I am not sure, I think normal protocol is on the right.

 

Most of the video's I see people are working on the left of the blade with the fence on the right.

 

I stay on the left side of the blade, usually. Fence will USUALLY stay to the right of the blade. I say USUALLY, because some cuts take a set up the other way, about 1 in 20 for me.

 

Fence to the right generally works well for me with a left tilt saw.

 

Never considered putting the fence to the left, but I guess it doesn't really matter except with larger pieces. My table saw extension is on the right side so I have to use that side if I want to move the fence over for wider cuts.

 

I think it has more to do with handedness. Since most people are right handed they prefer stand to the left of the blade with the fence on the right with their dominant hand controlling the action.

Or at least that's what I do.

It would make sense (to me) that a lefty would do the opposite because it feels more comfortable.

 

I have a Triton workcentre so, although I could have the fence either side, the distance calibrations work best with the fence on the left of the blade. I rather like this since it means that I can push with my right hand while standing to the outside of the fence (out of the path of a possible kickback) and also not be working over the blade as I do on a table that has the fence on the right.

John makes a good point about considering the tilt of the blade, but I cannot tilt my blade on the Triton workcentre so it is not a concern for me.

 

Left side of the fence.

 

I agree with RussellAP and Tootles the majority of the time the fence is to the left of the blade. I found over the years of using table saws that my proper hight for my table saw is 32" and when doing most work it is more comfortable and seemingly more safe for my body to be to the right of the blade. I feel uncomfortable, like backwards, working the other way which to me equals a safety issue. I believe there is no right or wrong here just what is comfortable and ultimately the safest way of doing things.
MIKE

 

+1 to Richard
I'm left handed so my fence is on the right side of the blade. I stand right of the blade out of harms way, using my left hand to guide and push the wood. My right hand is useless except to hold a golf club. HA!

 

fence on da right side…

 

My fence is to the the right of my left tilt blade and cut wood this way unless I'm using a sled, then I use the left miter slot and the finish cut is to the right side of the blade and don't use the fence at all

 

For most cabinet saws, the extension table is right of the blade and fence rails run to the right of the blade. I'm sure you could put extension rails running left of the blade and get a tape that reads right to left and mount it. If it's a small saw, then I guess the rip fence wouldn't matter.

Comfort and safety is the most important. If you're not comfortable pushing wood from one side or the other, then it can create a real safety problem.

I've always been "bad" about how I stand behing my saw. 99 percent of the time my fence will be right of the blade. I usually stand a little to the left of the blade, so when I'm pushing the wood I have more of a tendency to push the wood towards the fence. I can see my wood, my hands, the blade and the face of the fence at all times so I feel more comfortable with the cut. I have a tendency not to pay as much attention to where I'm standing as far as a kick back is concerned. In 27 years of full time woodworking, I can only think of kick back twice. The first time the board hit me in the belt line ( it left a mark!). The second time the board took the my hand back across the blade ( that left a mark and a lot of stiches).

I don't think it matters at all which side we work from as long as we feel comfortable doing it and pay attention to what we're doing. Just be safe.
BTW: I can still count to ten and don't have to borrow anyone's finger to do so.

 

fence to the right of the blade with the finished workpiece riding between the blade and the fence., with the offcut falling away to the left of the blade. employed the same technique using both right and left tilt saws.

 

After I read my own post, I might of confused some. My main point was, I think a lot of woodworkers focus more on where they stand behind their saw,(for fear of kick back) then how they actually feel while pushing a board along a rip fence. Both of my kick backs where "oopserator" mistakes. (getting "too" combortable behind the saw and not paying attention for a split second).
I've always been more fearful of getting cut with the table saw then getting hit with a board with kick back, especially since I've experienced both.

 

Ditto, Toolie.

It's about handedness. Mine is on the right side. I have to turn my Incra fence around to make bevel cuts sometimes because my saw is right tilting. It's always awkward pushing with my left hand, so much so I really don't like doing it.

 

Fence on the right. Don't know why. It just seemed correct the first time I used the saw. Probably because I'm a righty.

 

Right side. Thats were the extension is.

 

my old tablesaw had a one-sided fence that was to the right of the blade. my new one has a fence you can use either side. someday i am sure i will try on the left side of the blade to see if there is any difference-i suppose some things may make sense-but haven't figured it out yet!!

 

Do you consider where your saw's switch is when you decide which side of the fence you're on?

 

Don, I don't usually cut anything on a TS that would impeded my ability to reach the switch. When I do, I cut on the right side if possible so I'm on the same side as the switch.

 

On left tilting saws, if you are cutting any bevel angles do not put the fence on the left side or tight side of your work! It'll cause binding, a DANGEROUS situation.

 

anyone can tell when its RIGHT! if you put in a single switch upside down it tells you "no" RIGHT side up it says "on" same with a tape measure if you measure from left to right with the tape in your RIGHT hand its RIGHT side up. Measuring from right to left its upside down. Most non screw drive saws are for left handers because a RIGHT handed operator has to stand over the saw to see the blade on the line.(or else they would have to use a left hand thread to hold the blade) Table saws mess with your mind. I am RIGHT handed (as if you couldn't tell). I make my adjustments with my RIGHT hand so I have the fence on the RIGHT side of a LEFT tilt saw (very seldom do you want to tilt the blade into the fence). Of course this forces me to use the tape in my LEFT hand reading left to right witch as implied before is wrong and has caused some incorrect measurements 18 1/4" actually created 17 3/4". lol.Right hand tilt saws were only invented to remove the opportunity to blame the saw for making dimensional mistakes RIGHT?

 

Fence is on the right side of the blade for me. I never thought about this consciously; the fence rails are longer on the right so that is where I got used to having the fence. Would probably feel strange to have it on the left now.

 

my saw has the space on the right side, but it will slide over to the left.
it is mostly a matter of personal preference