I finally bought a new circular saw. After a lot of research, I
decided on the 423 Porter Cable. It's a Blade Left saw, which means
the blade is on the left and the motor is on the right.
In the store, it was difficult to imagine using it. It wasn't until I
got it home, that I realized how much of a change this was. In some
instances, I could see where being able to see the blade would make a
difference. In particular, Edge cutting long sheet stock, would be
much easier, to not have to "cross over" yourself, while holding the
saw.
However, cross cutting 2 by stock was a PITA. I just could NOT get
used to the weight of the saw, resting on the waste peice. After the
cut, the board AND the saw fell.
The happy ending? I took the Blade Left back and traded it in for the
PC 324MAG (Blade Right). A great saw, so far.
I've read LOT'S of newsgroups and see that generally, people get used
to the left blade. Without regard for safety, I'm curious, just how
many of you have switched from Right Blade to Left Blade and if you
would be willing to comment on your experience/acceptance of the
change.
Thanks!
On Mon, 4 Apr 2005 16:34:21 -0700, "Teamcasa" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>>"Pat Barber"
>>>> You were doing it wrong. The motor side is always
>>>> on the finished side not the waste side. Using the
>>>> blade left saw requires changing your methods.
>>>>
>Dave:
>>>Is that some kind of rule? All of the circular saws I've ever seen had a
>>>shoe for saw support on both sides of the blade.
>>>
>Doug Miller:
>> Yes, that is the right way to use a circular saw. The heavy side of the
>> saw
>> (that is, the side with the motor) should be on the side of the board that
>> is
>> supported. Normally, this is the finished side, supported by sawhorses,
>> boards, or whatever, so that it doesn't fall when the cut is complete. If
>> you
>> have the waste piece supported *also*, then it doesn't matter which side
>> of
>> the cut the motor is on.
>
>Wrong.
>After making untold thousands of cuts with both, sidewinders and real
>construction saws (worm drive), I can tell you for a fact, you should NEVER
>support both sides! Serious kick back can and most certainly will occur
>should you try this. Anyone who has ever made a living cutting lumber will
>tell you to leave one side free to fall off. As for the weight issue, if a
>2x4 or whatever is cross cut, the saw will rest on the side that is
>supported and not fall with the fall off, the weight is not an issue if the
>sawyer holds onto the saw.
>
>See my response to Leon.
>
>To the OP, the majority of saws are left side blades. That's a fact.
>
>Dave
>
Dave.. I think most folks are thinking about cutting sheet stock when they talk
about which side the motor goes on.. for framing, you'd go by what's easier,
safer and faster, I'd guess.. (or how the twoby was laying when you needed to
cut it)
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
OK, and the final answer, For this type saw, sidewinder, PC Model 423 left
hand blade. USE YOUR LEFT HAND.
Look at the owners manual where is clearly indicated to hold the saw with
your LEFT HAND ON THE TRIGGER.
Look here http://media.ptg-online.com/20050103080845_En912490-01-04-04.pdf
on pages 14,15,16.
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Pat Barber wrote:
>> You were doing it wrong. The motor side is always
>> on the finished side not the waste side. Using the
>> blade left saw requires changing your methods.
>>
>
> Pat (or someone),
>
> I value your advice tremendously, so please be patient with me.
>
> The question I have now is, two people have said, "You are doing it
> wrong" and that I have to switch methods. Are you saying that I need
> to become left handed?
>
> Because, if I understand you, you are saying that I need to have the
> motor over the "good" peice (not the waste). If so, I'd have to have
> the saw in my left hand right (cutting on the left end of the board)?
> And I'm not left handed.
>
> Honestly....is this some kind of ongoing joke that I'm just not
> getting? Or am I missing something?
>
> I've read lots of forums where people seem to "get used" to it (blade
> left saws - specifically, PC 423MAG). But I have a hard time believing
> that the wood doesn't bind up, or that you don't have trouble
> controlling the end of the cut, when the weight of the saw begins drop
> the waste peice. And using the saw in my left hand, cutting on the
> left side of the board feels akward. But I don't believe I could ever
> get used to being left handed...can I?
>
> Again, I value your opinion....thanks!
>
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] (Lawrence Wasserman) wrote:
>In article <[email protected]>,
>Doug Miller <[email protected]> wrote:
><...snipped...>
>>The second time, I was hunting in an area that can be reached only by boat. I
>>used a canoe so as to make as little noise as possible. Paddled into a small
>>cove with a bit of a beach at the bottom of a five-foot-high bluff where the
>>woods begin. Beached the canoe.Need to relieve myself. Don't want to
>>pee in the lake, so I walked over to the base of the bluff. I had
>>_just_finished_ when I heard him coming. Then I saw him. Oh. My. Gosh. Huge,
>>absolutely huge. And less than five yards away. Guess where my gun was... five
>>steps away, in the canoe. Turned my back to him and just stood there. He
>>walked up _right_ behind me -- two feet at most, he's on the top of this
>>five-foot bluff, I'm standing at the bottom of it) and sniffed me over, then
>>just walked away as I stood there unarmed and unable to move.
>>
>Whats the matter, you couldn't jump on him and break his neck?
Didja note the part where I said he was at the *top* of a small bluff, and I
was at the *bottom* ? :-) Woulda been quite a prodigious leap, I tellya.
Atlhough now that you mention it, I mighta had enough adrenaline flowing to
manage it, if I had thought of it...
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?
> Not a problem for me... I just start on the left-handed end of the
board and the
> saw is never resting on the waste piece.. *g*
>
OK..maybe I'm not getting it. I admit, I don't have the saw to try
this, but thinking it through with my little brain.....
If I cut on the left end of the board, I'll likely be cutting with my
Left Hand. Since I'm not left handed, this would not be comfortable at
all for me. Furthermore, cutting that way, the blade is on the
opposing side and I'm back where I started!
Are you funnin' with me? Or am I missing something?
Pat Barber wrote:
> You were doing it wrong. The motor side is always
> on the finished side not the waste side. Using the
> blade left saw requires changing your methods.
>
Pat (or someone),
I value your advice tremendously, so please be patient with me.
The question I have now is, two people have said, "You are doing it
wrong" and that I have to switch methods. Are you saying that I need
to become left handed?
Because, if I understand you, you are saying that I need to have the
motor over the "good" peice (not the waste). If so, I'd have to have
the saw in my left hand right (cutting on the left end of the board)?
And I'm not left handed.
Honestly....is this some kind of ongoing joke that I'm just not
getting? Or am I missing something?
I've read lots of forums where people seem to "get used" to it (blade
left saws - specifically, PC 423MAG). But I have a hard time believing
that the wood doesn't bind up, or that you don't have trouble
controlling the end of the cut, when the weight of the saw begins drop
the waste peice. And using the saw in my left hand, cutting on the
left side of the board feels akward. But I don't believe I could ever
get used to being left handed...can I?
Again, I value your opinion....thanks!
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] wrote:
>I had to qualify with all the rifles and assorted crap right handed in the
>army.. never fired them that way for real, though..
I can imagine you might not have enjoyed that, depending on when you served.
My BIL is left-handed, and served 10+ years as active-duty Navy. He said that
when he went through basic, in the mid-70s, the M-16 ejected spent cartridges
back and to the right... right down his shirt collar. They're kinda hot, he
tells me. I understand that the weapon has since been modified with a guard
that prevents the spent shells from coming quite so far back.
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?
On Wed, 06 Apr 2005 17:38:01 GMT, [email protected] (Doug Miller) wrote:
>In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] wrote:
>>On Wed, 6 Apr 2005 06:41:20 -0500, "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>Hehe ... There should also be a law in Doug's state that he must post his
>>>whereabouts during deer season. ;>)
>>
>>and wear an eye patch over his right eye..
>
>No, the left eye - that was the problem. I'm right-handed, left-eyed.
>
>There was an article a few years back in American Hunter that said you're
>better off shooting with your dominant *eye* and recommended that people with
>this type of cross dominance should learn to shoot with the non-dominant hand.
>
>I just can't manage to feel comfortable that way. Not with a long gun, anyhow.
>It's no problem at all for me to shoot a pistol right-handed and left-eyed.
I had to qualify with all the rifles and assorted crap right handed in the
army.. never fired them that way for real, though..
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
TeamCasa wrote:
> snip
> Nope. Maybe a visual will help. A 10' 2x4 needs to be 9'. A line is
made
> at the 9' mark. The 2x4 is setting on a set of sawhorses spaced 5'
apart.
> A 15" section is extending past one of the sawhorses, unsupported.
With
> your left hand, you are holding the 9' section down and with your
right hand
> you grab your trusty left blade saw and slice the line off. The
small,
> unsupported piece falls safely to the ground, the saw is still on the
9'
> section. You then remove the saw from the now 9' 2x4.
Gentlmen,
This is EXACTLy the kind of post I was looking for, before I bought the
PC 423 (blade left) and eventually, the 324 (blade right). I sincerely
appreciate the spirited discussion. I was thinking I was the only one
scratching my head, but it appears I'm not alone. There is some
confusion.
I followed your logic and your visual all the way to the end. But with
the PC 423 (blade left) saw, the unsupported piece falls to the ground,
with the saw. The weight of the motor, forces the saw off the board.
I suppose it's possible to hold it up, but once it's start to slip off,
there is very little shoe holding it up.
Having said that...you realize, I'm talking sidewinder here, not worm
gear. Your visual may well be correct, with the worm gear.
As far as my particular saw goes, it appears that Leon found the answer
in the owners manual (but who reads those...right?). It clearly says,
hold in LEFT hand.
I'm not saying anybody is wrong, but it struck me as odd, that so many
right handed people liked the blade left saw. It just did not feel
comfortable to me, when cutting anything other than sheet.
Again gentlemen, I thank you for your opinions and suggestions. I am
grateful.
I have the blade right PC 324...and feel comfortable again.
Thank you
> Still think you can't do it? Can you manage to get a can of beer up
to
> your mouth while holding a sandwich in your right? or vice versa?
If
> so, you can handle the saw regardless of what side the blade is on.
> Just remember - KEEP THE MOTOR OVER THE GOOD, SUPPORTED PIECE, not
the
> cutoff! <g>
Unquestionably
You gave me an idea.....Maybe I should sit back, enjoy a beer and not
let all this bother me!
Thanks!
Anyone care to argue about re-wiring a circ saw for 220?!!!
