Great video! I was wondering why I felt so awkward when trying to cut a piece of lumber. I don't have my saw qith me but I am positive it is a left handed saw. I must purchase a new one.
Thank you so much for the video! Very helpful. Describes the difference between a left and right hand cut circular saw clearly and concisely with great real world examples.
Really good explanation of using the speed square. I’m guilty of using it backwards as a fence for the saw. Makes much more sense now. I always like hearing the “why” of how you do things
I am a contractor and have used blade right saws exclusively for the last thirty years ,I am right handed .I find blade right superior but you have to buy a saw with uncluttered sight lines to see the blade,my Dewalt Flexvolt does a great job .Blade right saws are better because #1 the bulk of the shoe sits on the timber . #2 long point cuts are easier. #3 dust is blown away from your body. #4 they are safer ,the bulk of your body isn't inline with the blade on case of kick back .. #5 you can steady the timber with your left hand while cutting.
I’m not a professional just a homeowner and layman woodworker but It seems to me that the saws were designed to be used right side right handed and left side left handed, just seems safer. If the saw is being supported by the cutoff/waist side then I’m cutting from the wrong direction. If I just move to the opposite side of the work piece my saw is supported. I’m sure there are exceptions, just my limited experience.
@@ryanallen2887 Ryan, appreciate your comment and your humility. You already possess better knowledge of the fundamentals than most self professed ‘experts’ on RUclips! The old saying goes, “Blade side, waste side”. I would add there are always exceptions, and YMMV. The Creator here covered all the bases fairly well, even though I disagreed with some points. Above all, make sure work piece is properly supported and NEVER PUT YOUR Hand(s) below the saw! Stay safe!
I have both left and right battery saws and a right corded saw and a left worm drive saw. I use them all, but at different times according to the situation. Glad to see you demonstrating the speed square. I use the same method as you, having the pointed end toward me so that I get started as square as possible. I feel that it gives me more control over the board also, since I am pulling toward me with the left hand gripping the square against the board and pushing the saw away with the right hand. I had a friend helping me with a project. He had worked as a professional carpenter for years and wanted to always use the worm drive saw. That was what the pros use. Thanks for the video
Great Video and explanation, i have felt more comfortable on site making short cuts with the lefty because of the sight line and always thought it was a right hand saw 😂. When I purchased my 7 1/4" M18 Fuel and wanted to return it is when I got the information. Now this video gives me an accurate how-to on utilizing my circular saw. Thanks!
Very interesting information, I was going to say just cut from the other side! And you showed it gets more complicated! Thanks for sharing, have to go look at mine to see it is right or left 😂
I have the same 6 1/2 left blade saw in this video. I prefer it much more than my old right blade saw for multiple reasons. #1 is that it is smaller and lighter. I have no issue with cutting from the opposite side if I need to. I just secure my wood. My hands aren’t big enough or strong enough not to. I would love to be able to use a square to cut 2x4 but it is just not physically possible. Yes. I have tiny sized hands. If safety or straight cuts are a concern especially for beginners just use a clamp. I use the “carpenter knee” Or I secure wood with my foot on the ground. I have to cut all sheet wood on the ground due to reach.
Thank you for this video. Im very new to woodworking and DIY. I bought a Dewalt right side blade saw and initially I thought I had made a mistake. Now, after seeing this video, I feel more confident about my purchase. Thank you.
I have zero issues with my left blade 2833-20. Easy to use, sits perfectly on material even with small side of the deck being on the material. My Skill right blade though… it doesn’t even left my work bench at home.
Great video Doug iam 65 and I never new there was a left and right saw till two years ago I got my brother in law a new saw for Christmas and it was a left hand saw I liked it but for the saw dust tks Doug good video
Thank you for confirming I am not crazy. I bought my second saw in twenty years, a DeWalt kit with a left blade saw, and spent the weekend saying what the heck is wrong with this saw? I had sawdust in my eyes and I couldn't remember seeing the blade spin up to cut. I searched the internet over and over, then came across your video explaining left and right blade saws. Oh. I had a corded right blade saw that I lost five years ago, then replaced with the kit and didn't realize blade side mattered. I ordered a right blade saw and will keep the left blade saw for 1 out of 1,000 cuts I will do around the house.
Doug, what's good about about both saws are, when you're making a cutoff on plywood, reaching across a 4 foot sheet. Most people only have an average reach of 32 to 36 inches and wouldn't be able to finish the cut without moving yourself or the saw. (Unless you're ADAM... he's 6'5" !!!)
I'm left handed and usually cut off the left end of the board so I use a left blade saw. I keep a right blade saw around for the times it's more convenient to cut the right end and I'm almost equally comfortable either way. Another reason to keep both types of saws is for bevel cuts. One saw tilts to the right and the other tilts to the left.
I am right handed and used a right side bladed saw for years, could never cut a straight line on a sheet of plywood, used a friends worm drive model 77 Skill saw with left side blade and discovered why all the contractors used them. Went out bought my own worm drive and gave the old saw away. Later when Dewalt came out with the 18 volt left side blade bought one of those and wore out several batteries, went to the 20 volt series and very happy with it. It is my go to saw for most cutting.
