32 Different Types of Saws and Their Uses

1. Back Saw

Back saws are typically used for miter cuts. They have a short blade and a reinforced spine, hence the name. They are sometimes known as miter saws or tenon saws, depending on which region you come from.

Back saws are a favorite of cabinet and furniture makers because the wider brace gives them better control for precision cutting. The precision comes from the thinner, fine-toothed blade. Coupled with the thicker spine, back saws are also easier to control.

2. Bow Saw

Bow saws love the outdoors. You use a bow saw, with its large teeth, to make light work of trees, logs, and general pruning. The design means the teeth remove material when you push and pull, so it is ideal for chopping thicker limbs off trees.

That said, they are not a precision tool. While they make easy work of more substantial material, they should not be used on your woodwork projects if you want a professional finish.

3. Coping Saw

The coping saw makes precision cuts. It is intricate, and ideal for trim work, scroll work, and anything else that requires detail.

The blade is thin, and the body of the saw is arched, meaning that it can cope with wider materials. The blade can also rotate for better control in the tightest spots.

It is a firm favorite with furniture makers, and can even be found in the tool kits of plumbers and toymakers. It cuts wood, plastic, composite materials, as well as some metals, depending on the blade you use.

4. Crosscut Saw

Like the bow saw, the crosscut saw is best suited to the outdoors. This is a wide-toothed saw that makes efficient cuts in both directions across the grain of the wood. It is the go-to choice for cutting lumber, especially the larger two-handle version.

If you choose the one-person variety, it is an ideal tool for pruning, trimming, and tidying up branches. This saw is also useful when you are camping in the wild.

5. Fret Saw

The fret saw resembles the coping saw and is from the same family. It has a deeper arched frame, meaning it is ideal for working on wider projects.

However, the fret saw is used to make intricate cuts. But because the blade is fixed and doesn’t rotate, it can be more laborious to achieve the same results as the coping saw.

6. Hacksaw

Hacksaws are extremely versatile cutting tools. They slice through metal pipework, wood, plastic, and lots of other materials besides. Whatever you are cutting, make sure you use material-specific blades for the job.

What makes this saw so effective is the high tooth count of the blades. Typically, there are between 18 and 32 teeth per inch.

7. Japanese Saw

The Japanese are masters of creating the finest blades in the world, and this saw is no different. It consists of a long thin handle with a protruding cutting blade. It reaches places that other saws cannot, meaning it is more accurate than a back saw.

These saws cut soft and hardwood and come in three varieties; Dozuki, Kataba and Ryoba.

8. Keyhole Saw

If you fit drywall, a keyhole saw is the perfect tool to use. It consists of a rounded handle with a long, tapered blade expert at making small circles and patterns. So, if you have some drywall that needs shaping, or a section to be removed to accommodate pipework, this saw is invaluable.

And remember, it isn’t always possible to use power tools when working inside. Maybe the drywall is close to power cables or pipework? The keyhole saw helps to solve that problem.

Also, there are times when you need a quick solution. Using a keyhole saw saves you the bother of setting up a power tool for the job.

9. Pole Saw

Now we are back in the garden again. The pole saw, or pole runner as it is sometimes known, is the best tool for pruning branches that are too high to reach. It consists of a long, extendable pole with an 8-inch cutting blade. The pole typically extends to 16 feet, but longer reaches are available.

These saws are a gardener’s dream because it means you don’t have to climb a step ladder to reach the branches you need to chop.

10. Pruning Saw

Pruning saws are a landscaper’s best friend. You will also find them in the tool kits of keen gardeners.

A pruning saw has a curved blade, usually 13 to 15 inches long. The handle is similar to a pistol grip, and the teeth cut both ways when you push and pull. This speeds up the cutting process and removes more material.

Like the pole saw and the bow saw, a pruning saw works better when used on lower branches that are within reach.

11. Rip Cut Saw

Rip cut saws are common fixtures of any carpenters tool bag. They come in varying sizes and because they cut with precision, they are ideal for framing. The blade has relatively few teeth per inch (around five). However, they are incredibly sharp and designed to remove the maximum amount of material.

