Porter Cable Circular Saw

[cs]

I've been wanting to post about this saw. I have a Porter Cable Circular saw with the blade on the left (as shown below).

http://www.cpoworkshop.com/images/product/large/423magr.jpg

A few years ago when I was in the market for a new circular saw this one was recomended to me, with the blade on the left hand side. I was told that after you got use to it that it was much better over there than on the right hand side.

First let me say that I love the saw. The motor is good and strong and it handles like a charm.

But with that said I don't like the blade on the left. Usually when I cut something I cut to what ends up being the other side of the line. I will mark my piece and than you cut to the scrap side of the line.

Now you can do this one of 2 ways, with the motor over the piece you want to save, this puts the line on the inside edge of the saw.

Or you can cut with the motor over the scrap piece which puts the line on the outside edge of the saw. This is where you want the line for sighting purposes, but usually in this configuration the scrap piece is not supported and you usually want the heavy side (motor side) of the saw on the supported side of the material you are cutting.

In other words I can't get as comfortable using the left hand saw as I want despite being told that I would like it better.

Chad

[Bill R]

I have the same saw, and had the same problems. Dunno what to tell you. I eventually got used to it- keeping the motor over the cutoff edge. My cordless circ. saw (Ridgid) is the same way, so at least both saws are left hand being used by a righty.

Most cuts for me tho are on the table saw, CMS or RAS, so it doesn't get much use. I use the cordless primarily for knocking down sheet goods.

[StevenBauer]

You really need both a left and a right hand saw. Then when you frame a hip roof you're all set. :D


Steven

[cs]

I still wouldn't trade this saw for another, unless it was another Porter Cable with the blade on the right hand side. The Porter is a great saw, just wanted to let others know to be wary of the blade on the left. It is hard to get used to.

Chad

[boylesboats]

I've been wanting to post about this saw. I have a Porter Cable Circular saw with the blade on the left (as shown below).

http://www.cpoworkshop.com/images/product/large/423magr.jpg

A few years ago when I was in the market for a new circular saw this one was recomended to me, with the blade on the left hand side. I was told that after you got use to it that it was much better over there than on the right hand side.

First let me say that I love the saw. The motor is good and strong and it handles like a charm.

But with that said I don't like the blade on the left. Usually when I cut something I cut to what ends up being the other side of the line. I will mark my piece and than you cut to the scrap side of the line.

Now you can do this one of 2 ways, with the motor over the piece you want to save, this puts the line on the inside edge of the saw.

Or you can cut with the motor over the scrap piece which puts the line on the outside edge of the saw. This is where you want the line for sighting purposes, but usually in this configuration the scrap piece is not supported and you usually want the heavy side (motor side) of the saw on the supported side of the material you are cutting.

In other words I can't get as comfortable using the left hand saw as I want despite being told that I would like it better.

Chad

Why didn't ya buy both models? that way you'll have the best of both worlds...
I did wanted to do that before, but damn saws are bit pricey...

[merlinron]

the reason for the blade on the left is that a right handed user always has the cutting line in view. if ripping sheetstock, cut from right to left, saw is on kept material, if cross cutting( pushing saw away from you cutting line is right in front of you and saw is on kept material again. both ways, the blade index on the saw's table has the blade to the left, keep the blade index on the cutting line and you are always cutting the fall-off. don't watch the blade, aim the saw with the blade index on the front of the table and you'll always stay on the correct side of the cutting line.

[cs]

I have never been comfortable watching the blade index when cutting. I've always used the blade as a guide.

Chad

[merlinron]

most guys start out that way chad.....
and have to be taught not to use the blade. the problem with using the blade is that it's too close to the actual cut, by the time you wander off the line it's late, good material has already been cut. think of it the same as how you were taught to steer your car.... look down the road as far as you can... you automaticly center up in your lane..... same idea with the saw when you use blade index. because it is a bit in front of the blade it lines the blade up before it gets to the cut.
it's a matter of learning to trust the alignment of blade and index. your cuts will become straighter and smoother and you'll always see where to steer the saw. it really helps when it comes time to cut angles and compound angles, too. the saw is lined up before the cutting starts, that's the key.
the best saw PC ever made was the old model 315. if you ever see one at an auction or yard sale, grab it. fix whatever it needs and you really find out what a good skill saw is all about!

[htom]

You could make an ambidextrous saw, where you could move the blade/shield from the left side to the right, but some idiot would manage to do it wrong and sue the manufacturer out of business.

merlinron is right, chad, you've got to learn to watch the index. Your cuts will be much straighter. For curves, you watch the teeth.

[TimH]

you could always sell it and buy this

http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/images/product/large/6377-6.jpg

[boylesboats]

you could always sell it and buy this

http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/images/product/large/6377-6.jpg

ya can't hardly goes wrong with worm-drives

[Canoez]

For those of you with the Porter-Cable saw, how do you like that quick-release that they have for the blade? Does it work well? Is it durable? Can it be retro-fitted to an older saw or is it not feasible.

[pipefitter]

Blade on the left is great for a right hander to crosscut wall studs and such where you don't always have a saw horse to cut on like when you are up on the roof or framing in place. Otherwise you will be looking over or thru the motor. Also, when you are watching the blade to guide your cut, a lot more debris gets thrown at your eyes. We always used the Makita as one of the most indestructible of all day in and day out.

[bob winter]

If I'm ripping plywood or other sheet stock, I aways use a cutting guide. Once its set up, the cut will be straight and where it should be. I may cut freehand where precision isn't needed but not otherwise. I find it a lot easier to cut this way than using a tablesaw. Once the guide is set up, it shouldn't matter what side of the saw the blade is on.

[boylesboats]

If I'm ripping plywood or other sheet stock, I aways use a cutting guide. Once its set up, the cut will be straight and where it should be. I may cut freehand where precision isn't needed but not otherwise. I find it a lot easier to cut this way than using a tablesaw. Once the guide is set up, it shouldn't matter what side of the saw the blade is on.

To get a butter smooth edge, saw must not have any or very very little side to side plays in the shaft...

[bob winter]

This is true, and a good blade as well.

[merlinron]

there's more to it than just a good blade and a guide. so many times i get a saw at work that has been thrown around, dropped or has fallen some distance and the table has been beat back into shape(?). it cuts like crap and it rocks and wobbles as you push it, or slides like crap because the surface of the table is all beat-up. (one of my pet peaves is guys that put tape on the bottom of the saw to protect what they are cutting).

taking care of the saw and not letting it get beat up, all out of alignment and such will do wonders to keep it cutting smoothly. i understand that most of the equipment i'm speaking about is on a construction job, and we don't (hopefully) abuse our own equipment like that. keeping the plate polished smooth and waxed has always worked for me, never any need to tape it up. i've never damaged a good surface when the plate is kept in good shape, clean, smooth, waxed and free of dings and scratches. if you do occasionally tape it up to protect what you're cutting, when you take the tape off, clean the plate with laquer thinner or something that will cut all the adhesive from the tape off and wax it up again. keep it in the same condition as you would your tablesaw, bandsaw or jointer's surfaces and it will always cut like a hot knife through butter.

[BBSebens]

I use a Skilsaw Mag77. Its a framing saw, worm drive, and left handed blade. I can hardly use a right blade saw. I know a lot of carpenters with these that are still in good shape after 10 years of jobsite abuse.

but to fix your problem... turn the wood around. or just know what piece you want to save and cut on the right side of the line.

If it has to be perfect, i suggest getting a miter saw. I personally a fan of DeWalt's 12" Dual slide Comound miter saw. again though, a jobsite grade tool, and at $600, maybe a bit pricey.