(This refers to an earlier post of mine...I inquired about re-wiring my
jointer for 220 and five or six guys practically got in a knife fight.)
"TeamCasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> snip
>> "Can occur", perhaps. "Most certainly will occur", absolute nonsense.
>> That
>> means it would happen every time, and my own experience contradicts that.
>> The
>> only way that supporting both sides could cause a kickback is if they are
>> not
>> supported equally, causing the blade to be pinched.
>
>>> Anyone who has ever made a living cutting lumber will
>>>tell you to leave one side free to fall off.
>>
>> Hmmm.... how come radial arm saws support both sides of the cut? I've
>> seen a
>> lot of guys in lumber yards using radial arm saws to cut lumber to
>> length -
>> presumably they're making their living cutting lumber - and I haven't
>> seen an
>> RAS yet with a provision for the waste to fall off.
>
> Who said anything about a RAS or other saws designed to support the wood.
> A circular saw is supported by the wood.
>
>
>>> As for the weight issue, if a
>>>2x4 or whatever is cross cut, the saw will rest on the side that is
>>>supported and not fall with the fall off, the weight is not an issue if
>>>the
>>>sawyer holds onto the saw.
>>
>> Do you mean that when you crosscut a 2x4, you're holding the *entire*
>> weight
>> of the saw, with *none* of it resting on the board?
>
> Nope. Maybe a visual will help. A 10' 2x4 needs to be 9'. A line is made
> at the 9' mark. The 2x4 is setting on a set of sawhorses spaced 5' apart.
> A 15" section is extending past one of the sawhorses, unsupported. With
> your left hand, you are holding the 9' section down and with your right
> hand you grab your trusty left blade saw and slice the line off. The
> small, unsupported piece falls safely to the ground, the saw is still on
> the 9' section. You then remove the saw from the now 9' 2x4.
>
> Dave
>
>
>
>
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Can you just imangine how it would have looked had they been brandishing
helical knives?
"Unquestionably Confused" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Mark Cooper wrote:
>> Anyone care to argue about re-wiring a circ saw for 220?!!!
>>
>> (This refers to an earlier post of mine...I inquired about re-wiring my
>> jointer for 220 and five or six guys practically got in a knife fight.)
>>
>
> But to be fair they DID brandish 12" planer knives off a DeWalt.
>
>
>
And admittedly, I'm not a rocket scientist.
However, a different approach is OK as long as I'm not having to change
mother nature along with it. If I'm a right hander and I have a saw
that works best in my right hand, doesn't it make sense to use that
saw? Now, if I'm ripping the tongues off tongue and groove wood, I'd
like to have a "blade left", so I don't have to cross over myself.
Ideally, two saws would be great..one right, one left. But I'd rather
spend that many on a different tool. So I'll make do. I just couldn't
get used to that saw falling off after crosscuts and I didn't want to
deal the fatigue of having to hold it up. I don't use a saw everyday,
but wanted to figure out what all this left blade, right blade stuff
was. My OP was to help me figure out why so many right handed people
like (or get used to) blade left saws. Cause I couldn't, though I
didn't give it much chance.
This has become exactly the sort of post I was looking for, when I was
shopping for saws. I hope, that others researching saws and the right
vs left debate find this thread. You guys have provided some EXCELLENT
information!
"Teamcasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Pat Barber"
>> You were doing it wrong. The motor side is always
>> on the finished side not the waste side. Using the
>> blade left saw requires changing your methods.
>>
> Is that some kind of rule? All of the circular saws I've ever seen had a
> shoe for saw support on both sides of the blade.
>
------------
You should get out more ;-) My Festool CS has nothing, nada, zip, on the
right of the blade. It would be impossible to make a cut with the sole on
the waste side (plunge saw and all that). That saw of yours has precious
little support either, somewhat like my el cheapo jobbie that I don't use
any more (I'm not saying your saw is nasty, I'm just saying I have a nasty
one with a similar sole design)
I reckon it would be handy to have both a left and right bladed saw if the
nature of your work limited manouverability. I recently cut up the worktops
for our new kitchen and a left hander would have been useful for at least
one awkward in-situ cut.
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] wrote:
>I finally bought a new circular saw. After a lot of research, I
>decided on the 423 Porter Cable. It's a Blade Left saw, which means
>the blade is on the left and the motor is on the right.
[snip]
>
>However, cross cutting 2 by stock was a PITA. I just could NOT get
>used to the weight of the saw, resting on the waste peice. After the
>cut, the board AND the saw fell.
That's because you were doing it wrong.
*Always* rest the saw on the good piece. With a blade-left saw, this means
making your cut at the left end of the board instead of the right end as you
would with a blade-right saw.
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?
> That's why most sidewinder saws are blade right. Blade left only makes
> sense if you're left handed or don't care one way or the other.
>
> Could lefties using right handed saws explain their lowered longevity?
What???
I've used the arguably best cicular saw made, the Skill MAG 77 for many
years.
It has the blade on the left side and I'm right handed. This worm drive is
at home eating framing wood without difficulty all day, day after day and is
the choice of quality framers here in So. Calif. Guys that show up with the
sidewinders are looked upon as rookies.
It is a mystery why anyone would bother with one on the sidewinders unless
they can not lift a Skill MAG77.
I don't really mean to come off as araogant as my statements above read but
I have tried to use the right or left blade sidewinders and have always gone
back to the solid, accurate MAG77. Bosch now owns Skil and make a Bosch
version that is identical except for the guard.
Dave
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"Pat Barber"
> You were doing it wrong. The motor side is always
> on the finished side not the waste side. Using the
> blade left saw requires changing your methods.
>
Is that some kind of rule? All of the circular saws I've ever seen had a
shoe for saw support on both sides of the blade.
Dave
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Leon said
> The left hand blade saw is intended to be used with the left hand of a
> left handed person. Using it with you right hand is dead wrong. You
> bought the wrong saw if you are right handed.
Leon,
On most every post you make I tend to agree with you. However, you are the
one who is dead wrong.
Skill, Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee and Dewalt all make worm drive saws for the
construction industry. Do you think all framers are left handed?? Just try
to find a right bladed worm drive. For that matter, how many cordless
circular saw have left blades? Do you think anyone who uses a cordless
circular saw is left handed?
Dave
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>>"Pat Barber"
>>> You were doing it wrong. The motor side is always
>>> on the finished side not the waste side. Using the
>>> blade left saw requires changing your methods.
>>>
Dave:
>>Is that some kind of rule? All of the circular saws I've ever seen had a
>>shoe for saw support on both sides of the blade.
>>
Doug Miller:
> Yes, that is the right way to use a circular saw. The heavy side of the
> saw
> (that is, the side with the motor) should be on the side of the board that
> is
> supported. Normally, this is the finished side, supported by sawhorses,
> boards, or whatever, so that it doesn't fall when the cut is complete. If
> you
> have the waste piece supported *also*, then it doesn't matter which side
> of
> the cut the motor is on.
Wrong.
After making untold thousands of cuts with both, sidewinders and real
construction saws (worm drive), I can tell you for a fact, you should NEVER
support both sides! Serious kick back can and most certainly will occur
should you try this. Anyone who has ever made a living cutting lumber will
tell you to leave one side free to fall off. As for the weight issue, if a
2x4 or whatever is cross cut, the saw will rest on the side that is
supported and not fall with the fall off, the weight is not an issue if the
sawyer holds onto the saw.
See my response to Leon.
To the OP, the majority of saws are left side blades. That's a fact.
Dave
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"Swingman"
Snip
> AAMOF, I have a commercial panel saw setup that if the motor on my Makita
> right bladed sidewinder was on the finished side, you couldn't use the
> guide
> to cut anything over 1/2" thick with it.
>
> I bought the Makita because that damned 77 just kept getting heavier and
> heavier with each passing year. Now, besides being forced to use that
> sissy
> sidewinder, I have to scratch my head a time or two when it comes to using
> it in panel mode ... "Life gets teejus , don't It?"
>
> ... apologies to Carson Robison.
I agree the old 77 gets heavier, but the MAG77 is a lighter. But, like you,
it gets heavier every year! I just can't justify getting a sissified
sidewinder yet! Maybe when I'm to old to lift the 77, I'll get the Makita
wormdrive, it's lighter still.
Dave
Dave
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snip
> "Can occur", perhaps. "Most certainly will occur", absolute nonsense. That
> means it would happen every time, and my own experience contradicts that.
> The
> only way that supporting both sides could cause a kickback is if they are
> not
> supported equally, causing the blade to be pinched.
>> Anyone who has ever made a living cutting lumber will
>>tell you to leave one side free to fall off.
>
> Hmmm.... how come radial arm saws support both sides of the cut? I've seen
> a
> lot of guys in lumber yards using radial arm saws to cut lumber to
> length -
> presumably they're making their living cutting lumber - and I haven't seen
> an
> RAS yet with a provision for the waste to fall off.
Who said anything about a RAS or other saws designed to support the wood. A
circular saw is supported by the wood.
>> As for the weight issue, if a
>>2x4 or whatever is cross cut, the saw will rest on the side that is
>>supported and not fall with the fall off, the weight is not an issue if
>>the
>>sawyer holds onto the saw.
>
> Do you mean that when you crosscut a 2x4, you're holding the *entire*
> weight
> of the saw, with *none* of it resting on the board?
Nope. Maybe a visual will help. A 10' 2x4 needs to be 9'. A line is made
at the 9' mark. The 2x4 is setting on a set of sawhorses spaced 5' apart.
A 15" section is extending past one of the sawhorses, unsupported. With
your left hand, you are holding the 9' section down and with your right hand
you grab your trusty left blade saw and slice the line off. The small,
unsupported piece falls safely to the ground, the saw is still on the 9'
section. You then remove the saw from the now 9' 2x4.
Dave
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Leon said
> So are you saying that when you are working on a $100 piece of plywood and
> want to cut it to rough size by cutting 3' off of one end that you let the
> 3', $37 piece fall to the ground?
>
> http://media.ptg-online.com/20050103080845_En912490-01-04-04.pdf
>
> Take a look here at the Porter Cable site and owners manual from the OP's
> saw and see how it shows to support both sides of a cut. I too have made
> a WHOLE buncha cuts ;:~) with a portable circle saw and have not had a
> problem supporting both sides when setting up properly. Done with a worm
> drive it may be a scarey thing. BUT, the worm drives are not in question
> here. The OP is concerned about a sidewinder.
Nope. I was not talking about plywood sheets, just lumber. And the OP was
concerned about left vs right cutting saws not sidewinder vs worm drives.
