POWER SAWS
• Two main categories of power
saws: Portable & Stationary.
• Work is fed into a stationary
saw.
• Saws that are fed into the work
are portable.
• Smaller tables saws that may
be transported to the job site
are still considered stationary
because work is fed into it.
• Common portable saws are the
Saber Saw & the Circular
Saw.
Saber Saws
• Used for straight or curved cuts.
• Can cut internal or external radius
cuts
• Most have a base that can be tilted to
make angled cuts.
• Can accept a wide variety of blades to
cut various materials.
• Blades may be fast-coarse cut or
smooth slow cut.
• Can
Saber Saw Cont.
• Saber saws can perform an operation
called a plunge cut.
• It has the ability to plunge into solid
lumber to cut out interior dimensions.
• The following illustrations show this
procedure.
Tilt base to Slowly engage Continue cut
Start cut. Blade into work Following
piece Layout line.
Circular Saws
• Used for rapid cross cutting or ripping
of large stock.
• Available in a number of blade sizes
from 4 ½ to 12 inch diameter blades.
• Newer saws are equipped with blade
brakes.
• Can have a number of attachments
such as a rip fence which allows you to
rip to width long stock.
• Many blade styles available for
different work requirements.
Tips for Circular Saw
Use
1. Make sure stock is supported and
clamped securely.
2. Start saw with blade about ½ inch
away from stock.
3. Follow your layout line making a
straight cut: (binding the blade is
caused by not following a straight
line or sawing to fast)
4. Reduce forward speed at end of cut
to reduce tear out or splintering.
5. When dealing with large stock
such as plywood, have an assistant
hold stock so as not to fall and
bind the blade.
Stationary Saws
• Four basic types of stationary
saws found in most wood shops.
1. Scroll Saw or jig saw
2. Band Saw
3. Radial Arm Saw
4. Table saw
Scroll Saw
• Used to cut curves in thin stock.
• Are light duty machines which
perform same operations as the
coping saw.
• Available in three basic designs.
1. Fixed or rigid arm
2. C-frame constant tension
3. Parallel arm constant tension
• All cut with a reciprocating motion
(blade moves up and down)
• All cut on the down stroke.
• Maximum length of stock that can
be cut is equal to the distance from
the blade to the back of the arm
(throat).
Fixed Arm Scroll Saw
Cuts stock to about 1 inch thick.
•Constant tension saws can cut stock up
to two inches thick.
•Blades tend to break less.
•A variety of blades can be used including
blades that cut 360 degrees.
•Most blades are 5 inches long
•Teeth of the blade must point towards
the
table when installed.
•Pressure foot should always be placed
snugly against the stock.
•Do not let the blade rub against the foot.
•Use relief cuts when possible to avoid
binding the blade.
C-Frame Parallel Frame
Bandsaws
• Used to make straight or curved cuts.
• Can cut many types of materials.
• Size of saw is determined by the
diameter of the wheels which is also
the max size board which can be cut.
• 14 inch saws are a popular size.
• Blade widths are available from 1/8
to 1 inch for a 14 inch saw.
• Blades come in many styles and
tooth configurations depending on
the material being cut and the finish
desired.
• Do not cut a radius smaller than the
blade size can handle.
Blade width selection for desired
Radius to be cut
Table Saw
• Used for ripping, cross cutting, dado
cuts, miter cuts, rabbets & bevels.
• Size is determined by the size of the
blade which can be safely used on
saw.
• Saws come equipped with blade
guards and small fingers called anti-
kickbacks which prevent wood from
kicking back towards the operator.
• A Fence is used to accurately rip (cut
with the grain) stock.
• A Miter Gauge is used to aid in
crosscutting stock.
• Fence and Miter gauge should not be
used at the same time without use of a
clearance block.
Blade guard Miter gauge
Table
Fence
Blade Angle
Adjustment Wheel
Blade Height
Adjustment Wheel
Power Switch
Saw Blades
• Many different types of blades can
be used on a table saw.
• The most common are:
1. Crosscut – teeth are similar to
handsaw crosscut teeth – used to
cut across the grain.
2. Rip Blade – teeth are similar to
hand ripsaw – used to cut with the
grain.
3. Combination Blade – has both
cross and rip teeth – used for all
purpose work.
4. Some are Hollow ground with the
blade thicker near the teeth
allowing for clearance in the saw
kerf.
Other Blade Types
• Special blades are available for
cutting plywood, plastic &
laminates.
• Carbide tipped blades are available
for most cutting applications.
– They cut cleaner and faster than
other blades.
– They are harder and more wear
resistant than other blades.
– Downside is that they cost much
more.
– They require special sharpening
equipment when they become
dull.
Rip Plastic
Dado General
Purpose
Power Miter Saws
• Also called chop saws.
• Used to cut accurate cross cuts
or miter joints at any angle
from 0 to 45 degrees.
• Three basic types:
– Miter
– Compound Miter
– Compound Slide Miter
Blades are usually of the crosscut type since
The cut is normally across the grain.
Cuts regular miters 0 to 45 degrees
Table swivels left to right to cut angles
0 to 45 degrees. Head also tilts left to
Right in order to cut compound angles.
Performs same operation
As compound miter with
The addition of a
Slide that allows
Longer cuts
On wider
Boards.
Slide Mechanism
Lock nut for adjusting
Tilt left to right.
Radial Arm Saw
• Used for accurate cross cutting at
any angle.
• Can be used for dado cuts, lap joints,
and molding cuts.
• Compound miter cuts can also be
made.
