There are many different types of saws — hand saws, power saws, air operated saws and the list goes on. Here’s a breakdown of a few common saws, including some tips & suggestions.
Portable Electric Circle Saw
This type of saw is often called a Skill Saw, but that is actually a brand of saw. Circle saws are typically used for cutting framing material and general carpentry work. They are easy to use and durable. When buying a circle saw, I suggest holding it in your hand to see how it feels – the saw should balance when holding with one hand and not tilt forward or backward. You’ll also want to make sure it has at least a 10 amp motor. Two of our favorite electric circle saw brands are: Makita & Porter Cable.
Portable Miter Saw
This type of saw is primarily used for cutting interior & exterior trim. There are many sizes of miter saws, but a good all around size is a 10” model — this size will allow you to cut most trim products & also a variety of other materials. Two optional features include: Sliding Arm (for cutting wider material) & Compound Saw (for cutting angles – mainly used by professionals). We recommend Dewalt, Hitachi or Bosch brands — they cost a little more than some brands, but are well worth the investment!
Table Saw
A table saw takes up a little more space, but if you have the room, it is quite useful. This saw allows you to cut large sheets and rip long boards with a nice straight edge. A table saw comes in handy when making cabinets or bookshelves. I’d recommend getting a table saw that can rip 24″ wide panels and has a 10 amp motor. Also, the fold-up stand with wheels, making the saw portable, is a nice optional feature. Two of our favorite brands are Dewalt and MasterForce.
Good luck and happy cutting (material only…not fingers)!!
-Dale