>> To the OP, the majority of saws are left side blades. That's a fact.
Leon said
> Maybe on the Left coast but just about anywhere else, walk into any store
> selling portable circle saws you will find the right handed ones and the
> few left ones will be displayed and stocked in about the same proportions
> as right handed and left handed people.
Maybe at Wal-Mart. However, facts are stubborn things. Left side blade saws
are more popular. Each manufacture will tell you that. And if you are
correct, why do the saw manufacturers only make left side cordless versions?
(At least I haven't seen any right side ones.)
Dave
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"Roger"
> Worm drive saws are a completely different matter as the balance points
> are such that it works fine in the right hand. THis thread was about
> sidewinders.
I'm must be confused... I thought the OP asked about Right or Left blade.
> Would lefties prefer a mirror image Skil 77? Or does it work
> ambidextrously? My right hand is so dominant I can't even think about
> using a saw with my left.
Try it in your right hand or left, the old 77 cuts great either way.
Say, why is it that left side saws out sell right sided ones? Are more
professional carpenters left-handed or ambidextrous?
Dave
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Dave
> However, facts are stubborn things. Left side blade saws
>> are more popular. Each manufacture will tell you that. And if you are
>> correct, why do the saw manufacturers only make left side cordless
>> versions?
Leon
> I am clueless with an answer to that one but then I am pretty clueless why
> a cordless circle saw was even produced.
Me too! LOL
I love a sprited debate! I'll leave it at this - West of the Rockies, worm
drives are the choice, East - well they will use the toy sidewinders!
Dave
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Dave said
>>Nope. Maybe a visual will help. A 10' 2x4 needs to be 9'. A line is made
>>at the 9' mark. The 2x4 is setting on a set of sawhorses spaced 5' apart.
>>A 15" section is extending past one of the sawhorses, unsupported. With
>>your left hand, you are holding the 9' section down and with your right
>>hand
>>you grab your trusty left blade saw and slice the line off. The small,
>>unsupported piece falls safely to the ground, the saw is still on the 9'
>>section. You then remove the saw from the now 9' 2x4.
>
Doug said:
> Ummm.... I think you've got something wrong in your visual there. If
> you're
> holding the 2x4 with your left hand and the saw in your right hand, then
> you
> are presumably cutting at the right end of the 2x4, no? And if you're
> using a
> left-blade saw at the right end of a board, then the saw is on the *waste*
> piece.
How do you figure that? The waste piece falls to the floor but the saw
stays on the larger, supported piece. Doesn't the saw have a base plate
(foot) on both sides of the blade?
Every circular saw I've ever seen does.
As Leon did, here is the manual.
http://66.77.255.87/Images/SKILPDF/HD77M_pdf/PDF_MANUAL/HD77M.pdf
Look at page 9 for a visual.
Dave
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"Leon"
> Yeah I gotta get an new saw. The 2 that I have blast me with a stream of
> saw dust exhaust if you try to watch the cut.
Get the Bosch 1677xx or Skil Mag 77, you'll never use a toy sidewinder
again!
LOL
Dave
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Mac said:
> aw, you're still a puppy, Dave... by the time that 77 gets too heavy,
> you'll be
> framing with laser saws or whatever they come up with by them...
> maybe dewalt will make a light saber? lol
I don't know about that - I'm 50+ now. Maybe my grandkids will frame with
lasers and photon beams with plastic composites.
Dave
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>> "Leon"
>>> Yeah I gotta get an new saw. The 2 that I have blast me with a stream
>>> of saw dust exhaust if you try to watch the cut.
>>Dave
>> Get the Bosch 1677xx or Skil Mag 77, you'll never use a toy sidewinder
>> again!
>
>Leon I use my saw over my head and at eye level often. Would that be a
>good choice?
Why anyone would run a circular saw overhead is a mystery to me, but if I
had to cut over my head, I would use the lightest saw I could find.
Dave
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Leon said:
> My partner and I do lotsa fences. Trimming posts to the same height puts
> the saw above my head or at eye level and trimming pickets the length of
> the fence even with the top rail so that another top tail can be added.
Oh. I would get the lighter Makita worm drive.
Dave
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On Wed, 06 Apr 2005 03:52:55 GMT, John Santos <[email protected]>
wrote:
>In article <[email protected]>,
>[email protected] says...
>> On 4 Apr 2005 14:54:05 -0700, [email protected] wrote:
>>
>[...]
>>
>> It's all a recruiting plot from the radical correct handers to convert you guys!
>>
>
>Is that a sinister plot?
>
YES! and scissors are next! *rofl*
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
Worm drive saws are a completely different matter as the balance points
are such that it works fine in the right hand. THis thread was about
sidewinders.
Would lefties prefer a mirror image Skil 77? Or does it work
ambidextrously? My right hand is so dominant I can't even think about
using a saw with my left.
Roger
Teamcasa wrote:
>>That's why most sidewinder saws are blade right. Blade left only makes
>>sense if you're left handed or don't care one way or the other.
>>
>>Could lefties using right handed saws explain their lowered longevity?
>
>
> What???
> I've used the arguably best cicular saw made, the Skill MAG 77 for many
> years.
> It has the blade on the left side and I'm right handed. This worm drive is
> at home eating framing wood without difficulty all day, day after day and is
> the choice of quality framers here in So. Calif. Guys that show up with the
> sidewinders are looked upon as rookies.
>
> It is a mystery why anyone would bother with one on the sidewinders unless
> they can not lift a Skill MAG77.
>
> I don't really mean to come off as araogant as my statements above read but
> I have tried to use the right or left blade sidewinders and have always gone
> back to the solid, accurate MAG77. Bosch now owns Skil and make a Bosch
> version that is identical except for the guard.
>
> Dave
>
>
>
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On 4 Apr 2005 14:54:05 -0700, [email protected] wrote:
>
>Pat Barber wrote:
>> You were doing it wrong. The motor side is always
>> on the finished side not the waste side. Using the
>> blade left saw requires changing your methods.
>>
>
>Pat (or someone),
>
>I value your advice tremendously, so please be patient with me.
>
>The question I have now is, two people have said, "You are doing it
>wrong" and that I have to switch methods. Are you saying that I need
>to become left handed?
>
>Because, if I understand you, you are saying that I need to have the
>motor over the "good" peice (not the waste). If so, I'd have to have
>the saw in my left hand right (cutting on the left end of the board)?
>And I'm not left handed.
>
>Honestly....is this some kind of ongoing joke that I'm just not
>getting? Or am I missing something?
>
>I've read lots of forums where people seem to "get used" to it (blade
>left saws - specifically, PC 423MAG). But I have a hard time believing
>that the wood doesn't bind up, or that you don't have trouble
>controlling the end of the cut, when the weight of the saw begins drop
>the waste peice. And using the saw in my left hand, cutting on the
>left side of the board feels akward. But I don't believe I could ever
>get used to being left handed...can I?
>
>Again, I value your opinion....thanks!
It's all a recruiting plot from the radical correct handers to convert you guys!
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
[email protected] wrote:
>>Not a problem for me... I just start on the left-handed end of the
>
> board and the
>
>>saw is never resting on the waste piece.. *g*
>>
>
>
> OK..maybe I'm not getting it. I admit, I don't have the saw to try
> this, but thinking it through with my little brain.....
>
> If I cut on the left end of the board, I'll likely be cutting with my
> Left Hand. Since I'm not left handed, this would not be comfortable at
> all for me. Furthermore, cutting that way, the blade is on the
> opposing side and I'm back where I started!
>
> Are you funnin' with me? Or am I missing something?
>
That's why most sidewinder saws are blade right. Blade left only makes
sense if you're left handed or don't care one way or the other.
Could lefties using right handed saws explain their lowered longevity?
"J" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
, SUPPORTED PIECE"
>
> Because the picture in the owners manual shows someone holding it with
> their
> left hand?
> I'm with you. It simply is NOT a problem to use it right handed in the
> manner you describe.
> Not unquestionable at all. Thousands of carpenters manage to do it this
> way
> all day every day.
It is certainly doable, just not the safest when your body is aligned with
the saw blade and you are observing the open side of the spinning blade.
"TeamCasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>>> "Leon"
>>>> Yeah I gotta get an new saw. The 2 that I have blast me with a stream
>>>> of saw dust exhaust if you try to watch the cut.
>
>>>Dave
>>> Get the Bosch 1677xx or Skil Mag 77, you'll never use a toy sidewinder
>>> again!
>>
>>Leon I use my saw over my head and at eye level often. Would that be a
>>good choice?
>
> Why anyone would run a circular saw overhead is a mystery to me, but if I
> had to cut over my head, I would use the lightest saw I could find.
> Dave
My partner and I do lotsa fences. Trimming posts to the same height puts
the saw above my head or at eye level and trimming pickets the length of the
fence even with the top rail so that another top tail can be added.
In article <[email protected]>, novalidaddress@di\/ersify.com wrote:
>On Wed, 06 Apr 2005 21:01:45 GMT, the inscrutable
>[email protected] (Lawrence Wasserman) spake:
>
>>In article <[email protected]>,
>>Doug Miller <[email protected]> wrote:
>><...snipped...>
>>>The second time, I was hunting in an area that can be reached only by boat. I
>
>>>used a canoe so as to make as little noise as possible. Paddled into a small
>>>cove with a bit of a beach at the bottom of a five-foot-high bluff where the
>>>woods begin. Beached th ecanoe.Needtorelievemyself.Don'twantto
>>>pee in the lake, so I walked over to the base of the bluff. I had
>>>_just_finished_ when I heard him coming. Then I saw him. Oh. My. Gosh. Huge,
>>>absolutely huge. And less than five yards away. Guess where my gun was...
> five
>>>steps away, in the canoe. Turned my back to him and just stood there. He
>>>walked up _right_ behind me -- two feet at most, he's on the top of this
>>>five-foot bluff, I'm standing at the bottom of it) and sniffed me over, then
>>>just walked away as I stood there unarmed and unable to move.
>>>
>>>--
>>>Regards,
>>> Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
>>
>>
>>Whats the matter, you couldn't jump on him and break his neck?
>
>Well, it's a good thing Doug had already relieved himself.
>
Believe me, that same thought has crossed my mind more than once.
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?
