Types Of Power Saws

With so many types of power saws available on the market these days the old reliable hand saw has just about become obsolete. Speaking for myself I haven't used a manually operated saw in years. Power saws are just to easy to use anymore. They come in a variety of sizes, weights and power. There is a power saw available for any do it yourself project you want to start. Woodworking, light trim work, felling large trees, cutting logs, all are made a lot easier because of the existence of the power saw.

The chainsaw is the most used power saw around the home. Most of us that do our own trimming around the house own a chain saw. A small electric chain saw is perfect for clearing out small trees and brush then cutting them into logs or kindling for the fireplace.

Another power saw I like to keep around is a circular saw. Circular saws can cut through thick wood like 2x4s which are used in a variety of home improvement projects. More than any other types of power saws, circular saws have just about eliminated the need for keeping various kinds of hand saws.

I have a couple of friends who own a mitre saw because they're really into precise cutting. The mitre saw can be set up for precision cutting of angles and lengths. If you're really into working with wood a mitre saw should be part of your selection of woodworking tools.

For cutting paneling or other thin materials like plywood, a saber saw or jigsaw as its more commonly referred to is just the thing. Just remember that you can purchase a relatively inexpensive saber saw but, buy quality saw blades. You'll get a better cut regardless of the quality of your saw.

For bigger jobs which require the material to remain absolutely stationary, you'll want a table saw. The table provides the surface for the piece of wood you're cutting and with the saw blade located in the center of the table you can get an exact cut.

For me, the macdaddy of power saws is the reciprocating saw, or sawsall as its sometimes called. Wood, metal, pvc pipe, or just about any type of material you need to cut where precision is not a big issue, can be cut with a reciprocating saw. Around my house I wanted to replace a chain link fence gate with something more decorative. I plugged in my reciprocating saw, cut down the chain link gate, and built my fence gate from wood using, the reciprocating saw. One thing, I don't recommend a cordless model. I tried one. The ones that you can attach to your drill aren't worth a crap either. They just don't generate enough power. Get an electric model and it will cut just about anything.

All of the above are the types of power saws I have used with some degree of success. I'm not the greatest woodworker in the world but, the easy availability of power saws have enabled me to complete a few more do it yourself home improvement projects. They will increase your productivity as well and turn a chore into something more like a hobby.

Just don't forget the safety aspect of working with power saws. They're made to cut material that doesn't include body parts. Always wear safety glasses and work gloves. Read the owners manual of any power saw you've purchased. Manufacturers go to great lengths to print them. They will give you a better understanding of the safe operation of your power saw.