(fig. 1)

(fig. 2)

(fig. 1a)

(fig. 3)

It is surprising just how much you can undertake in the way of carpentry projects simply by mastering the most basic skill of cutting timber squarely and accurately to length.

Many different types of saw are available, all designed for specific cutting jobs. In general woodwork, the most commonly used are the hand­saw and the hacksaw (fig. 1). These are further classified according to the number and shape of their teeth.

Handsaws can be broken down into rip saws, crosscut saws and panel saws, each of which make different cuts and with varying degrees of roughness. For the beginner, a panel saw will prove the most useful.

Backsaws can be divided into tenon saws and dovetail saws (fig. 1a). Again for the beginner, only the tenon saw is really necessary, use it for joint cutting and for cutting battens below 100mm x 25mm in size.

A solid working surface is essential for quick and accurate saw cutting. If you do not already have a work bench of some sort, an old table covered in 6mm hardboard and used in conjunction with a home-made bench hook (figs 2 and 3) should see you through most of the cutting jobs you will encounter.

For detailed work at a later stage, you may need to add a vice to the bench. Alternatively, you could invest in a collapsible work bench which serves as a work surface, large vice and drilling rig all in one.