Cutting Tools
Handsaws
Handsaws are manual cutting tools that use a toothed blade and physical effort to cut wood, metal, or other materials without a power source.
| Tool | Used for |
|---|---|
| Crosscut saw | Cutting boards and lumber to length. Designed to cut across the grain of wood with alternating teeth. |
| Rip saw | Ripping boards into narrower pieces during woodworking. Designed to cut parallel to the wood grain. |
| Coping saw | Cutting intricate shapes in wood, plastic, and soft metals. Designed for detailed curved cuts. |
| Miter box and backsaw | Cutting trim, molding, and other materials at accurate angles. The miter box guides the backsaw to make precise angled cuts. |
| Hacksaw | Cutting metal pipes, rods, bolts, and tubing. Designed specifically for cutting metal. |
Power saws
Power saws use a motor to drive the blade, allowing for faster and more efficient cuts than a handsaw.
| Tool | Used for |
|---|---|
| Miter saw | Cutting trim, framing lumber, and boards to precise lengths and angles. Designed to make fast, accurate crosscuts and angled cuts. |
| Circular saw | Cutting plywood, dimensional lumber, and other building materials. Designed to be handheld, with a rotating circular blade for straight cuts. |
| Band saw | Cutting curves, irregular shapes, and resawing wood or metal. Designed to be stationary, with a continuous loop blade for smooth, controlled cuts. |
| Reciprocating saw | Demolition, remodeling, and cutting through wood, metal, or piping. Designed to be handheld, with a blade that moves back and forth. |
| Jigsaw | Cutting curves, circles, and intricate shapes in wood, plastic, and thin metal. Designed to be handheld, with a narrow reciprocating blade for detailed work. |
Saw accessory
Accessories like jigs don’t cut on their own — they guide a blade or tool along a fixed path for more accurate, repeatable cuts.
| Tool | Used for |
|---|---|
| Jigs | Provides guidance for a blade or tool to follow a specific cutting path. |
Other cutting tools
Not every cutting job calls for a saw — these tools use shearing, chopping, or leverage to cut wire, bolts, chains, and wood.
| Tool | Used for |
|---|---|
| Bolt cutters | Specialized heavy-duty cutters designed for cutting metal bolts, chains, and rods. |
| Wire cutters and strippers | Specialized tools used to cut wire and remove insulation from electrical wires. |
| Axes | Chopping, splitting wood, and demolition work. |