22 Different Types of Saws and their Uses for DIYers

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When it comes to equipping your home workshop with an assortment of cutting tools, it is best to understand what the different types of saws are and how they can be beneficial to your woodworking jobs. This guide will walk you through a variety of types of saws for woodworking projects, so you can make the best decision when it comes to investing in these tools.

​22 Different Kinds of Saws for You

I’ve organized this guide from the most usable saw to least, in my opinion. That doesn’t make any one saw better than another. I’ve just organized this guide in an order that might make the most logical sense.

If you’re brand new to stocking your workshop or garage, you might want to start at the beginning. For example, the coping saw and hacksaw are essential tools that will help you in a wide variety of projects around the house. They are easy to use and inexpensive. That’s why I have listed them at the top.

On the other hand, the scroll saw and table saw are much more advanced power saws, used for sophisticated cuts on larger projects. They are more difficult to use and a lot more expensive. That is why they are listed at the bottom of the guide.

​Again, it’s worth pointing out – that doesn’t make any better than any other. Each saw has a unique purpose, and excels at a unique type of cut.

​Different Types of Saws in Woodshop Available

​​There are dozens of different types of saws and they can be broken down into two categories:

  • Hand saws: non-powered, designed to be used ​as handheld options
  • Mechanically powered saws: powered, used with power

Saws are most commonly used for cutting hard materials such as wood, PVC, metal, and even plastic. They are a necessity for any DIYer and professional contractor, as they help you accomplish a whole host of projects.

Read below to learn all about the most common types of saws and their best use.

Different types of saws

Essential Hand Saws

Also known as a panel saw or a fish saws, the hand saw has been around for thousands of years.

Nowadays, every garage usually has a few panel saws lying around. While seemingly old fashioned compared to the newer power saws, there are a few handsaws I still highly recommend keeping around.

Coping Saw

If you are looking for a hand saw that will make both internal and external cuts, you may want to opt for a coping saw. Part of the bow saw family, a coping saw has a thin steel blade that is positioned and stretched between a frame with a handle attached at the end. This hand saw has teeth that face downwards, allowing you to cut on the pull stroke.

Coping type of saw

What is a Coping Saw?

This handle held saw requires some force when cutting as you manually have to pull it through the material as you cut. It has a unique ability to cut from the middle of a wood piece by removing the blade and stringing it through a hole or cutout.

The blade can then be reattached for use, allowing you to cut very intricate piecework without issue.

What is a Coping Saw Used For?

A coping saw is a very versatile saw to have in your workshop as it can cut wood molding as well as aluminum pipework with ease. A coping saw is typically used when you are trying to achieve coped joints or when you are working with fretwork.

While a coping saw does not do well with thin materials, it can, however, cut circular shapes easily.

Experience Level

Using a coping saw does not require a ton of experience. With a little trial and error, you’ll easily understand how this saw operates and learn to use it.

Cost

Fortunately, the cost of adding a coping saw to your toolkit is nominal. These saws range in price from as little as $5 to well over $100, depending on the sophistication and ruggedness you are looking for.

Hacksaw

If you have a need for specifically cutting metal, you may want to consider a hacksaw as your main cutting tool. This is a handheld saw that will require you to manually pull or push the saw through the material you are cutting using some force.

Hacksaw handsaw

What is a Hacksaw?

A hacksaw has a fine-toothed blade that can be positioned with the teeth upward or downward, allowing you to cut on the push or pull motion. These saws have a C-shaped frame that holds the blade in place while the material you are cutting is positioned in a vise.

The blade of the hacksaw typically measures from 10 to 12 inches, depending on the model, and can even be as small as 6 inches in some cases.

What is a Hacksaw Used For?

Hacksaws are primarily used to cut metal, but they also can cut plastic. A hacksaw can also cut wood to come degree like best selling angle grinders. A hacksaw is an ideal cutting tool for a plumber or electrician as it can make easy work out of cutting pipes or plastic conduit with dominates these professions.

Experience Level

Using a hacksaw does come with a small learning curve. However, care does need to be taken when using a hacksaw as you can break the blade if too much force is placed upon it.

Cost

You’ll find hacksaws for under $10 and ranging all the way up to several hundred dollars. The difference in the costs is based on the durability of the frame and blade and what type of material you plan to cut with the device.

These types of saws are a good option for projects that do not involve wood but need a powerful saw that can cut with control and some degree of precision.

Other Hand Saws

While the coping saw and hacksaw are essential additions to every toolshed, the following is a list and overview of other hand saws. These are typically best used for specific circumstances and cuts, and don’t have the broad range of uses that my essential list.