One “technique” you didn’t show is better with the blade-left saw. When you were cutting the osb, you had to stretch with both saws. What I do is start the cut from the other side and “walk” with the saw. So the blade-left is always on the board. Especially with long cuts or the whole length of the sheet, i’d rather walk with the saw than stretch. Hope that made sense.
Same here, never even thought about it but considering that I’m right handed, that’s my main saw. I have 5.5 inch trim saw from many years ago and it’s a lefty and it is awkward
I like that you identified the most important factor as being the workpiece supporting the weight of the motor (rather than line of sight to the blade) - completely agreed. If you addressed long rip cuts, though, I didn't catch that; that would be the one exception where I would say right-handed users benefit from a left blade - again, because the saw stays supported as you move forward into the offcut piece. I've found this works especially well because you are ideally using a different blade type for that type of cut anyway - that way you can have both saws set up simultaneously for two different tasks.
i bought a left blade intentionally, so I could see the line better. I didn't consider the discharge. Every time I use the saw all of the sawdust ends up on me. Now I have to buy a second saw. Thanks for the tip.
The issue I've always had with right-blade saws, is what I primarily want to do is cut plywood and the length of the cut is almost always longer than I can reach. As such, I end up needing to stop out and be next to the workpiece following the saw along. With a right-blade saw, that means the saw i now on my left, so I need to use it left handed. The left-blade appeals for this, since I can simply cut in the other direction. I'm not holding the workpiece with my hand, I'm using a clamp, so there is no need to reach across. For cross-cutting boards, I definitely see the appeal of the right-blade though, as you might need to make a lot of cuts and clamping and unclamping could be tedious compared to holding the board and a square as demonstrated. Of course, if I had to pick between doing a long rip left handed or a short cross cut left handed (particularly if I've got a square there for stability) I would probably still pick the left-blade if I can't have both. That said, the other factor is that the majority of 6.5" saws are left-blade, and the majority of 7.25" saws are right-blade - as such, size may be a bigger factor than blade side.
Very good video! I'm left handed and have a couple Milwaukee left blade saws. Makes sense why these work well for me. I use the same trick with the square. It works great!
I have an old Milwaukee like yours. I converted it to a track saw. I am planning to buy a battery saw. This video was very helpful. It makes me wonder why construction workers made the worm drive skill saw so popular. It is a left-hand saw. Do you know why? The worm drive suggests it is a power issue but I never understood it's popularity.
Good insight to saws i didn’t realize it when I bought my Milwaukee saw until the first job I used it on its awkward went back to a corded circular saw
Just watched your video on workshop organization. A couple thoughts. You can use dry markers to keep notes on your workbench top. I used to do that on the white (yes, white) walls of my darkrooms. Had "marlite (sp)" on the walls. Second, I number each of my batteries and chart each time I charge them. They have a "# of uses" life and this helps me maximize them. Super video. Thank you very much!
Great video Doug, I think I have both versions (I have to double check). But I now have a better understanding of each. I don’t do a ton of rough carpentry, therefore I make most of my cuts with a miter box or table saw.
When I first got a battery saw they were only 5 or 5 1/2 left wound never used it much because the blades were expensive compared to the comparable 7 1/4 , and 30 plus years of carpenter work my corded saw became an attached body part like a 3rd arm. Now i see the righties i never picked one up but with the thin kerf blades i could see a younger guy getting to like it. Blessings
Fantastic video, most informative. I've never really considered left and right cutting saws, as I've always had RHS ones, however today I bought a cordless saw from Aldi ( a supermarket in the UK) 190mm blade, 40V brushless motor with LED and Laser, £40 amazing value, however when I get it home and open the box, I find it's a left hand cut, Why??? going to be used mainly for cutting off short bits from 150mm x 15mm cladding boards, as I'm right handed, RHS would be a much better option!
I'm comfortable with my left blade worm drive. I have bought a couple under powered cordless saws that have disappointed me. Looking into a Milwaukee cordless saw and now I'm lost on left or right. Thanks for that, 😆 Good selling points for right blade.
Great video, you explained it excelent. One other argument is also safety. It is better to have the blade on the outside of your machine instead of the side you are next to.
Thanks for this video maybe the manufactures will see it cause I'm annoyed I can't buy a saw from Dewalt that's smaller than 7 1/4 inch that has a blade on the right side for a right handed person.
Seems like a right hand saws is better for home owner amateur use. They tend to cut on horses and use squares for guides. Framers quite often you just bend over and hold stick with left hand and cut to line in which case it is better to have blade left. Another thing framers and constriction workers do is drop the saw into the cut insted of lining up on edge also better with a left hand blade. As far as narrow rips you can start from other end as you stated. It is a matter of speed comfort and experience with the saw. But this is why on the west coast left hand saws are used by more framers. My understanding is it is opposite in the eastern U.S.
Yeah, I was also wondering which side to get... And as an n00b, naturally, I purchased a cheaper 5 1/2" left side blade SkiL saw. It serves me right so far but I'm having trouble when the cut-off side is extra small, just like the situation shown in this video. The cut usually end up a bit wobbly (?) or corrupted. This makes me really struggle on any long cuts (or rip cuts) on anything since the part cut off is always small in my situation. And yes, I'm a right handed person. So, I'm thinking of getting another one with right side blade. But this time, I'll invest a bit more. Perhaps something pretty accurate and not exactly powerful since I'm mostly ok with 5 1/2 saw anyway.
