It is important when choosing a saw for a job that you know how each type works and how best to achieve good results.

There are three categories that can be used to group saws suitable for any job: Large saws to cut long lengths of wood or sheets of timber include panel saws, cross-cut saws and rip saws.

It is important to mark the wood at various points across the width to be removed. Mark the points with a pencil on the right side and join them with a straight edge, to give the line to be cut. You need to support the board at knee height as you will be using your knee as well as your hand when you begin cutting. Use of a workbench, tressles or something to steady the length is essential before starting.

The first cut must be positioned correctly. Keep to the wasted side of the pencil line and pull the saw back towards you to give a starting point. The pressure should be applied in the forward direction only and the whole length of the blade should be used. Take it steady and always correct any slight deviation on a cut with the next forward stroke.

Saws for more exact work and for cutting joints include the dovetail saw and tenon saw.
Saws for more detailed cuts on shapes and curves.

These saws will have more teeth (per section) to cut finer - bow saws, coping saws, fretsaws, padsaws. It is important to mark the wood at various points across the width to be removed. Mark the points with a pencil on the right side and join them with a straight edge, to give the line or shape to be cut out. You need to support the wood in a vice, clamps or bench before starting to cut.

Use a drill to make a hole on the waste side of the wood. The hole must be large enough to use the blade of the saw. If you are making a longer straight cut, perhaps cutting out the sink section on a work surface, drill holes on the waste side at each corner. Use a padsaw to start the cut off. When the gap is wide enough you might prefer to change to using a panel saw, which will give more accurate cutting and it will also make the job quicker to complete.

Curved

If you are cutting a curved edge, continue cutting with the padsaw. Once the section has been sawn out, the edges can be smartened with a half round file. When cutting a keyhole, drill one hole at the top and a smaller hole at the bottom, remembering to keep on the waste side. Then use a padsaw to cut between the two holes. Once the section has been cut out, finish with a file for a smoother edge.