That doesn’t make them any less valuable for what they are designed to do, just not as robust and wide-ranging. From folding options to torpedo saws, each of these options fills a specific purpose.

Crosscut Saw

The crosscut saw is specially designed to make cross cuts in rougher wood. The teeth are much larger than most traditional hand saws and the blade is really thick.

A detailed closeup shot of a handheld cross cut saw

This saw is also sometimes referred to as the bucking saw or felling saw for how it handles larger timber.

Generally, though, the one man crosscut saw is used to cut lumber and timber. Because of its large teeth, it works great as a general saw for outdoors.

Rip Cut Saw

This is a very standard saw and sometimes gets referred to generally as a “hand saw.” Obviously this is an entire class of saws, but the rip cut saw is as generic as they get, so sometimes it gets labeled as such.

The rip cut saw tapers down to a virtual point at the very end (away from the handle) to help it move its way through wood. It has fewer teeth than most other hand saws, which allows it to make more precise cuts.

The teeth angle back at 8 degrees, compared to the 15 degrees that a crosscut saw has. This means that a rip cut saw will make much rougher cuts than a similar crosscut saw.

A detailed close up of a rip saw

​​Pruning Saw

As you can imagine, this is the perfect saw to use outside to trim plants and tree branches. If you don’t own and operate a pole saw, this is the next best thing.

It has a rather odd shape: it has a relatively small handle that you grip more like a baseball bat than a traditional saw.

The blade, usually at least 12″ or longer, arcs out of the handle and has large, wide teeth.

You can use this versatile saw as a pole pruner, handheld pruning saw, pruning straight blade saw, or pruning curved blade saw​.

Bow Saw

Also considered a cross-cut saw, this saw looks very similar to a hacksaw. It has tiny teeth located very close together. Most use this ​type of a saw on smaller items to make cross cuts, such as thin branches or indoors on small surfaces.

A close up of the bow saw blade and teeth

Other names for this tool are the Swede saw, Finn saw, and buck saw.

Fret Saw

The fret saw is a lot like the coping saw. Similar to how the scroll saw is to the jigsaw, the fret saw performs more intricate, delicate work compared to its cousin.

It has a large blade and molding which can help you to get deep into your cut without having to adjust the saw.

Just like the versatility that comes with different scroll saw blades, you can find different fret saw blades to cut everything from wood to plastic to metal.

This saw and its blade are very fragile and easy to break.

Japanese Saw

The Japanese saw works very differently in comparison to the typical Western saws that you probably use. The teeth are set in the saw in the opposite direction than traditional saws, and ​cutting is performed by pulling the saw towards the user. In other words, you cut on the upstroke instead of the backstroke.

There are three different types of Japanese saws: the dozuki, ryoba, and kataba. These saws take practice to use effectively.

Veneer Saw

This is a very, very specialized saw designed to cut veneer. It has a short, squat, double-sided blade, which is 3-5 inches long. You use it to cut veneer work, which requires precision and a specialized tool.

Back Saw

A detailed image of a back saw's handle and blade

The most common application of the back saw that you might envision is in use with a miter box when cutting baseboard or crown molding.

Back saws feature a thin, short blade with reinforcement along its upper edge. They are a great option for quick, back-and-forth cutting.

Keyhole Saw

In many ways, this saw has the same overall shape and design as the pruning saw, though it lacks the curved blade that the prune saw features and instead has a long, straight blade.

This saw is perfect when you’re trying to cut circles, squares, and other patterns in material such as drywall and plywood.

A modified keyhole saw close up of the handle and blade.

Wallboard Saw

Similar in look and purpose to the keyhole saw, the wallboard saw has a long blade and handle that stick out straight. At the end, however, the wallboard saw has a short wide blade that can be used to puncture surfaces like drywall.

​Portable Power Saws

Moving into the world of power saws, I’ll start with the portable variety. If you’re new to purchasing a saw, these are the types of saws you’ll want to look at. Highly convenient and generally inexpensive, portable power saws can serve you really well. A portable power saw is one that can be used by hand, without requiring set up or stability.

Jigsaw

jigsaw is a powerful handheld power saw that can cut a range of materials using up to 45-degree angles. These saws are ideal for cutting details out and getting into harder to reach areas with a saw blade that extends without support from the end of the saw’s handle.

What is a jigsaw used for

What is a Jigsaw?

Jigsaws incorporate an electric motor which powers a reciprocating blade. This blade has a thin structure and can be made up of varying teeth per inch. Blade thickness determines which types of material can be cut by a jigsaw.

These blades are held into the body of the jigsaw with either a screw or a slotted enclosure which provides some stability.

What is a Jigsaw Used For?

