Kitchen Cabinets

15 Types of Saws and How to Choose

Saws are essential tools for any workshop or construction project. With so many types available, it can be difficult to determine which saw is right for your needs. This comprehensive guide examines 15 common types of saws, their features and benefits, and tips on choosing the best saw for your project.

Hand Saws

Hand saws are manually operated and don’t require electricity. Their portability and affordability make them a staple for basic DIY tasks.

Backsaw

Backsaws feature a stiff spine opposite the cutting edge that ensures straight cuts in woodworking. The small blade allows for detailed and precise cuts. Backsaws work well for joinery, miter cuts, or cutting dowels and tenons.

Key Features:

  • Small rigid blade with spine for straight cuts
  • Teeth are fine and set close together
  • Cuts on the pull stroke

Best Uses:

  • Precision and detail work
  • Joinery
  • Cutting miters and dowels

Coping Saw

A coping saw’s thin, U-shaped blade allows you to cut intricate curves and interior cutouts. The blade is held in tension by the frame. Coping saws excel at detailed scrollwork.

Key Features:

  • Very thin, flexible blade
  • Cuts on the pull stroke
  • Blade held in tension by frame

Best Uses:

  • Tight curves and interior cutouts
  • Scrollwork and fretwork
  • Cutting molding miters

Crosscut Saw

A crosscut saw haswide pointed teeth ideal for cutting across the grain of wood. The thick blade can saw through wood quickly. Use for basic rough cutting tasks.

Key Features:

  • Wide blade with large teeth spaced far apart
  • Teeth are beveled to cut wood fibers across the grain
  • Aggressive cutting action

Best Uses:

  • Cutting logs and lumber across the grain
  • Rough crosscuts
  • Removing tree branches

Hacksaw

The fine teeth on a hacksaw are designed to cut metal. Hacksaws provide excellent control and can cut metal rod, bolts, pipe and more. The blades are disposable and replaceable.

Key Features:

  • Thin disposable blade with fine teeth
  • Cuts on the push and pull stroke
  • Adjustable metal frame provides tension

Best Uses:

  • Cutting metal like rods, bolts, pipes
  • Cutting plastic and other materials

Japanese Pull Saw

This traditional woodworking saw has ultra-sharp teeth hardened for precision cuts. Its thin profile cuts on the pull stroke allowing more control and accuracy. The stiff spine keeps the blade flat.

Key Features:

  • Thin blade with hard teeth
  • Cuts on the pull stroke
  • Rigid spine keeps blade flat

Best Uses:

  • Precise carpentry and joinery
  • Detailed cuts in woodworking
  • Tight spaces other saws can’t fit

Keyhole Saw

The narrow blade of a keyhole saw fits into tight spaces. An angled handle provides better accessibility. Use a keyhole saw to cut holes in walls or panels or prune tree branches.

Key Features:

  • Long narrow blade with fine teeth
  • Comfortable angled handle
  • Cuts on both push and pull strokes

Best Uses:

  • Cutting small holes in drywall or panels
  • Trimming tree branches
  • Tight spaces where other saws won’t fit

Pruning Saw

Pruning saws have curved or folding blades ideal for cutting branches and pruning trees and shrubs. The pull-cut teeth help prevent tearing. Some have telescoping handles.

Key Features:

  • Curved or folding blade
  • Pull-cut teeth
  • Comfortable grip handle

Best Uses:

  • Pruning trees, shrubs, and bushes
  • Trimming tree branches

Power Saws

Power saws use electricity to drive the blade, allowing faster cuts with less effort. They’re ideal for heavy-duty cutting tasks.

Circular Saw

A circular saw has a rotating circular blade that cuts quickly through wood and other materials. It can make straight, bevel, miter and angled cuts. Use with a straightedge for long cuts.