Here again this ole guy can’t watch a Doug video without learning something. 😇 Congratulations on another informative episode on One Eye Customs! Tim in northern TN
The only thing I can say about this is... I always avoid having my body directly behind the saw blade...and second, it is better to have the saw facing the outside of what you are cutting. Good video!!!
I have over 30 years of experience as a general contractor. You always cut from the side that will support the particular type of saw that you happen to be using. You cut from one side with a blade right saw and from the other side with a blade left saw. You never once mentioned that cutting from the other side of the board was even a possibility until towards the end of the video and then you said it wouldn't work because you have to use your right hand to hold the wood down. No! You use your left hand to support the cutoff just like you do when you cut from the other side with a blade right saw. You shouldn't advise on things when you obviously don't know how to use them. We were all sitting here yelling at your video: "Just cut from the other direction!"
I use both types of saws left and right i prefer l left handed saw! In my experience the left handed saw doesn’t bind or wobble,just takes a bit of skill to control.
I have both types of saws , cordless both Red tools and one corded Made in USA Milwaukee Wormdrive saw that is very heavy, I use mostly the blade left saw as it is lighter and I like seeing my cuts and let the lighter waste cut fall on the Rt side..I wish every saw came with a dust port for a shop vac!
I think im wired wrong because as a lefty I prefer blade right despite the blade being closer to my body and spitting saw dust at me but giving me better line of sight. I have a skil 77 worm drive blade left and i use it rarely but i feel like the blade being in that side hinders my blade view despite a "viewing area" yeah the saw dust extracts away but i don't know. I work at Lowe's and we had a Skil 6 1/2 circ saw on clearance i got for $15 as it was. Display BUT for blade right in that size is rare. Rare enough unlike 7 1/4 where blade brand have their fancy markings etc made to show outward for the most part. My worm drive mounts the blade woth the "backside" facing out and i Don't know much about 6 1/2 but with 7 1/4 blade right most times all the saw manufacturering info and display are faced outward. I was confused on my 6 1/2 blade which happens to be blade right treating it as a blade right 7 1/4 until i discovered saw blade companies in 6 1/2 are soo used to blade left they started marking what i call the "wrong size" on the blade left saws so now all the markings are outward except my 6 1/2 saw is blade right so now i have to have the "back side" of the blade facing out. It's basically the same head scratcher for worm drives. I was soo used to blade right saws and the way manufacturers display their text and almost installed the 6 1/2 blade right saw blade backwards compared to the full sized blade right. Hope this makes sense. Cheers
People ate ignorant of saw dynamics forces and how it affects operation. A sidewinder saw will veer off course and have kickback due to gyroscopic precession. To counteract this you must press DOWN on the saw during a cut. So, your body should be pisitioned over a sidewinder during a cut. Therefore, a right handed person will want a right side blade since their head will be bent over that side. A worm drive saw has the gyroscopic forces oriented in a different direction. You can stand BEHIND a worm drive and push as hard as you want without the saw veering off course. Ask any carpenter who uses a worm drive. They may not know the reason but they know the saw tracks true.
@ 09:47 = flip the square around, so that the heel is at the beginning. This ‘locks’ the square in and it cant twist/ move away from the pressure of pushing the saw during the cut. Yes, I realize the effective support length will be less, but the tail end of the baseplate will have enough to finish through in the cut. This also gives the benefit of not having the saw motor ‘hang up’ on the lip of the square at the end of the cut. This is also safer. @ 11:49 I have to disagree with You! I appreciate You illustrating what I am discussing here, and You and others have made a valid point. But I say, if a person starts off the cut with the saw not at 90 degrees to the board, well, it ain't ever gonna get better, no matter how the square is orientated! You have a unique style, and offered up good perspectives on this subject, and at the end of the day it is just that: a matter of choice and individual perspective!
One issue is if you're trying to stay in a particular platform, does that manufacturer offer both options? Ryobi does, but the 7 1/4" is left hand and the 5 1/2" and 6 1/2" saws are right hand. To me, the 7 1/4" saws are already limited by their size, so the other two aren't real options. I'd also like to see a blower port right in front of the blade that clears sawdust. Because while you're supposed to use the cutting guide on the platform, I prefer to watch the blade. I feel like you see errors sooner if you do. I don't remember if it was a Project Farm, Philly Fixed, or another channel, but there was a comparison and rating of how well you could see the saw blade, the cutting guide, and all that. Most saws are have better visibility on one side and none on the other, or just suck completely.
I’m a carpenter of more than 20 years…. I like a left hand blade… I am often scribing stuff so need to see the blade on the line… yes, you do get allot of saw dust in your face… but you also get much more accurate cuts… Also great for doing plunge cuts… I have people I work with that prefer right hand blade… I guess it comes down to personal preference…. But yea… left hand blade for me please…
"It seems as if your (Contradicting) yourself on using the tool 🧐 first off, I'm (Prodominantly) right-handed ✋🏼, I use a (Left-Hand) circular saw for 2 reasons...(1) A clear & correct visual context during operations, (2) A more (Natural) momentum of flow along to the cutting tool, If board stability is required (Simply) "CLAMP (or) SECURE" the lumber on an (Open Circumference) instead of a (Closed) one." 🤷🏼♂️
I only use left bade saws main 6 1/2" and any rear handle saw. Rear handle saw is heavier but don't want to look behind my right hand to see where my line is located. If my line is too close i just plunge cut no issues. My FLEX rear handle eject the sawdust wherever i direct the dust to go and likewise my FLEX 6 1/2" inline saw. I refuse to purchase any tool that doesn't have light on it.
