Pros and Cons of LEFT and RIGHT blade Circular saws. I think YOU should own both.

What I like and hate about these saws.
#milwaukeepowertools #dewalttools #dewalt #milwaukee #circularsaw
Contact me: [e-mail]

[@Bundys]

Ok, explain again to my wife that I need another saw...😅

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Yes, he absolutely needs another saw! It is to keep him safer! Ps. Let me know if she falls for it. 😜

[@darrenthompsett5578]

Lol I tried she didn't fall for it I bought another one any way haha

[@mauricelee7299]

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.

[@interman7715]

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.

[@georgedavall9449]

All good points, good comment!

[@pkdude5334]

the extra space it gives between my hand and the blade is why I was comfortable getting the right sided blade

[@georgedavall9449]

@@pkdude5334 thats a good point pkduke

[@ryanallen2887]

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.

[@georgedavall9449]

@@ryanallen2887 Ryan, appreciate your comment and your humility. You already possess better knowledge of the fundamentals than most self professed ‘experts’ on KZbin! 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!

[@VANUSUAL]

I'm right-handed, with a right-handed saw, I just put the unsupported side of the workpiece to my left. That simple...

[@AuralioCabal-nl8gi]

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!

[@HometownAcres]

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

[@georgedavall9449]

No

[@billh2735]

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

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Thanks Bill

[@renem6441]

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 😂

[@mikewatson4644]

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

[@sonnydash4987]

Best demo video!!! for L&R blade comparison. Now I'm ready to buy. Thanks.

[@JohnSmith-tv5ep]

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" !!!)

[@joecoyne5660]

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.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Excellent tutorial!

[@taylorshin]

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.

[@Nortwich]

This was a fantastic, educational video. Thank you for taking the time to make it!

[@OneEyeCustoms]

You are welcome!

[@nickmalkowski8547]

Dang, I’ve been using saws for a long time and never gave it one thought lol thank you Doug for the eye opener!

[@OneEyeCustoms]

😁

[@khensaninkuna6112]

Great video, informative…always great to have more than one circular saw

[@joeenna7820]

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.

[@ciprianiulian3483]

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

[@kylekreft7910]

Good information, never really put much thought into it. I tend to default either to the miter saw or table saw when ever possible

[@rlvdogg]

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.

[@OneEyeCustoms]

You're very welcome!

[@johnhepburn7419]

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

[@zone4garlicfarm]

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.

[@theirishceltireland]

Great video. Great advice😊

[@davidsmathers5621]

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

[@roberta.brokaw3829]

Nice job Doug. Stay safe.

[@eddiegomez407]

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.

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Glad I could help

[@kevinking1588]

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.

[@jeremythebeer8609]

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.

[@CliffsideStables]

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

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Thanks!

[@jameslennon5330]

Thanks Doug , as always a great video. I did not know that there was a left and right, so thanks again Doug

[@OneEyeCustoms]

You bet

[@dennis9081]

Very good video! Good information.

Great video about usability!! Thank you!

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AroundTheYard-MN]

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.

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Thanks!!

[@tonypower5625]

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!!!

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Thank you!!

[@TechHoldingsCorp]

Great tutorial for DIYers!

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Thank you!

[@robertsnyder5193]

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

[@betods1013]

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.

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Sure did, thanks!

[@wingwhacker7500]

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.

[@OneEyeCustoms]

No idea, I’m not a fan of the worm drive.

[@Bentwatertrail]

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!

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Thanks for the tips!

[@JimFinlayson]

I had always assumed they were for left handed carpenters. Nice video.

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Thanks 👍

[@user-ph9mf4rn7h]

Great video! I never realized there was a left and right circular saw. Gerat to know since I'm left handed.

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BAYSTATESTUDIOS]

Nice video . I use a left and a right ridgid 18v

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Cool, thanks!

[@NeoBTK]

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.

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Thank you!

[@TheMapleOakFarm]

My experience is left sided are framing saws and often worm drive… I prefer left when framing…

[@joemurray9131]

I have been using hand saws for years and never knew they had left or right hand blades!!!

[@OneEyeCustoms]

lol, not many do.

[@es2709]

Hand saws don't.

[@georgedavall9449]

@ 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!

[@ArjanenSachavandenNieuwendijk]

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

[@nathanriddle4190]

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 😢

[@punchtheball5748]

Did you find a solution?

[@nathanriddle4190]

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

[@punchtheball5748]

@@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:-(

[@JCWren]

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.

[@jeandesjardins8392]

Why do worm drive saws cut on the left hand side? great video

[@SpicerDesignsLLC]

Great info Doug. I actually think i have a left handed saw

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Can you switch hands and still get the job done?

[@Riverguide33]

👍

[@kookiedabear]

We are aligned, sir...now it's high time you replace that bulky kindergarten orange pencil from the 16th century and start using a Pica. The increase in efficiency and accuracy is quickly felt upon first use...at least for me.

[@OneEyeCustoms]

I need to look into one then!!!

[@markknister6272]

Good video. No can cut left handed! :-)

[@rickyperkins232]

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.

