Glossary of Saw Terms

29th February 2020


	Glossary of saw terms


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			Binding
			When sawing, the material can close against the sides of the saw blade, causing it to become stuck. This is known as binding.

			Cutting stroke
			The actual process of sawing involves a push stroke and a pull stroke. The ‘cutting stroke’ is the one on which the cutting action actually takes place. Saws will either cut on the push stroke only, the pull stroke only, or both.

			Dovetail joint
			A dovetail joint is a type of mortise and tenon joint, and is commonly used when making furniture. A tenon is a projecting piece of wood that fits into a mortise, which is a recess cut into another piece of wood. The tenon must fit tightly into the mortise in order to create a secure joint. Compared to a standard joint, the mortises and tenons of a dovetail joint are tapered, resembling the fan of a dove’s tail.

			Ferrous metals
			Ferrous metals are those that contain iron. Examples include: stainless steel, medium and high carbon steel, cast iron and high speed steel.

			Hardness
			Its hardness is a material’s ability to resist scratches or abrasion.

			Hardwood
			Hardwoods come from deciduous trees (ones that lose their leaves in the winter). Examples of hardwoods include: beech, ash, teak and oak. Generally, hardwoods are more dense and therefore harder to cut.

			Kerf
			When learning about saws you may come across the term ‘kerf’. There are several different definitions but the most common seems to be that the kerf is the slit made by the saw’s blade.

			Marking out
			The marking of shapes or lines on to a material prior to it being sawn is a process known as “marking out”. These marks serve as a guide when you begin sawing. Accurate marking is very important if you plan on joining two pieces of material together securely.

			Mortise and tenon joint
			Mortise and tenon joints are commonly use in furniture-making. A tenon is a projecting piece of wood that fits into a mortise, which is a recess cut into another piece of wood. The tenon must fit tightly into the mortise in order to create a secure joint. A mortise and tenon joint requires careful and precise sawing and is usually done with a tenon saw.

			Non-ferrous metals
			Non-ferrous metals are those that do not contain iron. Examples include: copper, aluminium, zinc, brass and tin.

			Plumb
			Plumb just means ‘straight’ and is a term often used when talking about the cut made by a saw.

			Softwood
			Softwoods come from coniferous (evergreen) trees. Example of softwoods include: fir, pine and cedar. Generally softwoods are less dense and are therefore easier to cut.

			Tearout
			When sawing through wood, the fibres can tear away from the surface leaving a rough finish. For more information see How to achieve a neat finish.

			Timber
			The term for trees after they have been cut down.

			Toughness
			Its toughness is a material’s ability to withstand blows or sudden shocks without breaking or becoming deformed.