Different types of saws | Hand saws & types of electric saws

Why should you use a circular saw?

• Comes with a powerful motor intended for cutting wood for light and heavy-duty cuts.
• Is portable and hassle-free for us.
• Affordable to find at every hardware store.
• Is a must-have tool.

Why should you not use a circular saw?

• Leaves rough cuts when ripping compared to a table saw.
• Slower and less accurate than a miter saw or a table saw.

Reasons to own a jigsaw tool

• Ideal for cutting out intricate curved shapes and detailed checkouts on wooden boards.
• Easy to use and operate.
• Unlimited power.
• Many blade options.

My problems with owning a jigsaw tool

• Not fast, for long and straight cuts.
• If the material is too thick the blade can bend, and it’s better to use a “band saw”.

The best time to use a cordless jigsaw tool is when you need to cut curves and circles but instead with a more portable cordless option.

Not being tethered to a power outlet offers many advantages if the cordless tool delivers the power that you need.

Cordless is better for intricate woodwork or stencil designs.

Cordless jigsaws are even more hassle-free to work with both at home or on the job site and work even if you’re remote without a power supply.

The Festool and the Makita jigsaw 18V cordless jigsaw tools operate with low vibration and provide all the power you will need for any jigsaw-cutting task that you might have.

What do I like about my miter saw?

• Runs on a powerful motor for heavy jobs.
• equipped with articulated blade guards.
• Can accurately cut miter cuts, bevel cuts, and compound miter cuts.
• Can cut cross-cuts quicker and more accurately than a circular saw.
• Can come with a lightweight stand for quick setup, and good working height.

What do I not like about miter saws?

• Not super portable use due to the size (you could think about a cordless option).
• Can only crosscut, cannot rip timber (like a table saw).

Why use a cordless miter saw instead?

• Lighter weight and more portable than a dedicated miter saw.
• Fitted with electric brakes for fast and smooth stops.
• Dewalt offers the option of both corded and cordless in one tool.
• More accurate than a cordless circular saw.

My issues with cordless miter saws

• Limited working time.
• Less vertical and horizontal cuts can be made.
• Less power than a dedicated plugin tool.

Reasons to own a portable table saw

• Portable and powerful types of power saws for ripping timber.
• Can be used on different level surfaces on the job site by being moved on wheels.
• Can cut exact widths and be set to cut angled cuts.

Reasons not to own a portable table saw

• Makes a bit of noise and vibration, need to wear PPE.
• Cabinet table saws pack even more power and accuracy.

A cabinet table saw is the best option for serious woodworkers, joiners, or cabinet makers.

The unit isn’t portable like a portable table saw. However, the tool is more stable for more accurate cutting jobs.

They can come with larger tables for guiding your cuts, and come packed with more power on tap.

Designed for heavy-duty construction, an induction motor can support longer working hours.

As a ripping tool, you can adjust the ripping capacity easily. 

There are heavy-duty cabinet table saws that can do accurate and precise cutting on large pieces of wood and promote safe use inside a workshop check out the options here . 

Benefits of owning a bandsaw

• A powerful tool for cutting, ripping, and resawing various materials in straight and curved motions.
• Offers different blade options with a wide variety of tooth styles and sizes.

Drawbacks of owning a bandsaw

• Often leaves the material with rough edges which will need finishing sand.
• Not portable like a jigsaw tool.
• Your work needs to be lifted up to the cutting table.

Why do I find saber saw useful?

• Can do vertical and horizontal cuts.
• Includes variable speed for different cutting jobs.
• Many blade options for different materials you want to cut and destroy.
• Only a small tool like this can take out a whole wall in as little as an hour (Make sure wires are disconnected from the power source).

Limitations of using a reciprocating saw

• Not to be used when you want any type of accuracy (Demolition only).
• For only cutting drywall look at getting a cutout saw. (It’s safer and easier to use as you don’t have to penetrate past the lining thickness).
• If you want to remove old weatherboards and keep them in reusable condition, or cut out skirtings and trim to reuse. You want to instead use an oscillating tool.

