Left or right handed saw

Chemist1961 · 10-09-2010, 02:37 PM

I just noticed my Porter Cable hand held circular saw has the blade opposite my neighbour's Skil Saw. Is there a right and left handed version? It seems the DeWalt rechargeable is the same as the Porter Cable. What is the norm?

**BigJim** · 10-09-2010, 02:49 PM

Yes, there are left and right handed saws.

Chemist1961 · 10-09-2010, 03:16 PM

thanks I figured that out, but what I meant is what is the normal blade position defining the saw as right handed? In my mind the Porter Cable seems reverse or left handed. I like to see the line I am curtting within the blade gaurd if I am not using a guide, which would mean a right handed saw would have it's handle to the right of the blade, user standing to the left of the cut...left hand bracing material

**oh'mike** · 10-09-2010, 08:52 PM

That is correct----a right handed saw will have the blade on the left side (drivers side)

Chemist1961 · 10-10-2010, 07:56 AM

Thanks for confirming Mystery solved Porter Cable actually makes their saw reverse, but considers it a right hand unit from what I read .
Good news is I have 3 saws, 3 sons and one's a lefty...now if only I could teach them to use these things Think Ill start with screwdrivers with blunt tips

PaliBob · 10-12-2010, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chemist1961

......Porter Cable actually makes their saw reverse.......

Right or Left handed saws refer to the blade location on the saw.

If the blade is on the RH side of the saw the saw is a RH Saw

If the blade is on the LH side of the saw the saw is a LH Saw

Saws don't care if the operator is right or left handed.

e.g. another example of a saw with a LH Blade
http://www.etoolsnow.com/product.asp...&categoryid=42
.

**kwikfishron** · 10-12-2010, 06:51 AM

I’d say those are backwards Bob unless we’re suppose to look over our shoulder to see the blade.

PaliBob · 10-13-2010, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwikfishron

I’d say those are backwards Bob .....

Sorry Kwick, but this right hand or left hand saw business is honestly confusing in that most folks automatically assume the RH or LH designator refer to how you hold the saw rather than the blade location on the Saw.

The good news is that Saw manufacturers have begun to add Blade or blade location to the description.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_8g67v6oywk_b
.

**kwikfishron** · 10-13-2010, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaliBob

Sorry Kwick, but this right hand or left hand saw business is honestly confusing in that most folks automatically assume the RH or LH designator refer to how you hold the saw rather than the blade location on the Saw.

The good news is that Saw manufacturers have begun to add Blade or blade location to the description.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_8g67v6oywk_b
.

I’ll pick #2 the red one. It’s nice to see what your cutting.

PaliBob · 10-13-2010, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwikfishron

I’ll pick #2 the red one. It’s nice to see what your cutting.

Me Too,
Besides they are prettier than those grey saws.
.

**BigJim** · 10-13-2010, 04:32 PM

Where both right and left hand saws came into play for me was in building stairs. You can not cut the miter of a right and left skirt board with the same saw. The only way you could make the cut right or left with the same saw would be to back the saw into the cut which is very very dangerous not to mention very very hard to control for a good cut.

Nivrad96a · 05-23-2012, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oh'mike

That is correct----a right handed saw will have the blade on the left side (drivers side)

My Father was a Great carpenter and taught me long ago which was a Right handed saw- THUS- a Saw that you can sit on the material and take your hand off is what your saw is-ie: the saw with blade on left of handle is in fact a Left handed Saw- why?-you have your board on a saw horse and set your saw on the right side to cut - the blade on right, and cut with the guide- you cut for a ways and stop- Leaving the saw on material and the SAW WONT FALL OFF THE EDGE-THEREFORE THE Blade on right Side Is a Right Handed saw. My Learnings from a Great carpenter.- So many People believe if they see the blade on left that its a right handed saw-( WRONG)- the reason for NOT LOOKING AT The Blade is to AVOID MATERIAL (cuttings) from getting in harming your Eyes-USE THE GUIDE-thats what it was meant for.

Nivrad96a · 05-23-2012, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwikfishron

I’d say those are backwards Bob unless we’re suppose to look over our shoulder to see the blade.

As i stated in my post- Unless i've learned completely wrong and people are supposed to LOOK at their blade on Whatever tool- You DONT and are Not supposed to look at the blade-Thats what the Guide is for- New gen's are way off and think looking at the blade makes it RIGHT-(WRONG)

princelake · 05-23-2012, 09:30 PM

ya well im a lefty and i like my right handed saw, on any sawthe guide isnt always bang on. i'll keep using it the "wrong" way cause it feels comfortable. its all on what you learned on and what feels right.

Nivrad96a · 05-24-2012, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by princelake

ya well im a lefty and i like my right handed saw, on any sawthe guide isnt always bang on. i'll keep using it the "wrong" way cause it feels comfortable. its all on what you learned on and what feels right.

Thats true- my son builds homes and feels the same way,just saying what was designed is how they were meant to be, but society will determine what they want and what they will believe. All good.