Using Different Kinds of Hand Saws

by DoItYourself Staff

Saws Safety Tips

Always wear proper eye protection, such as safety glasses or a face shield.

When selecting any type of saw, be sure to pick one that is the right size and design for the type of material being cut.

The right saw handle should keep the user’s wrist in somewhat of a natural position that is horizontal to the piece being cut.

Always make sure the piece being cut is free of objects that could make the saw buckle, such as screws and nails.

To start the cut properly, place your hand with the thumb in an upright position pressing against blade. Go slow at first to prevent blade from jumping off the cut line. Then, after the blade is engaged, begin with partial cutting strokes and be sure to set the saw at the proper angle.

During the cut, pressure is applied only during the downstroke.

Be sure the stock being cut is secured firmly in place.

When cutting longer stock, always be sure the stock is properly supported.

Dull teeth can be a safety hazard. Always make sure the teeth and blades are properly sharpened, set and cleaned.

Always protect the teeth of any saw when the tool is not in use.

When using hacksaws, make sure the bade is secured with the teeth pointing forward and that the frame is aligned properly.

When cutting with a hacksaw, use the full length of blade in each cutting stroke.

Rip Saw

Has large, chisel-shaped teeth, usually 5-1/2 teeth per inch, and is made to cut with the wood grain.

Blade lengths measure from 24" to 28".

Teeth are cross-filed to ensure that the chisel point is set square to the direction of cutting for best performance.

This saw is best held at a 60º angle to the surface of the board being cut. The ripping action of the saw produces a coarse, ragged cut that makes the saw unsatisfactory for finish work

Crosscut Saw

Designed for cutting across wood grain and produces a smoother cut than rip saws.

Has teeth shaped like knife points to crumble out wood between cuts.

The most commonly used crosscut saws are 10- to 12-point for fine work and 7- or 8-point for faster cutting. 10 teeth per inch is considered general purpose

Blade lengths range from 20" to 28", with 26" the most popular.

Can also be used to cut plywood.

Best cutting angle for this saw is about 45º

Hacksaw

Is a fine-toothed saw designed to cut metal or plastic. Hacksaws consist of a blade held in a steel frame with relatively high tension to hold the blade rigidly straight. High-tension models (with tension to 32,000 p.s.i.) are also available.

Blades come in coarse-, medium (18 tpi), fine (24 teeth per inch and very fine-toothed (32 tpi). Regular or standard blades are used for general-purpose cutting; high-speed or bi-metal blades for cutting hard, extra-tough steel.

Most models can be adjusted to hold various blade lengths. Some have both horizontal and vertical positions for blades. Others provide blade storage.

A close-quarter (or utility) hacksaw holds and positions a hacksaw blade so it can be used effectively in narrow spaces and slots.

Replacement blades include rod saw blades capable of cutting through most hard materials—spring and stainless steel, chain, brick, glass and tile.

Compass or Keyhole Saw

Cuts curved or straight-sided holes.

Saw blades are narrow, tapered nearly to a point to fit into most spaces.

Blades come in three or four styles that can be changed to fit the job.

Some models have induction-hardened teeth for longer life without sharpening.

Keyhole saws are small compass saws with finer teeth that can cut metal.

Turret head keyhole blades can be rotated and locked in several positions for easier cutting in tight, awkward spots.

Coping Saw

Used for cutting irregular shapes, curves and intricate decorative patterns.

Name comes from saw’s usefulness in coping back the joints of molding when fitting two pieces together.

Saw consists of a thin blade and a C-shaped steel tension frame.

The removable blade is typically 6-1/2" long.

Backsaw

Is a thick-bladed saw with a stiff, reinforced back to provide the rigidity necessary in precision cutting.

It varies in length from 10" to 30" and is found in tooth counts from seven to 14 teeth per inch.

Used with miter boxes to cut miters.

Bow Saw

Consists of a tubular steel frame and a saw blade for fast cutting of all woods.

The bow saw's frame is important, since the thin blade, usually 3/4" wide, must be held under high tension for fast cutting.

Advantages of this general-purpose saw are its all-around utility and light weight.

Some bow saws are designed to hold hacksaw blades as well as standard bow saw blades. These multi-purpose saws can be used to cut wood, metal or plastic.

Dovetail Saw

Similar to a backsaw, with stiff reinforced back, only smaller with finer teeth.

Used for fine finish cuts, such as cutting dovetail joints in woodworking.

Common saw for trimming molding and furniture repair.

Can also be used to cut plastics and laminates

Toolbox Saw

Also called Panel Saw or Short Cut Saw.

Good for ripping, crosscutting and general cutting of lumber, plywood and particleboard and plastic materials

Drywall Saw

Resembles a kitchen knife in design and is used to cut drywall and plasterboard in the same fashion as a keyhole saw, such as for sawing holes for electric outlets and switchplates.

The saw is self-starting with a sharp point for plunge cuts.

It may also have induction teeth for longer life without sharpening

Plywood Saw

Is specially designed for sawing plywood, veneers, laminates and moldings.

The blade, which cuts on the push stroke, is curved downward at the end to allow user to start cuts in the center of a board.

Not designed for cutting solid wood.

Standard saw lengths are 12"-13", generally with 14 teeth per inch.

Pull Saw

Is similar to most traditional saws except the teeth are designed to cut with a pulling motion.

Pull saws cut wood faster and with less effort because of the thinner and more flexible blade.

The saws feature teeth diamond-ground on three cutting edges.

Because of the flexibility of the blade and the minimal set to the teeth, the saws are excellent for flush cutting.

Mini pull saws that cut sharply on the pull stroke are used for precision carpentry.

Plastic Pipe Saw

Designed to cut PVC and ABS plastic.

Can also cut wood and drywall

Retractable Saw

Comes in a variety of designs and is engineered for the blades to either retract or fold back into a plastic or wooden handle.

Also called a folding saw.

Some models have combination features, such as utility knives, on end opposite saw blade

Miter Box

Used to help cut exact angles for wood trim and rafters.

Better models provide a mechanism for a backsaw.

They are made of plastic, hardwood or aluminum.

Some boxes feature magnetic mount guides. The magnets grasp and hold the saw to the miter box saw guide or hold the saw blade to the plane of the saw guide.