a left bladed saw myself---

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Shuriko

Duh had no idea it is the same blade.....that is great news. Thanks Mike

oh'mike

Understandable confusion---Now if you were asking about a left handed hammer,I would have had some fun with you--

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Shuriko

Well now that you brought it up.....

Thanks

JoeCanning

Can i suggest a wormdrive? Blade is left, and is a better line of site for cutting.

CopperClad

I'm not a saw expert but have been using them for 15 years but... Isn't a worm drive a left blade saw and a sidewinder a right blade saw? I have used both for years. I myself am right handed and prefer a sidewinder and they are typically lighter. Worm drive is more of a heavy duty saw. I guess its just a preference thing.

JoeCanning

Yes the blade of a worm drive saw is on the left, and yes they way a little more. But with the weight makes it easier to control the saw.

oh'mike

Side winder can be found in left and right--although right blade is more common.

I use a Skill mag 77 (worm drive)---heavy but easy to control---a side winder has its place---I don't think I would enjoy using one 30 feet above the ground--although I used to do that when I was younger--

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JoeCanning

all my original skil mag's were stolen along with a lot of other tools in my trailer a few years back. I currently use a Makita Hypoid mag as my goto saw. But i also own the ridgid worm drive which is a great saw and the dewalt worm which has been a huge disappointment to me.

oh'mike

In the olden days --real carpenters used worm drives --I wanted to be a real carpenter--so when I got my first real carpenter paycheck--I bought a worm drive---

Still like them---and my assistant likes them too.

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JoeCanning

its funny the reaction when ya first let the apprentice pick it up. Then 2 hrs later they are in love.

oh'mike

I find them safer also--some of the sidewinders are so powerful and light,that a bound blade can throw the saw back at you---scary stuff--

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JoeCanning

ok lets get some saw p0rn going, got pics?

Shuriko

It's been awhile since I saw this post. I ended up with the Milwaukee left sided blade circular saw. I used it a few times over the weekend and it was great. I tried (handled only at a few stores) the wormdrive saws but it was too heavy for my intended use. I am a weekend project can of guy so I don't expect to do major cutting requiring the wormdrive saws. But thanks for the suggestion.