Help with power tools

[tek-monkey]

I have a mini circular saw, this one to be exact:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WORX-WX427-WORXSAW-Compact-Circular/dp/B00UAKY060

Blades cost £10-15, up to £20 if you buy worx ones. I've spotted these though:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TCT-BLAD...466945?hash=item1ca4b5df81:g:oQ8AAOSwXMBaiwil

They are 5mm bigger but have the same bore diameter, they are thicker but the saw copes with a tile cutter of that width so no issue there. The main difference is the rotation is the wrong way, can anyone see an issue with simply putting it in the saw the other way round? I can't think of one, but would rather share the blame if I then cut my hand off.

 

[Gramaisc]

I see no issue.

I suspect the reason is that, for bizarre historical reasons, circular saws have, until very recently, always been left-handed, but people are beginning to make right-handed ones now, mostly the cordless ones so far, but there is the odd right-handed mains saw available.

That Worx saw is right-handed - compare with a standard mains saw....

The printing on the blade is a result of this, I'm sure.

As long as the blade will fit in and the centre hole is the right size, it should be OK.

 

[tek-monkey]

I'll order one and check, the clearance looked like at least 5mm per side but the normal blades are 115mm or 120mm. If it fits I'll grab a load, as these are very cheap!

 

[Gramaisc]

I suspect people will start printing the blades on both sides at some point, as right-handed saws become the standard.

As long as it fits in, there should be no issue. There can be rotation speed differences, but they tend to aim for the same sort of peripheral speed, so there's little real problem there, either.

 

[Gramaisc]

for bizarre historical reasons

It is because early portable electric circular saws were made as attachments for drills. The drills did not have a reverse function and all had the same rotation direction, as a result of the standard form of drill bits available. This meant that, to turn the saw blade the right way, the motor had to be fitted on the left, making it the 'wrong-way-round' for right-handed people, but nobody noticed - or bothered...


A 'normal' left-handed saw on the left - and a right-handed one on the right.

Note the lack of printing on the blade of the right-handed saw - I suspect it's printed on the other side...

 

[tek-monkey]

The blades it came wi are rated to 7k, the cheap ones 10k, so should be all good!

 

[Gramaisc]

The blades it came wi are rated to 7k, the cheap ones 10k, so should be all good!

The speed ratings are generally a little 'theatrical', I suspect - always run a new fitment for ten seconds to see if it comes apart, especially with TCT blades.

 

[YorkshirePud]

Are those blood stains on the workbench ?

 

[Mikinton]

Are those blood stains on the workbench ?

Fast forward to 2:22

 

[Sir BoD]

It is because early portable electric circular saws were made as attachments for drills. The drills did not have a reverse function and all had the same rotation direction, as a result of the standard form of drill bits available. This meant that, to turn the saw blade the right way, the motor had to be fitted on the left, making it the 'wrong-way-round' for right-handed people, but nobody noticed - or bothered...


A 'normal' left-handed saw on the left - and a right-handed one on the right.

Note the lack of printing on the blade of the right-handed saw - I suspect it's printed on the other side...

I like the way you confirmed it with yourself.

 

[Tilly]

Ask an expert


http://www.propela.co.uk

 

[Withnail]

Yeah man, that's quite clearly blood.

One would urge at least a regulatory amount of caution.