Rip cut saws are generically referred to as “hand saws.” Most inexperienced woodworkers would choose them as the classic hand saw design and shape.

12. Veneer Saw

The veneer saw is one of the few varieties that cannot easily adapt to other uses. It is used explicitly for precision veneer work. It consists of a rounded handle with a short, double-edged blade. Each cutting edge has around 13 teeth per inch.

Highly skilled woodworker’s tool kits will often feature a veneer saw, especially if they are cabinet makers. It is not something the average DIY enthusiast or hobbyist would be familiar with.

13. Wallboard Saw

A wallboard saw resembles the keyhole saw in many ways, but there are some subtle differences. Wallboard saws have a fatter, shorter blade, and fewer teeth per inch. As the name suggests, it is used for cutting holes in the wallboard. Typically, it makes starter holes for power saws.

These saws are available in the single blade and double-edged varieties.

14. Wire Saw

This type of saw consists of a length of industrial-strength wire attached to a hoop handle on either end. It operates in a similar way to the band saw and gets used in environments that require precision cutting.

Also, because the wire is strong, it can cut harder material like large rocks into neat blocks.

15. Band Saw (Stationary)

The stationary band saw is another staple of any woodworkers woodshed. It is an upright cabinet-style saw, with pulleys above and below to move a fine blade. It is ideal for cutting intricate shapes and curves, and it caters for most materials.

You can even cut tubes, piping, and PVC. Band saws are also great if you want to make precision cuts because you work the stock around the saw rather than the traditional way of working the saw over the material.

One common use of a band saw is resawing, which is the practice of slicing lumber into thinner slabs.

16. Band Saw (Portable)

The portable band saw is ideal for working on-site. So, contractors and carpenters will likely have this saw in their arsenal of tools. It does everything the stationary band saw can, but the difference is in the limited cutting capability because of its size.

This tool also cuts piping, tubing, and other materials, making it a favorite with plumbers and metalworkers. Portable band saws are available in vertical or horizontal varieties.

17. Chain Saw

If you want a powerful cutting tool, the chainsaw is pretty hard to beat. It is the go-to tool of every forestry worker and, in some cases, homeowners. It works by spinning a chain link around a protruding arm at speed. The chain link has ripping teeth, so it is not a precision saw.

The chain saw is part of the band saw family and is a must-have tool for anyone living in heavily wooded areas. They are available in both petrol and electric varieties, although the most common are petrol chain saws.

18. Chop Saw

The chop saw is also known as the abrasive saw. It consists of a toothless spinning disc mounted on a support arm. It is the largest of the circular saw family and is used to cut metal and masonry, depending on the version you have.

The masonry chop saw typically has a waterline connection to reduce dust when cutting concrete.

Chop saws are also known as concrete saws and cut-off saws.

19. Circular Saw

Unlike the more substantial chop saw, the circular saw has a spinning toothed blade, roughly 7-¼ and 9 inches in diameter. It is much smaller than the chop saw.

Circular saws are the most commonly found power saw. The interchangeable blades cater to numerous materials, including wood, metal, plastic, and masonry.

You might also know this type of saw as a buzz saw. Mini or compact models are also available.

20. Compound Miter Saw

Compound miter saws are incredibly versatile tools. They make several complex cuts, such as bevel, compound, straight, and miter cuts. This saw is the perfect choice when working with scroll work, trims, crown moldings, window, and door frames. Carpenters love this saw for its flexibility.

A compound miter saw is portable, meaning it is perfect for working on-site. It can also be mounted on a stand or table to make it a permanent fixture of your woodshop.

21. Flooring Saw

The flooring saw is another highly specialized tool, designed to cut engineered and hardwood flooring. It is portable, meaning that you can work through your tasks quickly on-site. It replaces the miter saw, the jigsaw (which is less precise), and the circular saw as a means of cutting flooring.

22. Jigsaw

A jigsaw is a power tool designed for cutting curves and intricate non-straight lines. It consists of a fine, narrow blade that moves up and down at speed.

