25 of the Top Types of Saws: Design, Applications, and More

Whether you are a professional contractor or an ordinary DIYer, you cannot deny that a saw belongs to the most vital tools of the trade. This particular workhorse has been with us for the past thousand years. They can serve different applications and niches. But of course, their primary task remains the same: to cut things up.

With the advent of technology, manufacturers were able to evolve and innovate the saw. Therefore, you cannot just say that you need a saw, as retailers would certainly ask you what type of saws you want to have. If you are not that familiar with them, then this article will serve as your guide. So what are you waiting for now? Let's get started!

Different Types of Saws

You should not be surprised anymore if you can see a plethora of saws on the market today. In fact, it would take a lot of your money before you can acquire all of them in your collection. But don't worry. There is no need for you to invest on every saw that you see. As long as you know their uses, you can easily pick the type of saw that will fit your needs and requirements.

One of the general categories of saws today is the hand saw. Since its inception, this type of saw was able to take different forms to accommodate various applications. The traditional and iconic hand saw falls into this category. However, some hand saws are intended for specific uses.

We can say that your saw collection is not complete without a hand saw. It is the first variety of saw that you should get if ever you are planning to start a small project. Here are some of the types of saws fall under this category:

Back Saw

By its appearance, the back saw is typically short and possesses a slim blade that has reinforcement on its upper part. This particular design is the obvious reason why it is called a back saw. In the field, back saws are often partnered together with a mitre box. This combination allows the user to make consistent and excellent cuts. In some other regions, it is notable that a back saw is called tenon saws.

Bow Saw

The bow saw is an excellent example of a crosscut saw. It is a perfect fit for outdoor applications rather than internal ones. The blade of this tool is quite long and features a significant number of crosscut teeth. Because of such design, the latter is very capable of removing material through the push-and-pull motion. Therefore, it is an excellent choice for pruning and trimming tree branches.

Coping Saw

Just like a bow saw, a coping saw has a thin blade as well. It is also usable in doing trimming and scrolling works, or any projects that need intricacy and extreme precision. Contractors are usually working with coping saws because they can tackle different materials. Plumbers and furniture makers are typically the ones who regularly use this saw.

Crosscut Saw

A crosscut saw is a tool that works very well against hardwood and other types of composite materials. The blade that it has is thick and substantial, making it efficient on its intended application. Meanwhile, its teeth are bevelled, making sure that it can cut through hard objects. One useful variant of the crosscut saw is the felling saw. Two people operate the latter. They hold the saw on both of its end and by an alternative motion, cut timbers perpendicularly.

Fret Saw

The fret saw has a great semblance to a coping saw. It has the same thin and long blade that is usable for making intricate and sharp cuts. However, it is notable that the frame of the fret saw is longer than the standard coping saws. This design allows the fret saw to cut to the extreme edges of the material. But at the same time, you cannot rotate its blade. Because of this, using this tool might be too arduous for amateurs.

Hacksaw

You will certainly need a hacksaw if you want to cut off pipes and tubes. It has a compact size, which makes it lightweight and manoeuvrable. However, its cutting power is still tremendous. It can cut through industrial plastic, metals, and even hardwoods. Some hacksaws feature replaceable blades, which allow you to tackle different materials. Usually, the number of teeth that a hacksaw blade has ranged from 17 to 30 per inch.

Keyhole Saw

The keyhole saw features a thin and narrow blade that is attached to a rounded handle. Contractors are using this saw whenever they want to make circles and some intricate patterns. Particularly, the role of a keyhole is important when it comes to removing small portions of drywall.

Pruning Saw

Most of the pruning saw today have 13-inch to 15-inch curved blades. Their handles are bent or curved, too, making these devices look like a pistol. If you observe the edge, you can see that it has a coarse set of teeth. This unique construction allows this tool to cut in either direction. In this way, you can guarantee that it can quickly slice off any materials. Typically, you can see this device being utilised by landscapers and tree surgeons.

Rip Cut Saw

The rip cut saw is the embodiment of a hand saw. It is an all-around cutting tool that every DIYer and contractor should get. But despite its versatility, the most typical use of a rip cut saw is framing. It doesn't have many teeth. However, each of the teeth has been sharpened well, specifically on its pointed part. As a result, it can quickly tackle wood-cutting projects. Fortunately, rip cut saws come in different lengths. Therefore, you can work with any wood sizes that you want.

Veneer Saw

What the veneer saw is an expert saw. Specifically, it comes with a double-edged blade that has around ten teeth per inch. As its name suggests, you can use this saw for veneer related application. Of course, you could not apply this to other tasks due to its small size.

Power Saws

Power saws are the modified version of the conventional hand saws. You can expect that their performance is way better than their traditional counterparts due to the presence of motors and other automated features. But of course, they still haves separate areas and niches. Therefore, hand saws remain as indispensable tools. For the meantime, here are some of the power saws that you can see today:

Band Saw

You need to take note that a band saw is a large machine. Most of the time, band saws are usually present on construction sites and workshops for large-scale applications. But of course, DIYers and indigenous artisans can still invest on them, depending if they deem this device necessary to them. The saw is the ideal machine for making curve cuts into wood. It can also work on PVC and tubes. However, the depth that it can cut through those materials is pretty limited.

