Keyhole Saw

A keyhole saw is a specialized saw that is useful for producing small holes in wood or drywall.

What Is a Keyhole Saw

A keyhole saw, or compass saw, has a small pointed blade and a wood or plastic handle. It is useful for cutting holes in softer woods or in drywall, such as cutting a hole in a wall for a new electric switch. Most keyhole saws have a single handle to which various blades able to be fitted. The blades vary in width, length, and number of teeth, or points. Blade lengths range from 5 to 15 inches, and there are 5 to 20 teeth per inch, with 8 to 10 being most common.

How to Safely Use a Keyhole Saw

To safely use a keyhole saw, select the appropriate blade and firmly attach it to the handle. Depending on the material being cut, a starter hole might need to be drilled in the wood or drywall so the tip of the keyhole saw able to be inserted. For drywall holes, use shorter-length blades so the tip of the blade does not punch through the opposite wall. Mark the location to be cut with a pencil.


To cut, move the saw forward and back cautiously to follow the line. Do not apply excess pressure during the cut or the blade might become jammed in its cut and make further cutting or removal difficult. For safety, make sure the keyhole saw blades are sharp and that handles are firmly attached.

How to Maintain a Keyhole Saw

Most keyhole saws are relatively inexpensive to purchase, so professional sharpening might be more costly than purchasing a new blade or saw.

I would like to recommend Keyhole Saw shop online

Backsaw

A backsaw is a small handsaw useful for woodworking projects.

What Is a Backsaw

A backsaw is a specialized handsaw for cutting tenons (joints or grooves) in wood. The blade is rectangular, 8 to 14 inches in length, with a hardwood or plastic handle and a metal-reinforced back edge (opposite the teeth) to keep the blade from bending while cutting. There are 11 to 20 teeth, or points, per inch. Backsaws are used to cut across the wood grain similar to the larger and more flexible crosscut saw.

How to Safely Use a Backsaw

To safely use a backsaw, first make sure that the wood is firmly held in a wood vice or by clamps so it does not move during cutting. Measure and mark the cut with a pencil. Place the saw's central teeth on the line and push the saw to initiate the cut. Continue by cautiously guiding the teeth over the line, steadying the blade as needed with your different hand. Work slowly and cautiously for best results. When done, cautiously lay the saw down where the teeth will not damage different surfaces or cut you.

How to Maintain a Backsaw

Backsaws require periodic sharpening by a professional saw sharpener or with a quality saw sharpening tool available at major hardware stores and several larger saw shops. Keep your backsaw sharp for safety and for optimum cuts.

Coping Saw

Coping saws are useful for producing curved cuts on thinner materials around the home and shop.

What Is a Coping Saw

A coping saw uses a very thin metal blade stretched on a metal frame to make turning cuts on wood, plastic, or metal depending on the blade selected. The U-shaped frame has a swiveling spigot (clip) at each end to hold the ends of the blade. A hardwood or plastic handle allows the user to turn the blade during the cut. Most coping saws have 12 to 15 teeth per inch, though coarser and finer blades are accessible for specialized jobs.

How to Safely Use a Coping Saw

To install a blade, set the frame's front edge on a bench and hold the handle so it is pointing up. Attach one end of the blade to the spigot farthest from the handle. Then press down on the handle to compress the frame so the other end of the blade able to be attached. Release tension and adjust the spigot as needed.


To safely use the coping saw, firmly hold the material in a vise or with clamps. Place the saw's central teeth on the line to be cut and push the saw in a short stroke to start the cut. Continue the cut, turning the handle and frame as needed to follow the cut line. For safety, keep hands and other objects away from the sharp teeth.

How to Maintain a Coping Saw

Replacement coping saw blades are accessible at most hardware stores. Make sure you select the appropriate blade as indicated by the number of teeth per inch.

Hacksaw

Hacksaws are handy cutting tools that are useful additions to a homeowner's toolbox or small garage shops.

What is a Hacksaw

A hacksaw is a metal-framed saw used primarily for cutting plastic and metal pipes and different small household materials. The U-shaped bow frame holds a thin, wide blade between its spigots (clips) and a plastic or wood handle at one end. Some models use an adjustable frame to accommodate 8-, 10-, or 12-inch blades as needed. Depending on the cut desired, metal blades will have 14, 18, 24, or 32 teeth per inch, with the denser teeth best for cutting smaller objects.

How to Safely Use a Hacksaw

To install a blade, turn the adjuster on the handle or frame until there is slack and the holes at each end of the blade able to be inserted into the spigots. Make sure that the teeth are pointed away from the handle. Tighten the adjuster.


To safely use a hacksaw, firmly place the material to be cut into a vice (if possible). Place the saw's central teeth on the line to be cut and push the saw in a short stroke to start the cut. Continue the cut, making sure the end of the object being cut is held and will not crack due to the unsupported weight. For safety, keep hands and different objects away from the sharp teeth.

How to Maintain a Hacksaw

Replacement hack saw blades are accessible at most hardware stores. Make sure you select the appropriate blade as indicated by the number of teeth per inch. Do not use a thinner coping saw blade in a hacksaw.

Thanks HowStuffWorks for article.

Ripsaw

A ripsaw is a useful tool for cutting lumber, making furniture, and other wood-cutting tasks.

What Is a Ripsaw

A ripsaw, or ripping saw, is a specialized handsaw for manually cutting wood in the direction of the grain. Ripsaws include a blade and a plastic or hardwood handle. The blade edge below the handle is the heel and the front end is the toe. The typical ripsaw is 26 inches in length with 5 teeth or points per inch. In comparison, a crosscut saw has twice as numerous teeth and makes a finer cut.

How to Safely Use a Ripsaw

To safely use a ripsaw, draw a straight line on the wood member you are cutting, producing sure that it is in approximately the same direction as the wood's grain. Firmly hold or fasten the wood so that it will not move during cutting. Place the saw's central teeth on the end of the line opposite you and push the saw in a short stroke to initiate the cut. Once started, draw and push the saw to cut the wood along the line. When nearly done, make sure the end of the wood being cut is held and will not splinter due to the unsupported weight. For safety, remember that the teeth are sharp and should not be placed on surfaces that they could damage.

How to Maintain a Ripsaw

Ripsaws require periodic sharpening by a professional saw sharpener or with a quality saw sharpening tool available at major hardware stores. Makes sure the sharpener is set up for ripsaws rather than the finer teeth of crosscut saws.

Thanks HowStuffWork for article.