When you are purchasing a saw, the most important question will be what it is you want to cut with it. There are almost as many different types of saws as there are materials to cut through. Here’s a basic guide to the different types of saws that are most common and what you are most likely to use them for.

First, saws break down into two main types, handsaws and mechanical saws. In those two types, there are several different kinds of each, specialized to the material and pattern they are used to cut.

Handsaws have about a dozen different types. Two common types are the rip saw and the cross cut saw. They are both used for cutting wood, but the rip saw is designed to cut along the grain, while the cross cut saw is designed to cut across it. A panel or box saw is a smaller version of the cross cut saw. These saws have handles at the heel, or back of the saw. A bow saw can be used to cut wood in either direction and has a bowed handle that attaches at both ends of the blade. Coping saws have very fine blades and are used for detailed woodworking. Back and pull saws are used for molding and similar wood cutting projects, while dovetail saws are used for cutting joints. To cut circles or curves in wood, you will use either a keyhole or compass saw, both of which have very narrow blades. There are drywall saws for cutting drywall and similar materials and hacksaws for cutting through metal.

Mechanical saws break down into three basic types defined by how they move the blade into the material. There are circular blade saws, reciprocating blade saws, and continuous band saws. If someone refers to just a circular saw, they are probably talking about a hand held circular saw used to cut logs or beams. These are one of the most common power tools you will find. Table saws have circular blades that come up through a slot in a table. This is a stationary tool. Radial arm saws are used for cross cutting. There are also mechanical mitre saws. In reciprocating blade saws, there are jigsaws, which usually are handheld, and are often used in woodworking to cut out shapes. Reciprocating saws can be fitted with blades for wood or metal. They are more powerful than jigsaws. Scroll saws are used for fine detail woodworking. The most familiar continuous band saw is the chain saw, usually used to cut limbs and trees. There are also band saws.

About the Author:

Dana Bradley writes about Hardware Saving Coupons and Hardware Coupons.