Track saws are similar to a circular saw although this type of power saw features a rebate in the base of the saw. The saw fits on a long aluminum rail or track used as a “straight edge” with a groove that the electric saw fits on. 

Track saws are used when cutting long and straight cuts when exact to-the-point precision and accuracy are essential to the job at hand.

Doors, melanin, plywood, and even fiber cement sheets can easily be trimmed with the use of a track saw often referred to as a Festool which is the brand that is mostly used.

What do I like when using a track saw?

• Quick and accurate straight cutting on finishing sheets like cladding and interior linings.
• Can be used to cut large sheets on sawhorses that can’t easily be lifted up onto a table saw.
• Different blade options can let you rip even fiber cement sheets as well as plywood sheets.
• Portable and easy to move around and set up.
• Includes dust extraction (Works extremely well).
• Can cut straight angles accurately as a table saw can only cut parallel to the guide.

My issues when using a track saw

• Requires an even or flat surface to work on for a precise result.
• Not as powerful as a table saw for ripping thicker wood.

Benefits of a flooring saw

• Portable, and can cut multiple boards at the same time.
• Saves space due to their size.
• Can be installed on the ground close to where you are working.

Drawbacks of a flooring saw

• Creates a bit of noise.
• Can just use a miter saw.

A cut-out saw is a tool used for cutting openings in drywall linings and plywood.

A cut-out saw can be better used instead of a reciprocating saw for cutting out these materials in demolition because the blade depth can be set to exactly the thickness of the lining you are cutting.

This means you don’t have to worry about overcutting into pipes, or wires that might be concealed inside a wall.

Additionally, it comes with a dust collector that can make the work less messy. 

The upsides of a cut-out saw

• Makes drywall cutting easier and cleaner (Than a demolition saber saw).
• Runs with a variable speed motor for cutting different materials.

The downsides of a cut-out saw

• Limited to cutting thin boards and not for thicker materials (Use a reciprocating saber saw).

An angle grinder can be used for cutting metal, tile, concrete, and stone.

Available in both a corded and cordless option, the cordless angle grinder is more portable and most widely used.

However, for cutting concrete a corded 9-inch angle grinder might be what you need.

Why operate a concrete cutting saw?

• Powered by a strong gas-driven motor.
• Works super fast.

Problems with operating a concrete cutting saw

• Loud and noisy and creates a lot of dust.
• Need good body strength to safely operate.

The best time to use a multi-tool or what’s commonly called an oscillating saw is when you need to trim door or window architraves, cut skirting, cut pipes, or sand wood in tight spots.

Doing tricky cuts in hard-to-reach spots with accuracy is how this tool shines.

Oscillating tools are portable and compact and take a variety of different interchangeable blades to perform a wide variety of functions.

Oscillating tools vibrate back and forth at high speed but only by a little bit.

This means that you can cut by pushing the tool into what you want to cut without the room needed to make a swipe, making it great to cut into hard-to-reach spots, like up behind weatherboards to cut the nails off.

The ability to change the head from a blade to a sanding pad makes it a top-tier alternative to a detail sander as well. 

Why do I love using multi-tool?

• Portable and features an easy-to-grip body.
• It lets you easily remove and cut trim.
• Lets you sand like a detail sander with a triangle pad for reaching into tight corners.
• Multifunctional.

What do I not like about my multi-tool?

• Blades are expensive and can get blunted fast if cutting hard metals.

The upsides of using a scroll saw

• Capable of cutting intricate and detailed contours.
• Can create better finishing than any other detail saw.
• Controllable blade motion with the use of the pedal.
• An alternative to a band saw for small detailed projects.

The downsides of using a scroll saw

• Not for large and thick materials.
• Not ideal for cutting straight long cuts.

Why use an electric handheld tile saw?

• Lightweight and portable.
• Can cut checkouts and angles on tiles.

Problems with using an electric handheld tile saw

• The dry-cutting variety is susceptible to overheating. We find it safer and easier to use a water-cooled tool.

Benefits of using a drop saw

• Ideal for multiple and bulk-cutting tiling jobs.
• Can make accurate and precise angled cuts.

