"lefties" and power tools

[ahrbrz]

'lefties' and power tools

I assume there are some left-handed members of GJ. What problems have you experienced using power tools? I know I have to be super careful.

As an example, my B&D jigsaw has the 'lock-on' button on the left side of the handle. Whenever I use it, I must take extra care to keep my palm from indenting the button. Several of my other power tools have similar features, including some air tools. I must double/triple check that they are not locked on when I release the switch and set the tool down.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Re: 'lefties' and power tools

Can get wicked for a lefty.... I had a drill trigger lock once when the cylinder hone it was powering bound in the bore. The cord was wound around my wrist two rounds before it unplugged itself... I could use those style drills right handed to avoid that problem... For some reason, I became quite particular as to the trigger arrangement on any power tool I buy... If you have any tools with those little lock buttons, might want to snip them off flush with the housing...

 

[Chuck122]

Re: 'lefties' and power tools

All lefties were banned from GJ a few months back... Sorry
Just kidding. I am ambidextrous and I must say that some drills really get me when going lefty

 

[Vvmvbb]

Re: 'lefties' and power tools

I'm a lefty.
I have a big Makita corded drill with hammer setting. I actually like it.
But, when used in the left hand , and if it grabs in a hole, it torques into your hand and pushes the little lock on button locking it on at the worst possible time.
It gets better.
The drill jumps out of your hand and winds itself up on the cord, bending the bit.
Better still.
The chuck key goes into a little holder on the cord at the bottom of he drill. Once the drill winds the cord up tight at high speed, it throws the chuck key 20 feet in a random direction so you get to go hunt it down.
Hilarious.

 

[senor fozz]

Re: 'lefties' and power tools

Did anyone hear about their elder's hand being hit with rulers if they used their left hand to write, use scissors, or other things you do as a kid in school. Happened to my great grand father when he was in school.

 

[ahrbrz]

I assume there are numerous 'lefties' on CJ. Do you have the same problems that I experience when it comes to power tools?

For example. I have a B & D jigsaw that has a 'continous-power-on' button on the left side of the handle. I must take extra care that my palm does not indent the button, which will result in the machine being in power mode when I release my hand, and of course, the machine does not shut down.

My chop saw, and some air tools have similar 'buttons', and they are all designed with a 'right-hand' user.

I always double/triple check what I am holding onto, and I would like to know if you lefties, which are of course the really smart ones, have a similar problem.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[kingofdogs1950]

Re: 'lefties' and power tools

Another lefty.
Best thing for me is to use power tools right handed. I am ambidextrous so it comes easy for me. I've read that many lefties are ambidextrous. It kinda makes sense - there are so many things that are designed to work best right handed.
If you can't handle using power tools right handed, well, be extra careful.
Oh, and the legend about the ruler across the knuckles is true! Happened to me.

Mark

 

[Highlux]

Re: 'lefties' and power tools

Ambi lefty reporting in. I use whatever hand is closer and easier to the work.
When one arm gets tired I switch up. I think we get twice the work done!!!

We do get the whole left brain right brain battle which the art side conflicts with the engineer side and we get nothing done. lol.

 

[MrMark]

I don't fight the tool. If it is made to be used right handed, I switch. Most lefties have a far greater degree of dexterity with their nondominant hand than righties because they have to to survive.

 

[Gary S]

I normally just break out the lock button so it no longer exists on the tool. That way it isn't an issue. If it is poorly positioned, enjoy breaking it and enjoy the tool after that.

 

[FJ 432]

The biggest issue I've run into is circular saws. I used to own a Black and Decker where the blade was on the right side and I always had difficulty cutting with it. I now have a Porter cable that I bought used with the blade on the left that makes it easier. Worm drive saws are now coming out on the left side but I'm not sure why.

Scissors/shears fall into the category that MrMark brings up. You just have to adapt.

 

[nit2wn]

I used to be a complete lefty. Working on an assembly line has made me use both hands to the point I'm fairly decent with both. Just depends on the tool and what I'm doing. You learn sometimes that right hand is the right tool for the job. Occasionally, I get to one up the rest since I do favor my left still.