Jigsaws are compact, making them a staple of most DIY enthusiasts tool kits, as well as professionals alike.

They come in corded or cordless versions, with rechargeable lithium battery packs. Jigsaws are simple to use and extremely versatile.

23. Miter Saw

Miter saws are portable, sit on a tabletop, and are excellent for making accurate miter and bevel cuts. The saw consists of a circular blade mounted on a pivoting arm that allows you to select the desired angle.

Miters saws are the go-to tool for producing crown moldings, picture frames, and door and window frames. For anything that requires an accurate angled cut, use a miter saw for the best results.

24. Oscillating Saw

Oscillating saws are sometimes described as multi-tools, given the number of attachments you can fit onto the base.

This saw looks like a grinder because the handle is short and thick. The blades can be changed depending on the task in hand, making the oscillating saw one of the most adaptable power tools available.

It grinds, scrapes, files, sands, and gouges out filler and decorators caulk.

25. Panel Saw

The panel saw is the brother of the table saw. They come in either vertical or horizontal varieties and work by either a sliding feed or by you maneuvering the material towards the blade. They are ideal for the larger stock, and for cutting sheet panels.

Panel saws are a favorite tool of cabinet makers and signmakers.

26. Radial Arm Saw

Radial arm saws resemble miter or chop saws. However, the difference is that the motor and blade suspend from an arm that extends out over the surface of the material you are cutting. The arm gives the saw a greater cutting surface. Still, you retain all the advantages of being able to cut miters, compound cuts, and many more.

The blades are interchangeable, depending on the material you are cutting.

27. Reciprocating Saws

A reciprocating saw is a bit like a more aggressive and agile version of a jigsaw. The blade action is the same up and down motion. Unlike the jigsaw, which has a flat base to glide across the surface of the material, a reciprocating saw is held freehand. You would use a reciprocating saw to make small or rough cuts. These saws are powerful machines.

The robust blade can chop through wood, metal, even nails. This makes it an ideal tool for cutting through flooring and wood joints.

It is popular with window fitters and construction workers. The emergency services even use a variant in their rescue missions.

28. Rotary Saws

The rotary saw is a mechanized version of the keyhole saw. It’s best used for making small openings in drywall, and panels. Plumbers, electricians, and construction workers love the versatility of this tool.

Like the reciprocating saw, the blade motion is the same up and down movement. It has a host of uses and can cut a variety of materials from tubing, pipework, plastic, and wood.

29. Scroll Saw

A scroll saw is similar to a jigsaw, except a scroll saw is stationary, and the wood gets fed towards the blade. Both will do the same job, and if you want an okay result, use the jigsaw. However, a scroll saw takes finesse in cutting to a whole new level of accuracy.

It is intricate and can cut extremely thin bits of material, making it a firm favorite with toy makers and people who like decorative finishes.

Many wood crafters use scroll saws to get a level of detail that other saws struggle to reach.

30. Table Saw

Imagine a table with a slot cut out of the middle, and a circular saw blade mounted in the hole. That’s a table saw. It is precisely what the name suggests; a saw mounted in a table. The beauty of a table saw is that it can make rip-cuts, and handle large pieces of material.

It also makes angled cuts using a miter gauge, and it makes light work of heavy workloads. It is the must-have saw for all woodworkers, cabinet makers, and hobbyists alike.

31. Tile Saw

This tile saw is another tool for specialists. A tile saw is similar to a table or miter saw, and it utilizes a diamond-coated blade and a water-cooled system to keep the tile and blade from overheating. It consists of a circular saw blade mounted on a portable tabletop.

Tile saws can cut porcelain and other ceramics, and with the correct blade, even glass.

32. Track Saw

A track saw essentially is a circular saw mounted on a track system to perform long, straight cuts. You can either add or remove pieces from the track system, depending on the size of the cut you want.

The difference between a circular saw and a track saw is that the track saw has a less protruding blade. You use the track to give accuracy to the cut rather than relying on a line of sight. Some people prefer to guide a saw by eye rather than placing their trust in a track system.