Drawbacks of using a drop saw

• Heavier than a hand-held saw to carry around.

A ripping hand saw is the standard hand saw you will see, made for manually cutting towards the direction of the grain.

A rip saw is typically 26 inches in length and measures five teeth per inch (TPI), bigger teeth compared to a crosscutting saw for a faster cut.

When using a hand rip saw, you must hold or fasten the material before cutting with your foot, or by using clamps.

A coping saw is a type of bow saw that you should use when creating interior cut-outs and intricate shapes in wood.

Coping saws have delicate and thin blades that are stretched to their U-shaped metal frame.

The blades are held by swiveling clips on both ends. It can make turning cuts, circles, and slight bends when you cut. 

A coping saw usually cuts with 12 to 15 teeth per inch blade. You can turn the handle, allowing the worker to turn the blade while cutting.

Why use a coping saw?

• Excellent in making detailed cuts on trim.
• Features a controllable handle.

Issues with a coping saw

• Hard to control when making thick straight cuts.

A fret saw is the best tool to use if you need to cut intricate and complex shapes like a coping saw, but instead with a longer frame extending farther away from the blade.

It cuts with thinner and shorter blades that can cut even tighter curves.

A standard fret saw uses a 14-48 teeth per inch blade and a cylindrical handle that lets you move and turn to make more accurate cuts. 

The best time to use a hand tool gib saw is when you need to cut out curves, holes, or openings in installed or before installing plasterboards.

This tool can be used to cut out holes for light switches, fittings, and lights that will penetrate through the ceiling.

Moreover, it’s worth looking into a cut-out saw, which is an electric alternative.

A chainsaw is a mechanical tool that can be used for trimming and cutting down trees, or cutting up firewood.

Chainsaws are most commonly used by homeowners for harvesting firewood and, limbing, bucking, and pruning trees.

Gas-powered chainsaws are powerful and meant for large cutting jobs with a long bar that accommodates a set of teeth attached to a rotating chain, 

For most cutting jobs a chainsaw with a long bar like a 24-inch chainsaw will put out the heavy-duty performance, needed by most people.

A pocket chainsaw is a portable tool that can be utilized for cutting high tree branches.

It is designed with two handles, a rope, and a small cutting chain.

A pocket chainsaw works by first throwing the rope around a high hard-to-reach tree limb and then using your manual strength by pulling each rope up and down to make a cut.

It is the most portable type of chainsaw and used by hikers for survival purposes as well as homeowners who want to safely cut a high tree branch. 

Why do I always bring a pocket chainsaw?

• Portable use, even for camping.
• Can cut high branches without a ladder or a pole saw.
• Can even cut large timbers.

My problems with a pocket chainsaw

• Can cut high branches without a ladder or a pole saw.
• Can even cut large timbers.

Benefits of a bow saw

• Works with a hollow frame making it lightweight.
• Can cut with both forward and backward strokes.

Some drawbacks of a bow saw

• Only ideal for wood and not metals.
• A chainsaw is much less hassle.

There are two types of pole saws, those that are like a bow saw, but on a pole, and those that are small electric chainsaws operating on a pole to cut and prune high tree branches safely or for clearing bushes in front of you.

Pole saws come in various lengths and can either be steel or fiberglass.

The length of the bar should correspond to the height that you need to reach and cut.

The longer the bar, the thicker the material it should be made of, most pole saws are telescopic, meaning that height can be reduced but is limited by each model’s maximum extendable reach.

A manual pole saw is fine for smaller gardens.

Why manual pole saw is ideal?

• Lightweight and easy to use.
• More affordable to do it yourself.
• Can safely reach and cut high branches.

Some issues I had with a pole saw

• Not for large and heavier cutting jobs.
• Slow to cut thicker branches.

Why use a cordless pole saw instead?

• Cut high branches without manual effort.
• Portable and lightweight.
• Quieter than a gas-powered pole saw.
• No fumes, or need to mix oils.

The issue with cordless pole saw

• Limited battery life.