Handsaws Flashcards
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 60° 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.
Rip 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 45°.
The power miter saw is a power tool that is used to cut wood like a crosscut saw
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 45°.
The power miter saw is a power tool that is used to cut wood like a crosscut saw
Hacksaw
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.
Compass or Keyhole 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.
Coping Saw
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.
Backsaw
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 ¾” 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.
Bowsaw
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.
Dovetail Saw
Also called Panel Saw or Short Cut Saw.
Good for ripping, crosscutting and general cutting of lumber, plywood and particleboard and plastic materials.
Toolbox 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 switch plates.
The saw is self-starting with a sharp point for plunge cuts.
It may also have induction teeth for longer life without sharpening.
Drywall Saw
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.
Plywood Saw
Similar to most traditional saws except the teeth are designed to cut with a pulling motion.
Pull saw 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.
Pull Saw (Sometimes called Japanese Pull Saw)
Designed to cut PVC and ABS plastic.
Can also cut wood and drywall.
Plastic Pip 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 the end opposite the saw blade.
Retractable Saw
Best power tool to use for ripping wood.
Table Saw
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 blades to the plane of the saw guide.
Miter Box
Pros want convenience when selecting a hacksaw, such as a quick-release blade change mechanism, tension guide and rugged frame to ensure durability.
While most professional customers use power saws for the majority of their work, professional woodworkers still commonly rely on a variety of hand saws for precision and quality. If your store caters to woodworkers, be sure to have a wide selection of specialty woodworking saws on hand.
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