The Power Saw

The Power Saw as Tool of the Trade

Whenever there is carpentry work, there would be cutting and sawing action. Therefore, it is but basic that the power saw is the primary tool used in carpentry jobs. A wide range of power saw types are now available in the market, each designed for a specific purpose and environment in mind. In pursuit of achieving quality and efficiency, it is paramount to know which type of saw is best for a given project.

The three primary types of power saws are the circular, the table and the reciprocating saw. Let us explore each type to know them better.

A. The Circular Saw

A circular saw is a hand-held power saw with a 7 1/4-inch blade used to make quick cuts. Relatively small and lightweight this tool is very portable. However, since this is portable, accuracy can be a major drawback.

The circular saw’s blade is interchangeable. There are different blades that are manufactured for a specific job such as cutting treated lumber. You can view other articles on this site for more information on saw blades.

Meantime, to improve accuracy of the cut, use a metal or wooden rig to guide and help you cut straight through the material. There are models that allow you to cut a bevel of up to 45 degrees.

1. The Radial Arm Saw

The radial arm circular saw is used combining power and flexibility. Its blade is mounted on a radial arm that allows the operator to pull the blade in a straight line through the cut. This saw can perform any type of cut a carpenter could imagine, like crosscuts, miters, dados or rectangle cuts, rip cuts and rabbets on edges on a piece of wood. The saw is capable of cutting extremely wide stock boards and can sometimes be equipped with sanding attachments.

The radial arm saw is heavy and bulky and classified as a non-mobile shop tool. A new type called the radial miter saw is now available in the market. This saw is designed to have the functionality of the radial motion and the portability of the miter saw.

2. The Hand-Held Circular Saw

Hand-held circular saws are popularly used in carpentry work and have since become the life-blood of on-site carpentry jobs. In cutting framings, the saw provides unsurpassed speed and mobility for rough cuts. As an all-around carpentry tool, it can be used for ripping and crosscutting. Its versatility allows the carpenter to handle a wide range of wood types, from hardwood to softwood and even plywood. It can cut without limitations on the width of the material. You can easily and quickly adjust the tool’s cutting depths and angles.

However, since this tool is hand-held, the lack of accuracy can be a major drawback. The operator must clamp a straightedge for a guide or follow a cutting line to achieve quality in cuts.

3. Miter Saws

A miter saw is sometimes known as the chop or drop saw. It is a circular saw designed to cut at precision angles. It is mounted on a table but it is lightweight and very mobile. Miter saws can be used for a variety of jobs, but primarily, it is for complex cuts such as trim works, molding and the cutting of rafters.

The two types of miter saws are the compound miter and the basic miter saw. The basic miter is only limited to miter cuts. The compound miters on the other hand can perform bevel cuts and miter cuts or both at the same time. Miter saws however are limited to relatively narrow pieces of wood, which is its major drawback in carpentry work.

B. Table Saw

A table saw is a versatile tool that can provide accurate cuts on your basic woodworking needs. The table saws difference from circular saws is on the manner wood is cut. In table saws, the wood is pushed through the table saw with one edge of it running against a guide to achieve a straight cut.

Table saws are generally used for cutting large pieces of wood such as plywood and paneling, with ease. It is effective for ripping wood or merely cutting a thin piece off a long piece of wood. A table saw can accommodate a router to cut even and smooth grooves in wood. A table saw has several features you might need that can make your job easier and faster.

C. The Reciprocating Saw

Unlike the circular and table saw, the reciprocating saw blades move back and forth. This hand held saw has its tough blades moving in a push and pull fashion. This tool is frequently used in demolition jobs where it can cut through nails, remove windows and door frames, to remove wall studs and are also useful to cut small branches. The tools performance depends on the power, the speed and brand.

Power saws are now a necessity for construction projects and woodworking jobs. These provide accurate, fast and clean cuts. To prevent injury, use precautions when using a power saw.