In article <[email protected]>, Charles Krug <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>I've used both and prefer my sidewinders left-handed. I'm ambidextrous
>but decidedly LEFT eyed--makes shooting more difficult than it need be
Man, I know _all_ about that. I'm right-handed, left-eyed. A few years ago, I
missed a deer at about 25 *feet* away because I got excited, and sighted with
the wrong eye. (Shotgun with open sights - my state doesn't allow high-powered
rifles for deer hunting.)
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?
"Stephen M" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> Why is that unquestionable? I have a left saw which I use in my right
> hand,
> at the right hand end of the board. At the end of the cut the saw us
> mostly
> suppported by rear left corner of the sole of the saw. Yes I have to apply
> some torque to the saw with my had at the very end of the cut to counter
> the
> fact that the saw is cantelevered over end of the board. It requires a bit
> of control and technique change, but for me, IMHO, is worth the benefit of
> greater visibility during the cut.
>
>
> So why the hard and fast rule:
>
> "KEEP THE MOTOR OVER THE GOOD, SUPPORTED PIECE"
Hey, even I cut plywood freehand on the TS. This does not mean that I am
doing it safely or correctly. Anybody can use the wrong technique. You
really have to know what you are doing to do it correctly all the time.
"Teamcasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Leon,
> On most every post you make I tend to agree with you. However, you are
> the one who is dead wrong.
> Skill, Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee and Dewalt all make worm drive saws for
> the construction industry. Do you think all framers are left handed??
> Just try to find a right bladed worm drive. For that matter, how many
> cordless circular saw have left blades? Do you think anyone who uses a
> cordless circular saw is left handed?
>
> Dave
I can only attest that if you are using a right blade saw with your right
hand you are going to get more dust thrown into your face.
"Pat Barber" wrote in message
> You were doing it wrong. The motor side is always
> on the finished side not the waste side.
Unfortunately there are some panel saw setups, and jigs that use saw guides,
that don't follow this convention with sidewinder circular saws, which can
be confusing as hell, particularly to those of us who spent the
preponderance of our circular saw lives with a left bladed, worm drive 77 in
our right hands.
AAMOF, I have a commercial panel saw setup that if the motor on my Makita
right bladed sidewinder was on the finished side, you couldn't use the guide
to cut anything over 1/2" thick with it.
I bought the Makita because that damned 77 just kept getting heavier and
heavier with each passing year. Now, besides being forced to use that sissy
sidewinder, I have to scratch my head a time or two when it comes to using
it in panel mode ... "Life gets teejus , don't It?"
... apologies to Carson Robison.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 11/06/04
In article <[email protected]>, "Teamcasa" <[email protected]> wrote:
>Dave said
>>>Nope. Maybe a visual will help. A 10' 2x4 needs to be 9'. A line is made
>>>at the 9' mark. The 2x4 is setting on a set of sawhorses spaced 5' apart.
>>>A 15" section is extending past one of the sawhorses, unsupported. With
>>>your left hand, you are holding the 9' section down and with your right
>>>hand
>>>you grab your trusty left blade saw and slice the line off. The small,
>>>unsupported piece falls safely to the ground, the saw is still on the 9'
>>>section. You then remove the saw from the now 9' 2x4.
>>
>Doug said:
>> Ummm.... I think you've got something wrong in your visual there. If
>> you're
>> holding the 2x4 with your left hand and the saw in your right hand, then
>> you
>> are presumably cutting at the right end of the 2x4, no? And if you're
>> using a
>> left-blade saw at the right end of a board, then the saw is on the *waste*
>> piece.
>
>How do you figure that? The waste piece falls to the floor but the saw
>stays on the larger, supported piece.
If you're cutting at the left end, yes, but not at the right.
It's real simple.
If you're cutting at the right end of the board, the good piece is to the left
of the blade, and the waste piece is to the right of the blade.
WIth a blade-left saw, the motor, and hence the larger portion by far of the
base _and_ of the weight, is on the right.
Directly over the waste piece.
Where it doesn't belong.
>Doesn't the saw have a base plate
>(foot) on both sides of the blade?
>Every circular saw I've ever seen does.
Of course - but there's a lot more shoe on the motor side than on the blade
side. That's why the motor side should be over the supported piece: it's much
easier to control where the saw goes (or stays) when the waste piece falls
away, if the majority of the saw's weight wasn't resting on that waste piece.
>As Leon did, here is the manual.
>http://66.77.255.87/Images/SKILPDF/HD77M_pdf/PDF_MANUAL/HD77M.pdf
>Look at page 9 for a visual.
Maybe you should have a look at that manual yourself.
Figure 9 on page 11 shows a cut with both sides supported.
Figure 10 on the same page shows cutting at the *left* end of the board, as is
appropriate for a left-blade saw.
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?
Well, you know what I meant. I didn't mean to really
comment on your and Leons' views.
Apparently left and right saws generate more excitement
than the classic measuring contest of a year or two
back. Not quite as vocal but still many views on a
simple subject.
Swingman wrote:
> Hmmmmmm ... If the fact that I concur with Leon about most of the folks in
> this area using sidewinders can be viewed as an expression of a "religious
> experience" and getting "excited about a saw", I'd say that you do very well
> by taking a "pass on your views" ... and particularly if the number of your
> question marks is an indicator of that "excitement". :)
>
It's interesting - places like HOme Depot won't stock the blade right
saws - they only have blade left, so I went to buy it at Sears.
But I have cut with both types of saws, and I prefer the blade right as
I am right handed.
[email protected] wrote:
> I finally bought a new circular saw. After a lot of research, I
> decided on the 423 Porter Cable. It's a Blade Left saw, which means
> the blade is on the left and the motor is on the right.
>
> In the store, it was difficult to imagine using it. It wasn't until I
> got it home, that I realized how much of a change this was. In some
> instances, I could see where being able to see the blade would make a
> difference. In particular, Edge cutting long sheet stock, would be
> much easier, to not have to "cross over" yourself, while holding the
> saw.
>
> However, cross cutting 2 by stock was a PITA. I just could NOT get
> used to the weight of the saw, resting on the waste peice. After the
> cut, the board AND the saw fell.
>
> The happy ending? I took the Blade Left back and traded it in for the
> PC 324MAG (Blade Right). A great saw, so far.
>
> I've read LOT'S of newsgroups and see that generally, people get used
> to the left blade. Without regard for safety, I'm curious, just how
> many of you have switched from Right Blade to Left Blade and if you
> would be willing to comment on your experience/acceptance of the
> change.
>
>
> Thanks!
>
"TeamCasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> Maybe at Wal-Mart.
LOL, ;~) I don't shop at Walmart, I shop many places and even considering
all the places that sell to the trades, the right hand is the predominent
one that I see. If you work in a location or region that the trades use
worm drive I can see your point. But in Texas I can honestly say that I
have never seen any one use a worm drive. Now, Swingman and I live relative
close to each other but he is the first person that I know of that uses a
worm drive. I have worked for a builder and make my living in the wood
working industry so my experience here is not shadowed or limited. Side
winders are mostly what are used here and most are right bladed.
However, facts are stubborn things. Left side blade saws
> are more popular. Each manufacture will tell you that. And if you are
> correct, why do the saw manufacturers only make left side cordless
> versions?
I am clueless with an answer to that one but then I am pretty clueless why a
cordless circle saw was even produced.
"Teamcasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Leon"
>> Yeah I gotta get an new saw. The 2 that I have blast me with a stream of
>> saw dust exhaust if you try to watch the cut.
>
> Get the Bosch 1677xx or Skil Mag 77, you'll never use a toy sidewinder
> again!
I use my saw over my head and at eye level often. Would that be a good
choice?
"Doug Miller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Man, I know _all_ about that. I'm right-handed, left-eyed. A few years
> ago, I
> missed a deer at about 25 *feet* away because I got excited, and sighted
> with
> the wrong eye. (Shotgun with open sights - my state doesn't allow
> high-powered
> rifles for deer hunting.)
Geeez LOL. I am surprised that your state lets YOU hunt. Missing a deer at
25 feet with a shot gun? You shouldn'ta hadta even aimed. :~)
"Teamcasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Wrong.
> After making untold thousands of cuts with both, sidewinders and real
> construction saws (worm drive), I can tell you for a fact, you should
> NEVER support both sides! Serious kick back can and most certainly will
> occur should you try this. Anyone who has ever made a living cutting
> lumber will tell you to leave one side free to fall off.
So are you saying that when you are working on a $100 piece of plywood and
want to cut it to rough size by cutting 3' off of one end that you let the
3', $37 piece fall to the ground?
http://media.ptg-online.com/20050103080845_En912490-01-04-04.pdf
Take a look here at the Porter Cable site and owners manual from the OP's
saw and see how it shows to support both sides of a cut. I too have made a
WHOLE buncha cuts ;:~) with a portable circle saw and have not had a problem
supporting both sides when setting up properly. Done with a worm drive it
may be a scarey thing. BUT, the worm drives are not in question here. The
OP is concerned about a sidewinder.
>
> To the OP, the majority of saws are left side blades. That's a fact.
Maybe on the Left coast but just about anywhere else, walk into any store
selling portable circle saws you will find the right handed ones and the
few left ones will be displayed and stocked in about the same proportions as
right handed and left handed people.
>
> Dave
>
>
> Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
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> ** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
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<[email protected]> wrote:
> I've read LOT'S of newsgroups and see that generally, people get used
> to the left blade. Without regard for safety, I'm curious, just how
> many of you have switched from Right Blade to Left Blade and if you
> would be willing to comment on your experience/acceptance of the
> change.
> Thanks!
I have a left blade saw just for cutting panels. I made a cutting guide
just for the left blade saw.
For other circular saw jobs I use a right blade saw.
Max D.
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> On 4 Apr 2005 14:54:05 -0700, [email protected] wrote:
>
[...]
>
> It's all a recruiting plot from the radical correct handers to convert you guys!
>
Is that a sinister plot?
> mac
>
> Please remove splinters before emailing
>
--
John
"Pat Barber" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have "both" of the PC saws...
>
> I don't see any more sawdust using the blade left as
> to "peeking" over the motor using a blade right.
Yeah I gotta get an new saw. The 2 that I have blast me with a stream of
saw dust exhaust if you try to watch the cut.
> The blade left can be used by right handers just as
> easy as the other way around.
>
> I have never seen a hand held circular saw that "would not"
> spray saw dust all over hell and half an acre.
>
>
> Leon wrote:
>
>>
>> If the blade is between both of your hands you typically get more dust in
>> your face. Te left sided blade was built so that a lefty could hold the
>> saw with his left hand and not have the blade between his left and right
>> hand.
