Circular saws are best for complex pattern work and cutting curves, while jigsaws come in two types: parallel arms and C-arms. Bandsaw blades have three basic configurations and spiral blades for cutting metal or glass. Fretsaws come in various sizes defined by the throat.
A circular saw is an electric table saw that is operated by a foot pedal. The blade is typically a fine-toothed, narrow, straight blade that is not intended for heavy cutting. It is best suited for complex pattern work and cutting curves.
There are two basic types of jigsaws: parallel arms and C-arms. A parallel jigsaw has two arms, each with its own pivot point. This pivot point is a screw near the back of the arm that allows the arm to bend. The lower arm hooks up to the engine and the upper arm runs parallel to the bottom. The two arms connect at the back, near the engine, and move in tandem with each other.
In contrast, a C-arm scroll saw has a single pivot point, usually on the upper arm. The other arm remains rigid. The blade arches slightly as the motor moves the single arm and attached blade up and down.
Choosing which saw to use is largely up to the user. A parallel arm jigsaw is generally believed to create finer cuts with greater accuracy. A C-arm saw tends to move a little faster, but the bow blade can create noticeable undercuts when using thick pieces of wood. Experienced scroll saw users can develop techniques to minimize the negatives of a C-arm saw, and many prefer it for the speed it can provide.
A circular saw blade is very narrow, usually only 12.7cm long. The width of the blade varies depending on the project, but is generally about 1cm wide. The blade connects to the saw with cross pins or clamps at the end of the saw arm.
There are three basic configurations for bandsaw blades. A skip-tooth blade has a tooth, then a gap, and then another tooth. A double jump tooth has two teeth, then a gap and two more teeth. A crown blade, sometimes called a two-way blade, has teeth facing up and others facing down. This configuration allows the blade to cut as it goes up and down and can reduce splinters on the underside of the project. The spiral blades are twisted so that the teeth are on all sides of the blade. In addition to these basic designs, there are also special coated blades for cutting metal or glass.
Fretsaws come in a variety of sizes, usually defined by the throat or area between the blade and the motor at the rear of the machine. The bigger the throat, the bigger the piece of wood it can accept. Most hobbyist saws have a throat about 12cm long, while industrial models can nearly triple that distance.
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