A panel saw is a specialised type of saw that is designed for cutting large, flat panels of wood. If you are working on a project that involves cutting a lot of panelling, then a panel saw can save you a lot of time and effort. Panel saws are available in both portable and stationary models, and they can be either hand-operated or motorised. Panel saws typically have a large cutting table that supports the panel as it is being cut. The table may also have guidelines to help you keep the panel straight as you cut it. Some panel saws also have a scoring blade that can be used to score the panel before it is cut, which can help to prevent the panel from splintering.

There are two main types of panel saws: vertical panel saws (wall saws) and horizontal panel saws (standard panel saws). As their names suggest, the difference between these two types of panel saws lies in their orientation. A vertical panel saw is positioned so that the blade runs vertically up and down, while a horizontal panel saw has a blade that runs horizontally from side to side. Because of this difference in orientation, each type of panel saw has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Vertical panel saws are typically more compact and therefore easier to manoeuvre than horizontal panel saws. They also tend to be less expensive. However, because the blade is positioned vertically, vertical panel saws can only make rip cuts (cuts that run parallel to the grain of the wood). Horizontal panel saws, on the other hand, can make both rip cuts and cross cuts (cuts that run perpendicular to the grain). Horizontal panel saws are also less likely to vibration than vertical panel saws, making them ideal for precision work. However, they can be more difficult to control, and they typically take up more space than vertical panel saws.