>
"TeamCasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Roger"
>> Worm drive saws are a completely different matter as the balance points
>> are such that it works fine in the right hand. THis thread was about
>> sidewinders.
>
> I'm must be confused... I thought the OP asked about Right or Left blade.
No that was the title of the OP post. He specifically is talking about the
PC model 423 Sidewinder.
[email protected] wrote:
> Pat Barber wrote:
>
>>You were doing it wrong. The motor side is always
>>on the finished side not the waste side. Using the
>>blade left saw requires changing your methods.
>>
>
>
> Pat (or someone),
>
> I value your advice tremendously, so please be patient with me.
>
> The question I have now is, two people have said, "You are doing it
> wrong" and that I have to switch methods. Are you saying that I need
> to become left handed?
I'm Someone, not Pat<g>
What he and others are telling you, quite simply is: The weight of the
saw, for safety's sake, is to be resting on the supported side of the
wood being cut. How you accomplish that is up to you.
> Because, if I understand you, you are saying that I need to have the
> motor over the "good" peice (not the waste). If so, I'd have to have
> the saw in my left hand right (cutting on the left end of the board)?
> And I'm not left handed.
Oh well, you've got the concept down but... So you're not left-handed.
We aren't talking about handwriting here, just simple motor skills.
Yeah, it can be a bit awkward the first few times but look at it this
way: You CAN do it, you WILL concentrate on what you're doing in order
to do it and CONCENTRATION is a GOOD THING when dealing with power tools.
Still think you can't do it? Can you manage to get a can of beer up to
your mouth while holding a sandwich in your right? or vice versa? If
so, you can handle the saw regardless of what side the blade is on.
Just remember - KEEP THE MOTOR OVER THE GOOD, SUPPORTED PIECE, not the
cutoff! <g>
I have "both" of the PC saws...
I don't see any more sawdust using the blade left as
to "peeking" over the motor using a blade right.
The blade left can be used by right handers just as
easy as the other way around.
I have never seen a hand held circular saw that "would not"
spray saw dust all over hell and half an acre.
Leon wrote:
>
> If the blade is between both of your hands you typically get more dust in
> your face. Te left sided blade was built so that a lefty could hold the saw
> with his left hand and not have the blade between his left and right hand.
>
>
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've read LOT'S of newsgroups and see that generally, people get used
> to the left blade. Without regard for safety, I'm curious, just how
> many of you have switched from Right Blade to Left Blade and if you
> would be willing to comment on your experience/acceptance of the
> change.
You hit the nail righ square on the head. WITH OUT reguard for safety. The
left blade model is made for lefties. The right side blade is for right
handers.
If you see the blade when sawing you are typically going to get or have the
potential of getting a spray of dust in your face.
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> However, cross cutting 2 by stock was a PITA. I just could NOT get
> used to the weight of the saw, resting on the waste peice. After the
> cut, the board AND the saw fell.
>
> The happy ending? I took the Blade Left back and traded it in for the
> PC 324MAG (Blade Right). A great saw, so far.
>
> I've read LOT'S of newsgroups and see that generally, people get used
> to the left blade.
You are using it backwards. If you were to use the saw in your left hand it
would be fine. Being a lefty, I curse the saw I have but just don't use it
enough to justify a new one.
Hmmmm... I think since this has turned into some
sort of religious experience, I'll take a pass on
my views.
Who knew people get this excited about a saw ???
Swingman wrote:
> I concur with that observation. Back In the days when most of the framing
> crews in this area were from up North, instead of from South of the Rio
> Grande, you did see quite a few worm drive saws, but most of the framing
> "carpenters" currently hereabout are a tad light in the ass end to handle an
> older 77 all day.
On Mon, 4 Apr 2005 18:10:37 -0700, J <[email protected]> wrote:
> I have always used a "blade-left" saw and I'm right-handed. It is not a
> problem.
> Don't over-think this.
>
I've used both and prefer my sidewinders left-handed. I'm ambidextrous
but decidedly LEFT eyed--makes shooting more difficult than it need be
When I reduce sheet goods to managable size, I support both sides of the
cut and work righty against my cutting guide, as that keeps me pushing
against the fence rather than pulling away from it.
When I cut framing lumber, I work lefty and support the "keep" side.
Interestingly, when I work with my CMS, I work righty, keep-side left,
which positions my strong eye ideally for spotting the cut line.
At the TS, I crosscut keep-side Left and rip to the right, for the same
reason I put three slits in the top crust of an apple pie.
In article <[email protected]>, "Teamcasa" <[email protected]> wrote:
>"Pat Barber"
>> You were doing it wrong. The motor side is always
>> on the finished side not the waste side. Using the
>> blade left saw requires changing your methods.
>>
>Is that some kind of rule? All of the circular saws I've ever seen had a
>shoe for saw support on both sides of the blade.
>
Yes, that is the right way to use a circular saw. The heavy side of the saw
(that is, the side with the motor) should be on the side of the board that is
supported. Normally, this is the finished side, supported by sawhorses,
boards, or whatever, so that it doesn't fall when the cut is complete. If you
have the waste piece supported *also*, then it doesn't matter which side of
the cut the motor is on.
>Dave
>
>
>
> Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
>----------------------------------------------------------
> ** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
>----------------------------------------------------------
> http://www.usenet.com
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> I'm not saying anybody is wrong, but it struck me as odd, that so many
> right handed people liked the blade left saw. It just did not feel
> comfortable to me, when cutting anything other than sheet.
I suspect that a lot of right handed people like the left because you can
see the blade and cut line easier. BUT that is a more dangerous situation
than having the blade outside the width of your body. As for as the
Wormdrive is concerned, most are left bladed but IMHO since they are "heavy"
and most people are right handed the right hand more easily would grab the
weighted end of the saw and the left hand hold the trigger end. More than
likely many framers use it in the opposite fashion, and I have seen framers
remove the guards. Typically if you are right handed, cutting a 2x4 to
length is naturally easier going from right to left to make the mark. Pull
the tape with your left hand and mark the line with your right hand. Since
cutting from the left end of the board would be the natural next step, use a
left hand saw.
In article <[email protected]>,
Doug Miller <[email protected]> wrote:
<...snipped...>
>The second time, I was hunting in an area that can be reached only by boat. I
>used a canoe so as to make as little noise as possible. Paddled into a small
>cove with a bit of a beach at the bottom of a five-foot-high bluff where the
>woods begin. Beached the canoe. Need to relieve myself. Don't want to
>pee in the lake, so I walked over to the base of the bluff. I had
>_just_finished_ when I heard him coming. Then I saw him. Oh. My. Gosh. Huge,
>absolutely huge. And less than five yards away. Guess where my gun was... five
>steps away, in the canoe. Turned my back to him and just stood there. He
>walked up _right_ behind me -- two feet at most, he's on the top of this
>five-foot bluff, I'm standing at the bottom of it) and sniffed me over, then
>just walked away as I stood there unarmed and unable to move.
>
>--
>Regards,
> Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
Whats the matter, you couldn't jump on him and break his neck?
--
Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland
[email protected]
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] wrote:
>On Wed, 6 Apr 2005 06:41:20 -0500, "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>Hehe ... There should also be a law in Doug's state that he must post his
>>whereabouts during deer season. ;>)
>
>and wear an eye patch over his right eye..
No, the left eye - that was the problem. I'm right-handed, left-eyed.
There was an article a few years back in American Hunter that said you're
better off shooting with your dominant *eye* and recommended that people with
this type of cross dominance should learn to shoot with the non-dominant hand.
I just can't manage to feel comfortable that way. Not with a long gun, anyhow.
It's no problem at all for me to shoot a pistol right-handed and left-eyed.
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?
"Doug Miller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>>
> Yeah, yeah, yeah - if you've never, ever missed a deer because you got
> "buck
> fever", then you've not done very much deer hunting.
Just ribbin you Doug. I do not know of any one in Texas that has not done
that. Trying to hold the gun still can be a real problem especially when
you are excited. Typically though I think we would actually poop our pants
if were able to get within 25 feet of a deer that was not been acclimated to
human contact or tied up. LOL
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Teamcasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > "Pat Barber"
> >> You were doing it wrong. The motor side is always
> >> on the finished side not the waste side. Using the
> >> blade left saw requires changing your methods.
> >>
> > Is that some kind of rule? All of the circular saws I've ever seen had
a
> > shoe for saw support on both sides of the blade.
>
> If the blade is between both of your hands you typically get more dust in
> your face. Te left sided blade was built so that a lefty could hold the
saw
> with his left hand and not have the blade between his left and right hand.
I guess that all those skil 77 guys must all be left handed then...
No dust in your face means you aren't looking where you are cutting :-)
j
"Doug Miller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] wrote:
> >
> >Pat Barber wrote:
> >> You were doing it wrong. The motor side is always
> >> on the finished side not the waste side. Using the
> >> blade left saw requires changing your methods.
> >>
> >
> >Pat (or someone),
> >
> >I value your advice tremendously, so please be patient with me.
> >
> >The question I have now is, two people have said, "You are doing it
> >wrong" and that I have to switch methods. Are you saying that I need
> >to become left handed?
>
> Not necessarily. If you're going to use a blade-left saw, then you need to
> make cuts at the left end of the board. You can do this holding the saw
> right-handed, but it is probably more convenient, and *definitely* more
safe,
> to do with the left hand. Your call.
> >
> >Because, if I understand you, you are saying that I need to have the
> >motor over the "good" peice (not the waste). If so, I'd have to have
> >the saw in my left hand right (cutting on the left end of the board)?
>
> Well, you *could* hold it in your right hand, cutting at the left end of
the
> board. But it's awkward, you'll get chips in your face, and you're at a
*much*
> higher risk of a leg injury if the saw slips or kicks back.
>
> >And I'm not left handed.
>
> Then you should probably use a blade-right saw.
> >
> >Honestly....is this some kind of ongoing joke that I'm just not
> >getting? Or am I missing something?
>
> No jokes. If you're right-handed, you're better off with a blade-right
saw;
> vice versa if you're a lefty.
> >
> >I've read lots of forums where people seem to "get used" to it (blade
> >left saws - specifically, PC 423MAG). But I have a hard time believing
> >that the wood doesn't bind up, or that you don't have trouble
> >controlling the end of the cut, when the weight of the saw begins drop
> >the waste peice.
I have always used a "blade-left" saw and I'm right-handed. It is not a
problem.
