Whether you’re putting in modern wooden rails to your staircase or constructing a new table for your wife’s she-shed, you want to make sure you have the right equipment.
You have your hammer, nails, and your trusty measuring tape, but let’s face it, the wood’s not going to cut itself. You need to make sure the saw you’re using is the right saw for the job.
If you’re new to the world of home improvement, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we are going over the best types of saws for your home improvement project.
Different Types of blades Have Different Types of Teeth
Saw blades are measured by teeth per inch (TPI). TPI ranges from 3-32 per inch. Blades with a high TPI will give you smoother, finer cuts—great for detailed woodworking, plastic, and metal.
Blades with a lesser number TPI will cut faster but give you a rougher cut. These Blades are excellent for general woodworking, bricks, and concrete.
The predominant difference between a jig saw vs a circular saw is that a jig saw tends to be used for smaller and more precise cuts, whereas a circular saw is used for more of the rough cutting.
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1. Hacksaw
The hacksaw is a large blade attached to a handle that is 100% muscle-powered. Hacksaws are great for chopping wood in a pinch when power isn’t available for your miter saw (see below).
A hacksaw is the most basic saw a woodworker owns.
2. Miter Saw
A miter saw is a stationary saw designed to cut boards quickly. They have large, heavy bases that are attached to an arm that houses a circular blade. The blade comes down in an up-and-down motion that is perfect for cutting lumber, door frames, crown moulding, and window casings.
If you’re cutting 2×4’s or 1×6’s, go with a miter saw.
3. Jigsaw
The Jigsaw is a handheld saw that can cut straight lines and also cut curves. The design of this saw consists of a flat base that rests upon the wood called a “shoe” and has a blade that cuts down into the wood.
This saw has a TPI of 7-11 and can cut most types of wood.
4. Circular Saw
This type of saw is an electrical handheld saw that features a circular blade designed to cut lumber in straight lines.
This saw is a popular saw to use for framing and general masonry. You can buy different types of blades for different sizes, which range from 4 inches to as large as 15 inches.
5. Reciprocating Saw
The Reciprocating saw is another handheld electrical saw. The blade protrudes out of the end of the handle, which cuts in a “push and pull” reciprocating motion.
The Reciprocating saw can cut most types of wood at many different angles at variable speeds. These features alone make the reciprocating saw the most desirable from the DIY’ers to the most skilled contractors out there.
The Saw That Gets The Job Done
The saws in this list are ones you see in every skilled contractor’s arsenal.
We can’t just stop here! Many different saws do other jobs such as jab saws, which are used to cut plasterboard and drywall—chainsaws, which are used to chop firewood or tree limbs.
The bottom line— you need to use the right saw to get the job done. When you start your next project, take a look at these saws listed above, and choose wisely.
