Like many aspects of life, left-handed majorities are left behind in the construction tools industry as their convenience is often overlooked. However, for cordless circular saws, exceptions have become a reality.
Left-blade saw is preferred by both right and left-handed workers as it optimizes the visual of the cutting line more accurately, makes the one-hand operation smoother, reduces the chance of injury, creates stability, and aids in unguided cutting.
Curiosity is not quenched yet? Let’s get into more detail.
6 Reasons Most Circular Saws Are Left-Handed
Most cordless circular saws are left-handed, and this has less to do with the function factor of hand and more with the operational advantage of this.Even though the ultimate preference for side blades depends on the user, left-blade circular saws are gaining momentum in both right-handed and left-handed communities.
1. Clear Visibility On Cutline
It is generally a custom that a right-handed person should pick the right-blade circular saws. But a right-blade circular saw means that the motor and other attached parts of the saw are on the left side, i.e., where the user stands.
That blocks the view of the cutline and the blade’s position. You have to cut the line following a little nook on the front and depend on its accuracy. This nook on the front is not always enough to provide you with an accurate periphery vision.
If you want to watch the blade and its movement, you have to bend your body and lean over to the blade side. This puts a heavy toll on the body, and your hand’s position has a risk of shifting.
For a left-side blade, you can actually watch the blade keeping the motor and other parts on the other side. So, you can keep your back straight and your hand steady while cutting with the circular saw.
2. Smooth One Hand Operation
For a righty, a right-blade circular saw requires two hands for a safe and smooth operation. As the right blade is cutting on the waste edge (the part you are not going to use), the weight distribution of the circular saw is a little distorted.
On the contrary, with a left-blade circular saw, the weight of the motor and other parts distributes equally on the material you are cutting. This makes the one-hand operation much easier and smoother. It doesn’t feel that heavy, and there is little chance of wiggling your grip.
You can, however, use two hands for left-blade circular saws. Especially if the saw is too heavy and your wrist can’t keep the saw in a straight edge position. This will block the view of the blade a little, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
3. Less Likely To Cause Injury
With construction tools, a hundred percent safety can’t be guaranteed or achieved. However, depending on the tool and its management, the probability of injury can significantly be reduced. This is also applicable to the circular saw.
The reason a left-blade circular saw will be less likely to cause injury is that the weight of the circular saw balances on the supported side of the material. Your hand doesn’t feel too sore and tired even after using it for hours.
Also, since you don’t have to bend forward to watch the blades, unlike the right-blade saw, your body is more relaxed and flexible. As your body is not arched, you can hold the circular saw with a firmer grip and a steady hand.
4. Creates Stability
One wrong move with a circular saw can prove fatal and begat an accident. A circular saw is like a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they are very heavyweight. And on the other, the blade is really sharp.
Hence you must ensure that your posture is correct and relaxed while using the circular saw. A left-blade saw helps you to stand straight and hold the saw in the correct position. Most of the weight of the circular saw is held on the supported side.
Typically, a cordless circular saw with a right-side blade is 7-1/4-inch, whereas a left-blade circular saw is 6-1/2-inch. Although this is not a hard and fast rule, left-blade circular saws are generally less heavy than right-blade ones.
If you are looking for a stable and lightweight left-blade saw, consider DEWALT 6-1/2-Inch MAX Circular Saw. This saw is a fan favorite for both right and left-handed people.
5. Accurate Cut Without Any Guiding
Straight and clear visibility on the blade mostly determines how smooth the material is cut by the cordless circular saw. Indeed, most of the models of circular blades have a little nook or some other way to dictate the line. It can’t compete with the accuracy of blade visibility.
Especially if you are a beginner who still cannot hold the grip of understanding the nook position. The nook on the front of the circular saw can act deceitfully when the periphery vision is not on the right angle.
That’s why when you have the blade in your sight, it can guide you through the waste edge without any help from any nook or other parts of the saw. Even if you are not staring at the blade straight or the angle between your sight and the blade is disproportional, you can still cut the material accurately.
6. Higher Productive Value
Productive value regarding the circular saw can’t be put up on an objective test. It mostly depends on the user’s comfort and preference. But what if you put two novices on a test with the right and left blades?
You can see the right-handed novice with left blades can perform well, swifter, and smoother compared to the one with right blades. There is no magic involved. This is because of the weight distribution of the saw on the supported side of the material.
As the weight of the saw is subdued on the left-blade side, one can operate the circular saw more comfortably. That being said, this is not the only factor that accounts for the swift execution ofthe circular saw.
Some Tips To Remember
- With theleft-side blade of the circular saw, the sawdust will be on the waste edge.That meansit will face your body. The sawdust will mostly fall on your lower body.
- Right-side blades process and throw the sawdust on the supported side of the material. In one sense, your body will not be covered in sawdust, but it will also put your eye at risk. As you are leaning toward that side to monitor the blade.
- If you are a beginner, draw a line on the material to have a visual cutline. That way, you will be more comfortable, and you don’t have to depend on the nook or the blade.
- The material you are cutting must be supported on a plain desk so that it doesn’t fall so easily. As the weight of the circular saw will be distributed on the material, it must be secured enough to take the weight.
People Also Ask
Left-blade or right-blade? Which one is more comfortable?
The question of comfort can’t be answered as yes/no. It depends on the user and how comfortable he is with the saw blade.
But in theory, a left-blade circular saw has the upper hand in comparison to the right-blade one. As the motor is on the supported side, you can keep your eye on the blade as well as on the waste edge. So, you can track the cutline well and calculate the distance your waste edge your fall.
Final Words
When it comes to electrical tools, the question of safety should get priority before efficiency. A circular saw with a left-side blade is safer and more secure. Indeed, not everyone is accustomed to the left-blade saw, but most workers demands such cordless circular saws that are left-handed.
