Unit 113: Maintain and use carpentry and joinery hand tools

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Level 1 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery

PowerPoint presentation

Handsaws

Unit 113: Maintain and use carpentry and joinery hand tools



AimIntroduce learners to handsaws.

Objectives

• Identify at least one type of handsaw.

• State the required TPI for each type of hand saw.

• Select at least one type of handsaw for a given scenario.

• Explain the method for correctly holding and using a handsaw.



HandsawsThere are four basic types of saws which carpenters and joiners use on a daily basis. These are:

• rip saws

• crosscut saws

• tenon saws

• dovetail saws.

Other saws include, pad, fret and coping saws.



Parts of a handsaw

HeelTeeth

Blade

HandleBack

Toe



Handsaws continued

• Blade: This is made from good-quality tool steel, hardened and spring tempered all over.

• Handle: Usually made from hardwood or plastic. The handle is fixed to the saw blade with brass screws and nuts.

• Teeth: The teeth are cut along the edge of the blade. They vary in size and shape according to the type of saw.



Size of handsawsThe size of a handsaw is the length of its cutting edge and also the number of teeth points per 25mm.

This number is always one more than the number of teeth per 25mm because the first and last points are counted.

Most handsaws have this number stamped on the heel of the blade.



Teeth per inch (TPI)REMEMBER: When counting the number of teeth, count the first and last tooth.

Rip saw TPI Crosscut saw TPI



Identifying sawsHand saws vary in length from 450mm up to 650mm.

• Rip saws are generally 650mm in length, with a tooth size of 5 teeth per 25mm.

• Crosscut saws range from 450 to 600mm in length, with teeth sizes ranging from 8 to 10 teeth per 25mm.

• Crosscut saws of 500–550mm in length with 10 teeth points per 25mm are commonly known as panel saws. These saws are used to cut plywood and thin boards or large joints.



Blades and TPIThe table below shows the different sizes of blades and teeth for various of handsaws.

Saw type Length (mm) Points per 25mm/inch

Rip 650 5

Crosscut 650 6, 7, 8

Crosscut 600 7

Panel/universal 550 8 or 10

Panel 500 10



Rip saws: use and shape of teethRip saws are made for cutting timber along the grain. The teeth of this saw are large and flat, shaped to cut like chisels.



Crosscut saws: use and shape of teethCrosscut saws are designed to cut across the grain. The teeth of this saw are different from those of a rip saw.

The teeth resemble knife points, each being sharpened at an angle across the blade to produce knife edges.



Pitch of teethTo make saws cut smoothly, the front faces or edges of the teeth slope forward.

This slope is called the pitch and varies from 30 for rip saws up 140 for crosscut saws.

Rip saw Crosscut saw



Tenon sawsTenon saws are specialist tools. They are used for sawing tenons and small pieces of wood.

• Blade: Thin, short length of high-quality tool steel, hardened and spring tempered all over.

• Teeth: Similar in shape to those of a crosscut saw, but smaller and pitched at 16°.

• Back: Made of steel or brass and fitted tightly to the back of the saw blade to hold it rigid.

Image courtesy of www.axminster.co.uk. Reproduced with permission.



Tenon saws continued

Tenon saws are made in the following sizes:

• 200

• 250

• 300

• 350mm

with teeth points ranging from 13 to 15 per 25mm.

Brass-back saws are more expensive and are heavier than steel and they do not rust.

Image courtesy of www.workshopheaven.com. Reproduced with permission.



Dovetail sawThis saw is similar to the tenon saw but with smaller teeth.

These saws are usually 200mm in length, with 20 teeth points per 25mm.

The teeth are pitched at 16° and are flat faced to cut like rip saw teeth.

This is because its main purpose is to saw along the grain for dovetailing.

Image courtesy of www.axminster.co.uk. Reproduced with permission.



Pad sawPad saws have no frame, so can be used where coping saws cannot reach.

They tend to have a single handle with interchangeable blades to carry out a range of tasks, especially for cutting key holes and large internal shaped work.

Key hole saw handles are usually in line with the blade.

Traditional knife type pad sawUtility knife type pad saw



Coping sawsThe coping saw is used to cut along curved lines or for small work.

• Tension is created in the steel saw frame by means of a turn screw and bolt in the handle of the saw.

• Frame: made of steel and the blade is kept in place by means of tension.

• Blade: 165mm long. Very flexibleand can be turned to any position. Its teeth may be positioned to cut in any direction.

• Teeth: rip saw pattern because this saw is used to cut wood across the grain as well as with it.

Image courtesy of www.workshopheaven.com. Reproduced with permission.



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Unit 113: Maintain and use carpentry and joinery hand tools