How to Buy Saws for Your Home Tool Kit

When you start looking at saws, you will be amazed at the selection available. There are saws in all different shapes and sizes that are meant to be used for different purposes. It pays to know ahead of time what saws you'll be likely to use around the house before you go out and buy any of them.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Use a hacksaw for cutting through metals like aluminum, copper or steel. Its fine teeth also cut plastic well, such as PVC. For most things, you'll need a blade with 18 teeth per inch. This is a really useful tool that you'll pick up more than you'd think. You can change out the blades for tougher duty jobs, too.

2. Use a ripsaw for jobs that require you to cut with the grain of the wood. You can cut across the grain with this, too. A ripsaw has large teeth shaped much like small chisels that are cross-filed. This is the fastest and most versatile of the hand saws, so it's your best bet for your toolkit.

3. Get a plywood saw if you're going to be working with plywood. It won't cut through solid wood but it's great for plywood, veneers, moldings and laminates. The standard size for these is 12 or 13 inches and they have 14 teeth per inch.

4. Get a miter box to use with your saws. This handy tool will help you to cut the exact angle you need for putting up molding, and trim work. You can get them in aluminum, wood or plastic. The plastic ones are inexpensive and are great for most ordinary household needs.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear eye protection when sawing anything.
• Always make sure you're not working with tools when you're overtired or when you've been drinking. Most home accidents could have easily been prevented by using a little caution.