22 Different Types of Saws and their Uses for DIYers



When it comes to equipping your home workshop with an assortment of cutting tools, it is best to understand what the different types of saws are and how they can be beneficial to your woodworking jobs. This guide will walk you through a variety of types of saws for woodworking projects, so you can make the best decision when it comes to investing in these tools.

​22 Different Kinds of Saws for You




​Again, it’s worth pointing out – that doesn’t make any better than any other. Each saw has a unique purpose, and excels at a unique type of cut.

​Different Types of Saws in Woodshop Available

​​There are dozens of different types of saws and they can be broken down into two categories:

  • Hand saws: non-powered, designed to be used ​as handheld options
  • Mechanically powered saws: powered, used with power



Different types of saws

Essential Hand Saws

Also known as a panel saw or a fish saws, the hand saw has been around for thousands of years.

Nowadays, every garage usually has a few panel saws lying around. While seemingly old fashioned compared to the newer power saws, there are a few handsaws we still highly recommend keeping around.

Coping Saw

If you are looking for a hand saw that will make both internal and external cuts, you may want to opt for a coping saw. Part of the bow saw family, a coping saw has a thin steel blade that is positioned and stretched between a frame with a handle attached at the end. This hand saw has teeth that face downwards, allowing you to cut on the pull stroke.

Coping type of saw

What is a Coping Saw?

This handle held saw requires some force when cutting as you manually have to pull it through the material as you cut. It has a unique ability to cut from the middle of a wood piece by removing the blade and stringing it through a hole or cutout.


What is a Coping Saw Used For?



Experience Level

Using a coping saw does not require a ton of experience. With a little trial and error, you’ll easily understand how this saw operates and learn to use it.





Hacksaw handsaw

What is a Hacksaw?

A hacksaw has a fine-toothed blade that can be positioned with the teeth upward or downward, allowing you to cut on the push or pull motion. These saws have a C-shaped frame that holds the blade in place while the material you are cutting is positioned in a vise.


What is a Hacksaw Used For?


Experience Level

Using a hacksaw does come with a small learning curve. However, care does need to be taken when using a hacksaw as you can break the blade if too much force is placed upon it.




Other Hand Saws

While the coping saw and hacksaw are essential additions to every toolshed, the following is a list and overview of other hand saws. These are typically best used for specific circumstances and cuts, and don’t have the broad range of uses that our essential list.

That doesn’t make them any less valuable for what they are designed to do, just not as robust and wide-ranging. From folding options to torpedo saws, each of these options fills a specific purpose.

Crosscut Saw


A detailed closeup shot of a handheld cross cut saw



Rip Cut Saw

This is a very standard saw and sometimes gets referred to generally as a “hand saw.” Obviously this is an entire class of saws, but the rip cut saw is as generic as they get, so sometimes it gets labeled as such.



A detailed close up of a rip saw

​​Pruning Saw

As you can imagine, this is the perfect saw to use outside to trim plants and tree branches. If you don’t own and operate a pole saw, this is the next best thing.


The blade, usually at least 12″ or longer, arcs out of the handle and has large, wide teeth.


Bow Saw

Also considered a cross-cut saw, this saw looks very similar to a hacksaw. It has tiny teeth located very close together. Most use this ​type of a saw on smaller items to make cross cuts, such as thin branches or indoors on small surfaces.

A close up of the bow saw blade and teeth

Other names for this tool are the Swede saw, Finn saw, and buck saw.

Fret Saw


It has a large blade and molding which can help you to get deep into your cut without having to adjust the saw.


This saw and its blade are very fragile and easy to break.

Japanese Saw

The Japanese saw works very differently in comparison to the typical Western saws that you probably use. The teeth are set in the saw in the opposite direction than traditional saws, and ​cutting is performed by pulling the saw towards the user. In other words, you cut on the upstroke instead of the backstroke.


Veneer Saw

This is a very, very specialized saw designed to cut veneer. It has a short, squat, double-sided blade, which is 3-5 inches long. You use it to cut veneer work, which requires precision and a specialized tool.

Back Saw

A detailed image of a back saw's handle and blade


Back saws feature a thin, short blade with reinforcement along its upper edge. They are a great option for quick, back-and-forth cutting.