Key Features:

  • Round rotating blade with teeth
  • Adjustable blade depth and angle
  • Powerful motor drives the blade

Best Uses:

  • Straight and angled cutting in wood or lumber
  • Bevel and miter cuts
  • Cutting sheet goods like plywood

Jigsaw

A jigsaw has a thin, narrow blade that moves up and down to provide versatility for curved cuts. Blade options allow cutting wood, metal, countertops and more.

Key Features:

  • Thin, narrow reciprocating blade
  • Tight blade turning radius for curves
  • Adjustable speed and orbit control

Best Uses:

  • Cutting curves and scrollwork
  • Tight corners or circular cuts
  • Cutting countertops or metal

Miter Saw

Miter saws pivot to make precise angled crosscuts. Stops allow quick setting of common angles. Compound miter saws also tilt for beveled cuts. Use for accurate trim carpentry.

Key Features:

  • Circular blade pivots side to side
  • Precisely sets common miter angles
  • Some compound models tilt for bevels

Best Uses:

  • Angled cuts and miters in woodworking
  • Crown molding, baseboard, trim
  • Picture frames and molding

Reciprocating Saw

The fast reciprocating action of this saw makes quick work of cutting wood, metal and more. The handheld size provides versatility for demolition. Some cordless models available.

Key Features:

  • Thin reciprocating blade
  • Very fast cutting action
  • Compact and portable

Best Uses:

  • Demolition tasks
  • Cutting wood, metal and plastics
  • Pruning tree branches

Scroll Saw

Scroll saws use a thin, short blade to make delicate and detailed curves and cuts. The compact size provides precise control for fretwork and intricate designs.

Key Features:

  • Small and lightweight
  • Thin, short reciprocating blade
  • Slow blade speed for control

Best Uses:

  • Intricate fretwork or scrollwork
  • Crafts with thin wood or metal
  • Detailed curved cuts in wood

Table Saw

Table saws have a circular blade mounted under a flat table to provide stability and accuracy. They excel at ripping lumber, crosscuts, angles, dados, rabbets and more.

Key Features:

  • Circular blade mounted in table
  • Straightedge guide for long cuts
  • Dado blade available

Best Uses:

  • Ripping, crosscutting lumber
  • Cutting sheet goods precisely
  • Dados, grooves, rabbets, angles

Specialty Saws

These saws serve specific purposes for unique cutting tasks encountered in construction, plumbing, masonry work and more.

Band Saw

The flexible metal band blade on a band saw runs in a continuous loop around wheels. This allows smooth, even cuts in wood or metal, especially for curves and irregular shapes.

Key Features:

  • Flexible band blade loops on wheels
  • Large cutting capacity
  • Makes smooth curved or irregular cuts

Best Uses:

  • Cutting curved wood shapes
  • Smoothly cutting metal
  • Resawing lumber into thinner pieces

Chainsaw

A chainsaw uses a rotating chain blade powered by a gasoline engine to rapidly cut trees or lumber. Powerful, heavy-duty saw ideal for tree felling and firewood cutting.

Key Features:

  • Gasoline-powered engine
  • Rotating chain blade with cutting teeth
  • Aggressive cutting for trees and lumber

Best Uses:

  • Cutting and felling trees
  • Chopping firewood
  • Clearing brush quickly

Compound Miter Saw

The compound miter saw tilts and pivots to make angled and beveled cuts with just one tool. Very versatile for crown molding, trim, picture frames and more. Often slidable for larger cuts.

Key Features:

  • Blade bevels and pivots for compound cuts
  • Quick and accurate miter adjustments
  • Sliding feature for wider crosscuts

Best Uses:

  • Crown moldings, baseboard, door trim
  • Crosscutting wide lumber at angles
  • Cutting framing lumber precisely

Concrete Saw

Concrete saws use circular diamond blades and water to cut concrete, asphalt, stone, and cinder blocks. Available as walk-behind floor saws or handheld versions. Essential for construction.

