Different Types of Electric Saws & When to Use Them | Jig Saws, Chainsaws & More

Saws have been around since ancient times, and they’re still indispensable tools today. Of course, saws have come a long way, and DIY-ers and professionals in the twenty-first century have far more convenient and precise options to choose from than our ancient ancestors did. In fact, many saws today are powered by electricity, meaning the user can focus on guiding the saw or making the right types of cuts rather than having to use their own physical strength to get the job done.

If you’re interested in adding an electric saw or two to your collection, you likely want to know more about the options on the market today, so you can make a smart choice that will come in handy on your next project. In this guide, we’ll discuss several different types of saws and their applications.

Table of Contents

Electric vs. Hand Saws

First, it’s helpful to understand that saws mainly fall into two categories: electric and manual hand saws. Hand saws are traditional tools that don’t rely on any type of power. This means you have to provide the power with your own elbow grease. If you stop into your local hardware store, you may be surprised by how many types of hand saws there are to choose from. For both electric and manual saws, there are many options, each designed for specific applications.

It’s typically a good idea to have a traditional hand saw in your toolbox for general purpose cutting. It has a large, toothed blade that can cut through wood with a back-and-forth sawing motion. For many projects, though, an electric saw is ideal since it does the hard work for you. An electric saw can also make more precise cuts than a hand saw.

Electric saws either receive their power from an outlet or a battery. Corded tools have certain advantages — they tend to supply stronger power than their battery-powered counterparts, and you never run out of power, as long as you’re plugged in.

However, cordless power tools come with their own advantages, as well. A cordless tool allows for greater mobility, since you don’t need to be near an outlet. This can be especially helpful when you’re doing work outside rather than in a workshop.

12 Types of Electric Saws and Their Uses

So, what are the different types of power saws, and which ones should you have? The best saws to have in your workshop depend on the projects you work on. In most cases, you can enhance the versatility of a saw by purchasing blades intended for cutting through different materials. You can switch out the blades to take on different cutting projects.

To determine which saws are best for the types of projects you work on, you need to know what saw options are available and how they’re used. Some of the most common types of saws include:

1. Band Saw

A band saw is a floor-standing saw that works similar to a jig saw, but in this case, you have the benefit of a stationary table setup. The blade, which consists of a long, thin band of toothed metal, is oriented either vertically or horizontally and moves continuously with the help of a pulley system. There are band saws designed to cut wood, metal or both. In addition to wood and metal, a band saw can also cut through some other materials, such as PVC.

These saws are ideal for cutting circles, curves and irregular shapes. Depending on the length of the blade in a band saw, you may be able to cut several boards at a time, stacked on top of each other, to more efficiently produce matching curved pieces. With a vertical band saw, the blade cuts straight down, which minimizes the amount of sawdust or other particles that end up on top of the piece you’re cutting. This feature can be helpful when you need to see a line you’ve drawn on the material to guide your cut.

If you need your band saw to move from job site to job site, you can choose a portable unit. Portable cordless band saws are smaller handheld devices, so they won’t offer all the same capabilities, but they can still accomplish many of the same tasks as long as you have a steady hand to execute them.

2. Chainsaw

If you’ve ever had to cut down a tree, you’re probably familiar with a chainsaw. A chainsaw is a type of band saw that’s named for its rotating chain of sharp teeth. In addition to using a chainsaw to cut trees, you can also use them to trim and shape hedges. Some artisans even use chainsaws for wood carving.

In addition to electric chainsaws, you’ll see gas-powered options on the market, as well. A gas-powered chainsaw typically offers more power than electric options and can also power longer bars to cut through larger trees. Because of the motor, though, they are louder and heavier than electric options. Electric chainsaws tend to offer less power than gas chainsaws, but they are quieter and may be more convenient if you don’t want to keep gas on hand.

If you want to match the mobility of a gas-powered chainsaw, opt for a cordless electric chainsaw like the Milwaukee® M18 FUEL™ 16″ Chainsaw. You’ll have to recharge the battery once it has maximized its operating potential, but while you’re using the chainsaw, you don’t have to remain near a source of electric power.

3. Jig Saw