Most power tools on the market are designed for everyone to use. However, if you happen to be a lefty then you may realize just how difficult it is to operate some power tools. For example, one of the most common complaints is that the power switch is located in a spot that isn’t convenient or easy for left handed people to get to in the event of an emergency.
With saws, a left handed person has two choices – hold it with your right hand and hope your coordination is good enough to make a straight cut, or make the cut backwards with the blade and material coming at you. Not a great set of options.
Many left handed individuals feel cheated. In fact, the Left Handers Club, a group that was formed in 1990, has been sparking the interest in many power tool manufacturers to address the situation. Saws are one of the most used power tools but there are no saws for left handed individuals as of this writing. Left handers must resort to using a table saw works best because they can choose to cut on either the right side or the left side of the blade.
On the flip side, lefties haven’t been left out completely. There are routers, nailers, sanders, drills, and power screwdrivers available for left handers. Manufacturers have worked hard to redesign them with features like the centered putting the on/off switch which can be accessed from the left or the right.
Porter-Cable, a relatively unknown manufacturer of power tools, has introduced a left handed circular saw kit. This kit features a blade on the left hand side. Reviews show that it is very inexpensive, around $100, and seems to work very well for a lot of different materials. This might be a great saw for left handed individuals to try out. This seems much safer than maneuvering backwards or using the wrong hand.
Panasonic now offers a left handed cordless drill. This drill is also reported to have a quick recharge and to be a great tool all around. However, the selection is still not up to par with right handed power tools.
Tool belts on the other hand (pardon the pun) have come a long way in the realm of satisfying their left handed customers. This is very helpful and a step in the right direction, especially for left handed individuals who work in the construction industry. They commonly wear a tool belt for eight to twelve hours a day, five or six days per week.
It appears that the power tool industry has made some steps in the right direct when it comes to making the majority of power tools accommodating for both left handed and right handed individuals. Moving the power switch made a huge different on many of these power tools. Left handed individuals used to have to reach in front of the power tool with their other hab to access the switch which was an accident just waiting to happen. Now most of the major power tools have the power switch in the center.
Since there are so many left handed people in our world, and it is no longer something to be ignored, there is a huge demand for power tools for left handed people. Creating power tools that appeal to this market seems like a great opportunity for power tool manufacturers. There has been some progress in this area over the past ten years, and there are good indications that progress will continue in meeting the power tool needs of left handed individuals. Eventually, left handed people will be able to purchase power tools that are effective, safe, and work with them instead of requiring them to find a way to use a right handed set up.
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