To most people, "the direction you would expect" is counterclockwise--ie, a standard nut/bolt arrangement. Yes, there is a reason why you'd turn it in the direction that the blade spins, and you
*should* expect to turn it that way. But many don't.
Makes sense to me, but not it seems to most manufacturers. Take a look at Delta's website. (Or General, or Grizzly...) All the instructions/pictures have the extension tables to the right of the blade...whether left or right tilt.
Chris