Crosscut saw used for wood cutting. It can be extremely useful to cut down big trees and can be used as a woodcutter too. It is extremely sharp and has blade teeth. Cross-cut saw is a must in the toolbox. There are different variants of crosscut saw for different uses.
What is Crosscut Saw?
A crosscut saw (thwart saw) is any saw designed for cutting wood opposite to (across) the wood grain. Crosscut saws might be small or large in size, with little teeth near one another for fine work like woodworking or enormous for coarse work like log bucking, and can be a hand tool or power tool.
Types and Materials of Crosscut Saw
Even though there are a lot of variants of crosscut saws, it is considered that there are mainly two types of a crosscut saw. It is differentiated based on the number of users using it.
One person crosscut saw
As the name suggests, this type of crosscut saw is used by a single person. The blade of this type of saw is attracted with the D-shaped handle. The handle is usually made out of wood. For better grip, the wood has a comfortable hand shape. This type of saw is used for cutting wood. The teeth of this kind of saw are extremely sharp. Each and every tooth works like an individual knife. The user can cut down small and medium-sized trees with it but it’ll take a lot of effort from the user as it has no power of its own. Bucking saws are a part of this type.
Two-person crosscut saw
The second type of crosscut saw requires two people. The blade of this type of saw has two hands on both the front and backside of it. This type of saw is perfect for cutting down bigger trees. Both of the users will have a coordinated workflow in them because this needs perfect balance on both sides to work properly. Felling saw falls under this category.
Materials of Crosscut Saw
Tempered, high-grade tool steel, mixed with certain different metals, is the primary material used to manufacture the saw blade. Handles used to be made exclusively of wood, but present-day tools can be made with formed plastic too. The blade of the crosscut saw has sharp teeth and a plain surface on the other side. The handles are usually D-shaped. It allows the user to have a firm grip while using it.
Design of a crosscut saw
The crosscut saw cuts across the grain. The teeth of a saw are figured diversely to meet various necessities. On the off chance that the angle is too outrageous, the teeth will get on the wood. And if the angle is too shallow, the teeth will not be able to be cut by any means. The teeth of a crosscut saw are angled more harshly than those of a ripsaw, to cut into the wood grain without chiseling it.
What are Some Uses of Crosscut Saw?
Crosscut saw is one of the most useful tools and it is used on a regular basis for numerous purposes. Some of them are mentioned below:
Cutting tree: A two-person crosscut is ideal for cutting down any tree. These types of a saw are also known as felling saws. The process needs two people to cut down a tree.
Wood shaping: Crosscut saw can be used to cut wood. Even though it can’t be used for detailed cutting, a crosscut saw can be used as a woodcutter for square shape/ relatively bigger shapes. A bucking saw can be used in this process.
Furniture work: Crosscut saw is also used in furniture stores. The main purpose of this kind of saw in a furniture store is to quickly cut down the raw materials (wood). Trees that are down are also cut with a crosscut saw.
How to use a crosscut saw?
As the crosscut saw isn’t heavy like chainsaws, it is much safer to use. But it doesn’t mean that it is totally safe for a beginner to cut down a big tree. In order to be a user of a crosscut saw, one must first learn how to use it.
Step 1: The user will have to mark the cut line with a carpenter’s square and a sharp pencil. To get the most exact cut, bracing the wood to the user’s workbench with C-clamps is suggested so they can hold the saw with two hands.
Step 2: The user should grasp the saw handle with everything except their pointer folded over it. The forefinger should point forward to stabilize the saw during the cut.
Step 3: The first alignment of the edge to the cut line is required. Then score the wood by making a single cut by moving the saw a forward way. Making a precise score is essential because it determines the accuracy of the cut.
Step 4: Saw through the scoreline, keeping the sharp edge longitudinally and on a level plane inverse to the wood surface. With a particularly kept up, sharp saw, you ought to have the choice to cut through apparent 1-inch lumber in around seven or eight strokes. Utilize your free hand to push down on the edge and give extra cutting weight.
Safety and Precautions
While using a crosscut saw there are a few dangers of being cut, yet the sharp edge doesn’t continue to move when dropped as it does with the chainsaw. Despite the fact that it is more secure than the chainsaw one should in any case be mindful when using this saw. One should follow the above-mentioned steps to ensure their own safety.
Bottom Line
Regardless of whether to cut down a tree or to cut the woods for firewood, this is all that you can have in your instrument sets. Crosscut saw has a lot of usefulness and if used properly, it can become a strength in the skill set. It is necessary for your toolbox to make sure you get one if you don’t have any.
Reference:
- https://home.howstuffworks.com/crosscut-saw.htm
- http://www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Saw.html
- https://www.britannica.com/technology/saw
- https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crosscut%20saw
- https://www.hse.gov.uk/woodworking/crosscut.htm