I am a lefty, obvious, i have a left hand side saw, we have same issues that you describe, but just in the mirror. Till couple of years ago, i thought, saws are for left handed or right handed persons 😂 Doesn't matter how is your saw, i always keep the wide side of the shoe on the pice that stay's on the bench
I started out blade left, and the line of sight has that come with blade left are really important to me. That said i have had a blade right for the last year and i appreaciated the bulk of the show on the work piece and the dust shooting away. But i still miss the line of sight and the biggest factor is that most blade left saws are 6.5 in blades, so i always thought i was getting a lesser saw but now a smaller saw is preference. They all still go through a 2x4 haha. The main thing i hate about blade right is while using the square and the blade set to max depth your square hits the motor housing 😢
My solution is going back to blade left, and just staying precautious of vertical blade alignment. I want the smaller saw again... and milwaukee is about to release a new 6.5 in blade left fuel saw! Can't wait
@@nathanriddle4190 Hi I got the exact same problem when I used the circular saw at my first time. Motor is so low and block the square and I have to remove the square then the cut went to a little out of line:-(
Rotate the board and cut from other end…. Hell we cut small cut ALL THE TIME, I never heard a single complaint from anyone I have worked with for last 30 years framing 🤷🏾♂️
Flip the board when using the left handle blade..so the cut off will be on the left. It depends on how you cut it on your table or bench. Having 2 saw is ridiculous
Jesus Christ, I literally just ordered that same 6 1/2 saw like 2 hours ago. You debunked every one of my reasons for getting it. I'm not even gonna take it out of the shipping box. Gonna take it back for the left blade model.
For the love of Noah's boat, someone make a 270 mm left sided blade, 240 corded, not worm drive( cuz the handle is too long and it's hard to handle), soft start that can go on a track. Is that too much to ask?
![Stromae, Pomme - “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Visualizer]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1F3OGIFnW1k/mqdefault.jpg)
Ok, explain again to my wife that I need another saw...😅
Yes, he absolutely needs another saw! It is to keep him safer!
Ps. Let me know if she falls for it. 😜
Lol I tried she didn't fall for it I bought another one any way haha
Great video! I was wondering why I felt so awkward when trying to cut a piece of lumber. I don't have my saw qith me but I am positive it is a left handed saw. I must purchase a new one.
Thank you so much for the video! Very helpful. Describes the difference between a left and right hand cut circular saw clearly and concisely with great real world examples.
Really good explanation of using the speed square. I’m guilty of using it backwards as a fence for the saw. Makes much more sense now. I always like hearing the “why” of how you do things
No
I swap hands with no issue. But, having both is handy for situations where one won't fit the space I'm working.
I am a contractor and have used blade right saws exclusively for the last thirty years ,I am right handed .I find blade right superior but you have to buy a saw with uncluttered sight lines to see the blade,my Dewalt Flexvolt does a great job .Blade right saws are better because #1 the bulk of the shoe sits on the timber .
#2 long point cuts are easier.
#3 dust is blown away from your body.
#4 they are safer ,the bulk of your body isn't inline with the blade on case of kick back ..
#5 you can steady the timber with your left hand while cutting.
All good points, good comment!
the extra space it gives between my hand and the blade is why I was comfortable getting the right sided blade
@@pkdude5334 thats a good point pkduke
I’m not a professional just a homeowner and layman woodworker but It seems to me that the saws were designed to be used right side right handed and left side left handed, just seems safer. If the saw is being supported by the cutoff/waist side then I’m cutting from the wrong direction. If I just move to the opposite side of the work piece my saw is supported. I’m sure there are exceptions, just my limited experience.
@@ryanallen2887 Ryan, appreciate your comment and your humility. You already possess better knowledge of the fundamentals than most self professed ‘experts’ on RUclips! The old saying goes, “Blade side, waste side”. I would add there are always exceptions, and YMMV. The Creator here covered all the bases fairly well, even though I disagreed with some points. Above all, make sure work piece is properly supported and NEVER PUT YOUR Hand(s) below the saw! Stay safe!
I have both left and right battery saws and a right corded saw and a left worm drive saw. I use them all, but at different times according to the situation.
Glad to see you demonstrating the speed square. I use the same method as you, having the pointed end toward me so that I get started as square as possible. I feel that it gives me more control over the board also, since I am pulling toward me with the left hand gripping the square against the board and pushing the saw away with the right hand.
I had a friend helping me with a project. He had worked as a professional carpenter for years and wanted to always use the worm drive saw. That was what the pros use.
Thanks for the video
Great Video and explanation, i have felt more comfortable on site making short cuts with the lefty because of the sight line and always thought it was a right hand saw 😂. When I purchased my
7 1/4" M18 Fuel and wanted to return it is when I got the information. Now this video gives me an accurate how-to on utilizing my circular saw. Thanks!
