left-handed saw?

[Mac]

Hello everyone, I've been googling for my answer but haven't found any info so I thought I would ask the experts. I am looking for a left-handed table saw. What I mean by this is that I would like the ripping capacity to be to the left of the blade. About 5 years ago I built a table saw center that I found in Wood Magazine, it's basically a 4x8 surface with a benchtop saw dropped in the middle. Over time I fabricated extra fences, etc and have spoiled myself with a good 48" left ripping capacity. Trouble is, even the highest quality benchtop saw isn't good enough for my needs now. The closest I have come is on the new Craftsman (yes I know) professional series, 22114, which has 24" left capacity. But upon further inspection I noticed the severe fence deflection with even the slightest push. I'm looking at a Jet and a Grizzly but fear I will have to retrain myself to be right handed. As it stands, I do "some" ripping right handed but I'm much more comfortable (and accurate) with the fence to the left of the blade. Would it be difficult, or even possible, to adapt the Grizzly G0444z in this way, re-mounting the fence rails to the left? If not, any other quality saws have this ability? Thanks very much for your thoughts,

-Mac

[Upscale]

The rails on most better quality table saws can be reversed or moved over to the left before fastening in place. The Excalibur table saw guide and rails I have slide on and can be positioned wherever one likes before they are tightened in place. Haven't looked at any single rail systems recently, but the engineering for left or right mounting is pretty simple and shouldn't be difficult to set up.

[Bob Jones]

Your question piqued my curiosity so I trekked out to the shop to check my Vega 52" fence (which I have owned and loved for several years now) mounted on a Grizzly cabinet saw (1023). Looks like there would be no reason you couldn't mount the fence in the "left hand" orientation you desire. Everything is symmetrical. The only thing is that the tape measure which adheres to the front fence bar would either be backward or upside down to the operator. Don't know if any of those aftermarket reverse tape measures would work. My guess is that they would.

HTH

Bob

[Fly-by-Night CC]

As both Bob Jones and Upscale indicated you can mount the fence rails to project to either the right or left on both a right tilt or a left tilt. Another option is to insert the plug into the outlet upside down and then stand on the back side of the saw... Instant long left rip capacity. . . . :)

[Bob G.]

As the other Three posters noted just reverse the rails... I use a Biesmeyer 50 inch fence and rails BUT I off set them 12 inches further to the left then normal...(the saw fits the shop better)...and allows my jointer to sit next to the saw...

Any right to left tape measure will work...... I needed the standard left to right tape but I needed the zero point 12 inches from where it originally was... BIG deal...

Bob GRiffiths

[mike]

Mac, I'm a lefty too. Best advice I can give you is too rip to the right of the blade. With a decent saw you can be accurate either way. I do understand that you are more comfortable ripping to the left of the blade.With practice you will learn to be just as comfortable ripping to the right.

mike

[bridger]

pick any saw you want. get the right tilt or left tilt- I think for a left handed setup I'd want right tilt. then set it up with:

to set up lefty.

[Mac]

Thank you all for your replies and suggestions. Bob, when you offset the rails, did it require any re-drilling? I'm assuming the holes will be equidistant but I would like to be sure. I called Grizzly and the tech said the rails MUST go on the right. Maybe this is only true for the ShopFox fence that comes with this saw. Thank you all,

-Mac