Power Tools and being Left Handed

judaspre1982 · Post by **judaspre1982** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 4:24 pm

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charlese · Post by **charlese** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 6:44 pm

judaspre1982 wrote:...Some companies have addressed the safety switch issue by putting it in a neutral position on the tool.

And here I thought the only disadvantage to being left handed was getting ink stains on the pinky of my left hand when I wrote letters:D
Dave

You are right-on, Dave! (No pun intended) Yep! Most Power tools are designed for right handed folks. Over the years - starting with using scissors - They must be operated with right hand - I also partially blame shaking hands! No one shakes lefty! - I've slowly been converted to using power tools right handed, but use left when it's more comfortable.

It's gotten so that I now even do all lifting (of SPTs)with the right arm and use the left to stabilize and guide. Since lifting weights the past two years, I've noticed my right hand and arm are stronger than my left. This has surprised me, and am working to strengthen the left side. Still use the left to do all drawing and writing. Left eye is still dominant.

Thinking (hoping) I'm still in my right brain.

I know you are!:) More power to you!

jcraigie · Post by **jcraigie** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 8:15 pm

Lefties unite! I have also noticed this. I have become more right handed as the years go on just from the necessity of using everyday things. I do still have to write and eat left handed and fine motor skills are much easier left handed.

foxtrapper · Post by **foxtrapper** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 6:52 am

Only the circular saw causes me any difficulty. Which can be overcome with a worm drive circular saw, those cut on the opposite side.

Drills, jig saws, etc. No problems. Most have safeties on both sides, or centered.

I'm very quick and willing to use the tool in either hand. It depends on the circumstances.

ss50th · Post by **ss50th** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:25 am

Luckily, I'm ambidextrous - equally uncoordinated with either hand.

berry · Post by **berry** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:33 am

As a short person I sympathize with your problems. You do know that you can purchase circular saws for Lefties, yes?

judaspre1982 · Post by **judaspre1982** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:59 am

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judaspre1982 · Post by **judaspre1982** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 10:24 am

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judaspre1982 · Post by **judaspre1982** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 10:26 am

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Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 1:36 pm

judaspre1982 wrote:Any members who are left handed will understand.
Most hand held power tools are designed for people who are right handed.
Every time I use my circular saw I get a face full of sawdust because the dust chute comes out on the right side of the saw.My last circular saw had the safety switch on the left side of the handle, designed to be depressed by the thumb on a persons right hand.I gave that saw away.

I have an electric drill that also had the safety switch on the left side of the drill and my hand covers the switch while in use, sometimes causing the drill to stay on after releasing the trigger. This particular safety switch had a feature that would lock the drill in the on position so you would not have to depress the trigger constantly. I never felt comfortable using the drill with the switch in its location so I removed it.

My jig saw uses the motors cooling fan to blow the dust out the right side of the saw, again putting the dust in my face while I try to follow my cut line.

My SawsAll had the same issue with the safety switch as my electric drill.

Some companies have addressed the safety switch issue by putting it in a neutral position on the tool.

And here I thought the only disadvantage to being left handed was getting ink stains on the pinky of my left hand when I wrote letters:D

Dave

Almost everything you complain about I fight and I'm ambidextrous. I really don't think the problem is whether the tool is made for the left or right hand. It is bad design of safety lockouts and such. Nearly every cordless tool I own has two button/switch/something that must be pushed, pulled or squeezed to make the thing work and I usually had to have both hands to accomplish it.

I especially hate the safety switches on my Makita cordless recip saw. I don't even try to do it one handed not matter which hand it is in. I use both hands get the stupid thing running and hope against hope that I don't have to stop in mid cut while holding the piece.

I once had to stop in mid cut, my hand was holding the wood so it didn't pinch the blade. I couldn't get the saw started one handed and if I used the other hand the blade was pinched. I finally had to take the blade out of the saw. Put a new blade in the thing and cut the first blade free. Nonsense!