Table Saw Fence - Always on the right of the blade?

[will_s87]

Is there a reason that the fence of a table saw is typically placed on the right hand side of blade?

thanks, Will.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

probably because most people being right handed find that position the "natural" side to push the work. Most saws will let you lift or slide the fence to the left of the blade though the room is obviously a lot less. But that's helpful for certain bevel cuts if your blade is right tilt as many are.

 

[Steve Maskery]

It's strange, isn't it? Most TS are designed with the fence on the right, most BS one the left. I've never understood why they are not both the same.

And Bob is right. Although an increasing number of TS are being designed to tilt to the left, the vast majority of existing ones tilt to the right, towards the fence. This is not good for bevel cuts ans it traps the workpiece between the blade, the fence and the table, resulting in an increasing risk of kickback.

If, however, you move the fence to the left, the tilt is away from the fence and the work and offcut are not trapped.

S