Jigsaws have a wide variety of uses. When equipped with a thin blade, they are perfect for making delicate cuts that require fine curves.

Thicker blades can cut through harder materials such as concrete, carpet, countertops, ceramic tile and metal. It is also ideal for wood in any desired thickness with the right blade attached.

Experience Level

Jigsaws do require some experience and skill especially if you are looking to make fine detailed cuts. These saws rely on the steadiness of your hand to control the blade and movement of the saw through the material you are cutting.

A beginner may notice that they do not have the steady hand that is required of this saw and that they need some guidance using this powered cutting tool for the first time. ​Certainly, you’ll want to practice making curved cuts. Add a good quality upholstery staple gun to the mix and these two are a perfect match for all your DIY jobs.

Cost

The cost of a jigsaw varies – you can find an entry-level jigsaw for around $30 while high-grade versions will run you over $1000. I’ve reviewed all of your options in my best jigsaw review article.

One distinction to make is whether you want a regularly powered or cordless jigsaw. The cordless option adds convenience but might sacrifice a little power, depending on the model you go with.

Miter Saw

If you have a need to make angled cuts, then a miter saw may be right for you. These types of saws have a circular blade that is pulled down upon the material you are cutting, making them a stable and safe cutting device for your workshop.

Miter saw uses for woodworking

What is a Miter Saw?

Miter saws use a circular blade, which interestingly can be swapped with a table saw for added flexibility. The circular blade typically comes in a 10″ or 12″ blade size and is made from carbon steel for durability. A coating is added to the blade of miter saws to allow for easier cutting, and it comes with a variety of teeth options.

While a miter saw uses a circular blade, it is a lot different than a circular saw or c​hop saw.

What is a Miter Saw Used For?

Miter saws are ideally used to cut molding or trim to fit together at a corner. It can also be used to cut metal with an abrasive blade as well as plastic and other materials that need precise angled cuts.

A miter saw, however, cannot rip wood or make long straight cuts. These cuts are better suited for a table saw instead of a miter saw. It is most commonly used to make shorter cuts at precise angles of 15, 22.5, 30, and 45 degrees.

Experience Level

Miter saws are not the easiest to handle. You ​should use some caution when using one as they have a spinning blade that could penetrate the skin, if not careful.

Cost

You can get your hands on an entry model for under $50 while some industrial models run upwards of $5000. I have a comprehensive miter saw review to help you understand which is better for your specific use case.

Chainsaw

If you have some big cutting needs, a chainsaw can make easy work of cutting large wood pieces such as trees.

Chainsaw for cutting and sawing

What is a Chainsaw?

A chainsaw is a mechanical saw that incorporates teeth along a chain that rotates as you cut. This allows it to slice through wood with great force.

​These saws typically incorporate a gasoline engine which powers the chain used for cutting. Some models are driven by an electric motor, but an engine option offers more power.

A clutch is used within the chainsaw to select the position of the chain as well as to protect the operator from kickbacks and the engine from overheating in a stalled piece of wood.

The guide bar of the saw is made from steel alloy and is approximately 40cm – 90 cm, depending on the model.

What is a Chainsaw Used For?

The applications for chainsaws are plenty. Those power tools are ideally suited for tree work such as cutting limbs, pruning, felling, bucking, and preparing firewood.

You may also see chainsaws used to cut metal and concrete with a specialized blade as well as to delicate ice sculpture work.

In most instances, chainsaws typically do not cut with a high degree of accuracy and are mostly used to slice wood into more manageable pieces such as firewood.

Experience Level

A chainsaw takes a great degree of experience as they are dangerous saws that can easily take a limb off if not careful. Chainsaws use a great deal of power to cut through wood and require control as you cut.

Smaller chainsaws aren’t any less risky, so exercise a good deal of caution with those power tools.

Cost

Depending on the power and cutting ability you are looking for, your chainsaw could range in price from $50 to $2000. Decent cheaper chainsaws will cost you a couple hundred dollars.

Different chainsaw brands offer different features and price points.

Chop Saw

If you have a particularly hard surface that needs to be cut, you’ll want to select a chop saw for your project. These saws can be configured as walk behind or handheld models. They are engine-driven or electrically-powered depending on the size and application they are used for.

What is a Chop Saw?

chop saw is a heavy-duty saw that allows you to cut into a hard surface using an abrasive blade that is similar to a grinding wheel. These saws use blades that are 14″ – 16″ in diameter, depending on the size of the saw.

What is a Chop Saw Used For?

Chop saws have an extensive range of materials they can cut through. They can cut concrete, rebar, steel pipe or plumbing pipe, tile, or asphalt.

