If you’re a “lefty” like me, you no doubt feel my pain in trying to find hand-held power tools that work well with your left hand. For instance, most portable circular saws have the blade on the right side of the saw so your left hand doesn’t get cut off. Both PC and Milwaukee now make “left-blade” saws which are actually intended for righties who want a better view of the cut line. However, I have found they work great for lefties. But I think we just got lucky on this one!
Now that I’m expanding my power tool collection, I’m noticing similar problems with other hand-held power tools. Jig-saws have that lock buttom on the side of the handle so a right-handed person can push it with their thumb. With my Bosch jig-saw, this button is useless to me because I operate the saw with my left hand. Some drills have a similar arrangement. Similar problems exist with some routers, sanders, etc.
Are there other power tools out there that work well for lefties? Why are the power tool companies discriminating against us?? Don’t they want our business? Thanks for letting me rant.
Replies
Hi Lefty, I am in the same position and use the PC saw. Dewalt's cordless saw is also for left handers.
Clearcut
I know what you mean. If my Panasonic Drill Driver had an interchangeable forward/reverse switch, like the safety on my Beretta 92F, I'd switch it.
Greg
I have been a Southpaw sawdust maker for over thirty years and I can't say that I have ever really noticed any difficulty in using any power tool, large or small. I just adapt.
Edited 6/28/2005 1:00 am ET by hermitmither
I haven't had a problem adapting to a "righties" world. Actually I am ambidextrous so I can use any tool either hand, but I do most cutting, hammering, etc. with my left hand....np!I guess it just takes some getting used to?!-CARPENTERDON
Dimensional Carpentry & Custom WoodworkingI beat the competition Hammersdown!
Edited 6/28/2005 8:38 am ET by CarpenterDon
the skill saws do throw me off a bit but I now use the pc and its made foir leftys. the rest of the tools never really a problem though sometime I wish I had 2 hands on one side of my body :>)
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I think the tape measure was invented by a lefty who wanted to show right-handers what it was like.
Dan
I was in the market recently for a new circ saw.Being a southpaw I thought I would check out the new models for lefties,they felt strange in my hand ,ended up buying a right handed model.The new Milwaukee tilt lock. An excellent saw,would'nt trade it if I could.But I know what you mean about lock buttons etc. Pain in the butt. I did find tape measures aggravating until my daugter bought me a new lufkin for x-mas that reads the same on both sides,problem solved.
How about workbenches? When I built mine I just built a regular bench, end vise on the right, front vise on the lf. After I finished I started seeing pictures and plans for "left hand" benches. I have thought about and it does make some sense but I haven't had any problems with my bench as it is yet. I have started using hand planes this summer and have been using them left handed with no problem either. So have any left handers used a left handed bench, and is it any better? Also I always liked the way circ. saws are set up.
Edited 6/30/2005 9:15 pm ET by KAnderson
I built a left-handed workbench a few years ago. The main advantage to having the front vise on the right, is that you can saw a board clamped in it and catch the offcut in your right hand.
As far as the tail vise, having it on the left means that you push against the bench dog as you hand plane, rather than putting stress on the end vise. Also, the downward force is better balanced between the legs, rather than toward the end.
That said, I do not find it particularly uncomfortable to work at a RH workbench.
Cheers,
Dan
Built my own workbench, it did look kinda funny until my wife pointed out that the vise was on the wrong end from the picture. Had to reassure her that my bench was left-handed. I just made the darned thing to match the most comfortable direction for hand planing & didn't pay any attention to the picture.
Good for you! Do you still use it?
Dan
All the time.
The workbench came from a really old paperback book from Stanley tools "How To Work With Tools And Wood". With many apologies to Scott Landis & his "Workbench Book", I added a tail vise to the bench. One of these days I'll build a real nice bench, this one has been used too many times to overhaul chainsaws and MG engines.
Ray
My problem with the right handed world comes with drills with trigger locks on the left side when drilling heavy metal and the bit binds the drill twists and locks on.Its's especially bad when your on a ladder.
I grew up in a right-handed family (and world) my dad showed me how to use tools so I use most power tools right-handed. I did buy a Sears circular saw because it had the safety switch on the top. But I really hate it when my left hand hits the trigger lock on my miter saw - - and drill :-(
Ray
What bugs me the most is that the chip chute on planers, belt sander, plate joiner. They throw the dust right on top of me. For years couldn't figure out why all tools were so badly designed. Then one day I realized I'm at fault. Just have to check the out chutes when buying new tools. Same thing with moter fans on everything else!
Real PITA aren't they? Lost the bag to my little power plane a while back, hardly ever use it now :-(
My oldest daughter is a 'LEFTY' she can do anything....EDIT:: But looks funny if ya watch her writing!
Edited 7/1/2005 7:15 pm ET by Will George
Just Remember
Everybody is born right handed. Only the greatest can overcome it.
Everybody PLEASE there are no left handed saws. They are blade right or blade left.
Are there other power tools out there that work well for lefties? Why are the power tool companies discriminating against us?? Don't they want our business? Thanks for letting me rant.
You're one of the few who got it right about the left and right bladed saws.
The ez smart guide system works with left and right bladed saws.
But in order to work, if you're right handed, you must use right blade saw.
And if you're left handed you must use a left blade saw.
We don't offer a left blade system yet (we will) because many right handed like to use a left blade saw.
Figure this out now.
YCF Dino
Who doesn't offer a left-blade system?- Toolfreak
Our Company. Eurekazone.
This is from the F.A.Q.
Q: Why don't you make a base for left bladed saws? With the EZ Smart Guide System, you don't have to look at the blade, and you will not be able to use the new sliding Fence/square on the guide rail. You need your left hand to hold the square and guide while your right hand holds the saw. View ImageIf you use a left bladed saw with your right hand you can't use the square and you will be at the wrong side of the cut. The EZ Smart is designed to be used by left and right bladed saws. But for now we only make the base for right saws so you don't buy the wrong saw. After we all understand how the EZ Smart works then we will make a left smart base for the left bladed saws and the left handed. YCF Dino
One thing I have noticed in all products is that if you hold them in your left hand, any marking, lettering, logos, etc are up-side-down or backwards. My favorite lefty thing to demonstrate is the fact that screwdrivers are RIGHT HANDED. Hold any screwdriver in your left hand and the writing will be up-side-down.
I also had a scarry incident with a lock switch on a drill. As noted above the torque of the drill forces the lock switch on for us lefties and when it happed to me it jerked the drill out of my hand and wound up the cord until it unplugged. Lock switch was cut off 1 minute later.
Lefties rule, literally.
That was what I meant about the drill try it on a 10 or 12 foot ladder.
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