There are many varieties of saws out there, and if you are new to woodworking, you can’t possibly know how each one works or which one is the best suited to your needs until you use it.

Why is the saw so important for any project? Not only because it’s a refined or fancy tool but more because it is the right tool for any kind of restoration project. You only need to find the right kind each time.

You can also easily find the best saws from tutorials and reviews from the internet, but this article can familiarize you with the most common and handy types of saws out there.

So, here’s a brief description of the most useful types of saws you might need for your DIY woodworking project and their uses.

Circular Saw

The most useful out of the list, you are going to require this saw for any kind of restoration project. There are two types of circular saws: sidewinder and worm drive.

Sidewinders are usually small and light, with the blade on the right side and the motor on the left. Worm drives get their name from the worm gear inside that turns the blade. The front is heavy with the saw in-line.

Circular saws are handheld and are best used for rebuilding projects that require rough carpentry, like making furniture, framing houses, removing the flooring, and trimming doors or stiles.

It can easily cut through plywood, hard lumber, and sometimes even concrete if you use the right blade. They provide different cuts, including angled, straight, or beveled. And, they require very short setup time.

Miter Saw

A miter saw is a core to any tool setup as they are good for making precise angled cuts. There are three types of miter saw: basic, compound, and sliding compound.

The basic miter saw’s blade rotates at the hinge or base to create any angle of cut you desire. The compound’s blade bobs up and down, and you can tilt it according to your needs.

The difference with the sliding compound is that it can cut bigger slices of wood. With the proper blade, you can use a miter saw to even cut through concrete.

You can do a lot with a miter saw, but it’s no magic. For it to work ts best, you need to set it up properly. You can buy a stand or make a custom stand with a few 2x4s and plywood sheets, and a block of 2×4.

Hand Saw

If there’s one saw everyone is familiar with, it’s the hand saw. The most common type and easily recognizable with its jagged blade and wooden handle, this saw is universally available.

This is the saw you turn to if you don’t have access to power or if you only want to cut a straight piece of wood by hand. Hand saws are the replacement of circular saws, but if you need a quick fix, you should opt for the bow saw.

Table Saw

Table saws are useful for cutting long, clean planks down to the desired length. This is a process called ripping. The table saw is great for making straight planks as you can line your wood to its edge. The edge is also called a fence.

The difference between a table saw and a circular saw is that a table saw cuts best with the grain, while the circular saw cuts best against the grain. You can also easily cut wider pieces of wood into smaller lengths with it. There are also portable table saws available for more flexible use.

Jigsaw

The jigsaw has a thin blade that can be maneuvered and guided to and fro with the hand to fashion any shape. It can also be used to cut metal, plastics, and ceramics depending on the blade.

Scroll Saw

This one is also pretty similar to the jigsaw, but you need to move the material around while the saw sits motionless. The blade is thinner than the jigsaw and can cut through thin plastic and wood.

You need to be extra careful with a scroll saw as you can easily break the blade if you push it too hard or too quickly. Scroll saws are best suited to make intricate designs.

Japanese Handsaw

This one isn’t like your every day saw. It’s also not for frequent use, but the advantage of a Japanese handsaw is that you can run it flat and make a cut very smoothly.

There are three kinds of Japanese hand saws: dozuki, ryoba, and kataba. They all display the same precision and can cut through both hard and softwood.

Jab Saw

This is also referred to as a keyhole saw because of its size and its function. It has a round handle attached to a single, long, narrow blade.

It’s usually used to cut small circles or patterns, but the primary use of a keyhole saw is to remove or replace certain sections of drywall. This is more of a specialized saw for critical use.

The Right Saw for the Right Job

This is not an extensive list, but this list has enough information for you to start and make the right choice of saw for your DIY project. You also don’t need a big collection of saws to get your job done properly.

There’s usually no right or the wrong kind of saw, but it’s mostly about whatever can help you complete your project in the easiest and best way!