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Left-Handed Watchmakers Not Allowed?

Endeavor
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Endeavor Distinguished Member

Endeavor

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Sometimes you just don't know which side. One day, I tried to learn playing golf. First thing you get is a set right-handed clubs, and the instructor teaches you how to swing right-handed etc. Not knowing better, you try to adapt and learn. Initially you don't hit the ball anyway, so it doesn't matter :). Then I became aware of the existence of left-handed clubs.

The instructor found some dusty left-handed clubs, a bit too short for me. I tried those and to the annoyment of the instructor, I just couldn't make up my mind.  Long story short, I ended up with right-handed, probably due to availability and both sides play were equally poor :)

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clockboy Distinguished Member

clockboy

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I am sure I have seen gravers for left hand use i.e. the angle of cut is different. If you find a lathe that can be run in inverse you could turn the lathe around so the tailstock is facing on the left. However if it has a cross slide then you are snookered. I am sure there are many operators that are left handed and have just adapted. My son is left handed and has used my lathe with no issues.

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anilv Distinguished Member

anilv

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In the work-houses back in the day, watchmakers had to sit at benches very close to each other..one lefty will be forever banging elbows with his partner o. The left!

I'm just joking ! I'm half Chinese and at a Chinese dinner its impossible to eat with chopsticks if you're seated next to a lefty...it gets quite cosy at some dinners!

Anil

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Peixian Watch Enthusiast

Peixian

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I am also left handed,

 

Chainstay,  "the lefty often has a lot more precision and dexterity (oddly enough given the meaning of "dexter"...) than average"

 

 

 

Unfortunately I must be the except to the rule

:D i am also a lefty. and i also heard that saying.

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DouglasSkinner WRT Addict

DouglasSkinner

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I'm left handed but do a lot of things with my right hand.  My right eye is my dominant eye so I hold my pistol and shoot with my right hand.  Most of the type I use my eye loupe with my right eye though, again, I find I can almost use it as effectively with my left.  I also use my right hand for lathe work.  I find that for almost every thing, except writing and tying my shoes, I'm basically ambidextrous.  My watch instructor encourages us to be facile with both hands. 

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