How to Choose the Right Handsaw - Part 2
By: The Working Man
Pull Saw
The pull saw is designed to cut while you are pulling back
against the wood. It allows for better control over the cut while
you are sawing and the blade is a lot less likely than the blade
of a push saw to kink up in the kerf.
Dovetail Saw
This woodworking saw is for cutting board edges to create joints
so that two pieces of wood can be securely fastened together. It
has a rigid back like a back saw but has smaller, finer teeth.
The Dovetail saw is used to make notches called dovetails, a
common way to fasten together the parts of drawers.
Keyhole Saw
A Keyhole Saw's type of blade is used to cut circles or curves in
wood. It has a very thin blade with points that is used to cut
small radius curves, circles and holes in wood.
Compass Saw
This is a saw used to cut a curve or circle in wood. It isn't as
fine as the keyhole blade, has longer blades and the teeth are
coarser. It is for making circles that are larger and don't need
the precision of a keyhole. You can use this to cut holes in
walls for plumbing, electrical wiring and subflooring.
Drywall Saw
This is a saw designed to cut drywall, backing board or gypsum.
It looks like a compass saw but has coarser teeth. This makes it
able to cut through wallboard faster.
Hacksaw
This saw is used to cut through metal. It has a very thin blade
with fine teeth. The blade is held in a steel frame under high
tension. Hacksaws are often used for trimming pipes.
The Mini Hacksaw
This blade is used to cut metal as well but it can get into
tighter quarters than the hacksaw. It uses the same blade as the
hacksaw but is held without tension in a small handle.
Hand saws have been used probably for as long as there have been
humans. Saws in use are depicted on Egyptian Hieroglyphics, and
ancient saws and their marks on antique wood are found all around
the world. Today we have many high tech tools and materials, but
nothing has yet replaced the value of the humble hand saw for the
job for which it was designed.
See Also: How to Choose the Right Handsaw
Part 1
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