@@cee-n-is-believin7700 thanks for watching
Very interesting information, I was going to say just cut from the other side! And you showed it gets more complicated! Thanks for sharing, have to go look at mine to see it is right or left 😂
I have the same 6 1/2 left blade saw in this video. I prefer it much more than my old right blade saw for multiple reasons. #1 is that it is smaller and lighter. I have no issue with cutting from the opposite side if I need to. I just secure my wood. My hands aren’t big enough or strong enough not to. I would love to be able to use a square to cut 2x4 but it is just not physically possible. Yes. I have tiny sized hands.
If safety or straight cuts are a concern especially for beginners just use a clamp. I use the “carpenter knee” Or I secure wood with my foot on the ground. I have to cut all sheet wood on the ground due to reach.
Thank you for this video. Im very new to woodworking and DIY. I bought a Dewalt right side blade saw and initially I thought I had made a mistake. Now, after seeing this video, I feel more confident about my purchase. Thank you.
Glad I could help
Great video Doug. You taught an old dog new tricks. A lot of helpful information. Stay safe, healthy and warm. Bill H from Cranberry Township
Thanks Bill
I have zero issues with my left blade 2833-20. Easy to use, sits perfectly on material even with small side of the deck being on the material. My Skill right blade though… it doesn’t even left my work bench at home.
Great video Doug iam 65 and I never new there was a left and right saw till two years ago I got my brother in law a new saw for Christmas and it was a left hand saw I liked it but for the saw dust tks Doug good video
I'm right-handed, with a right-handed saw, I just put the unsupported side of the workpiece to my left. That simple...
Though you’ll waste material fall to your side instead of away from you. Make sure you have appropriate footwear (covered).
I really liked the video. I had the same problem using the smaller square, but it never crossed my mind to get the 12" square. Thanks.
This was a fantastic, educational video. Thank you for taking the time to make it!
You are welcome!
Thank you for confirming I am not crazy. I bought my second saw in twenty years, a DeWalt kit with a left blade saw, and spent the weekend saying what the heck is wrong with this saw? I had sawdust in my eyes and I couldn't remember seeing the blade spin up to cut. I searched the internet over and over, then came across your video explaining left and right blade saws. Oh. I had a corded right blade saw that I lost five years ago, then replaced with the kit and didn't realize blade side mattered. I ordered a right blade saw and will keep the left blade saw for 1 out of 1,000 cuts I will do around the house.
Doug, what's good about about both saws are, when you're making a cutoff on plywood, reaching across a 4 foot sheet. Most people only have an average reach of 32 to 36 inches and wouldn't be able to finish the cut without moving yourself or the saw.
(Unless you're ADAM... he's 6'5" !!!)
I'm left handed and usually cut off the left end of the board so I use a left blade saw. I keep a right blade saw around for the times it's more convenient to cut the right end and I'm almost equally comfortable either way. Another reason to keep both types of saws is for bevel cuts. One saw tilts to the right and the other tilts to the left.
I am right handed and used a right side bladed saw for years, could never cut a straight line on a sheet of plywood, used a friends worm drive model 77 Skill saw with left side blade and discovered why all the contractors used them. Went out bought my own worm drive and gave the old saw away. Later when Dewalt came out with the 18 volt left side blade bought one of those and wore out several batteries, went to the 20 volt series and very happy with it. It is my go to saw for most cutting.
Good information, never really put much thought into it. I tend to default either to the miter saw or table saw when ever possible
One “technique” you didn’t show is better with the blade-left saw. When you were cutting the osb, you had to stretch with both saws. What I do is start the cut from the other side and “walk” with the saw. So the blade-left is always on the board. Especially with long cuts or the whole length of the sheet, i’d rather walk with the saw than stretch. Hope that made sense.
Sure did, thanks!
Same here, never even thought about it but considering that I’m right handed, that’s my main saw. I have 5.5 inch trim saw from many years ago and it’s a lefty and it is awkward
I like that you identified the most important factor as being the workpiece supporting the weight of the motor (rather than line of sight to the blade) - completely agreed. If you addressed long rip cuts, though, I didn't catch that; that would be the one exception where I would say right-handed users benefit from a left blade - again, because the saw stays supported as you move forward into the offcut piece. I've found this works especially well because you are ideally using a different blade type for that type of cut anyway - that way you can have both saws set up simultaneously for two different tasks.
i bought a left blade intentionally, so I could see the line better. I didn't consider the discharge. Every time I use the saw all of the sawdust ends up on me. Now I have to buy a second saw. Thanks for the tip.
Dang, I’ve been using saws for a long time and never gave it one thought lol thank you Doug for the eye opener!