Key Features:

  • Circular diamond blade for masonry
  • Water feed to control dust
  • Very powerful motor

Best Uses:

  • Cutting concrete slabs or driveway
  • Trenching concrete for pipes
  • Cutting cinder blocks and bricks

Hole Saw

A hole saw is a cylindrical saw blade used with an arbor to cut circular holes in material. Changeable sizes make it easy to cut holes for electrical boxes, plumbing, ductwork, and more.

Key Features:

  • Cylindrical saw blade with center drill bit
  • Removes plug of material for clean hole
  • Replaceable sizes available

Best Uses:

  • Cutting holes for electrical boxes
  • Plumbing and ductwork holes
  • Tuning drum sets

Oscillating Tool

The rapid oscillating action of this tool allows flush cutting into a surface. Blade changes cut wood, metal, drywall, plastics and more. Great for renovations and tight spaces.

Key Features:

  • Rapid side-to-side oscillating blade motion
  • Quick-change blade system
  • Compact size

Best Uses:

  • Cutting into tight corners
  • Sanding, sawing, grinding
  • Flush cuts against surfaces

Power Pruning Saw

Power pruning saws rapidly cut through branches up to 5-6 inches thick. The hooked blade helps pull branches for easier, clean cuts. No ladder required for high branches.

Key Features:

  • Curved, hooked reciprocating blade
  • Powerful enough for 5-6 inch branches
  • Extendable pole for high branches

Best Uses:

  • Pruning high branches
  • Quickly pruning trees or shrubs
  • Harvesting fruits from trees

Tile Saw

Tile saws use a diamond-coated blade that withstands overheating from ceramic or porcelain tiles. Water cools and lubricates the blade. Cut multiple tiles at once.

Key Features:

  • Diamond coated blade for tile
  • Built-in water bath
  • Slider table for multiple tiles

Best Uses:

  • Cutting ceramic or porcelain tile
  • Quick straight or angled tile cuts
  • Cutting natural stone tile

How to Choose the Right Saw

With so many types of saws for different purposes, it can be challenging to determine which saw is ideal for your project. Follow these tips to select the best saw for your needs:

Consider the Material You Need to Cut

Is it wood, metal, concrete, tile? Not all saws can cut all materials. Match the saw blade and capabilities to your material.

Determine the Cutting Task

Thick crosscuts in lumber call for a different saw than delicate curved scrollwork. Make sure the saw is suited for the type of cut.

Assess the Precision Needed

Do you require perfect 90-degree angles or rapid demolition cuts? Precision tasks need more specialized or adjustable saws.

Evaluate Portability Requirements

For outdoor work or jobsites, portable saws are essential. Corded electric models provide more stationary power.

Determine Your Power Source

Electric, battery, or gas? Power source dictates the mobility and locations a saw can be used. But higher power often requires being plugged in.

Consider Safety Features

Look for blade guards, kickback protection, emergency stops. While no saw is completely safe, modern features reduce risk.

Check the Saw’s Capacity

Make sure the saw can handle the size of material you need to cut. Bigger is not always better capacity-wise.

Know Your Skill Level

Power saws require more skills and experience to operate safely. Highly specialized saws also demand greater user competency.

Stay Within Your Budget

Saws range greatly in price. Determine how much you can spend and expect to pay more for more power and capabilities.

Conclusion

With this overview of the most common types of saws and their uses, you should now feel confident selecting the right saw for your next project. Always follow safety precautions when using powered saws. Invest in quality blades and maintain your saws properly for best results. Matching the proper saw to the job will let you work quickly, accurately, and safely.

15 Types of Saws and How to Choose

Saws are indispensable tools for both professional construction work as well as home do-it-yourself projects. With the wide variety of saws available on the market, choosing the right type of saw for your needs can be a challenging task. This extensive article will explore 15 of the most common types of saws, their key features and ideal uses, as well as provide helpful tips on how to select the best saw for your requirements. With this comprehensive guide, you’ll have an in-depth understanding of the diverse range of saws and their capabilities so you can confidently choose the optimal saw for your material and cutting needs.

