Sawing

Sawing is the process of cutting material with a saw, typically by advancing a blade with teeth through the workpiece or by moving the blade against it. It is used to divide, shape, or size pieces in woodworking, metalworking, and construction. The two broad categories are hand sawing and powered sawing. Hand saws rely on manual motion and include rip saws designed to cut with the grain and cross-cut saws designed to cut across the grain. Blades vary in tooth geometry, kerf width, and thickness.

Powered saws use electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic power and come in many forms: circular saws (rotating circular blades), reciprocating saws (a back-and-forth blade), band saws (continuous toothed belt), table saws (a fixed blade with a table), and hacksaws (for metal). Each type is optimized for different materials and cuts. For wood, blades may be designed for fast rip cuts or clean cross-cuts; for metal, blades are typically made from high-speed steel or carbide-tipped teeth; for stone, diamond-containing blades are common.

Key considerations include blade material and tooth configuration, blade speed, feed rate, and clamping to prevent binding. Safety measures include eye protection, guarding, proper stance, and using push sticks or fixtures for tabletop saws.

Slicing with saws is a fundamental step in many workflows, from rough material removal in a sawmill to precise shaping in fine carpentry. Advances in blade technology and CNC control have improved accuracy, efficiency, and safety across applications.