Don't over-think this.
-j
I carried the old slug left handed too and caught one chunk of fired
brass in my tee-shirt neck (target right). I still have the burn scar
on my belly where it lodged. I was a bit too busy to yank my tee out
of my belt at the time!
Ah well, life is like that, it's all about priorities and survival is
the first priority, or pretty close to it.
Tom
On Tue, 12 Apr 2005 08:52:41 -0700, mac davis
<[email protected]> wrote:
>On Thu, 07 Apr 2005 15:35:02 GMT, [email protected] (Doug Miller) wrote:
>
>>In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] wrote:
>>
>>>I had to qualify with all the rifles and assorted crap right handed in the
>>>army.. never fired them that way for real, though..
>>
>>I can imagine you might not have enjoyed that, depending on when you served.
>>My BIL is left-handed, and served 10+ years as active-duty Navy. He said that
>>when he went through basic, in the mid-70s, the M-16 ejected spent cartridges
>>back and to the right... right down his shirt collar. They're kinda hot, he
>>tells me. I understand that the weapon has since been modified with a guard
>>that prevents the spent shells from coming quite so far back.
>
>The one that I really remember was the m-60 (light machine gun)
>The Army, in all of it's wisdom, said that the weapon could not be fired left
>handed, as the ejected brass would hit you in the eye..
>I qualified expert, etc. right handed with a lot of practice..
>
>I carried one for 5 or 6 months in Nam, left handed on an assault belt.. fired
>several thousand rounds left handed and never got hit by any brass.. (at least
>from MY gun *g*)
>
>
>
>mac
>
>Please remove splinters before emailing
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> > Still think you can't do it? Can you manage to get a can of beer up
> to
> > your mouth while holding a sandwich in your right? or vice versa?
> If
> > so, you can handle the saw regardless of what side the blade is on.
> > Just remember - KEEP THE MOTOR OVER THE GOOD, SUPPORTED PIECE, not
> the
> > cutoff! <g>
>
> Unquestionably
Why is that unquestionable? I have a left saw which I use in my right hand,
at the right hand end of the board. At the end of the cut the saw us mostly
suppported by rear left corner of the sole of the saw. Yes I have to apply
some torque to the saw with my had at the very end of the cut to counter the
fact that the saw is cantelevered over end of the board. It requires a bit
of control and technique change, but for me, IMHO, is worth the benefit of
greater visibility during the cut.
So why the hard and fast rule:
"KEEP THE MOTOR OVER THE GOOD, SUPPORTED PIECE"
????
In article <[email protected]>, "Teamcasa" <[email protected]> wrote:
"TeamCasa" <[email protected]> writes:
>After making untold thousands of cuts with both, sidewinders and real
>construction saws (worm drive), I can tell you for a fact, you should NEVER
>support both sides! Serious kick back can and most certainly will occur
>should you try this.
NEVER?
> Nope. Maybe a visual will help. A 10' 2x4 needs to be 9'.
How can you cut it in half WITHOUT supporting both halves?
I have always supported BOTH sides in that situation. Best is to use
4 sawhorses (or 2 wide supports). If I only have two sawhorses, I
usually make sure the supports are arranged so that when the cut is
made, the ends away from the saw are heavier, so the wood tends to
tilt UP when the cut is complete. Not too much - however. I try to
have them nearly balanced.
But I'm not a professional, so I'm probably wrong. I suppose I could
clamp one end, but if it's a hardwood four-by-four, this needs a BIG
clamp.
--
Sending unsolicited commercial e-mail to this account incurs a fee of
$500 per message, and acknowledges the legality of this contract.
> I suspect that a lot of right handed people like the left because you can
> see the blade and cut line easier. BUT that is a more dangerous situation
> than having the blade outside the width of your body. As for as the
> Wormdrive is concerned, most are left bladed but IMHO since they are
"heavy"
> and most people are right handed the right hand more easily would grab the
> weighted end of the saw and the left hand hold the trigger end. More than
> likely many framers use it in the opposite fashion, and I have seen
framers
> remove the guards. Typically if you are right handed, cutting a 2x4 to
> length is naturally easier going from right to left to make the mark.
Pull
> the tape with your left hand and mark the line with your right hand.
Since
> cutting from the left end of the board would be the natural next step, use
a
> left hand saw.
Measuring and cutting are two different things. With a worm drive or other
"left blade" saw you typically have the long side of the board on the left
(supported on saw horses, stack of framing lumber or balanced on your left
foot) and you cut along the line you have marked. Some people will hold a
speed square with their left hand and cut with the left side of the fence
along it. At least this is the way I've always done it and everyone else
I've ever seen does it.
-j
"Stephen M" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > > Still think you can't do it? Can you manage to get a can of beer up
> > to
> > > your mouth while holding a sandwich in your right? or vice versa?
> > If
> > > so, you can handle the saw regardless of what side the blade is on.
> > > Just remember - KEEP THE MOTOR OVER THE GOOD, SUPPORTED PIECE, not
> > the
> > > cutoff! <g>
> >
> > Unquestionably
>
>
> Why is that unquestionable? I have a left saw which I use in my right
hand,
> at the right hand end of the board. At the end of the cut the saw us
mostly
> suppported by rear left corner of the sole of the saw. Yes I have to apply
> some torque to the saw with my had at the very end of the cut to counter
the
> fact that the saw is cantelevered over end of the board. It requires a bit
> of control and technique change, but for me, IMHO, is worth the benefit of
> greater visibility during the cut.
>
>
> So why the hard and fast rule:
>
> "KEEP THE MOTOR OVER THE GOOD, SUPPORTED PIECE"
Because the picture in the owners manual shows someone holding it with their
left hand?
I'm with you. It simply is NOT a problem to use it right handed in the
manner you describe.
Not unquestionable at all. Thousands of carpenters manage to do it this way
all day every day.
-j
On Mon, 04 Apr 2005 14:22:40 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
><[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>
>>
>> However, cross cutting 2 by stock was a PITA. I just could NOT get
>> used to the weight of the saw, resting on the waste peice. After the
>> cut, the board AND the saw fell.
>>
>> The happy ending? I took the Blade Left back and traded it in for the
>> PC 324MAG (Blade Right). A great saw, so far.
>>
>> I've read LOT'S of newsgroups and see that generally, people get used
>> to the left blade.
>
>
>You are using it backwards. If you were to use the saw in your left hand it
>would be fine. Being a lefty, I curse the saw I have but just don't use it
>enough to justify a new one.
>
Not a problem for me... I just start on the left-handed end of the board and the
saw is never resting on the waste piece.. *g*
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
"Doug Miller" wrote in message
> >Hehe ... There should also be a law in Doug's state that he must post his
> >whereabouts during deer season. ;>)
> >
> Yeah, yeah, yeah - if you've never, ever missed a deer because you got
"buck
> fever", then you've not done very much deer hunting.
At nine years of age I was left in a tree stand, in an abandoned cemetery at
dark thirty, with a .22 rifle and instructed to only shoot for the head ...
if I even saw a buck.
Even though my right leg was doing an uncontrollable dance by itself due to
the excitement the minute that six pointer walked into the graveyard at
dawn, I was the only one on that hunt that scored.
I've hunted at time or two ... and as you know, hunters like to rub it in a
bit. ;>)
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 11/06/04
Not a rule, and I should have said, "it's safer keeping the
shoe side on the good side" and not the waste side.
For right handed people using a blade left, requires a
different approach to making the cut. It ain't rocket
science.
Teamcasa wrote:
> "Pat Barber"
>
>>You were doing it wrong. The motor side is always
>>on the finished side not the waste side. Using the
>>blade left saw requires changing your methods.
>>
>
> Is that some kind of rule? All of the circular saws I've ever seen had a
> shoe for saw support on both sides of the blade.
"TeamCasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> And the OP was concerned about left vs right cutting saws not sidewinder
> vs worm drives.
Nope, the OP is talking specifically about the PC 423 Left hand Sidewinder.
"Leon" wrote in message
>
> "Doug Miller" <wrote in message
>
> >
> > Man, I know _all_ about that. I'm right-handed, left-eyed. A few years
> > ago, I
> > missed a deer at about 25 *feet* away because I got excited, and sighted
> > with
> > the wrong eye. (Shotgun with open sights - my state doesn't allow
> > high-powered
> > rifles for deer hunting.)
>
>
> Geeez LOL. I am surprised that your state lets YOU hunt. Missing a deer
at
> 25 feet with a shot gun? You shouldn'ta hadta even aimed. :~)
Hehe ... There should also be a law in Doug's state that he must post his
whereabouts during deer season. ;>)
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 11/06/04
On Mon, 4 Apr 2005 23:44:28 -0400, "Mark Cooper" <[email protected]> wrote:
>Anyone care to argue about re-wiring a circ saw for 220?!!!
>
>(This refers to an earlier post of mine...I inquired about re-wiring my
>jointer for 220 and five or six guys practically got in a knife fight.)
>
only if it involves painting cherry or whether to use biscuits...
>
>"TeamCasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> snip
>>> "Can occur", perhaps. "Most certainly will occur", absolute nonsense.
>>> That
>>> means it would happen every time, and my own experience contradicts that.
>>> The
>>> only way that supporting both sides could cause a kickback is if they are
>>> not
>>> supported equally, causing the blade to be pinched.
>>
>>>> Anyone who has ever made a living cutting lumber will
>>>>tell you to leave one side free to fall off.
>>>
>>> Hmmm.... how come radial arm saws support both sides of the cut? I've
>>> seen a
>>> lot of guys in lumber yards using radial arm saws to cut lumber to
>>> length -
>>> presumably they're making their living cutting lumber - and I haven't
>>> seen an
>>> RAS yet with a provision for the waste to fall off.
>>
>> Who said anything about a RAS or other saws designed to support the wood.
>> A circular saw is supported by the wood.
>>
>>
>>>> As for the weight issue, if a
>>>>2x4 or whatever is cross cut, the saw will rest on the side that is
>>>>supported and not fall with the fall off, the weight is not an issue if
>>>>the
>>>>sawyer holds onto the saw.
>>>
>>> Do you mean that when you crosscut a 2x4, you're holding the *entire*
>>> weight
>>> of the saw, with *none* of it resting on the board?
>>
>> Nope. Maybe a visual will help. A 10' 2x4 needs to be 9'. A line is made
>> at the 9' mark. The 2x4 is setting on a set of sawhorses spaced 5' apart.