They are typically used to make joint cuts or to cut through an extremely hard surface with ease.

Experience Level

A chop saw does need some guidance when using this powerful saw to cut. The weight combined with the cutting force may be surprising to a novice during operation.

Cost

You’ll pay more for an engine-driven model than an electric option. Walk behind models are also more expensive.

Circular Saw

For projects that require a more hands-on approach, you may want to try a circular saw. It is a relatively lightweight handheld saw that you can manually push through a material surface.

Cordless circular saw with battery

What is a Circular Saw?

Circular saws use a round blade that rotates as you cut. They are cousins of table saws and can offer you plenty of accessibility on the job site as you are able to take them wherever you need to cut.

During cutting, circular saws use their blade to chip away wood slowly to make a cut on a surface. As the blade spins, it uses its teeth to chip away the wood and prevent any sticking or binding to the blade.

These saws are either battery-powered or electric and are easy to maneuver as you cut.

What is a Circular Saw Used For?

Circular saws can cut wood, metal, plastic or masonry, although they are most often used as a popular type of wood saw.

Experience Level

Since the blade of this saw is exposed, it can pose a potential danger to a novice woodworker.

Cost

Cost of a circular saw starts under $100 and can run to $2000 or more, depending on the sophistication required. A well appointed circular saw can be found for $100 if you do your research.

Stationary Power Saws

These are the serious saws. While you probably don’t need them when you’re just starting, a stationary power saw will allow you to make precise and accurate cuts across a multitude of surfaces.

If you have big projects, you’ll want one of the many stationary power saws on my list.

Bandsaw

When you are looking for a nimble saw that can cut through a variety of material types using an interchangeable blade, then a bandsaw is the perfect saw for you.

This saw has a long blade that you feed material into manually. The bandsaw can cut with accuracy and allows for curved as well as straight cuts.

Bandsaw for woodworking

What is a Bandsaw?

A bandsaw is an electrically driven saw that you can use to cut a myriad of jigsaw shapes. It uses a long blade that can be equipped with a varying degree of teeth.

Related: Bandsaw Blade Advice

What is a Bandsaw Used For?

A bandsaw is one of the different types of saws that you can use to cut virtually anything if you have the right blade attached. It can be used to cut wood, metal, and plastic.

It is mostly used in woodworking or lumbering applications as well as metalworking jobs.

A lot of people confuse a bandsaw with a jigsaw or a table saw, but their use and application are dramatically different.

Experience Level

To use a bandsaw, you feed your material into the saw manually, so it does take some skill to manage accuracy as you cut.

Cost

The investment ​in a good bandsaw will run you approximately $150 for an entry model while very advance units can cost upwards of $25,000 for industrial and commercial applications. A lot of your costs are based on what size bandsaw you want.

Related: 43 Easy, Fun Bandsaw Projects

Reciprocating Saw

reciprocating saw is a handheld powered saw that uses a reciprocating blade to cut through a variety of materials. It provides a determined cut that doesn’t allow for great accuracy but is ideal for when you need to cut through a surface quickly.

What is a Reciprocating Saw?

When you need to cut through a surface without any degree of accuracy, a reciprocating saw is an ideal cutting tool to do the job quickly. Reciprocating saws have a handle that helps you maneuver the cutting blade with a curved tip that digs into a surface with great force and power.

What is a Reciprocating Saw Used For?

You can use a reciprocating saw for a variety of applications. It is mostly used in emergency rescue operations and construction projects where it is often used in demolition projects.

A reciprocating saw can also be used in tree trimming applications and window fitting projects.

Experience Level

With a little care, a beginner will find that a reciprocating saw for woodworking is quite easy to master. Since it doesn’t require any accuracy when cutting, you can easily use it to teardown or cut into a surface with a little effort.

Cost

You can easily find a model for well under $100, making it a good saw for your home projects.

Scroll Saw

​​A scroll saw is a flexible saw that allows you to cut intricate detail and design work. It can be pedal-driven or electrically operated, allowing you cut wood in a variety of dimensions.

Scroll saw for cutting

What is a Scroll Saw?

A scroll saw is one of the different kinds of saws that you can use for fine woodworking projects. It features a reciprocating blade that gives you the option to remove it and place it within a cutout hole to saw inside shapes and perform detail work.

A scroll saw comes in a range of throat sizes from 12″ – 30″, allowing you to customize the machine to the type of cutting you need to complete. The blade of the scroll saw is typically 5″ long and can be customized to your cutting requirements.

Scroll saws are really best thought of as a highly specialized saw. Unlike a bandsaw, which is best suited for big heavy cuts, the scroll saw is made for tight turns while cutting.

