I'm looking to get a circular saw, and have realized that almost all of them have the blade to the right of the motor. I'm right handed and would think that the blade on the left of the motor would make more sense because you could see it better? I have found a Milwaukee that has the blade on the left, but it's the only one I could find like that. Am I missing an important safety point or something. Just looking for some thoughts on this.
Thanks
2006-11-28 07:14:52 · 8 answers · asked by biz_martee 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
The blade is located "outside" because if the saw were to bind and then kick back, it would most likely go away from your body.
If it was mounted "inside", and it kicked back, it'd kick straight back into your body...not fun.
2006-11-28 07:21:16 · answer #1 · answered by tmlamora1 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am right handed, use a normal circular saw of many different manufacturers, and have never had a problem cutting a very straight line exactly where I wanted it. I don't understand what the problem would be. It would seem that the table of the saw would be OFF your area you are cutting, especially if you are cutting a small amount from the outside edge...but I suppose that is true only if you choose the "wrong" side of what you are cutting. You should not have any problems with a normal saw. Kick back is a real concern with circular saws if you do not use them much...never try to make the saw go where it has not be aimed...slow curves are easy, but a fast jag is out of the question. good luck
2006-11-28 07:25:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All across America the standard circular saw for a homeowner is a "side winder" with the axis of rotation of the motor in line with the axis of rotation of the blade. These saws are generally in the lower end of the price range, even for high quality saws. On the east coast, professional carpenters primarily use sidewinders. On the west coast, where I am from, professional carpenter mainly use "wormdrive" saws. I have used my father's sidewinder, and I have used my wormdrive, and in my opinion, the wormdrive is a far superior saw. I own a Skil brand circular saw (this one ( http://www.skilshop.com/saws/circular_saws/hd77.html )) but I would recomend this one ( http://www.skilshop.com/saws/circular_saws/hd77m.html ) since it is the same price right now. It is $100 more expensive than the comparable sidewinder, but if you care for them equally, the wormdrive will last you far longer than the sidewinder.
As far as safety goes, I feel that a wormdrive has a straighter line between the blade and the handle, making it less likely for the cut to wander. Also, with the axis of rotation of the motor at 90 degrees to the axis of rotation of the blade you have an inherent gyroscopic stabilization that prevents precession, making it harder to twist the blade in the cut. And finally, the motor in a wormdrive has more power that is transfered more efficiently to the blade, allowing deeper cuts without bogging down.
2006-11-28 10:46:05 · answer #3 · answered by nathanael_beal 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For some reason (I guess it's the way our hands are designed) it is easier to balance the saw in your hand with the motor on the inside. When you are cutting with a circular saw, you are watching the FRONT of the blade not the side. I have never had any trouble seeing the front edge of the blade where the cutting is done with any circular saw I have ever used.
2006-11-28 14:54:40 · answer #4 · answered by No More 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The router will turn it to sawdust but you can buy moldings at most D.I.Y. shops. Use a router with a cutting bit, you say you will be using an old 2 inch door, so cut a slot in each side to within an inch or so of the front of the shelf, screw the molding to the walls and slide the shelf over the moldings. job done. You could also use a different cutter to provide a decorative or rounded edge to the front of the shelves, just take any cutting steady make a lot of shallow passes instead of one deep cut, and wear ALL recommended safety gear, routers don't know the difference between wood and flesh
2016-03-28 23:00:40 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a Craftsman with the blade on the right and a Milwaukee with the blade on the left.
I love my Milwaukee. If you want one with the blade on the left, buy the Milwaukee, you won't be sorry.
2006-11-28 08:27:11 · answer #6 · answered by oil field trash 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out a Skil wormdrive. High dollar saw but the configuration you seek.
2006-11-28 08:53:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can get an opposite sides saw. I've heard them called framing saws/worm saws. Most manufacturers make them but they are longer, heavier, and a lot more expensive
2006-11-28 07:38:53 · answer #8 · answered by johnnydean86 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