>> A 15" section is extending past one of the sawhorses, unsupported. With
>> your left hand, you are holding the 9' section down and with your right
>> hand you grab your trusty left blade saw and slice the line off. The
>> small, unsupported piece falls safely to the ground, the saw is still on
>> the 9' section. You then remove the saw from the now 9' 2x4.
>>
>> Dave
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
>> ----------------------------------------------------------
>> ** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
>> ----------------------------------------------------------
>> http://www.usenet.com
>
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
On Mon, 4 Apr 2005 16:48:52 -0700, "Teamcasa" <[email protected]> wrote:
>"Swingman"
>Snip
>> AAMOF, I have a commercial panel saw setup that if the motor on my Makita
>> right bladed sidewinder was on the finished side, you couldn't use the
>> guide
>> to cut anything over 1/2" thick with it.
>>
>> I bought the Makita because that damned 77 just kept getting heavier and
>> heavier with each passing year. Now, besides being forced to use that
>> sissy
>> sidewinder, I have to scratch my head a time or two when it comes to using
>> it in panel mode ... "Life gets teejus , don't It?"
>>
>> ... apologies to Carson Robison.
>
>I agree the old 77 gets heavier, but the MAG77 is a lighter. But, like you,
>it gets heavier every year! I just can't justify getting a sissified
>sidewinder yet! Maybe when I'm to old to lift the 77, I'll get the Makita
>wormdrive, it's lighter still.
>
>Dave
>
aw, you're still a puppy, Dave... by the time that 77 gets too heavy, you'll be
framing with laser saws or whatever they come up with by them...
maybe dewalt will make a light saber? lol
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
You were doing it wrong. The motor side is always
on the finished side not the waste side. Using the
blade left saw requires changing your methods.
[email protected] wrote:
> I finally bought a new circular saw. After a lot of research, I
> decided on the 423 Porter Cable. It's a Blade Left saw, which means
> the blade is on the left and the motor is on the right.
>
> In the store, it was difficult to imagine using it. It wasn't until I
> got it home, that I realized how much of a change this was. In some
> instances, I could see where being able to see the blade would make a
> difference. In particular, Edge cutting long sheet stock, would be
> much easier, to not have to "cross over" yourself, while holding the
> saw.
>
> However, cross cutting 2 by stock was a PITA. I just could NOT get
> used to the weight of the saw, resting on the waste peice. After the
> cut, the board AND the saw fell.
In article <[email protected]>, "Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Doug Miller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>>
>> Yeah, yeah, yeah - if you've never, ever missed a deer because you got
>> "buck
>> fever", then you've not done very much deer hunting.
>
>
>Just ribbin you Doug. I do not know of any one in Texas that has not done
>that. Trying to hold the gun still can be a real problem especially when
>you are excited. Typically though I think we would actually poop our pants
>if were able to get within 25 feet of a deer that was not been acclimated to
>human contact or tied up. LOL
*Twice* I've been within SIX FEET of a *monster* buck, and totally unable to
get a shot off.
The first time, I was bow-hunting at the edge of a field; he snuck up from
behind me. I saw him coming out of the corner of my eye and tried to turn
slowly but he saw the movement, so I froze. He walked up to only five or six
feet away and stood there staring at me and sniffing. I guess I must have
moved a bit too much for his liking, because he suddenly jumped and ran, and I
never saw him again.
The second time, I was hunting in an area that can be reached only by boat. I
used a canoe so as to make as little noise as possible. Paddled into a small
cove with a bit of a beach at the bottom of a five-foot-high bluff where the
woods begin. Beached the canoe. Need to relieve myself. Don't want to
pee in the lake, so I walked over to the base of the bluff. I had
_just_finished_ when I heard him coming. Then I saw him. Oh. My. Gosh. Huge,
absolutely huge. And less than five yards away. Guess where my gun was... five
steps away, in the canoe. Turned my back to him and just stood there. He
walked up _right_ behind me -- two feet at most, he's on the top of this
five-foot bluff, I'm standing at the bottom of it) and sniffed me over, then
just walked away as I stood there unarmed and unable to move.
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?
"Teamcasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Pat Barber"
>> You were doing it wrong. The motor side is always
>> on the finished side not the waste side. Using the
>> blade left saw requires changing your methods.
>>
> Is that some kind of rule? All of the circular saws I've ever seen had a
> shoe for saw support on both sides of the blade.
If the blade is between both of your hands you typically get more dust in
your face. Te left sided blade was built so that a lefty could hold the saw
with his left hand and not have the blade between his left and right hand.
In article <[email protected]>,
Pat Barber <[email protected]> wrote:
>Hmmmm... I think since this has turned into some
>sort of religious experience, I'll take a pass on
>my views.
>
>Who knew people get this excited about a saw ???
>
>
I agree with you. It's not like we're discussing round vs square dog
holes or something...
--
Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland
[email protected]
"Pat Barber" wrote in message
> Hmmmm... I think since this has turned into some
> sort of religious experience, I'll take a pass on
> my views.
>
> Who knew people get this excited about a saw ???
>
>
> Swingman wrote:
> > I concur with that observation. Back In the days when most of the
framing
> > crews in this area were from up North, instead of from South of the Rio
> > Grande, you did see quite a few worm drive saws, but most of the framing
> > "carpenters" currently hereabout are a tad light in the ass end to
handle an
> > older 77 all day.
Hmmmmmm ... If the fact that I concur with Leon about most of the folks in
this area using sidewinders can be viewed as an expression of a "religious
experience" and getting "excited about a saw", I'd say that you do very well
by taking a "pass on your views" ... and particularly if the number of your
question marks is an indicator of that "excitement". :)
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 11/06/04
"Teamcasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Just try to find a right bladed worm drive.
The Porter Cable Worm Drive Trim Saw is right handed. While it is not a
large saw like you are talking about, the side winder that the OP is talking
is not as heavy and large either as the worm drive that you are talking
about either.
In article <[email protected]>, "Teamcasa" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>>"Pat Barber"
>>>> You were doing it wrong. The motor side is always
>>>> on the finished side not the waste side. Using the
>>>> blade left saw requires changing your methods.
>>>>
>Dave:
>>>Is that some kind of rule? All of the circular saws I've ever seen had a
>>>shoe for saw support on both sides of the blade.
>>>
>Doug Miller:
>> Yes, that is the right way to use a circular saw. The heavy side of the
>> saw
>> (that is, the side with the motor) should be on the side of the board that
>> is
>> supported. Normally, this is the finished side, supported by sawhorses,
>> boards, or whatever, so that it doesn't fall when the cut is complete. If
>> you
>> have the waste piece supported *also*, then it doesn't matter which side
>> of
>> the cut the motor is on.
>
>Wrong.
>After making untold thousands of cuts with both, sidewinders and real
>construction saws (worm drive), I can tell you for a fact, you should NEVER
>support both sides! Serious kick back can and most certainly will occur
>should you try this.
"Can occur", perhaps. "Most certainly will occur", absolute nonsense. That
means it would happen every time, and my own experience contradicts that. The
only way that supporting both sides could cause a kickback is if they are not
supported equally, causing the blade to be pinched.
> Anyone who has ever made a living cutting lumber will
>tell you to leave one side free to fall off.
Hmmm.... how come radial arm saws support both sides of the cut? I've seen a
lot of guys in lumber yards using radial arm saws to cut lumber to length -
presumably they're making their living cutting lumber - and I haven't seen an
RAS yet with a provision for the waste to fall off.
> As for the weight issue, if a
>2x4 or whatever is cross cut, the saw will rest on the side that is
>supported and not fall with the fall off, the weight is not an issue if the
>sawyer holds onto the saw.
Do you mean that when you crosscut a 2x4, you're holding the *entire* weight
of the saw, with *none* of it resting on the board?
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?
"Leon" wrote in message
> worm drive I can see your point. But in Texas I can honestly say that I
> have never seen any one use a worm drive. Now, Swingman and I live
relative
> close to each other but he is the first person that I know of that uses a
> worm drive. I have worked for a builder and make my living in the wood
> working industry so my experience here is not shadowed or limited. Side
> winders are mostly what are used here and most are right bladed.
I concur with that observation. Back In the days when most of the framing
crews in this area were from up North, instead of from South of the Rio
Grande, you did see quite a few worm drive saws, but most of the framing
"carpenters" currently hereabout are a tad light in the ass end to handle an
older 77 all day.
On that note, I ran across a framing crew from California here in Houston
the other day. A family outfit of gringos, a rare sight these days, they
indeed used worm drive saws ... even the girl (best looking framer I've ever
seen) on the crew was hefting one. These guys/gal also did work I haven't
seen in this part of the country in years ... I guarantee they were better
than an '1/8th in 8' throughout ... nice to see that kind of work again.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 11/06/04
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] wrote:
>
>Pat Barber wrote:
>> You were doing it wrong. The motor side is always
>> on the finished side not the waste side. Using the
>> blade left saw requires changing your methods.
>>
>
>Pat (or someone),
>
>I value your advice tremendously, so please be patient with me.
>
>The question I have now is, two people have said, "You are doing it
>wrong" and that I have to switch methods. Are you saying that I need
>to become left handed?
Not necessarily. If you're going to use a blade-left saw, then you need to
make cuts at the left end of the board. You can do this holding the saw
right-handed, but it is probably more convenient, and *definitely* more safe,
to do with the left hand. Your call.
>
>Because, if I understand you, you are saying that I need to have the
>motor over the "good" peice (not the waste). If so, I'd have to have
>the saw in my left hand right (cutting on the left end of the board)?
Well, you *could* hold it in your right hand, cutting at the left end of the
board. But it's awkward, you'll get chips in your face, and you're at a *much*
higher risk of a leg injury if the saw slips or kicks back.
>And I'm not left handed.
Then you should probably use a blade-right saw.
>
>Honestly....is this some kind of ongoing joke that I'm just not
>getting? Or am I missing something?
No jokes. If you're right-handed, you're better off with a blade-right saw;
vice versa if you're a lefty.
>
>I've read lots of forums where people seem to "get used" to it (blade
>left saws - specifically, PC 423MAG). But I have a hard time believing
>that the wood doesn't bind up, or that you don't have trouble
>controlling the end of the cut, when the weight of the saw begins drop
>the waste peice.
You *do* have problems like that when the weight of the saw begins to drop the
waste piece. That's why you should *never* use a circular saw with its weight
on the waste piece.
