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Porter Cable left hand circular saw

PaulGC | Posted in Tools for Home Building on August 23, 2008 04:18am

While having my saturday morning cup of coffee I went looking around on one of my favourite online tool websites and i took notice of one tool that was on sale at half price. It was a Porter Cable left hand circular saw #PC-423MAGR and was selling for $99.95 Canadian. It is reconditioned & limited in quanity the ad said. I have no problem with reconditioned as I already have & LOVE a Dewalt 12″ miter saw that is one of those.

I am right handed and this saw is for left handers. I was thinking that a left handed saw is better than the right handers because I can see the blade better instead of leaning to the right when using my right hander.

 All I wanna know from you guys is if Porter Cable saws are any good? Have any of you right handers like myself used left handed saws? Do you find them better?

What about this particular model? What, if anything, is wrong with Porter Cable circular saws?

 

Paul

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Replies

  1. User avater
    Gunner | Aug 23, 2008 04:33pm | #1

       I've got the previous generation of that saw and love it. I'm a righty also and find having the blade on the left is great for being able to watch the cut line when I don't have a saw guide.

     

     

      I mean. Who's dumb enough to bugle an Elk in a zoo?

    http://somafm.com/listen/

    1. byhammerandhand | Aug 23, 2008 10:16pm | #9

      I'm the same as Gunner. I bought the 347 (left blade version of the 743 , get it? (or maybe vice-versa)). I prefer it as I can see what I'm doing without peering over the motor. I notice that all the side-winders are blade-left. (I am right handed)I sort of cut my teeth on PC tools and was loyal to them for years. Sad to see that they have now been Black & Deckered and lowered to compete with a step above weekend warrior status. Ryobi, watch out.

      Edited 8/23/2008 3:18 pm ET by byhammerandhand

  2. Benno | Aug 23, 2008 04:34pm | #2

    I've had one for a few months and have used it for light work. It has been well worth the 130.00 it cost. Bottom line on any tool is: Would I buy it again? In this case the answer is yes. At 99.00 it's a good deal.

  3. webby | Aug 23, 2008 04:34pm | #3

    I have a left blade porter cable I like. I like that I can see the blade. I use it for alot. It is an older saw, and I wish that I had a right blade to go with it. For certain cutting tasks, the right blade may be better, depending on how much acuracy you need. It is hard to cut with only the narrow portion of the saw base on the stock i.e. rafter cuts, etc.

    However, worm drive users use them I guess.

    It works for me because I try to cut with the off cut to my left, placing the full base of the saw on the stock. I like this anyway because I am right handed. I also use a lot of guides for accuracy purposes.

    Webby 

     

  4. Huntdoctor | Aug 23, 2008 04:43pm | #4

    Paul,

    Buy it! You won't regret it. I don't even own a saw with the blade on the right.

    The PC is a good one.

    Russell

    "Member of the Jewish Carpenters Union"

  5. ponytl | Aug 23, 2008 05:12pm | #5

    i have what i guess the previous generation to that saw in both rt & left cut... they are my 2 "me use only saws"  really good when trim'n down doors or cutting along a guide and you need to travel in one direction... i love my older PC stuff not sure of the newer... but those 2 saws are on my "crash cart" and move around with me

    p

    1. frammer52 | Aug 23, 2008 06:10pm | #7

      I have both right and left saws.  I am left handed, had to learn on a right handed saw.  The guys I worked with said I cut better with the lefty.

      As far as Porter Cable saws, the have performed well for me in the past.  I understand that they have been bought out and are considered in the middle as far as quality.  Recondtioned, it is a good buy.

  6. dovetail97128 | Aug 23, 2008 06:06pm | #6

    PC saw Boss, 6 1/2" blade.
    I have owned it since they first came out, use it a lot, good saw.

    All my daily saws (with two exceptions)are worm drives and the blade is on the left.Exceptions are a 14" beam saw and a circa 1950's skil saw I inherited that lives in my shop for plywood cutting.
    In my hands a right mounted blade saw generally feels like I just climbed on a bicycle facing the rear and started pedaling. I am sure someone can do it easily , just not me.

    They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
  7. jc21 | Aug 23, 2008 07:10pm | #8

    Fwiw the MAG series did have a few issues and a couple of recalls about three years ago. Iirc one for the blade guard and the other for tooless blade change. I have the  previous generation 347 .........it's been a great saw. If I were in the market again for a 7 1/4 sidewinder (these days my 1677 Bosch gets more use), one of the PC MAGs would be at the top of my list. For inside or shop use their dust collection capability is a real plus as is their light weight and good balance for these arthritic old paws of mine.

    "There's something about Marxism that brings out warts; the only kind of growth this economic system encourages."
    P.J. O'Rourke



    Edited 8/23/2008 12:13 pm ET by jc21

  8. sully13 | Aug 23, 2008 10:19pm | #10

    Great saw, good price.

    I have a blade left and it is the only way to go for a righty.

    sully

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