On Tue, 23 Aug 2005 22:00:44 -0600, "mywebaccts (at) PLUGcomcast.net"
"mywebaccts (at) PLUGcomcast.net" wrote:

Table saws usually come (so it appears to me) with left-tilt mechanisms.
However, you can opt with many manufacturers to buy a right-tilt version.

Many of the left-tilt models will present the left-tilt as a "safety
feature" - implying somehow that the right-tilt is less safe. I saw some
writeup on this but it didn't make a lot of sense. However, there must
be something to it because so many manufacturers seem to bias towards
the left-tilt.

Can anyone explain this in simple terms to me? I realize that in theory,
one should be able to make a mirror image table saw, and that this would
require doing things (like ripping) in a mirrored-image fashion.

Is this simply a matter of preference or are there legitimate reasons
for getting a left-tilt over a right-tilt?

Jack

I carried a nice bruise on my right side for about three weeks from a
kickback when I was too lazy late one night to switch my unifence to
the left side on my right tilt saw before making a bevel cut.

That's the primary reason I would prefer a left tilt. However,
although I have no experience with it, I'm told that you get more chip
out making bevel cuts on laminate with a left tilt.

I believe more left tilts are sold than right today, particularly
after Delta introduced a left tilt Unisaw about 10-12 years ago.