Get to know the unlike types of saws , both manual and powered .

Learning the unlike types of power saw and what each should be used for can helplevel up your projects . Some adage are ideal for flying , grating stinger , while others are for preciseness . Some can handle cutting detail and curves , while others are designed to cut wood straight . So , how do you ascertain which saw is honest for your project ? Below , our guide will teach you everything you ask to know about the most common saws .

Circular Saw

Brie Goldman

Best For : Wood , crosscuts , rip cuts

Cost:$30 to $ 160

Assorted saws in workroom

Credit:Brie Goldman

A round saw , sometimes called a skilsaw due to its association with the Skilsaw steel , is a case of saw that every DIYer should have in their tool case . Perfect for apace and accurately sheer baseball bat , circular sawsfeature a handle with a trigger at the rear and a subaltern handgrip on the top for steadying the saw . The round blade protrudes from the bottom , and its depth is controlled by an adjustable horseshoe .

Miter Saw

well For : Wood , PVC , angled crosscuts , square crosscuts

Cost:$100 to $ 1,600

mitre sawsare necessary if you wish to abridge materials at preciseness angles . The miter see features its own table and fence to hold the material . Once the material is placed on the table and against the fence , the blade is adjusted to the desired angle and pushed down into the material .

Circular Saw

Credit:Brie Goldman

Table Saw

well For : Wood , paneling , rip cut , angled deletion

Cost:$150 to $ 10,000 +

Table saws are identify for their great mesa - like cutting surface . Somewhere near the eye of a table run across is a rotary blade that can be move up and down and tilted to cut angles . mean of it as an upside - down circular power saw that ’s for good mounted to a table . The material is then push across the tabular array , allow the blade to slit through it . An adjustable fencing on top of the table control the width of the snub .

Mitter Saw

Credit:Brie Goldman

Jigsaw

Best For : Wood , plastic , metallic element , dip cuts , curved cuts

Cost:$30 to $ 450

Jigsawsare handy for several cut needs , but they ’re absolutely necessary if you want to burn curves , specially in the midsection of a material . The jigsaw is a type of adage designed for one - handed surgery , with a handle on top with a trigger . A prompt - alteration straight steel protrudes from the bottom at the front of the saw . Because the blade is only confiscate to the saw on one side , cutting can start at the center of a material rather than only at the edge .

Table Saw

Credit:Brie Goldman

Band Saw

Best For : Wood , metallic element , rip cuts , large material

Cost:$150 to $ 2,000

A band saw is a large , floor - mounted find out with a set steel . When powered on , the band move in a never-ending rotation , much like the serpentine swath on a railroad car . The blade runs through a board with a fence , which allowsthe userto push materials across , making accurate , consecutive gash . The welfare of this type of saw over a mesa saw is its power to make rip cuts through much thicker material ; however , banding saws are generally much slower than table saws .

Jigsaw

Credit:Brie Goldman

Scroll Saw

Best For : Wood , alloy , plastic , detail cuts , curves

Cost:$100 to $ 1,100

A curlicue saw is a mini band saw that functions more like a table - climb on scroll saw . Its very slight , short steel apace moves up and down through the center of a small board , appropriate the user to move and manipulate stuff on the table effortlessly , cutting out detailed curves .

Bandsaw

Credit:Brie Goldman

Tooth Saw or Hand Saw

Best For : woods , crosscuts

Cost:$10 to $ 30

When they think of a manual saw , many the great unwashed picture a tooth byword , often called a hand saw or crosscut proverb . It has a grip at the back , traditionally made of wood and a long protruding sword with tooth at the bottom . With a small practice , ahand saw can make quick cutsthrough lumber .

scroll saw being used for carpentry

Credit:Brie Goldman

Reciprocating Saw

Best For : Wood , metal , plastic , destruction

Cost:$30 to $ 300

reciprocate power saw , know by the pop branding Sawzall , are ordinarily reserved fordemolition . This is because , though they are very efficient and sinewy , they are unmanageable to control precisely . reciprocate saws consist of a handle at the back , a long motor housing with a secondary grip , and a full-strength blade that protrudes out the front .

Tooth or hand saw

Credit:Brie Goldman

Hacksaw

Best For : Metal , plastic , pipes , clean crosscuts

Cost:$5 to $ 50

Hacksawsare the go - to manual go through for cut metallic element and plastic , often in the form of pipes , rods , dowels , and brackets . Many hacksaws boast a cytosine - form skeleton with a hold on one side and a replaceable blade jump on across the bottom . Hacksaw blade have very fine teeth , which make for clean-living cut on metal and plastic .

Reciprocating Saw

Credit:Brie Goldman

Chainsaw

Dera Burreson

well For : Wood , alive wood , declamatory lumber , fence posts

Cost:$100 to $ 2,000 +

Hacksaw

Credit:Brie Goldman

Most everyone knows that a chain saw is pitch towardcutting Tree . The powerful , often gas - power motor drives a concatenation equip with several teeth around a straight bar at a high speed . The sharp - toothed chain apace removes small bites of Mrs. Henry Wood , expeditiously sawing through logs , lumber , and wooden fenceposts .

Which Type of Saw to Buy First

There really is no one - size - scene - all saw . If you ’re on a budget , choose the character of saw that can do the most and start assembling your tool cabinet collection from there . For most , a round saw is a great topographic point to start , but avidDIYerswill quickly regain a use for a mitre saw , a table proverb , and , eventually , every saw on this list .

If you ’re not quick to invest in more expensive saw , like a table saw or band saw , you could rent them at home supply stores . They ’re normally available to hire by the hr , day , or longer . Renting equipment like this is an fantabulous fashion to get intimate with how these tool work and aid in home stamping ground and building projects . rental also earmark you to decide which creature you want to buy first .

chainsaw cutting log in workshop

Credit:Dera Burreson