What Type Of Saw Do I Need?

Newsletter Signup

If you would like to be kept up to date with latest offers and news please enter your details below...

What Type Of Saw Do I Need?

All kinds of projects – from building a bench, to plumbing in a sink and all sorts of tasks in between – will involve cutting material to size at some stage. There are lots of different saws on the market, each with different uses in mind. But which is right for you?

The answer depends on the kind of material you need to cut and the kind of finish you need, as we’ll find out. You may need more than one kind of saw, depending on what you’re planning to do.

Check the TPI before buying

Many of the saws in our product range include the TPI – Teeth Per Inch – in the product specification. This can range from 2 to 32 and is an indicator of the speed and quality of the cuts provided by the tool. A saw with a lower TPI will cut more quickly, but produce rougher cuts, while a tool with a higher TPI produces fine, smooth cuts.

Handsaws

A traditional tool and an essential for any DIY enthusiast, the Handsaw comes into its own on those occasions when a power saw just won’t do, such as cutting through a post too thick for a circular saw blade. Handsaws feature large blades and sturdy handles, but the kind of Handsaw you’ll need will be influenced by the cut you want to make and the TPI required to achieve it.

There are different kinds of Handsaws available, including those with specific purposes, such as Jabsaws for cutting shapes out of softer material and Coping Saws for cutting tight curved edges but for general work a ‘universal’ saw will provide a reliable and cost effective solution.

Browse our full range of Handsaws by clicking here.

Best used for: Cutting wood, particularly larger work pieces where a fine finish isn’t required.

Hacksaws

Because their blades are interchangeable and designed to cut through metal and other hard materials, Hacksaws can be an extremely useful addition to any toolkit. It is useful to know that Hacksaw blades can be replaced and range from 14 TPI to 32 TPI, meaning they can be used to cut sheet metal, PVC and conduit as well as metal pipes.

There are three main types of Hacksaw blades to look out for:

Raker set blades have their teeth arranged in groups of three, for easy cutting of standard metal pipes
Regular set blades feature teeth positioned next to one another without spaces, but every other tooth is angled either forwards or backwards. This type of blade is intended for cutting soft metal and other materials, such as PVC.
Wavy set blades have teeth that are positioned next to one another but with a slight wave from one side to the other. This type of blade is ideal for cutting thin metal, such as ducting.

Browse the Hacksaw range by clicking here.

Best used for: Cutting metal

READ MORE: DIY - A Beginner's Guide

READ NEXT: How To Put Up A Shelf

Jigsaws

Jigsaws can cut straight lines like a Circular Saw (see below) but are thought of more in terms of their ability to cut curves.

Jigsaws feature a large flat base called a shoe, which rests flat on the surface of the material you’re cutting and surrounds the blade and offers some protection. Many jigsaws come with an adjustable shoe that tilts, allowing you to cut on an angle when needed. This is one of the features which helps Jigsaws to be considered potentially safer than other types of power saw.

Jigsaws can cut nearly any type of wood using blades with a TPI between 8 and 10. The teeth on a standard jigsaw blade point upward, so the saw cuts on the blade’s upstroke. Reverse blades, which cut on the downstroke, are available for cutting materials with a finished surface, such as a laminate countertop.

Jigsaws can also be used to cut other materials and to help you make sure you select the right blades for the job, you’ll find a ‘filter’ feature on our Jigsaw Blades page which enables you to only look at those products suitable for the material(s) you’re planning to cut.

Click here to browse our range of Cordless Jigsaws

Click here to browse our range of Body Only Jigsaws

Click here to browse our range of Corded Jigsaws

Click here to browse our range of Jigsaw Blades

Best used for: Cutting curves into material

Circular Saws

The circular saw is one of the most popular power tools on the market today because it’s both versatile and easy to use. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a professional tradesperson, you can cut straight and angled lines quickly and safely with this relatively simple tool. But for added mobility and freedom when you’re working, cordless circular saws are perfect.

The right cordless circular saw can make light work out of cutting metal, wood, plastic, concrete and just about any type of everyday surface you can imagine. When following all the manufacturer’s instructions, circular saws can be easy to use, and it doesn’t require a constant power supply. You can prolong your cordless working sessions by choosing a cordless circular saw with two or three spare batteries and a charging station.

The average cordless circular saw is relatively simple in its design. Featuring a rotating blade with sharp teeth, it’s designed to cut straight lines accurately and quickly. And thanks to both upper and lower guards, the chances of a mishap are significantly reduced.

Click here to browse our range of Cordless Circular Saws

Click here to browse our range of Body Only Circular Saws

Click here to browse our range of Corded Circular Saws

Click here to browse our range of Circular Saw Blades

Best used for: Straight and angled cutting

Mitre Saws

Mitre Saws are predominantly used for precision cross cuts when framing, installing moulding, or cutting siding strips. They can make both angled and more complex cuts. A mitre saw’s heavy steel base can be mounted on a workshop table for stability, and a steel guide along its back edge, called a “fence,” aligns the material to be cut. The saw blade is housed in a large disc on an adjustable arm that can be raised and lowered as well as swivelled from side to side to cut on virtually any angle. A Compound Mitre Saw can tilt on its axis to make slanted cuts in addition to angled cuts. On a Sliding Mitre Saw, the arm can be pulled forward when the saw is operating, making it possible to cut wider boards.

Click here to browse our range of Cordless Mitre Saws

Click here to browse our range of Body Only Mitre Saws

Click here to browse our range of Corded Mitre Saws

Click here to browse our range of Saw Accessories

Chainsaws

Chainsaws are exceptionally powerful, but potentially dangerous machines used to cut tree limbs or even fell entire trees. We have a comprehensive guide to buying and owning a chainsaw on our blog which can help you decide if this kind of saw is right for you.

Click here to browse our range of Cordless Chainsaws

Click here to browse our range of Corded Chainsaws

Click here to browse our range of Chainsaw Accessories

Other Saws

Trade professionals may need stationary power tools for heavy duty work, such as Bandsaws or Table Saws. ToolStore UK offers a variety of Stationary Power Tools in addition to the portable tools which form the core of our product range.

Don’t be sore: Talk to ToolStore UK before buying a saw!

ToolStore UK has been matching customers to the tools they need since 1963, so you can rely on our friendly and knowledgeable team to help you choose the right product, every single time. There’s a number of ways to get in touch; you could send us a message via our contact form, call 03330 043 777; visit us at our shop with its private car park, or we are only a short walk from both of Wigan’s railway stations. We’ll always be happy to assist.