If you want a simple band saw, you can always opt for portable models. It can still do the things that its cousin can do, but you should expect that the pace and scale are not that enormous.

Chainsaw

Chainsaws are among the most modern power tools in the market today. Unlike most of the saws, this one doesn't use actual blades. Instead, it is utilising heavy-duty chains (hence its name) to rip through materials. There are various ways you can use a chainsaw. However, its usual application is for cutting trees and logs. Also, you have to note that a chainsaw falls under the same category as a band saw.

Chop Saw

A chop saw is a portable variant of a circular saw. It is usable in both metal and masonry works. But you should remember that you need to get the appropriate model of a chop saw for a particular application. This particular saw requires water for it to operate. Specifically, the water is used to clear off any dust residues during its work. Moreover, the blade that it uses doesn't have teeth. Instead, it is using industrial abrasives to accomplish the cutting process.

Circular Saw

In some regions, people call the circular saw as "buzz saw" due to the buzzing sounds that it emits while it is running. Just like the chop saw, the blade of a compact circular saw doesn't have blades. However, it is pretty compatible with any types of circular blades out there. You might need this tool if you want to cut metal, wood, metal, and specialised plastics.

Compound Miter Saw

You have to know that a mitre saw is a powerful machine that can create different cuts (e.g. compound, mitre, and straight). It doesn't use the conventional mechanism for pivoting the blade in an upward and downward motion (like a mitre saw). Instead, it has a fixed edge to an arm in which you can adjust at multiple angles. Because of this, a compound mitre saw is usable for sophisticated scrollwork and trimming. It would be great if you can have this tool in your garage! It can save you a lot of time, especially if you are into moulding crowns.

Jigsaw

The jigsaw is also a handheld saw. But of course, its power is nothing to joke around. It has a short but fine blade that works in different speed setting. It is among the few industrial saws that can accomplish nonlinear cuts. Therefore, it is a great option for artisans and wood crafters. To buy a jigsaw, make sure that you opt for a cordless model. It will allow you great mobility on your work.

Floor Saw

Floor saws are portable devices that you can use in refurbishing different kinds of flooring. It can cut through hardwood, bamboo, and even laminated floors. By concept and practice, such task is also doable if you have a mitre saw and table saw. But because of the simplicity and effectiveness of a floor saw, manufacturers superseded this particular saw. One of the biggest attributes of a floor saw is its portability. You can easily work without moving too many parts!

Miter Saw

It is quite noticeable that a mitre saw replicates the function of a generic hand saw. It is a tool that you can use for trimming and other standard cutting projects. However, it also excels in making precise angled cuts. Most of the mitre saws that you can see today can pivot 45 degrees (both left and right).

Rotary Saw

A rotary tool is a saw that comes with a fixed mounted blade. You can use this saw in various applications, from construction down to making crafts. They can also cut through walls if you want to make accurate repairs. Ideally, a rotary tool is an indispensable device for panelling and installing drywalls.

Radial Arm Saw

The radial arm saw features a circular blade that joins to an arm. You can move the blade through the length of its arm so that you can make compound and mitre cuts quickly. Some manufacturers designed their radial arm saw to have cutting tools that can you can replace with those blades from a circular saw. But before you do this, make sure that you check the compatibility of the blade to the saw first.

Reciprocating Saw

This saw works like a jigsaw. It has a blade that goes up and down in very speedy fashion. You can use it for cutting tubes, plastics, and composite wood. You can also use the reciprocating saw if you want to cut wood joints. After all, this particular saw can through nails as well.

Scroll Saw

A scroll saw is specifically designed to accomplish complex tasks, such as making patterns, radial lines, and scroll work. It can also use the blades of a reciprocating saw, or a band saw, depending on their compatibility. One of the biggest benefits that a scroll saw has it its ability to place the material on its table or platform. This convenience will allow you to cut with stability and precision.

Table Saw

It is pretty evident that table saws are larger than circular saws. That is due to the presence of high-powered motors that you can find underneath the table. Specifically, a table saw is an excellent tool if you are planning to make multiple rip cuts. It also excels in crafting materials with identical sizes and cuts. In application, a table saw is compatible with masonry and metal blades. However, you should pay attention if the blade can be in-sync with the saws speed.

Conclusion

These are all the types of cutting tools that you need to know. Of course, it is not sufficient that you only know them by name or description. If you are DIYer, contractor, or a craftsman, you should use at least a couple of them.

We can guarantee that your efficiency and effectiveness on your projects would double. You can easily accomplish all those cutting and slicing tasks if you have the right saws on your arsenals. Therefore, investing in the appropriate ones is truly necessary.

Which of these tools do you think works well for you? Tell us your answers in the comment section below!