 

[road]

I hate right handed tools ! even my butter knives are right handed

 

[Holt]

Ive learned to switch hit. This world is not made for our kind.

 

[madison069]

Know what you mean but usually I adapt or I make it adapt to me....

 

[Erampu]

My pet peeve with right handed tools is the air outlets blow in my face if I use them left handed.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I don't fight the tool. If it is made to be used right handed, I switch. Most lefties have a far greater degree of dexterity with their nondominant hand than righties because they have to to survive.

That's what I do, but not with that much thought involved. I'm old enough (54) my mother wasn't having a "left handed freak" so she forced me to do everything right handed (save sports), so it's natural for me to do things of this type with my right hand. She meant well.

 

[cheechi]

The most common ones for me are miter saw. I operate the saw with my right hand and hold the piece stable with the left. I try to always cut right of the line so I have a better view.

Tin snips/scissors I will either use upside down or righty. Depends on how long or how precise I have to be.

Power tools in general I do a surprising amount with my right hand, but it's odd that you mention circ saws. I have an 18v with the blade on the left and a 120v with the blade on the right. I use the corded one more just because it's more powerful and I have the right blades for it, etc. but I have noticed it is easier for me to use lefty. The cut determines which hand I use but the 18v one seems like it takes me more effort to cut straight in either hand.

Hammers are the worst though; I can only use a left handed hammer.

 

[Jeff95TA]

You lefties amaze me sometimes. My daughter (11) is lefty and can throw a pretty nice spiral. We both tried throwing with our other hand. I looked ridiculous. She threw it even harder and with a better spiral. You're all freaks!

 

[kamesama980]

As a righty, I've made myself be flexible enough to use either hand to suit the job as much as I can. Even eating with chopsticks...not as fast but I won't starve

My dad was left-dominant ambidextrous. Used his left for detail stuff and was more practiced with it but was comfortable either way. He was more into art than tools though.

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

A lot of my thoughts have been mentioned already . . .

I use "righty" scissors in my left hand but apply compensating pressure on the sides of the handles to get a clean cut. Been doing it so long it's second nature.

CMS - hold wood with left hand - operate with right hand.

I use a Skil Saw in my right hand as I always had the "standard" saw designed for "righties". I've seen "lefty" saws but it would seems weird to switch now.

Throw "lefty" and bat "righty".

Jim

 

[Vvmvbb]

Re: 'lefties' and power tools

Did anyone hear about their elder's hand being hit with rulers if they used their left hand to write, use scissors, or other things you do as a kid in school. Happened to my great grand father when he was in school.

Yeah, writing with wet ink left handed makes a big mess.

 

[never enuf time]

Re: 'lefties' and power tools

Another lefty here. Started out in construction when I was 15, I think I started trying to use everything left handed but slowly evolved into using my right.

Was very popular when had to nail a brace on the left side of a wall. I can now nail about same with my right.

If a drill had that lock in a bad spot for LH, I just switch over.

Don't you think by switching back & forth between hands, you aren't as likely to damage one.

 

[uart]

Bruce: Why post the exact same thing in two separate threads. Are you trying to give us lefties a bad reputation?

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=226895

 

[Chuck122]

Re: 'lefties' and power tools

I guess most lefties just end up ambi

 

[cheechi]

Re: 'lefties' and power tools

Yeah, writing with wet ink left handed makes a big mess.

My writing is messy and I used a fountain pen all throughout high school specifically to make everyone else suffer as much as I had to.

 

[road]

hey I forgot to mention
I bought a left hand bandsaw....

 

[TJay]

I've trained myself to be ambidextrous with most things at things at this point. The only thing I have never been able to do is write right handed, that's absolutely terrible.

 

[Cougar67]

I'm left handed. I'm pretty clumsy so I'm very aware when I use power tools. Tin snips are pretty difficult but I can often switch to my right. What's weird is all three of my children are left handed but the youngest two are adopted!