Circular saw, pendulum saw or sabre saw - which do I need?

If you have a small workshop and woodworking is a hobby or you're a householder who does pretty much everything around the house, having a tool to cut wood with is more than a fad, it's a necessity. Given the plethora of hand-held power tools, few stick with the old hand saw, preferring its electric version. To cut wood there are circular saw, pendulum saw or sabre saw options. Assuming you can't afford to buy all three - we all know a good tool isn't cheap - which one do you choose to tackle most wood-cutting jobs? What is each one suitable for and what could it be replaced with?

About the Electric Circular

A circular is a powerful saw used to cut solid wood or wood-based panels to be brought to the desired dimensions. Makes straight, straight-line cuts only, and cannot be used to cut curved lines. Can make angled cuts as far as the disc can be angled. The maximum inclination is 45ºC. It is suitable for cutting component parts to make a piece of furniture, to cut wood forfloor or for a decorative wall.

Cutting is done with a sharp-toothed spinning disc. As the disc rotates the teeth penetrate the wood and cut it. This circular motion is where the tool gets its name. To cut safely the circular saw must stand on a stable table or other fixed and secure support. You should not hold the workpiece with one hand and the circular saw with the other because the cuts will not be good and the risk of injury is very high.

To make quality, clean-looking cuts, a few rules must be followed:

• depth of cut and angle are adjusted before cutting begins
• the cutting line is marked with a pencil or marker
• the piece will be cut face down to obtain a clean and smooth cut
• the disc is first idled and allowed to spin until it reaches full speed. Only then does it enter the wood. Finally, the disc is removed from the wood only after coming to a complete stop.
• during the cut, move slowly along the marked line. This prevents the disc from jamming
• In time the disc will need to be sharpened. The teeth need to be sharpened evenly. Sharpening should not be delayed to avoid poor quality cuts.

What is a pendulum? When do we use it?

A pendulum saw is a useful tool for both a carpenter and a skilled householder. It is a power tool that cuts with a serrated blade that has an up-and-down motion. It's a saw that lets you cut curved lines, something you can't do with a circular saw. It can be used to cut out patterns or cut precise curved lines in wood, plywood or other wood-based boards. That doesn't mean it can't also make all kinds of straight cuts.

The pendulum can be used to cut wood as well as plastic or metal. While the power of the machine determines what type of material is cut and its thickness, the fineness of the cut depends on the type of blade. A blade with a lower number of teeth/cm is best suited for coarser cuts, such as lumber. Blades with a higher number of teeth/cm produce finer cuts. Blades with small teeth though make very precise curved cuts, while those with very fine teeth cut very tight curved lines.

The speed at which the blade moves is also important. If the speed is very high and the blade very thin the wood can burn. That's why it's good to find the best combination of blade type and working speed so that you get fine, accurate cuts without burnt edges.

Sabre saw: operation, uses

The sabre saw is the tool of the builder or housekeeper. It is very similar in operation to the pendulum saw but is easier to handle. The saw is also made with a blade that has a back and forth movement, in this case horizontally. The shape of the tool allows the user to use it at difficult angles, in tight spaces or at floor level. It is easy to control when cuts need to be made from awkward positions (from a ladder) or overhead cuts.

It is a powerful tool that can be used for cutting wood, metal and aluminium (nails, spikes, pipes) or PVC. With specially treated and coated blades it can even cut stone.

It can be used in the yard to clear trees of dead leaves or to cut branches. It is useful when remodeling or demolishing the house, as it is easy to handle and can get into the most difficult and awkward places. Due to its maneuverability it is the perfect tool for cutting pexal pipes or other plastic or not very hard material when doing replacement.

The sabre saw and pendulum saw look very similar. Why would you need both?

While the pendulum is used to cut curved lines or cut out various shapes, the sabre saw is a rougher tool used for difficult work, such as cutting door frames or windows when remodeling or demolition work is being done.

The pendulum is a tool you don't use every day, but if you need to cut a circle on a kitchen countertop or cut out a pattern with it you'll do it best.

But the sabre saw is the tool you may need every day if you're the handyman type or if you plan to change windows, modify a door or loft. With it you can cut through wood as well as nails or spikes, get into hard-to-reach places or cut from difficult positions. It's useful if you need to replace pipes, but also if you need to prune trees in the garden.

So how do I choose?

I choose according to what I have to do. If the hobby is to grind a little furniture then circular and pendulum is needed. The circular is powerful and accurate but doesn't cut curves, a problem you can solve with the pendulum. If you have to buy a single tool then the pendulum is the choice. You can also cut straight with it, even if it takes longer. And if it's a hobby you certainly won't need to cut very large or very thick slabs so you need the power.

For the homeowner type, who still builds, changes doors, windows or remodels interiors, the choice is the sabre saw. Even though you have less control and precision compared to other types of saws, it's efficient and versatile.

And if, of all types, you have to choose just one, most crafters recommend the pendulum when it comes to hobby activities, DIY projects and homemaking. Whatever your choice I wish you good luck. Good luck!