Despite the variety of power saws now available, hand-held saws are far from obsolete. Today's hand saws can do almost all of the same jobs as power saws. Crosscut saws have 10 to 16 teeth per inch (figure A). Most crosscut blades are beveled to slice cleanly through wood. To use a crosscut blade, place its heel on the waste side of the line you want to cut. Support the blade with the thumb of your free hand, and carefully draw the saw backward with a few short pulls (figure B). Ripsaws have a flexible blade and 5 to 12 teeth per inch (figure C). When using a rip saw, cut in the direction of the grain, not across the grain (figure D). Place the saw's teeth almost flat against the work piece and carefully push forward. Then raise the saw to a comfortable cutting angle (usually between 45 and 65 degrees), and cut with long, rhythmic strokes. Back saws are designed for making smooth, precise cuts (figure E). A back saw has fine teeth on one edge for crosscutting or ripping wood, and on the other edge a metal strip to keep the blade rigid. Back saws are often used for making cuts through a miter box. Compass saws are frequently used for cutting curves and circles (figure F). The compass saw's 12" to 14" blade tapers from handle to tip and usually has 8 to 10 teeth per inch set in a crosscut pattern. Coping saws are used for detail woodworking and cutting arcs (figure G).
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