As the technology progresses, every field is witnessing innovations and the saw market is not an exception. Different saws are available in the world, and it often becomes difficult for particular someone to know which kind of saw is apt for a particular job. Right from the most commonly used miter saws to the exclusive, continuous band saws, different tools have different functionalities, and a little research on their performances will give you an appropriate idea on what tools to acquire for your woodworking project.
While a DIYer can list out major types of saws in categories, one should know that there’s a huge distinction between types of saws be it the hand held saws or the power saws. Keeping it in mind, the saws with nomenclature based on cultural and regional variations can come to 7 types as mentioned below. Have a look!
No matter what type of woodworking projects be it building a garden bench, plumbing a new sink or installing a trim moulding; of different sizes, shapes and materials; there will always be a saw that you can rely on. The below mentioned seven saws have the capability of covering a wide range of DIY woodworking projects right from the metal to the wood, and you can familiarise yourself with the saws to gain elevated experience. You can also check the DIY Smart Saw review and use it to try out thousands of unique projects. As you go about adding different saws to your toolbox, you need to know that maintaining saws is all about knowing the teeth of these saws.
If you have ever purchased a saw, you know that the saws are advertised by listing the teeth per inch as USP. The usual number of TPI vary from 2 teeth to 32 teeth. The blades with lower TPI produce rougher and quicker cuts while the one with higher TPI produce smoother and finer cuts when used on the same materials.
1. Traditional Handsaw
Any DIYer or Woodworker’s shop is incomplete without a traditional handsaw with a sturdy design and larger blade. Though it is powered by muscle power, it delivers finer cuts. Based on the type of the intended cut, you can choose the type of suitable traditional handsaw when it comes to the size and the shape.
Types
- Rip saw for angled and larger teeth with a count of 5 TPI.
- Crosscut saw for working with grain of the wood with a count of 12 TPI
- Hybrid saw to be used as both the Rip saw and the Crosscut saw with a count of 8 TPI.
Use
If you want to cut the wood by hand, this is the best tool you can have. With around 12 TPI, this saw produces smooth cuts. If you’re ready to invest a bit more to rip the wood, you can buy a bit costlier one.
2. Miter Saw
The major purpose of using a miter saw is to make precise cuts. There won’t be a toolbox without miter saw in any household and every DIY project needs a miter saw given that the project involves moulding, framing and sometimes even creating siding strips. Miter saws come in different types and the recently launched miter saws make angular cuts that work on the same principle as the manual and handheld miter saws work on, even when they are capable of making much more complicated cuts.
The heavy steel of the miter saw can be mounted on the table to attain stability, and the guide made of steel along the edge known as the fence is aligned with the material before the cuts are made. The blade of the saw is actually docked in a disk located on an adjustable arm which can be pivoted up and down in order to make cuts at any angles. The reason behind the usage of miter saw is because it can also make slant cuts along with angled cuts and the arm can be either pulled forward and backwards while working.
Use
Miter saws are mostly used for carpentry and whenever one has to make a complicated cut. With teeth ranging from 10-15; the miter saws also work well with bevel cuts and angled cuts and indeed a very good choice for trimming and building the DIY projects.
3. Hacksaw
With interchangeable and fine blades that range from 15-32 TPI, the hacksaw is of C-shape, often used to cut pipes and metal worksheets. As there are many possibilities of TPI options, this saw is useful to cut a wide set of materials PVC, metal sheets and plastic. All these blades are held in place by the screw nuts attached on end. An additional tension nut is added which gives you the ability to stretch the blade while making the cuts based on the material thickness.
Use
Used best to cut the metal especially when it requires a good control in the cutting procedure. Rubber grips are provided on both the handles and also on the front frame allowing the user to work with both the hands.
3. Jigsaw
Versatile as the name says, a Jig saw is the most generic saw used by all the DIYers. It is used to make straight cuts, but the real ability of the Jig Saw comes out when you want to make curve cuts. Considered as one of the most basic power saws, the jigsaw contains a flat shoe like base that rests on the parallel surface of the material that you want to cut allowing you to make a projection that can be adjusted before you make the cut.
Use
Mostly used to work with woods and to make curved profiles out of the woods, if you are looking for an extra functional and dependable DIY saw, the jigsaw is the best option you can find out there be it a smaller one or a larger one. You can adjust the cutting speed, angle and tilt with the speed dial.
4. Chainsaw
Designed to cut the trees to make them fall or to cut the limbs out of the fallen teeth, chainsaws seem wild and dangerous with sharp teeth that are rotated on the edge of the guide bar. The guide bars are usually around 14-36 inches long based on whether they are used for pruning or for lumberjacking. The teeth of the chainsaws can be interchanged, and most of the times, the DIY chainsaw contains 18-20 inches bars.
While different sizes are to be explored, the smaller chainsaws work well for the house projects. It is important to note that the chainsaws are the most dangerous saws and therefore one has to be very careful and aware while using the chainsaws and should only use it for advanced purposes after being fully familiarised with it.
Use
Chain saws are best used to trim the trees and to cut the firewood. They also come extremely handy in harvesting the wood and pruning the branches out. Though not very cheap, they are light in weight and are powerful and therefore you can cut the wood without back strain and muscular force.
5. Coping Saws
Coping saws are mostly of U-shape, and all of them are designed with a sole aim of coping or to make back bevelled cuts across the corners. With the similar functionality as hacksaw, the frame of the coping saw is lighter in weight, and the blade is relatively shorter with 12-32 TPI and the blade length varying up to 7 inches long. The tiny blades are responsible for making precise cuts for trim installation and crown moulding.
Use
Used the best for making professional corner cuts and inner joints involved in trimming, the coping saws can be widely functional both for coping and even non-coping jobs. The deeper throat available will give you so much space to trim the wider pieces at different angles.
6. Circular Saws
Designed to make straight lines on specific materials where conventional saws don’t work like the concrete, the plywood, the foam board or the dimensional lumber, etc. Being one of the most popular and widely known saws, it is known for its framing and is the best substitution for the table saw. It contains a circular blade along with a wide base that sets against the workable material on various depths.
Use
Used mostly for making joists, sheathing, wall studs and rafters, these saws are best used to deal the framing materials. If you’re someone who’s into playhouses, dog shelters, pet houses or garden sheds, circular saw is best suited for you as it comes with a spindle lock and amp motor. The circular saws are best used for all the DIY projects irrespective of the type of cuts you want to make.
Conclusion
To conclude, all the above mentioned seven saws are functional and can deliver excellent outputs when they are used especially for the specific functions that they are meant to be used. Therefore, if you are working on a wood project; note the need for your project and based on that choose the saw that caters that need and if you’re hoping to have a prolonged career in the woodworking, it’s better to acquire all the seven tools right from the start for better finishes.
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