[@danw4930]

Great video and it made me think about some things never before contemplated. What is the weight of the DeWalt versus the new Milwaukee? 😄

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Good question!

[@buildlife]

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!

[@OneEyeCustoms]

I agree with you on that one! 😁

[@georgedavall9449]

Doug y Doo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😯 😂 @ 05:21 Golly gee, come at the cut from opposite side and your problem is solved! The old adage goes sumthin like: “ Blade side, waste side”. And between that and the angle on the end of the board all made for poor example? And yet at 05:41 You make a valid point and good example! ( A clamp can help out in this scenario. ). Therein lies the main difference, and conundrum of the two styles of saws. One way and a person can use a speed square, the other not. It boils down to Right VS Left, Ford VS Chevy, really? It is my humble opinion ( based upon owning several saws of each orientation ) that sidewinders do better as a right hand saw, and of corse worm drive/ worm drive ‘style’ saws as left handed. Worm drive can be very useful for cross cutting, as there is more weight back of and to the side, and anyone worth their ‘salt’ in cutting/ carpentry, knows to line up the cut and then just plunge/ rock the saw through the cut. * See ‘Essential Craftsman ‘. I sometimes will cut that way, but only if I have my worm drive out. I prefer to cross cut against a square, with a right handed sidewinder. Ripping: Either works, but here is where the left handed saws shine. Big sheet goods are already or they should be, well supported, and one merely cuts to the line, no fuss no muss. I DO NOT advocate using the old finger against the base as a guide, but it does work. STAY SAFE! Well, there is my synopsis on how/ why I use these two styles. Stay safe and stay well. 👍💪✌🇺🇸😊

[@rickyperkins232]

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

[@joshuamontgomery4604]

Great video! Do you mind me asking about dimensions of your stainless steel work area in your garage? Appreciate it very much!

[@OneEyeCustoms]

The stainless bench is 2ft deep x 10ft wide. And no, I don’t mind at all.

[@chriscolameco6850]

Blade right you can’t use the longer side of the shoe to freehand rip 0-4” (that’s why they have the measurements)

[@monteglover4133]

Start from the other side Then why do many professional carpenters use saws with saws with left side called worm drive. I use a saw with left side for breaking down plywood for cabinets.

[@berthongo8531]

And then, there's the worm gear drive saws that from what I've seen, the blade is always on the left-hand side.

[@MrCubflyer]

I only buy left side blade saws its a no brainer for a right hander.

[@bioniclife]

I hate using circular saws. It's probably due to me having the blade on the wrong side, but to be honest, unless I go out right now, I couldn’t tell you what side the blade's on. Good video as usual!

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Thanks

[@jamiewalsh792]

Unless your left handed in a right-handed world, you learn to use both left or right with both hands

[@MrRickoscar]

Wow now I dont know if I have a left or right foot on the correct side.

[@leonardpaciora5039]

The only reason I have a left hand saw is to cut opposit angles.

[@jamesbrunnette4895]

I noticed a couple of big woofers on the floor behind you in the video. New project coming?

[@OneEyeCustoms]

It was a project my son and I did several years ago. It was a competition Soundsystem that we built in my Honda element.

[@toddpacheco4748]

Hopefully 🤞 Doug Adam was watching this video lol 😝 😮😊❤

[@normanreyes5417]

Go to the other end mr .. there's no different

[@BillyP55]

B*&^#@, B*&^#@, B*&^#@: complain if you were hung with a new rope. Spent my entire life cutting with a right-handed saw and... wait, left-handers must just be more adaptable. NIce video!

[@MR70726]

If you're trying to cut a long piece of plywood then it's better to use a left hand blade because you can just walk beside the plywood instead of just standing on the end well you can't really stand on the end if it's a long piece

[@onesixtyofficial]

You can use a right blade from the other side and walk along as well right?

[@MR70726]

@onesixtyofficial yea but I never cut from left to right

[@MR70726]

@onesixtyofficial if u mean from the other side of the plywood I guess it would work but I'm not very tall so it's not the best for me

[@onesixtyofficial]

@@MR70726 13:40 With the board in this position, instead of cutting from top to bottom as he's doing you can turn the saw 180° and cut from bottom to the top while walking along the left side. The only downside is that the motor would be on the left offcut side, but only really a problem when the offcut is small. I'm not tall either but I don't see how it's relevant.

[@ST-0311]

Sigh. I can't even start...

[@HometownAcres]

It’s a good thing lumber prices have come down or this video would have cost a fortune to produce haha

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Yea no kidding. I hated cutting 3 feet off of that 2 x 4

[@dougadams9419]

I'm right handed and I have a right side blade saw. I hate it. I can't see what the blade is cutting because I'm standing to the left of the saw. If I had a left side blade I could see what the blade is cutting while still standing to the left of the saw. I didn't know a left blade existed. Time for a new one!

[@sheilamessick6545]

Left hand people cut and mark on the other side of board

[@lajosz1]

17:52 LEFT blade Circular saws. If you are right-handed, then: Why don't you stand on the other side of the material you are cutting? After all, if you stand on the other side, not only will the wider part of the saw's foot rest on the material, but you will also be able to walk with the saw along the material.