What is a Scroll Saw Used For?

In most instances, a scroll saw is used to cut very intricate wood pieces. It is a compact saw that allows a lot of creativity when completing a woodworking project.

The blade moves slower on a scroll saw, offering you more control and containment.

You’ll want to make sure you’re using the right wood for scroll work, as this saw is a bit finicky in what it can cut through.

Experience Level

You do need to heed some caution when using the saw as fingers can easily get cut if you are not careful.

Get started with a scroll saw by taking a look at my free scroll saw patterns.

​Related ​Scroll Saw Articles:

Cost

Scroll saws for sale vary greatly in price. You can find a decent model for under $100 while more advanced models range upwards of $2000.

Table Saw

table saw is a tabletop cutting tool that allows you to rest your wood piece on its tabletop surface and push it through the blade of the saw.

It is one of the different kinds of saws that you will get plenty of use out of as it has a myriad of applications for ripping and straight cutting wood.

Table saw for cutting wood metal pvc

What is a Table Saw?

A table saw is a flat saw that has a cutting blade that extends upward from the center of the saw. You need to push material through the blade and guide it as you work.

These types of saws allow you to cut wood down to size without having to worry about exact dimensions or accurate cuts. A table saw is much larger and more robust when compared up against another saw like a bandsaw.

A table saw is also a lot different than its cousin, the track saw. Even the best track saws don’t have the versatility of the table option.

There are several types of table saws, ranging from portable options for a job site, all the way up to large cabinet table saws.

What is a Table Saw Used For?

A table saw is ideal for ripping wood or making long, straight cuts in large diameter wood such as plywood or MDF. It can be used to cut metal, glass, and plastic with the right blade.

Using a table saw fence, you guide the wood through a large circular blade to make your cuts.

Unlike a circular saw, a table saw is highly accurate. You can cut fractions of an inch off of a piece of wood.

Experience Level

You do need to have some training before you begin using a table saw. It is also important that you take the necessary safety precautions when using a table saw as you could easily cut your fingers.

The saw can also kick the wood back into you if you use it incorrectly.

Related: Miter Saw vs Table Saw

You should have an experienced person show you the basic safety requirements of a table saw, such as where to stand and what types of cuts you should avoid.

Cost

Table saws come in a range of prices with affordable models costing a few hundred dollars. You can also find more expensive contractor table saws that are over $8000 (if you have an industrial need for additional power and durability).

I’ve provided table saw reviews so that you can select the best one for your needs. Don’t forget to look into the best portable table saw if you’re someone who works on a job site frequently.

In general, quality cheaper options can be found for under $500, while models with more options can be found right around $1000Beginner table saw users should start with a basic one, until you learn what features you need.

Tile Saw

Another one of the different kinds of saws that you can choose to invest in is a tile saw. This saw is specifically designed to cut ceramic or porcelain tile. It uses water as a cooling agent while the blade cuts through the hard tile surface.

How to use a tile cutter

What is a Tile Saw?

A tile saw is a powered or manual saw that uses a blade to make exact cuts in tile to allow it to fit within a specific dimension.

Because tile is a particularly hard surface, water is used to keep the blade from scorching the tile or leaving burn marks.

You can make straight, and angled cuts with a tile saw.

What is a Tile Saw Used For?

A tile saw is used to cut a variety of tile types. These tiles materials can include some clay, ceramic porcelain, and stone tiles that you would use in your home’s bathroom ​for the shower, bathtub, and flooring, or your home’s kitchen for backsplash wall, or even to tile your stairs.

A tile saw can also be configured to cut glass or brick with the right blade.

Experience Level

A tile saw takes some experience to get the exact cut dimensions you are looking for. A beginner may have issues with edges not breaking clean or tiles cracking during the cutting process, which can produce waste.

​Related DIY Articles

Cost

A tile saw can be purchased for under $100. Models do range upwards of $5000 for industrial applications. Make sure to look into the best tile saw, as many don’t cut very accurately.

Table Saw Accessories: Overview of ALL the SawStop Extras

Conclusion

You might find some unfamiliar types of saws in a woodshop, but after a little studying, you’ll find out that they might come in handy on unexpected occasions. These different types of saws can help you complete any type of project you have planned for your home. After reading this article about the different types of saws in woodwork, choosing the right one for you will be much easier.

An expert at home repair, remodel, and DIY projects for nearly 40 years. His first experience came in completely restoring an antique home. Completely redone from the inside out, and restored to its original form, the home is a featured design by renowned Southern California Architect Cliff May, considered to be the father of the California Ranch Home. Now Dennis spends his time on fine woodworking projects and tool comparisons.

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