saws

A saw is a hand or power tool featuring a toothed blade used to cut materials by removing material in small chips. Cutting action depends on the blade’s teeth pattern, thickness, and the way it is guided by a handle or frame. Saws are designed for different materials, including wood, metal, plastics, and stone, and they range from simple handhelds to complex powered machines.

Common hand saws include rip saws for cutting along the grain, crosscut saws for cutting across the grain, backsaws such as panel and tenon saws, and smaller tools like pruning saws, coping saws, and hole saws. Power saws include circular saws, reciprocating saws, jigsaws, miter saws, table saws, band saws, and masonry or tile saws. Each type uses blades sized and shaped for its intended material.

Blade design affects performance. Teeth geometry and pitch determine speed and finish; kerf width is influenced by blade thickness and set. Blades can be made of high-carbon steel, alloy steel, or carbide-tipped variants for longer life when cutting harder materials. Some blades are designed specifically for wood, metal, plastic, or stone.

Operation involves securing the workpiece, aligning the blade, and applying controlled feed pressure. Safety considerations include wearing eye and hand protection, guarding blades, keeping hands away from the teeth, and avoiding kickback by using proper stance, clamps, and sharp blades. Disconnect power when changing blades on powered tools.

Historically, saws have evolved from stone and bronze blades to iron and steel, with improvements in tooth geometry and blade materials. The development of carbide-tipped teeth and modern machine blades has increased durability and cut quality across many materials.