Choosing the Right Saw

The band saw is usually stationary, but there are also portable electric models. In order to choose the right tool for you, it is important to know the cutting height you need, as well as the type of teeth of the  blade, which will depend on the material to be cut. There are band saws for wood, steel or aluminium.

The band saw is undoubtedly one of the most versatile pieces of equipment in the cutting industry, mainly due to its ability to cut large sections as well as curved and straight lines. In general, band saws are very suitable for cutting sections, veneers, tenons and thin strips from large pieces of wood.

For metallic materials, this type of saw will be used to prepare billets that will then be machined or forged.

When choosing your band saw, you will have to size the flywheels that allow the transmission of power from the motor to the blade. Flywheels should be well balanced to minimize vibration and ensure accurate blade tracking.

In general, saws intended for wood are not equipped with variable speeds, while those intended for cutting metal are.

There are different reasons you might want to choose a band saw rather than a circular saw:

• A thinner blade that generates fewer chips
• Lower power consumption
• Versatility—it can cut larger sections than a circular saw, which is limited by the diameter of its blade

However, you should choose a circular saw for the following requirements:

• High precision and good cut finish
• High speed cutting
• Certain materials such as ceramics
• More compact than a band saw

Laguna Tools panel saw

A panel saw is a circular saw associated with a rail system connected to a table on which the panel to be cut is placed.

The cutting table can be:

• vertical (with a slight inclination to stabilize the panel to be cut): in this case, the panel is fixed and the operator can move the saw vertically or horizontally. The panel is put in place manually.
• horizontal: in this case, the saw is fixed and the operator moves the panel with the mobile table. The panel is put in place manually.

To choose the blade diameter and table dimensions for your panel saw, check the cutting depth you need and the surface area of the panels you need to cut.

Milwaukee miter saw

There are different models of miter saws  available. Some are manual, used for occassional cutting, but you can also find portable-electric, mobile and stationary models equipped with a circular or band blade.

Miter saws allow you to make precise angular cuts between 90° and 45°. Some models can be adjusted up to 30°. These angular cuts will be used, for example, to prepare profiles for connections such as sash frames for buildings or the joining of skirting boards at an angle.

Some miter saws include a blade tilt adjustment, which allows for bevel cuts. There are also saws equipped with a sliding arm for sawing relatively wide profiles. The most accurate models include a laser sight. We recommend these models if you need to change the cutting length regularly. Alternatively, your machine can be equipped with adjustable stops.

When choosing your saw model, check the depth and width of the cut which will determine the maximum section you can cut.

AEG jig saw

Jig saws are portable electric saws for cutting panels.

The cutting angle is determined by the inclination of the blade in relation to its base plate, which is placed on the panel. As the tilt is not very precise, it is better to limit yourself to cuts at 90° in relation to the tabletop with this type of saw.

Cutting capacity is defined by the height of the blade protruding from the base when in the “retracted” position. In general, you will not be able to cut a panel over 10 centimeters thick, especially as the quality and precision of the cut deteriorates with the thicknesses of the panel due to the flexibility of the blade.

Cutting with a jigsaw is coarse and it is better to choose another cutting method for finishing work, for example a circular saw for making straight cuts.

With a jigsaw, the movement of the blade is pendular, i.e. the blade moves back slightly as it rises, which limits heating and allows better chip evacuation. On some jig saws, it is possible to adjust or even disable this movement, especially when you want to cut fragile material.

The edge of the blade on the top of the panel can cause it to splinter. It is therefore preferable to position the panel with the side that will be visible opposite the saw and to choose the blade best suited to the material to be cut.

Jig saws are equipped with a variable speed drive which allows the speed to be adapted to the type of material: the harder the material, the more the speed must be reduced.

Ingersoll Rand sabre saw

A sabre saw is a self-propelled saw equipped with an electric (cord or battery-powered) or pneumatic motor.

The sabre saw is generally used for rough cutting in cramped areas, for example for demolition work or tree pruning.

Depending on the type of blade (shape of the teeth, flexibility of the blade), it is possible to cut different kinds of material such as wood, PVC, brick, aerated concrete, copper, steel, etc.

The flexibility of the blade will allow you to cut specific shapes or make cuts in hard-to-reach places.

Like most handheld power tools, sabre saws are available in both corded and battery-operated models. If you choose a corded model, make sure that the length of the power cord is long enough for your requirements. In the case of a cordless sabre saw, make sure that the battery capacity is adequate for your use and that you have an extra battery on hand.