A saw is a tool used for cutting through materials. Most commonly saws cut wood, although also metals, plastics, and other materials. A saw usually has a blade with sharp teeth that removes material as it moves back and forth. There are many different types of saws and these include:
- Hand saws
- Power saws
- Table saws
- CNC saws
This article will explain what kinds of saws are available, and what they are each used for. First though, let’s explain the difference between a cross cut and a rip cut.
Cross cutting saws vs rip cutting saws
A crosscut is made perpendicular to the wood’s grain, whilst a rip cut is in parallel with it. A crosscut saw’s teeth would typically be knife like to cut across the grain. A rip cut saw’s teeth would be chisel like, to gouge or rake out the wood.
Hand saws
Traditional hand saw
A traditional hand saw has a long blade with large teeth. A traditional hand saw is a type of saw that is used for general woodworking, and is suitable for both cross cutting and rip cutting.
As you can imagine, it benefits from its portability along with a decent level of precision, is quick to set up and operation is relatively quiet.
Tenon saw
A tenon saw is a different type of saw for carpentry and is used for precise, straight cutting in woodworking. This makes it effective for precision joints, such as tenons (where the saw got its name).
Tenon saws have fine teeth, a short blade and a reinforced spine which prevents bending during cutting.
Hacksaw
A hacksaw is a hand saw designed for cutting metals, though it is also suitable for plastics and other hard materials.
It has a strong metal U-shaped frame, a thin and replaceable blade, and blade tensioning pins. A hack saw is versatile in what it can cut, including metal pipes, bolts, rods, sheet metal, and PVC piping. Additionally, it’s commonly used for shortening screws and other hardware.
Cross cut saw
A cross cut saw is designed to specifically cut across the grain of wood. Unlike a rip saw, a crosscut saw has teeth that are shaped and angled to slice wood fibres cleanly without tearing them. Usually, these teeth are knife-like and angled, with alternating bevels, allowing each tooth to act like a small chisel.
These saws are commonly used in carpentry and logging, when boards or logs need to be cut across the grain.
Veneer saw
This type of saw is a specialized hand tool generally used for cutting thin sheets of wood veneer cleanly and accurately. A veneer saw usually has a short blade, a curved cutting edge, fine teeth, and often a double-edge blade.
Veneer saws are often used for trimming veneer flush to an edge, cutting veneer patches for repairs and inlays, detailed cuts in thin materials, and where knives may tear grain.
Coping saw
A coping saw is a type of saw characterised by a U-shape, used for cutting intricate shapes, curves, and interior cutouts in timber, plastic and thin metals. It usually has a thin and narrow blade, fine teeth, and a tensioning mechanism.
Coping saws are used for precise work, and are more flexible than hacksaws. They are commonly used by carpenters for intricate trimming, and by hobbyists for model making.
Power saws
Circular saw
A circular saw is a type of power saw that uses a round toothed blade. It spins at high speeds to make straight cuts in timber, plastics, metals, masonry and other materials. Usually, a specific blade can be purchased that will service each type of material.
A circular saw has an electric motor and can be corded or cordless, has an adjustable plate for depth and angle, and is used by carpenters for both cross cutting and rip cutting. It’s a robust tool that is used by many trades across a huge range of materials.
Jigsaw
A jigsaw is a type of handheld power saw with a thin, straight blade that moves up and down to cut curves, shapes, and detailed work in wood, metals, plastics, and other materials. It has a reciprocating blade, adjustable speed, tilting base plate and different blades for different materials.
A jigsaw is very versatile, good for curved cutting, and is an easy to use saw for beginners. Commonly, trades will use a jigsaw for cutting actions such as sink cutouts in counter tops.
Chainsaw
A chainsaw is a saw used for cutting timber for forestry, tree trimming, firewood cutting, and storm cleanup. It has a motor driven chain with sharp teeth, used to cut thick trunks of trees.
A chainsaw comes in gas-powered, cordless and electric drives. They are very robust although are used mainly for rough cutting and can be dangerous. Safety is of vital importance, all PPE and safety protocols should be understood and used throughout operation.
