In article , "Highflyer"
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Snip lots of good stuff from our #1 common sense expert!

I'm right-handed; a North-paw. So are my portable saws. When making
the tapered cuts the work bench is on my right hand side. To make the
cut I simply walk along beside the work bench, pushing the saw and
making sure it stays in contact with the guide. I'm not supporting
anything - - the work bench is doing that. My back is straight (or
nearly so), my weight is balanced over my hips and I can make the cut
as fast or as slow as I wish; there's no physical strain. Bottom
Line is a straight, accurate cut.

But when you have a LEFT-HAND saw, for this particular job it means the
work bench should be on your left and, ideally, you should be guiding
it with your left hand. Of course, if you happen to be right-handed,
things can get a bit awkward. Which is why they make both right- and
left-handed saws, a fact some folks were not aware of.

-R.S.Hoover


Interestingly most of the old SKIL worm drive saws I have seen have been
right handed. Both of mine are.

On the other hand, the large majority of the common direct drive power saws
sold by Sears, and other such places are left handed. I have a couple of
those also and both are LEF T handed.

I have often wondered why this is so.

Highflyer
Highflight Aviation Services
Pinckneyville Airport ( PJY )

Note: The 2006 P'Ville flyin is May 19, 20, and 21. Start your planning
now. Email Mary at so she will have the right groceries on
hand so we can feed you at mealtimes!

I'm not so sure that I agree with this right-hand, left-hand saw
business. What is a right hand saw for rip cuts is a left-hand saw for
cross cuts, and vice versa. Since, as Mr. Hoover himself pointed out,
most people would use a table saw for rip cuts, the handheld saw of
circular or sabre genre is generally relegated to shorter cross cuts.
For that application, it is normal for a right-handed person to support
the workpiece on sawhorses in front of him, with the "waste" end
extending to one's right. Presto chango, left-hand saw becomes
right-hand saw.