Old SKIL Circular Saw Runs Backwards??


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Old 03-08-10, 12:28 PM
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Old SKIL Circular Saw Runs Backwards??

I have an old SKIL Circular Saw I have dug out of my shed. Going to start some wood working projects.

I know this saw had a bad history of cutting really bad, so I went out and bought a new blade thinking that was the problem...

Installed it on the saw so that the teeth were facing clockwise. By my estimation, the saw should turn clockwise because, if it turned counter-clockwise, it would throw all the saw dust up into your face.

Lo' and behold, the saw blade DOES turn counter-clockwise. Which might explain why it cut really crappy..

My question is, what would cause this and how can I fix it?

Thanx

Michale
 
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Old 03-08-10, 12:48 PM
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Where are you looking at it from...and which side of the motor is the blade on.

Skilsaws cut UP though the workpiece...its just the nature of the beast. Nothing you can do. Tablesaws cut down through...but its just the way you feed the stock in....the motor still turns the same way.

Though I never had a problem with dust in my face...

Are all the guards and stuff in place?
 
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Old 03-08-10, 12:51 PM
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you're in luck

Nothing whatsoever to fix. Just mount the blade with its teeth pointing counterclockwise.
 
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Old 03-08-10, 12:57 PM
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Ahhh.. So, as you face the blade side of the saw, it IS supposed to spin counter-clockwise..

Hokay... Thanx a bunch...


Michale
 
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Old 03-08-10, 01:02 PM
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Yeah...if its a left handed saw or a cordless with the blade on the left (which is most if not all of them)..then it will spin clockwise...but it still cuts UP through the work.
 
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Old 03-08-10, 01:25 PM
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These saws can face both ways, so CW and CCW can be confusing

They are intuitively backward in that they cut up from the bottom of the work, otherwise the saw would jump up out of the work

You will find your saw cuts much better with the blade facing the right way. Unfortunately, I can say this with much confidence and experience....
 
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Old 03-08-10, 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by mitch17 View Post
These saws can face both ways, so CW and CCW can be confusing

They are intuitively backward in that they cut up from the bottom of the work, otherwise the saw would jump up out of the work

You will find your saw cuts much better with the blade facing the right way. Unfortunately, I can say this with much confidence and experience....
Who of us hasn't tried to cut with the blade backwards? Makes some nice blue smoke.


Beer 4U2
 
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Old 03-08-10, 02:20 PM
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Originally Posted by gary300 View Post
Who of us hasn't tried to cut with the blade backwards? Makes some nice blue smoke.


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Actually there are times when you do use it backwards such as cutting sheet metal with an old plywood blade.
 
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Old 03-08-10, 04:16 PM
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Vic, oddly enough I do have a problem with my helpers changing my blade on my PC Mag423 left hand saw. They always think the label should be showing, but it is backwards!!
 
 

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