Reciprocating saw
A reciprocating saw (also known as a recip saw or a sawzall) is a power tool that has a long straight blade that moves back and forth. It’s a versatile saw used for rough cutting materials in hard to reach places. Usually this saw has a long blade, variable speed control, a two handed design, and different blades for different materials.
Common uses for a reciprocating saw would be demolition work, PVC pipe cutting, removing window framing, cutting small tree branches, or even cutting exhaust pipes in automotive work. Even though a reciprocating saw doesn’t produce a precise cut, it’s very flexible and will cut through almost anything.
Multitool
A multitool is a type of oscillating tool/saw that contains an oscillating head that uses rapid side to side motions for cutting. Additionally a multitool can be used for sanding, grinding and scraping applications.
A multitool has multiple blade options, is small, has variable speeds, and produces flush and intricate cuts. This is an extremely versatile saw used by many trades.
Mitre saw
A mitre saw is a type of stationary saw used for making precision angled and docking cuts. This saw is also known as a chop saw and can cut timber material.
It usually has a rotating base, tilting head (for a compound mitre saw), stops, and is mounted on a bench. A mitre saw can come in various sizes, and is used by many wood based trades.
Band saw
A band saw is a type of power saw that has a continuously looped blade which stretches between multiple wheels to create a smooth and accurate cut in timber, metals, plastics and other materials.
Band saws have a continuous blade with teeth along one edge, a flat table, adjustable guides, and are commonly used for cutting curves and irregular shapes. They are able to cut thick materials and are considered much safer than a lot of table saw options.
Scroll saw
A scroll saw is a kind of power saw similar to a band saw, although smaller and for more intricate work. It will cut soft timber, plastics, and metals, and is great for fretwork or craftwork.
A scroll saw is unmatched in precision, and is good for cutting lettering, puzzlemaking, and small craft projects.
Track saw
A track saw is a precision circular saw that runs along a track. It is used for the accurate and clean cutting of timber. A track saw is commonly used in cabinetry and furniture making; the Festool track saw is one of the most common and best track saws on the market.
Plunge saw
A plunge saw is a kind of circular/track saw, except that the blade starts fully enclosed within the saw’s housing and plunges downward into the material when operated.
It’s good for precise cuts, considered safer than a traditional circular saw, and can start anywhere along a cut line, not just from the material’s edge.
Table saws/CNC saws
Table saw
A table saw is a type of stationary machinery that uses a circular saw blade and a flat table. It generally contains a rip fence and mitre gauge, and is typically used for ripping timber materials.
Table saws are powerful machines that carpenters use to efficiently rip cut materials with speed, efficiency, control, and accuracy.
Sliding panel saw
A sliding panel saw is similar to a table saw, except for the addition of the sliding table. Instead of pushing material through a fixed blade, this type of saw allows a panel and table to slide through a fixed blade.
This saw allows for more easy docking of materials compared to a table saw, and usually comes in larger sizes. It’s much safer and neater than a standard table saw.
Vertical panel saw
A vertical panel saw is a specialised kind of saw designed to cut large panel materials while in an upright position. The blade usually moves along tracks or carriages.
The advantage of using a vertical panel saw is that it is easier and safer to handle large sheets vertically, there’s less chance of a saw kick back, and it’s space efficient allowing floor area to be used for other machines or processes.
Beam saw
A beam saw is a type of saw with a fixed horizontal table and a heavy pressing beam to clamp the panels during cutting. It can powerfully and efficiently cut large sheets to a very high quality.
Beam saws are commonly CNC operated, straight cutting both rip and cross-cutting operations. Beam saws are large but very fast and accurate.
Cutting efficiency for all types of saws
Wood Designer’s OptiCut solution is a cutting optimization software tailored to the type of saw you are using, whether manual or CNC beam saw.
Input your cutting list manually, as a spreadsheet or seamlessly from PolyBoard cabinet design software, to generate cutting plans for both panel and bar materials. These visual cutting maps show the cutting order, part sizes and off-cut areas allowing the operator to cut accurately and with minimal waste.
This video shows what’s possible with OptiCut:
Additionally, generate part labels, manage grain direction and stock/off-cuts, and configure CNC integrations for a huge variety of beam saws.
Versions available for all budgets. For more information, contact us today.
