Saws have been used by mankind for decades now, for making all sorts of different cuts, from cutting tree barks for cooking purposes or for making intricate cuts on wood to design furniture.
With the passage of time, saws were sought into many different types that are used for many different purposes.
The types are mainly based on the shape of the saw and the shape and the number of teeth that are on the saw.
Some saws are designed for general use and can be used for many purposes, while some, on the other hand, are designed for specific purposes only. These specific saws are mostly used by craftsmen.
Given below are the 20 different types of saw and their uses that we have selected for you, each with their description.
1. Hand Saws
If you are looking for a general saw that can be used for your daily household purposes, hand saws are a good option to go for.
These are used for cutting wood or in carpentry. They are used for several cutting styles and also for many niches.
2. Table Saw
Table saw for beginners as the name itself suggests, these saws consist of a blade that is mounted on the lower surface of a table. They are good for beginners as the blade is fixed on the table, but you still need to be careful.
These are used mostly for wood and are perfect for making cuts and preparing many identical or same-sized pieces. They use metal and masonry blades.
But you must make sure that the blade matches the motor’s rpm. You can adjust the cut’s depth by adjusting the height of the blade above the table.
3. Crosscut Saw
Crosscut saws are specifically designed for the rough cutting of wood. They have large, thick blades with beveled teeth. They come in mostly two types; 2-man crosscut saw and the 1-man crosscut saw.
As the names themselves suggest, the 2-man and the 1-man saws are designed to be operated by 2 and 1 man, respectively. The former has a handle on each end and is mostly used to cut across the wood, such as timber.
While the latter, requiring less force, is for smaller jobs, such as cutting limber or for branches or limbs. Its best suited for camping.
4. Bow Saw
It’s a type of crosscut saw with long blades and crosscut teeth that work by removing the material as you push and pull.
It’s mostly used for rough cuts such as for the trimming of trees etc.
5. Coping Saw
A coping saw is made up of a thin, narrow blade that is specifically designed for making intricate cuts that require precision. It can be used for many materials.
It is mostly used by craftsmen and professionals such as carpenters etc. for designing furniture.
6. Hacksaw
Hacksaws are lightweight and versatile. They have a tooth count varying from 18-32 per inch on the blade.
They can be used for many materials such as wood, plastic, metal, and other materials.
They are the best fit for the cutting of pipes and tubing.
7. Japanese Saw
The Japanese saw is made with a single handle and has a thin yet strong cutting blade.
The best thing about this saw is that due to its size, it can fit in places that other saws cannot, and because of its thin blade, it’s also fairly precise.
It can be used on both hard and on softwood and gives equally precise results. It further comes in three different types, namely ryoba, dozuki, and kataba.
8. Stationary Band Saw
Stationary band saw as the name itself suggests a stationary, floor standing saw.
It operates by the help of two large pulleys, one below and the other above the cutting table, that move a band with teeth that cut through the materials.
They are suitable for many materials such as woods, piping, cutting tubes, PVC. However, the cut is only limited to a few inches. They are very precise in their operation and are perfect for making intricate cuts.
9. Portable Band Saw
It’s the same as the stationary band saw but smaller in size. It mostly does the same job but can be carried around, such as to the garage, etc.
Due to its smaller size, the cuts are limited to only 3 – 4 inches.
Making straight cuts with this one is slightly harder as compared to the stationary one, but it can still be of great help to metal workers, plumbers, and welders.
10. Tile Saw
A tile saw, as suggested by its name, is used for the cutting of tiles. It has a diamond-coated blade that works side by side, a cooling water system, and cuts through tiles.
It can be used for several types of tiles, such as for ceramic or for porcelain ones, to achieve the shape or the size that you desire in no time.
Some models, with the change of the blade, even allow you to cut through glass.
11. Chain Saw
A chain saw uses a linked chain with a large number of specially designed ripping teeth to operate and cut through the material.
Chainsaws can be used for many sorts of purposes. However, they are mostly used in tree work.
12. Circular Saw
Circular saws use a toothed blade that lies approximately between 7 to 9 inches in diameter. They are categorized as a powered saw and are the most commonly used ones.
They accept various blades and can be used for the cutting of almost all types of wood, hard and soft, metals, masonry, plastic, and other materials, etc.
13. Chop Saw
Chop saws use blades that have no teeth on their surfaces, but they are manufactured with abrasives that are particularly designed in a way so that the materials can be cut.
This saw goes by many names, some of them being concrete saws, cut-off saws, or abrasive saws.
Chop saw is categorized as a circular saw, and the best thing about this particular type is that it is portable. It’s manufactured in two types; one for cutting of metal and the other for masonry.
The one used for concrete even has an additional water line that reduces the dust that is formed while working on concrete.
14. Back Saw
A backsaw has a narrow blade reinforced on the upper edge and hence the name. It’s smaller in size as compared to the rest.
They are used for making consistently straight cuts.
15. Miter Saw
Miter saw is the perfect saw when it comes to jobs that involve angle cuts and precise measurements. It is also most suited for trimming jobs.
A miter saw is designed in a way so that it pivots up to 45° to both the sides of the 90° cut.
16. Oscillating Saw
Oscillating saw or oscillating tool or oscillating-multi tool is a multiplayer.
It’s shaped like a grinder that has an oscillating attachment that can be changed depending upon the requirements of the job, attached at one end.
It is used for many applications other than cutting, such as removing grout or caulk, grinding, scraping.
17. Panel Saw
As the name suggests, these are used for making panels.
Panel saws come in both alignments, vertical or horizontal, and are specifically designed in a way to cut through large panels.
They are used in many industries and for many applications such as for making cabinets, or signs, or in similar industries.
The vertical one works by moving the blade vertically through the panels, while in the case of the horizontal one, it works by the help of a sliding feed table.
18. Keyhole Saw
Keyhole saw as the name best describes, is to cut rough circles or patterns.
They are used on the drywall in case there is a need for removing or replacing a small section, especially when the wall’s interior prevents using any sorts of powered tools.
19. Jigsaw
Jigsaw saw is used for cutting curves instead of straight lines. It is made up of a short, fine-toothed blade. The blade works by constantly moving vertically at variable speeds.
20. Flooring Saw
A flooring saw is portable and is used for re-saw flooring of floors, made of many materials including hardwood, bamboo, or laminate, to fit.
Though other saws can do the job, this one is specifically designed for flooring, saves time, and works more precisely.
It also saves the extra effort that one needs to put in moving the things from the room to the garage.
Conclusions
Though there are still many more types of saws that are available, these were our top 20 picks for you, based on which ones are most commonly used.
If you need one for a specific purpose, it is better to get the one that was designed for the job.
As for general household use, the general ones are more suitable as they cover more ground.