> And using the saw in my left hand, cutting on the
>left side of the board feels akward. But I don't believe I could ever
>get used to being left handed...can I?
Maybe. Some folks can, some can't. I played table tennis competitively when I
was in high school, and I knew this older, left-handed guy who was a superb
player, with a USTTA Class "A" rating (you can look it up - that's *really*
good). That is, I always *assumed* he was left-handed, because that's the way
he played, until one day I saw him sign his name on something -
*right*-handed. So of course I asked for the story... seems he'd had severe
bursitis in his right shoulder ten years earlier, and his doctor told him he'd
have to stop playing table tennis if he didn't want to lose the use of his
arm. He decided that wasn't acceptable. So he learned to play left-handed.
Starting at the age of forty.
As far as hand-held circular saws go, though, I'd have to say it's a lot
easier to just get a blade-right saw if you're right-handed.
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?
On Thu, 07 Apr 2005 15:35:02 GMT, [email protected] (Doug Miller) wrote:
>In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] wrote:
>
>>I had to qualify with all the rifles and assorted crap right handed in the
>>army.. never fired them that way for real, though..
>
>I can imagine you might not have enjoyed that, depending on when you served.
>My BIL is left-handed, and served 10+ years as active-duty Navy. He said that
>when he went through basic, in the mid-70s, the M-16 ejected spent cartridges
>back and to the right... right down his shirt collar. They're kinda hot, he
>tells me. I understand that the weapon has since been modified with a guard
>that prevents the spent shells from coming quite so far back.
The one that I really remember was the m-60 (light machine gun)
The Army, in all of it's wisdom, said that the weapon could not be fired left
handed, as the ejected brass would hit you in the eye..
I qualified expert, etc. right handed with a lot of practice..
I carried one for 5 or 6 months in Nam, left handed on an assault belt.. fired
several thousand rounds left handed and never got hit by any brass.. (at least
from MY gun *g*)
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
On Mon, 04 Apr 2005 17:56:04 -0400, Roger <[email protected]> wrote:
>Worm drive saws are a completely different matter as the balance points
>are such that it works fine in the right hand. THis thread was about
>sidewinders.
>
>Would lefties prefer a mirror image Skil 77? Or does it work
>ambidextrously? My right hand is so dominant I can't even think about
>using a saw with my left.
>
>Roger
>
Over the last 5 or 6 years, I've been sort of forced to use most tools right
handed because of the "safety" buttons or switches on them.. they are all
designed to be fairly easy to puch/engage when the tool is in your right hand,
but if you hold them in your left, you have to be really flexible or reach over
with the other hand to push the "safety".. a royal PITA..
My Skill Cir. saw has a sort of crescent shaped button on the right side of the
handle that has to be pressed before the trigger works.. works great, as long as
I use the saw right handed... part of survival in a right handed world, I
guess..
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>> Not a problem for me... I just start on the left-handed end of the
> board and the
>> saw is never resting on the waste piece.. *g*
>>
>
> OK..maybe I'm not getting it. I admit, I don't have the saw to try
> this, but thinking it through with my little brain.....
>
> If I cut on the left end of the board, I'll likely be cutting with my
> Left Hand. Since I'm not left handed, this would not be comfortable at
> all for me. Furthermore, cutting that way, the blade is on the
> opposing side and I'm back where I started!
>
> Are you funnin' with me? Or am I missing something?
>
The left hand blade saw is intended to be used with the left hand of a left
handed person. Using it with you right hand is dead wrong. You bought the
wrong saw if you are right handed.
On 4 Apr 2005 19:53:44 -0700, [email protected] wrote:
>
>> Still think you can't do it? Can you manage to get a can of beer up
>to
>> your mouth while holding a sandwich in your right? or vice versa?
>If
>> so, you can handle the saw regardless of what side the blade is on.
>> Just remember - KEEP THE MOTOR OVER THE GOOD, SUPPORTED PIECE, not
>the
>> cutoff! <g>
>
>Unquestionably
>
>
>You gave me an idea.....Maybe I should sit back, enjoy a beer and not
>let all this bother me!
>
>Thanks!
good idea.. but then you have to decide which hand to drink it with.. *g*
As a left hander in the computer world, I had to make a decision a long time ago
to use the mouse right handed, because I spent a lot of time working on other
folks computers...
Now, I feel like it would be a horrible waste to use my beer drinking hand for
the mouse.. lol
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
In article <[email protected]>, "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Leon" wrote in message
>>
>> "Doug Miller" <wrote in message
>>
>> >
>> > Man, I know _all_ about that. I'm right-handed, left-eyed. A few years
>> > ago, I
>> > missed a deer at about 25 *feet* away because I got excited, and sighted
>> > with
>> > the wrong eye. (Shotgun with open sights - my state doesn't allow
>> > high-powered
>> > rifles for deer hunting.)
>>
>>
>> Geeez LOL. I am surprised that your state lets YOU hunt. Missing a deer
>at
>> 25 feet with a shot gun? You shouldn'ta hadta even aimed. :~)
>
>Hehe ... There should also be a law in Doug's state that he must post his
>whereabouts during deer season. ;>)
>
Yeah, yeah, yeah - if you've never, ever missed a deer because you got "buck
fever", then you've not done very much deer hunting.
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?
On Wed, 06 Apr 2005 21:01:45 GMT, the inscrutable
[email protected] (Lawrence Wasserman) spake:
>In article <[email protected]>,
>Doug Miller <[email protected]> wrote:
><...snipped...>
>>The second time, I was hunting in an area that can be reached only by boat. I
>>used a canoe so as to make as little noise as possible. Paddled into a small
>>cove with a bit of a beach at the bottom of a five-foot-high bluff where the
>>woods begin. Beached the canoe. Need to relieve myself. Don't want to
>>pee in the lake, so I walked over to the base of the bluff. I had
>>_just_finished_ when I heard him coming. Then I saw him. Oh. My. Gosh. Huge,
>>absolutely huge. And less than five yards away. Guess where my gun was... five
>>steps away, in the canoe. Turned my back to him and just stood there. He
>>walked up _right_ behind me -- two feet at most, he's on the top of this
>>five-foot bluff, I'm standing at the bottom of it) and sniffed me over, then
>>just walked away as I stood there unarmed and unable to move.
>>
>>--
>>Regards,
>> Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
>
>
>Whats the matter, you couldn't jump on him and break his neck?
Well, it's a good thing Doug had already relieved himself.
--
Vidi, Vici, Veni
---
http://diversify.com Comprehensive Website Development
In article <[email protected]>, "Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Doug Miller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>
>>
>> Man, I know _all_ about that. I'm right-handed, left-eyed. A few years
>> ago, I
>> missed a deer at about 25 *feet* away because I got excited, and sighted
>> with
>> the wrong eye. (Shotgun with open sights - my state doesn't allow
>> high-powered
>> rifles for deer hunting.)
>
>
>Geeez LOL. I am surprised that your state lets YOU hunt. Missing a deer at
>25 feet with a shot gun? You shouldn'ta hadta even aimed. :~)
Using slugs. (Buckshot is also illegal in this state.) Like I said, I got
excited and sighted with the wrong eye: had a *perfect* line of sight from my
left eye across the bead to the center of the deer's chest. Trouble was, my
*right* eye was behind the rear sight. :-(
Simple geometry: rear sighting point off 3 inches from where it should've
been, 25 inches behind the front sight = slug impact three *feet* off, 25 feet
out. :-(
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?
on 4/6/2005 12:22 PM USENET READER said the following:
> It's interesting - places like HOme Depot won't stock the blade right
> saws - they only have blade left, so I went to buy it at Sears.
>
> But I have cut with both types of saws, and I prefer the blade right as
> I am right handed.
Don't know about yours but I've seen both blade right and blade left at
the BORG I've visited.
If you order on-line you'll find a wide selection of both right and left
bladed, direct and worm drive saws by a variety of manufacturer's
On Wed, 6 Apr 2005 06:41:20 -0500, "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Leon" wrote in message
>>
>> "Doug Miller" <wrote in message
>>
>> >
>> > Man, I know _all_ about that. I'm right-handed, left-eyed. A few years
>> > ago, I
>> > missed a deer at about 25 *feet* away because I got excited, and sighted
>> > with
>> > the wrong eye. (Shotgun with open sights - my state doesn't allow
>> > high-powered
>> > rifles for deer hunting.)
>>
>>
>> Geeez LOL. I am surprised that your state lets YOU hunt. Missing a deer
>at
>> 25 feet with a shot gun? You shouldn'ta hadta even aimed. :~)
>
>Hehe ... There should also be a law in Doug's state that he must post his
>whereabouts during deer season. ;>)
and wear an eye patch over his right eye..
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
In article <[email protected]>, "TeamCasa" <[email protected]> wrote:
[snip]
>
>A circular saw is supported by the wood.
It's hard to understand what point you're trying to make when you contradict
yourself. Compare the sentence above with the sentence below:
>>> As for the weight issue, if a
>>>2x4 or whatever is cross cut, the saw will rest on the side that is
>>>supported and not fall with the fall off, the weight is not an issue if
>>>the sawyer holds onto the saw.
>>
>> Do you mean that when you crosscut a 2x4, you're holding the *entire*
>> weight
>> of the saw, with *none* of it resting on the board?
>
>Nope. Maybe a visual will help. A 10' 2x4 needs to be 9'. A line is made
>at the 9' mark. The 2x4 is setting on a set of sawhorses spaced 5' apart.
>A 15" section is extending past one of the sawhorses, unsupported. With
>your left hand, you are holding the 9' section down and with your right hand
>you grab your trusty left blade saw and slice the line off. The small,
>unsupported piece falls safely to the ground, the saw is still on the 9'
>section. You then remove the saw from the now 9' 2x4.
Ummm.... I think you've got something wrong in your visual there. If you're
holding the 2x4 with your left hand and the saw in your right hand, then you
are presumably cutting at the right end of the 2x4, no? And if you're using a
left-blade saw at the right end of a board, then the saw is on the *waste*
piece.
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "J" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> , SUPPORTED PIECE"
>>
>> Because the picture in the owners manual shows someone holding it with
>> their
>> left hand?
>> I'm with you. It simply is NOT a problem to use it right handed in the
>> manner you describe.
>> Not unquestionable at all. Thousands of carpenters manage to do it this
>> way
>> all day every day.
>
> It is certainly doable, just not the safest when your body is aligned with
> the saw blade and you are observing the open side of the spinning blade.
The saw is to your right.
-j