Ever needed to know which type of saw does what job? Or even how to use it? Tools help make cutting through wood less complicated, quicker and more accurate. Provided they are utilized properly and carefully, they can be of enormous advantage when undertaking a new project with timber. There are a variety of various saws which can be used to cut wood. This quick article is full of tips to help you along the way and is a help guide to some of the types of saws available.

Steps

  1. 1
    Use a jigsaw.[1] Various blades might be fitted to suit different types of solid wood, such as plywood, chipboard as well as hardboard. Jigsaws are specifically suited to cutting timber. It can create straight or curved cuts.[2]
  2. 2
    Use a circular saw.[3] These are used for cutting timber, MDF, block board and ply board. It makes direct line cuts. Like with a jigsaw, the actual cut is done as the cutting blades rise up-wards through the timber, so the neatest side will be on the underneath.[4]
    Advertisement
  3. 3
    Use a mitre saw.[7] This is used for all types of general-purpose joinery, such as chopping skirting planks, dado rails and architraves. It can make virtually any cut when a specific angle is essential, which includes angled and titled cuts. A mitre saw is a ‘fixed’ saw meaning that it doesn’t need to be moved manually because it slices the actual wood. You must therefore consider extra care to never place your hands in the way when generating the cut.[8]
    • To use a mitre saw, you should make certain that the timber you would like to cut is actually clamped tightly as even a tiny amount of movement can impact the cut as well as result in a poor joint.
    • A mitre saw should be used with a saw stand or possibly a work table to support your timber and saw whilst you carry out the work.
    • Chop saws are the simplest forms of mitre saws. These include a saw that's suspended above the actual timber on a hinge. To produce a cut you pull the saw straight down towards the timber. How big your blade determines the size of cut you can create.
    • Sliding mitre saws tend to be more superior. As well as including the same capabilities as a chop saw, they also have a sliding feature in order that the saw can be slid along the rail or perhaps guide. What this means is they are often used to produce a much wider cut than a chop saw will make.
  4. 4
    Use a reciprocating saw.[9] Reciprocating saws are often used for demolition work instead of building work. This is because they are most suited to making quick and ‘rough’ cuts. They are not suitable for any sorts of accurate cutting. They're therefore normally used for jobs such as taking out old window frames or even cutting up tree roots. It makes rough, basic cuts - similar to the kind of cut a chain saw would likely create. Because of its shape, a reciprocating saw can often be used to make cuts in places that other power tools would be not able to accomplish.
  5. 5
    Use a door trimming saw.[10] This is used for trimming the lower edges of doors whilst they're in position. It makes simple shaping cuts. A door trimming saw ought to be held in both hands and really should be used slowly and steadily.
  6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    Are there any saws that can cut plastic?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, a jigsaw or Sawzall (reciprocating saw). The teeth on the blades must be plenty and fine (the more teeth the better) in order to prevent breaking/ripping the plastic.
  • Question
    What is the best device to cut or shave off the edge of a cupboard to enlarge the area enough to slide in the refrigerator?
    Ashton Gilmore
    Ashton Gilmore
    Community Answer
    First, make sure that the side of the cabinet is thick enough to remove without ruining structural integrity. As for tools, I would use a combination of a plane and sandpaper (or electric planer and an orbital sander) to thin it down and smooth it.
  • Question
    How do I cut a board to make it 2 1/2" wide on one end and 3" wide on the other end while making a perfectly straight cut?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Mark the different measurements on either end of the board, then clamp a straight edge on both marks. Use a circular saw along the edge for a straight cut.
Advertisement

Warnings

  • Tools can be quite dangerous if they're not used correctly. When you use power tools it is important to completely focus purely on the job at hand and be sure you aren't sidetracked while operating any powered equipment.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽


Advertisement

About This Article

Lui Colmenares
Co-authored by:
Handyman
This article was co-authored by Lui Colmenares. Lui Colmenares is a handyman and licensed home improvement contractor for Mr. Handy NYC based in New York City, New York. Lui is trained and educated as an industrial engineer and specializes in carpentry, painting, and general handyman work such as mounting TVs, doorknob and deadbolt installation, furniture assembly, tile repair, and grouting. Mr. Handy NYC prides itself on quality work performed with speed, skill, and punctuality. This article has been viewed 327,495 times.
19 votes - 73%
Co-authors: 14
Updated: September 5, 2022
Views: 327,495
Categories: Woodworking Tools | Wood
Advertisement