One of those nagging questions. With circular saws you find the blade on the right side, worm-drive > on the left and cordless on the left. Why?
I’m right-handed and from early experience with the blade mark on the front of the table being off, have always preferred to look at the blade. Sometimes difficult with a regular saw. Worm-drives have power, but weight comes with it. Cordless good for a quick nip, but lack power and endurance.
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I can't answer the "why,", but you can find sidewinder circular saws with the blade on the left. Porter-Cable used to, and maybe still does, make a left-bladed sidewinder. Bosch has one, I think it's the CS5.
PC sawboss (think that's what they call it) 6" left blade saw.
I have one, like it. Blades are scarce and pricey though.
Joe H
PC does make blade left sidewinders. Bosch does too.
Ill second the PC saw boss love mine. Might not want to rip a bunch of 2x with it but for sheet goods, trim etc. I like it. I prefer a left blade sidewinder too, Webby
For most work, with righties, dumb hand (left) holds the work, smart hand (right) holds the saw, waste drops to the right.
Drawback is that it’s hard to see the cut.
Given the same setup, using a wormdrive or a Sawboss: excellent view, but the saw falls away with the waste, unsupported.
For a long scribe cut, say, I like to use a sidewinder, and cut right-to-left with my saw on the waste. Harder to hold, especially if I’m only removing a half-inch or so from a 1x.
But by peering over the top, I have an unrestricted view of my cutline.
I own a Sawboss, primarily for the opposite miter when cutting mitered stringers. I’ve used wormdrives, but I don’t like them -- too heavy.
AitchKay
I also cut from right to left, but find the piece I want is on my side of the saw, it being less than 1/2 the width of the original piece. So, with the saw motor on the right it would be on the more stable side. Don't use worm-drive for same reason.
I'm right handed and also prefer a blade left saw..I think you eat more sawdust with one though,
I have several:
7 1/4" porter cable,lots of power,excellent table (very durable) but the handle is a bit too thick for my hand to grasp comfortably. Mostly use it for framing
6" porter cable sawboss, nice saw,feels powerfull,comfortable to hold but the table looks weak (just stampted metal). light and big enough for most framing, but worry about damaging the table so I use it mostly for finish work. My favorite saw
5 1/2" skill- not too powerfull, but very light & easy to handle, especially for awkward cuts like overhead. Use it a lot for remodel work, including framing. also has a weak stamped table though. Before I found the sawboss,this was my favorite saw, used it so much it got beat to heck, bent table etc. Bought a second un beat up one to reserve for finish work.
Makita made one also,though I dont have one. But judging from my blade right model it is a nice saw but has the worst table of all (aluminum) it cant take even a minor fall without bending.
I dont know if all these saws are still made-check ebay
I know that PC, Milwaukee and Ridgid make both left and right handed circular saws. I'd guess just about everyone else does as well.
I don't know why the blades are on one side or the other but I have a couple of PC mag circ saws that are both blade left, and a milwaukee worm with blade left.
I do most of my work right handed and find the blade left to be a big advantage.
One of those nagging questions. With circular saws you find the blade on the right side, worm-drive > on the left and cordless on the left. Why?
@@@
The sidewinders have the blades on the right because they are used on the Right Coast.
The wormdrives, blade left, are used on the Left Coast.
(Try to find a sidewinder on the job out here.)
The ToolBear
"You can't save the Earth unless you are willing to make other people sacrifice." Dogbert
I think I own about 15 or 20 7 1/4" circ saws... worms, sidewinders, blade left, blade right... you name it. I like a left bladed saw most of the time too. Check out the newest version of the Makita hypoid. It's been my go-to saw for a year or two now. Power and ergonomics of a worm drive with the weight of a sidewinder. Or at least it feels that way. I like it and it's worth a look if you're in the market. Lotsa nice features too... big rubberized grips on the bevel lever and the guard lever, 51.5 degree bevel, comfy grip, easy trigger w/ gloves on. I think it even came in a canvas like tool bag which store a little easier than cases which I tend not to use for a lot of things.