Saw Point

[Lonsdale73]

Just wondering if beyond most of the population being right handed there's a particular reason why table saws are invariably operated with the guide fence to the right of the blade yet those using sleds or mitre gauges do so the the left of the blade?

 

[Droogs]

Maybe eye dominance plays a part. I'm right handed but left eye dominant and tend to therefore have a sorta lopsided stance when using equiment to make sure i get accuracy.

 

[lurker]

I am left handed
The right hand fence suits me fine
I never stand behind the blade anyway usual place is across the left hand front corner, I can control everything from there and at less risk to my hands.
I assumed everyone did the same.

 

[deema]

Just my opinion, but you tend to push the stuff into the saw with the right hand, and therefore having the fence on the right enables the left to be used to guide / keep it against the fence.

The mitre slot of the left keeps you away from the blade, you have a stronger grip with your dominant hand and you tend to use it naturally to hold the stuff nearest the blade. If the slot was in the other side you would likely have a hand either side of the blade......my Startrite saw has slots on both sides.....when I used the RH slot one day I got that 'what the heck are you doing being so dumb' feeling and soon stopped!!