Saws have come a long way from the cumbersome, hand-held blades developed centuries ago. Today, machine-tooled power saws are faster, more precise, and easier to use than ever, meaning more efficiency and a better product for your business. If you're in construction, carpentry, metal working, logging, gardening or similar business, benefit from using industrial saw machinery.

A variety of saws is available, each kind for a specific function. Whether you need a circular saw, band saw, chain saw, miter saw, table saw or some combination of these depends on the type of work you do. Evaluate your needs and decide which kind of tool will best fulfill your requirements. Choose from:

1. Band saw for carpentry work
2. Chain saw for logging and lumber jobs
3. Miter saw for flexible cutting solutions
4. Pole saw for gardening and lawn care
5. Circular saw for construction jobs

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Speed your woodworking capabilities with a band saw

If you're in carpentry, furniture or a related business, you can use a band saw to make precise, irregularly-shaped cuts in wood and plastic. Band saws are excellent for making curved cuts and edges, because the saw blade is thin and stationary while the material is manipulated by the worker. For smaller pieces and meticulous work, it's the perfect choice.

I recommend: See your options for horizontal band saws at Bayleigh Industrial and for vertical band saws at Sawdustmaking.com. You can check out both types at Southern Tool, as well.

Ease the work of logging and lumber production with a chain saw

Chain saws can make quick work of chopping and cutting jobs in logging or lumber industries. You have several choices, including sizes, types of chain for cleaner or rougher cuts, and power sources.

I recommend: View your chain saw choices at Norwalk Power Equipment Co., or see what Stihl has to offer.

Implement a miter saw in your workplace and increase your efficiency

Miter saws give you the option of placing material in position on the table and then cutting from the side or above, because the blade can slide forward and back or be raised and lowered. For wood, plastic or metal cutting, this improves your business' ability to create the right materials and products.

I recommend: Bosch and DeWalt carry several types of miter saws. Analyze the selection and pick the right one for your business.

Reach higher and out-of-the-way trees and shrubbery with a pole saw

If you own your own lawn or tree service, you can make shrub- and tree-trimming work much easier and faster by using a pole saw. A pole saw enables you or your employees to reach higher and farther for cutting purposes, eliminating the need for stepladders and dangerous overbalancing.

I recommend: Choose your best pole saw option from Black and Decker or John Deere.

Facilitate carpentry with a circular saw

Implement a circular saw into your construction or carpentry business for much faster cutting work. A portable circular saw can be taken to any job site and can perform wood-cutting work in a fraction of the time required by a hand saw. Get jobs done faster and make your business more productive with circular saws.

I recommend: Sears has a variety of Craftsman circular saws available. Compare the selection of saws from Porter-Cable.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many companies listed above sell a wide variety of saws. If you're in the market for more than one kind of power saw, think about purchasing your products from the same business. You'll save time and effort, and you'll only have to deal with one company for your saw needs.
• •  Most types of power saws have replaceable blades; if you plan on getting a lot of use out of your saw, consider buying an extra saw blade or two. Keeping an extra on hand helps you minimize time delay in the event of a worn or broken saw blade.