Keyhole Saw

In many ways, this saw has the same overall shape and design as the pruning saw, though it lacks the curved blade that the prune saw features and instead has a long, straight blade.

This saw is perfect when you’re trying to cut circles, squares, and other patterns in material such as drywall and plywood.

A modified keyhole saw close up of the handle and blade.

Wallboard Saw


​Portable Power Saws

Moving into the world of power saws, we’ll start with the portable variety. If you’re new to purchasing a saw, these are the types of saws you’ll want to look at. Highly convenient and generally inexpensive, portable power saws can serve you really well. A portable power saw is one that can be used by hand, without requiring set up or stability.



What is a jigsaw used for

What is a Jigsaw?

Jigsaws incorporate an electric motor which powers a reciprocating blade. This blade has a thin structure and can be made up of varying teeth per inch. Blade thickness determines which types of material can be cut by a jigsaw.

These blades are held into the body of the jigsaw with either a screw or a slotted enclosure which provides some stability.

What is a Jigsaw Used For?

Jigsaws have a wide variety of uses. When equipped with a thin blade, they are perfect for making delicate cuts that require fine curves.


Experience Level


A beginner may notice that they do not have the steady hand that is required of this saw and that they need some guidance using this powered cutting tool for the first time. ​Certainly, you’ll want to practice making curved cuts. Add a good quality upholstery staple gun to the mix and these two are a perfect match for all your DIY jobs.


The cost of a jigsaw varies – you can find an entry-level jigsaw for around $30 while high-grade versions will run you over $1000. We’ve reviewed all of your options in our best jigsaw review article.


Miter Saw


Miter saw uses for woodworking

What is a Miter Saw?

Miter saws use a circular blade, which interestingly can be swapped with a table saw for added flexibility. The circular blade typically comes in a 10″ or 12″ blade size and is made from carbon steel for durability. A coating is added to the blade of miter saws to allow for easier cutting, and it comes with a variety of teeth options.


What is a Miter Saw Used For?



Experience Level

Miter saws are not the easiest to handle. You ​should use some caution when using one as they have a spinning blade that could penetrate the skin, if not careful.


You can get your hands on an entry model for under $50 while some industrial models run upwards of $5000. We have a comprehensive miter saw review to help you understand which is better for your specific use case.



Chainsaw for cutting and sawing

What is a Chainsaw?



A clutch is used within the chainsaw to select the position of the chain as well as to protect the operator from kickbacks and the engine from overheating in a stalled piece of wood.

The guide bar of the saw is made from steel alloy and is approximately 40cm – 90 cm, depending on the model.

What is a Chainsaw Used For?

The applications for chainsaws are plenty. Those power tools are ideally suited for tree work such as cutting limbs, pruning, felling, bucking, and preparing firewood.

You may also see chainsaws used to cut metal and concrete with a specialized blade as well as to delicate ice sculpture work.


Experience Level


Smaller chainsaws aren’t any less risky, so exercise a good deal of caution with those power tools.


Depending on the power and cutting ability you are looking for, your chainsaw could range in price from $50 to $2000. Decent cheaper chainsaws will cost you a couple hundred dollars.

Different chainsaw brands offer different features and price points.

Chop Saw


What is a Chop Saw?

chop saw is a heavy-duty saw that allows you to cut into a hard surface using an abrasive blade that is similar to a grinding wheel. These saws use blades that are 14″ – 16″ in diameter, depending on the size of the saw.

What is a Chop Saw Used For?



Experience Level




Circular Saw

For projects that require a more hands-on approach, you may want to try a circular saw. It is a relatively lightweight handheld saw that you can manually push through a material surface.

Cordless circular saw with battery

What is a Circular Saw?

Circular saws use a round blade that rotates as you cut. They are cousins of table saws and can offer you plenty of accessibility on the job site as you are able to take them wherever you need to cut.

During cutting, circular saws use their blade to chip away wood slowly to make a cut on a surface. As the blade spins, it uses its teeth to chip away the wood and prevent any sticking or binding to the blade.

These saws are either battery-powered or electric and are easy to maneuver as you cut.