Hand Saws

Hand saws require manual operation to cut materials. They are commonly used for basic cutting tasks and offer the advantages of being lightweight and affordable. Here are some of the most popular hand saw types:

Backsaw

Backsaws feature a stiffened “back” on one edge of the blade opposite the cutting edge. This reinforces the thin blade and allows it to cut with precision. The small blade has fine teeth, closely set, and is designed for detailed work. Backsaws primarily cut on the push stroke and work well for joinery tasks requiring accuracy, like cutting dovetails, tenons, miters, or dowels.

Key Features:

  • Rigid spine gives thin blade support for straight cuts
  • Fine teeth thinly set for detailed cuts
  • Cuts primarily on push stroke

Ideal Uses:

  • Precise joinery work
  • Cutting miters and dowels
  • Detailed carpentry requiring accuracy

Coping Saw

The coping saw’s thin, U-shaped blade is designed to cut intricate shapes and curves in woodworking, like volutes, interior cut-outs, and scrollwork. The blade is held under tension in the frame to allow the workpiece to rotate as needed. Coping saws excel at delicate and curvaceous cutting tasks.

Key Features:

  • Thin, flexible blade for tight curves
  • Blade firmly tensioned in frame
  • Cuts on pull stroke for more control

Ideal Uses:

  • Tight curves and interior cut-outs
  • Intricate scrollwork in wood
  • Fretwork and ornamental carving

Crosscut Saw

Crosscut saws feature wide blades with large, aggressively beveled teeth ideal for cutting across the grain of wood. The thick blade can rapidly cut through wood with less effort compared to other saws. Use for basic rough cutting tasks.

Key Features:

  • Wide blade with large and widely spaced teeth
  • Teeth aggressively beveled for crosscutting
  • Sturdy thick blade saws quickly

Ideal Uses:

  • Roughly cutting logs and lumber
  • Pruning tree branches
  • Basic fast crosscutting

Hacksaw

The hacksaw’s thin blade is held in tension within its frame and features fine teeth designed specifically to cut metal. Hacksaws provide excellent control when cutting and can cut rod stock, pipe, sheet metal, bolts, and more. Blades are replaceable.

Key Features:

  • Thin disposable blade with fine teeth
  • Cuts metal on push and pull strokes
  • Adjustable frame tensions blade

Ideal Uses:

  • Cutting metal rods, pipes, sheets
  • Cutting plastic, fiberglass, ceramic tiles
  • Anywhere a sharp controlled saw for metal is needed

Japanese Pull Saw

Japanese pull saws cut wood on the pull stroke rather than pushing, allowing greater control and precision with the blade always in tension. The thin, stiff spine keeps the hardened saw plate flat and straight throughout the cut. Ideal for fine carpentry and joinery.

Key Features:

  • Thin saw plate with hard teeth
  • Cuts only on pull stroke
  • Stiff spine keeps blade perfectly straight

Ideal Uses:

  • Precise and clean carpentry cuts
  • Detailed joinery and fine woodworking
  • Confined spaces where control is essential

Keyhole Saw

The keyhole saw’s long, narrow blade allows access into confined spaces other saws can’t reach. It can cut small holes in drywall or paneling, prune tree branches, or cut openings to insert wiring. The handle is set at an angle for better leverage.

Key Features:

  • Long narrow blade fits into tight spaces
  • Comfortable angled handle
  • Cuts on push and pull stroke

Ideal Uses:

  • Cutting small openings in drywall or paneling
  • Accessing tight spaces other saws can’t
  • Pruning and trimming tree branches

Pruning Saw

Pruning saws have thin curved or folding blades ideal for cutting branches and pruning trees, shrubs, and bushes. Some have telescoping handles to reach high branches. The pull-stroke tooth pattern helps prevent tearing.

Key Features:

  • Curved blade optimized for pruning
  • Pull-stroke tooth design
  • Some telescopic handles for height

Ideal Uses:

  • Pruning and trimming trees and shrubs
  • Harvesting fruit from trees
  • Clearing bushes and undergrowth

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