There are many kinds of saws, but the most useful one is what is called
the “hand saw.” It has a blade or plate about 28 inches long; the teeth
of which are so formed as to allow you to cut the wood crossways as
well as lengthways. The handle of the saw is made so as to allow a full
yet free grasp of the hand, either for a pull or a thrust.
The _panel saw_. This saw has a plate nearly of the same size as a hand
saw, and is used for cutting very thin boards, which the rough teeth of
the hand saw would not cut through without breaking them.
The _tenon saw_ is of a different shape to the others, and is made
to cut across the grain of the wood so as to leave the ends nicely
even, that it may fit to the piece it is joined to, which is called a
shoulder, being that part which comes in contact with the fiber of the
wood. To do this it requires that the teeth should be much smaller,
and they are therefore placed so close as eight or ten to the inch,
according to the length of the blade.
The _dovetail saw_. There is another most useful saw it would be of
advantage for the young carpenter to have, namely, the dovetail saw.
It is about 9 inches long, and contains at least fifteen teeth in the
inch. It is used for cutting the dovetails of boxes. Its plate is very
thin, and it requires some care in using. It has a back for the purpose
of strength, formed of a thin piece of brass or iron, let in so as to
give the blade the requisite firmness necessary in using it.
The _compass saw_. The plate of this kind of saw is very narrow, and
not more than one inch wide at the broadest part, gradually diminishing
to about a quarter of an inch at the lower end. It is about 15 inches
in length, and used for cutting a piece of wood into a circular form,
and the plate being narrow allows it to follow the foot of the compass
to a very small diameter.
The _keyhole saw_. The keyhole saw is much smaller than the above. It
is used for cutting short curves, small holes, &c., such as a keyhole.
The handle is the same form as that of the chisel, a small slit being
cut through from end to end. It has a screw on one side, in order that
the blade may be set to any length, according to the circumference of
the hole to be cut.