😁
The issue I've always had with right-blade saws, is what I primarily want to do is cut plywood and the length of the cut is almost always longer than I can reach. As such, I end up needing to stop out and be next to the workpiece following the saw along. With a right-blade saw, that means the saw i now on my left, so I need to use it left handed. The left-blade appeals for this, since I can simply cut in the other direction. I'm not holding the workpiece with my hand, I'm using a clamp, so there is no need to reach across. For cross-cutting boards, I definitely see the appeal of the right-blade though, as you might need to make a lot of cuts and clamping and unclamping could be tedious compared to holding the board and a square as demonstrated. Of course, if I had to pick between doing a long rip left handed or a short cross cut left handed (particularly if I've got a square there for stability) I would probably still pick the left-blade if I can't have both. That said, the other factor is that the majority of 6.5" saws are left-blade, and the majority of 7.25" saws are right-blade - as such, size may be a bigger factor than blade side.
Great video! I learned a ton. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain the benefits for both right and left handed circular caws.
You're very welcome!
Thanks man, today it’s not easy to choose what you need, I didn’t even realize that there are so many nuances!
Happy to help!
Thanks Doug , as always a great video. I did not know that there was a left and right, so thanks again Doug
You bet
Very good video! I'm left handed and have a couple Milwaukee left blade saws. Makes sense why these work well for me. I use the same trick with the square. It works great!
I have an old Milwaukee like yours. I converted it to a track saw. I am planning to buy a battery saw. This video was very helpful. It makes me wonder why construction workers made the worm drive skill saw so popular. It is a left-hand saw. Do you know why? The worm drive suggests it is a power issue but I never understood it's popularity.
No idea, I’m not a fan of the worm drive.
Good insight to saws i didn’t realize it when I bought my Milwaukee saw until the first job I used it on its awkward went back to a corded circular saw
Just watched your video on workshop organization. A couple thoughts. You can use dry markers to keep notes on your workbench top. I used to do that on the white (yes, white) walls of my darkrooms. Had
"marlite (sp)" on the walls. Second, I number each of my batteries and chart each time I charge them. They have a "# of uses" life and this helps me maximize them. Super video. Thank you very much!
Thanks for the tips!
Great video Doug, I think I have both versions (I have to double check). But I now have a better understanding of each. I don’t do a ton of rough carpentry, therefore I make most of my cuts with a miter box or table saw.
Thanks!!
I've used leftside bladed circ saws my entire life. Didn't even know they came right or left sided until I unboxed a brand new saw recently.
I'm a fan of RH sidewinder saws as that's the way I learned... For LH, I'd purchase a worm drive... You'll have the best of both worlds.
Seems like people have very strong opinions on left vs right, but the tings you pointed out helped me make a decision. Thanks
You are welcome
Thanks for the lesson. I like the right hand. I like how you used the Speed Square.
Glad you like it!
When I first got a battery saw they were only 5 or 5 1/2 left wound never used it much because the blades were expensive compared to the comparable 7 1/4 , and 30 plus years of carpenter work my corded saw became an attached body part like a 3rd arm. Now i see the righties i never picked one up but with the thin kerf blades i could see a younger guy getting to like it. Blessings
I’ve always thought about this And had these problems with a 6 1/2 inch blade. but I’ve never seen a 6 1/2 inch blade on the right hand side.
Fantastic video, most informative.
I've never really considered left and right cutting saws, as I've always had RHS ones, however today I bought a cordless saw from Aldi ( a supermarket in the UK) 190mm blade, 40V brushless motor with LED and Laser, £40 amazing value, however when I get it home and open the box, I find it's a left hand cut, Why??? going to be used mainly for cutting off short bits from 150mm x 15mm cladding boards, as I'm right handed, RHS would be a much better option!
Very clearly illustrated! Thank you!
I'm comfortable with my left blade worm drive. I have bought a couple under powered cordless saws that have disappointed me. Looking into a Milwaukee cordless saw and now I'm lost on left or right. Thanks for that, 😆 Good selling points for right blade.
Milwaukee 6-1/2" FUEL with a 8.0 HO battery is on sale at HD right now. It's a great saw.
Great video, you explained it excelent. One other argument is also safety. It is better to have the blade on the outside of your machine instead of the side you are next to.
Thank you!
Thanks for this video maybe the manufactures will see it cause I'm annoyed I can't buy a saw from Dewalt that's smaller than 7 1/4 inch that has a blade on the right side for a right handed person.
Great video, informative…always great to have more than one circular saw
Seems like a right hand saws is better for home owner amateur use. They tend to cut on horses and use squares for guides. Framers quite often you just bend over and hold stick with left hand and cut to line in which case it is better to have blade left. Another thing framers and constriction workers do is drop the saw into the cut insted of lining up on edge also better with a left hand blade. As far as narrow rips you can start from other end as you stated. It is a matter of speed comfort and experience with the saw. But this is why on the west coast left hand saws are used by more framers. My understanding is it is opposite in the eastern U.S.
Yeah, I was also wondering which side to get... And as an n00b, naturally, I purchased a cheaper 5 1/2" left side blade SkiL saw. It serves me right so far but I'm having trouble when the cut-off side is extra small, just like the situation shown in this video. The cut usually end up a bit wobbly (?) or corrupted. This makes me really struggle on any long cuts (or rip cuts) on anything since the part cut off is always small in my situation. And yes, I'm a right handed person.
So, I'm thinking of getting another one with right side blade. But this time, I'll invest a bit more. Perhaps something pretty accurate and not exactly powerful since I'm mostly ok with 5 1/2 saw anyway.