What is a Circular Saw Used For?


Experience Level

Since the blade of this saw is exposed, it can pose a potential danger to a novice woodworker.


Cost of a circular saw starts under $100 and can run to $2000 or more, depending on the sophistication required. A well appointed circular saw can be found for $100 if you do your research.

Stationary Power Saws

These are the serious saws. While you probably don’t need them when you’re just starting, a stationary power saw will allow you to make precise and accurate cuts across a multitude of surfaces.

If you have big projects, you’ll want one of the many stationary power saws on our list.




Bandsaw for woodworking

What is a Bandsaw?


Related: Bandsaw Blade Advice

What is a Bandsaw Used For?




Experience Level




Related: 43 Easy, Fun Bandsaw Projects

Reciprocating Saw


What is a Reciprocating Saw?

When you need to cut through a surface without any degree of accuracy, a reciprocating saw is an ideal cutting tool to do the job quickly. Reciprocating saws have a handle that helps you maneuver the cutting blade with a curved tip that digs into a surface with great force and power.

What is a Reciprocating Saw Used For?


A reciprocating saw can also be used in tree trimming applications and window fitting projects.

Experience Level

With a little care, a beginner will find that a reciprocating saw for woodworking is quite easy to master. Since it doesn’t require any accuracy when cutting, you can easily use it to teardown or cut into a surface with a little effort.


You can easily find a model for well under $100, making it a good saw for your home projects.

Scroll Saw


Scroll saw for cutting

What is a Scroll Saw?

A scroll saw is one of the different kinds of saws that you can use for fine woodworking projects. It features a reciprocating blade that gives you the option to remove it and place it within a cutout hole to saw inside shapes and perform detail work.

A scroll saw comes in a range of throat sizes from 12″ – 30″, allowing you to customize the machine to the type of cutting you need to complete. The blade of the scroll saw is typically 5″ long and can be customized to your cutting requirements.

Scroll saws are really best thought of as a highly specialized saw. Unlike a bandsaw, which is best suited for big heavy cuts, the scroll saw is made for tight turns while cutting.

What is a Scroll Saw Used For?



You’ll want to make sure you’re using the right wood for scroll work, as this saw is a bit finicky in what it can cut through.

Experience Level



​Related ​Scroll Saw Articles:


Scroll saws for sale vary greatly in price. You can find a decent model for under $100 while more advanced models range upwards of $2000.

Table Saw



Table saw for cutting wood metal pvc

What is a Table Saw?



A table saw is also a lot different than its cousin, the track saw. Even the best track saws don’t have the versatility of the table option.


What is a Table Saw Used For?




Experience Level

You do need to have some training before you begin using a table saw. It is also important that you take the necessary safety precautions when using a table saw as you could easily cut your fingers.


Related: Miter Saw vs Table Saw

You should have an experienced person show you the basic safety requirements of a table saw, such as where to stand and what types of cuts you should avoid.


Table saws come in a range of prices with affordable models costing a few hundred dollars. You can also find more expensive contractor table saws that are over $8000 (if you have an industrial need for additional power and durability).

We’ve provided table saw reviews so that you can select the best one for your needs. Don’t forget to look into the best portable table saw if you’re someone who works on a job site frequently.

In general, quality cheaper options can be found for under $500, while models with more options can be found right around $1000Beginner table saw users should start with a basic one, until you learn what features you need.

Tile Saw


How to use a tile cutter

What is a Tile Saw?




What is a Tile Saw Used For?

tile saw is used to cut a variety of tile types. These tiles materials can include some clay, ceramic porcelain, and stone tiles that you would use in your home’s bathroom ​for the showerbathtub, and flooring, or your home’s kitchen for backsplash wall, or even to tile your stairs.


Experience Level


​Related DIY Articles


A tile saw can be purchased for under $100. Models do range upwards of $5000 for industrial applications. Make sure to look into the best tile saw, as many don’t cut very accurately.


You might find some unfamiliar types of saws in a woodshop, but after a little studying, you’ll find out that they might come in handy on unexpected occasions. These different types of saws can help you complete any type of project you have planned for your home. After reading this article about the different types of saws in woodwork, choosing the right one for you will be much easier.
