POWER SAWS EVERY DIY'ER AND PRO SHOULD KNOW

Whether you are renovating your home, building custom furniture, installing new cupboards, or tackling weekend DIY projects, one thing quickly becomes clear - the right saw can make all the difference.

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While hand saws still have their place, modern power saws allow homeowners and professionals to work faster, more accurately, and with far less physical effort.

However, many DIY enthusiasts make the mistake of trying to complete every cutting task with a single tool. In reality, each power saw is designed for a specific type of cut or material. Understanding what each saw does best can save time, reduce frustration, and improve the quality of your work.

Below are twelve essential power saws that every DIY enthusiast or professional should know. Some are workshop staples, while others are specialised tools that can make certain jobs dramatically easier.

#1 Circular saw: The all-round workhorse

If there is one saw that belongs in almost every toolbox, it is the circular saw. Compact, powerful, and relatively affordable, this tool can handle a wide range of cutting tasks.

A circular saw uses a rotating toothed blade to cut through materials such as timber, plywood, chipboard, and even certain plastics. With the correct blade installed, it can also cut materials like aluminium or fibre cement board.

Circular saws are commonly used for straight cuts in sheet materials, trimming timber lengths, and cutting boards to size on construction sites. Because the blade depth can be adjusted, they are also suitable for cutting thicker material.

For DIY users, one of the biggest advantages is portability. Unlike larger workshop saws, a circular saw can easily be taken to where the work is happening.

(Don't miss the article Circular Saw Blades 101 in this issue - Ed.)

#2 Jigsaw: The shape specialist