Here again this ole guy can’t watch a Doug video without learning something. 😇 Congratulations on another informative episode on One Eye Customs! Tim in northern TN
Thanks!
Great video, I’m about to buy a saw and wasn’t sure which one but now I am.
Glad I could help
Why do worm drive saws cut on the left hand side? great video
I’m a lefty my absolute favorite trim saw is a 314 porter cable. I own 3 buy every one I see
The only thing I can say about this is... I always avoid having my body directly behind the saw blade...and second, it is better to have the saw facing the outside of what you are cutting. Good video!!!
Thank you!!
if you use a worm drive, you should be behind the saw.
Whats the explanation of the manufacturer about having a Left and Right handle?
Best demo video!!! for L&R blade comparison. Now I'm ready to buy. Thanks.
I have over 30 years of experience as a general contractor. You always cut from the side that will support the particular type of saw that you happen to be using. You cut from one side with a blade right saw and from the other side with a blade left saw. You never once mentioned that cutting from the other side of the board was even a possibility until towards the end of the video and then you said it wouldn't work because you have to use your right hand to hold the wood down. No! You use your left hand to support the cutoff just like you do when you cut from the other side with a blade right saw. You shouldn't advise on things when you obviously don't know how to use them. We were all sitting here yelling at your video: "Just cut from the other direction!"
I use both types of saws left and right i prefer l left handed saw! In my experience the left handed saw doesn’t bind or wobble,just takes a bit of skill to control.
Very useful and clear video. Thanks for your arguments!
Great video! I never realized there was a left and right circular saw. Gerat to know since I'm left handed.
Glad it was helpful!
My experience is left sided are framing saws and often worm drive… I prefer left when framing…
Very nice movie. I have learnt a lot. Many thanks for that.
I have both types of saws , cordless both Red tools and one corded Made in USA Milwaukee Wormdrive saw that is very heavy, I use mostly the blade left saw as it is lighter and I like seeing my cuts and let the lighter waste cut fall on the Rt side..I wish every saw came with a dust port for a shop vac!
I use both hands for any wood, include countertop. But I prefer to use right side blade saw, because its price is little cheaper.😊
Yesteday, I brought a Flex 24V circlesaw on 229+tax, It works perfect, feels like Milwaukee one with 800$. Ypur video helped me, thanks.
I think im wired wrong because as a lefty I prefer blade right despite the blade being closer to my body and spitting saw dust at me but giving me better line of sight.
I have a skil 77 worm drive blade left and i use it rarely but i feel like the blade being in that side hinders my blade view despite a "viewing area" yeah the saw dust extracts away but i don't know.
I work at Lowe's and we had a Skil 6 1/2 circ saw on clearance i got for $15 as it was. Display BUT for blade right in that size is rare.
Rare enough unlike 7 1/4 where blade brand have their fancy markings etc made to show outward for the most part. My worm drive mounts the blade woth the "backside" facing out and i Don't know much about 6 1/2 but with 7 1/4 blade right most times all the saw manufacturering info and display are faced outward.
I was confused on my 6 1/2 blade which happens to be blade right treating it as a blade right 7 1/4 until i discovered saw blade companies in 6 1/2 are soo used to blade left they started marking what i call the "wrong size" on the blade left saws so now all the markings are outward except my 6 1/2 saw is blade right so now i have to have the "back side" of the blade facing out. It's basically the same head scratcher for worm drives.
I was soo used to blade right saws and the way manufacturers display their text and almost installed the 6 1/2 blade right saw blade backwards compared to the full sized blade right. Hope this makes sense. Cheers
Great video and it made me think about some things never before contemplated. What is the weight of the DeWalt versus the new Milwaukee? 😄
Good question!
People ate ignorant of saw dynamics forces and how it affects operation. A sidewinder saw will veer off course and have kickback due to gyroscopic precession. To counteract this you must press DOWN on the saw during a cut. So, your body should be pisitioned over a sidewinder during a cut. Therefore, a right handed person will want a right side blade since their head will be bent over that side. A worm drive saw has the gyroscopic forces oriented in a different direction. You can stand BEHIND a worm drive and push as hard as you want without the saw veering off course. Ask any carpenter who uses a worm drive. They may not know the reason but they know the saw tracks true.
@ 09:47 = flip the square around, so that the heel is at the beginning. This ‘locks’ the square in and it cant twist/ move away from the pressure of pushing the saw during the cut. Yes, I realize the effective support length will be less, but the tail end of the baseplate will have enough to finish through in the cut. This also gives the benefit of not having the saw motor ‘hang up’ on the lip of the square at the end of the cut. This is also safer. @ 11:49 I have to disagree with You! I appreciate You illustrating what I am discussing here, and You and others have made a valid point. But I say, if a person starts off the cut with the saw not at 90 degrees to the board, well, it ain't ever gonna get better, no matter how the square is orientated!
You have a unique style, and offered up good perspectives on this subject, and at the end of the day it is just that: a matter of choice and individual perspective!
One issue is if you're trying to stay in a particular platform, does that manufacturer offer both options? Ryobi does, but the 7 1/4" is left hand and the 5 1/2" and 6 1/2" saws are right hand. To me, the 7 1/4" saws are already limited by their size, so the other two aren't real options. I'd also like to see a blower port right in front of the blade that clears sawdust. Because while you're supposed to use the cutting guide on the platform, I prefer to watch the blade. I feel like you see errors sooner if you do. I don't remember if it was a Project Farm, Philly Fixed, or another channel, but there was a comparison and rating of how well you could see the saw blade, the cutting guide, and all that. Most saws are have better visibility on one side and none on the other, or just suck completely.
I’m a carpenter of more than 20 years…. I like a left hand blade… I am often scribing stuff so need to see the blade on the line… yes, you do get allot of saw dust in your face… but you also get much more accurate cuts…
Also great for doing plunge cuts…
I have people I work with that prefer right hand blade… I guess it comes down to personal preference…. But yea… left hand blade for me please…
Excellent tutorial!
I had always assumed they were for left handed carpenters. Nice video.
Thanks 👍
Nice job Doug. Stay safe.
The only time I use a right blade saw is when I have my track compatible Mafell saw with the attached track or my Mafell track saw
"It seems as if your (Contradicting) yourself on using the tool 🧐 first off, I'm (Prodominantly) right-handed ✋🏼, I use a (Left-Hand) circular saw for 2 reasons...(1) A clear & correct visual context during operations, (2) A more (Natural) momentum of flow along to the cutting tool, If board stability is required (Simply) "CLAMP (or) SECURE" the lumber on an (Open Circumference) instead of a (Closed) one." 🤷🏼♂️
Yes. This. I have tiny hands and I have no choice but to secure my wood.
I only use left bade saws main 6 1/2" and any rear handle saw. Rear handle saw is heavier but don't want to look behind my right hand to see where my line is located. If my line is too close i just plunge cut no issues.
My FLEX rear handle eject the sawdust wherever i direct the dust to go and likewise my FLEX 6 1/2" inline saw.
I refuse to purchase any tool that doesn't have light on it.
Great video! Do you mind me asking about dimensions of your stainless steel work area in your garage? Appreciate it very much!
The stainless bench is 2ft deep x 10ft wide. And no, I don’t mind at all.
Great tutorial for DIYers!
Thank you!
I have been using hand saws for years and never knew they had left or right hand blades!!!
lol, not many do.
Hand saws don't.
I am a lefty, obvious, i have a left hand side saw, we have same issues that you describe, but just in the mirror.
Till couple of years ago, i thought, saws are for left handed or right handed persons 😂
Doesn't matter how is your saw, i always keep the wide side of the shoe on the pice that stay's on the bench
I started out blade left, and the line of sight has that come with blade left are really important to me. That said i have had a blade right for the last year and i appreaciated the bulk of the show on the work piece and the dust shooting away. But i still miss the line of sight and the biggest factor is that most blade left saws are 6.5 in blades, so i always thought i was getting a lesser saw but now a smaller saw is preference. They all still go through a 2x4 haha.
The main thing i hate about blade right is while using the square and the blade set to max depth your square hits the motor housing 😢
Did you find a solution?
My solution is going back to blade left, and just staying precautious of vertical blade alignment. I want the smaller saw again... and milwaukee is about to release a new 6.5 in blade left fuel saw! Can't wait
@@nathanriddle4190 Hi I got the exact same problem when I used the circular saw at my first time. Motor is so low and block the square and I have to remove the square then the cut went to a little out of line:-(
Really good video explanations, my friend!
Glad you liked it!
But for me the most important is safety. I'm right handed so I will buy a right blade side:)
I tend to go for the saw with the least amount of broken teeth LOL. A saw or two for every day of the week if you ask me!
I agree with you on that one! 😁
Great video about usability!! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Some good info. Thanks.
Thanks for watching!
Great info Doug. I actually think i have a left handed saw
Can you switch hands and still get the job done?
Rotate the board and cut from other end…. Hell we cut small cut ALL THE TIME, I never heard a single complaint from anyone I have worked with for last 30 years framing 🤷🏾♂️
I was going to buy a rip track, but the square saved me 50 bucks.
Finally they made a saw for left-handed carpenters and I'm a lefty and i was forced to do it with my right hand for 35 years
Good video. No can cut left handed! :-)
Flip the board when using the left handle blade..so the cut off will be on the left. It depends on how you cut it on your table or bench. Having 2 saw is ridiculous
Very good video! Good information.
Wow now I dont know if I have a left or right foot on the correct side.
Blade right you can’t use the longer side of the shoe to freehand rip 0-4” (that’s why they have the measurements)
I noticed a couple of big woofers on the floor behind you in the video. New project coming?
It was a project my son and I did several years ago. It was a competition Soundsystem that we built in my Honda element.
Thank you for this
@@britttingle6735 you are welcome, thanks for watching
Jesus Christ, I literally just ordered that same 6 1/2 saw like 2 hours ago. You debunked every one of my reasons for getting it. I'm not even gonna take it out of the shipping box. Gonna take it back for the left blade model.
why is that the only right handed cordless saws are 7 1/4
For the love of Noah's boat, someone make a 270 mm left sided blade, 240 corded, not worm drive( cuz the handle is too long and it's hard to handle), soft start that can go on a track. Is that too much to ask?
And then, there's the worm gear drive saws that from what I've seen, the blade is always on the left-hand side.