Can You Use a Drywall Saw on Wood or Plaster?

What a drywall saw is built to do

A drywall saw, often called a jab saw, has a narrow, pointed blade with coarse teeth. You push the tip through the board to start a cut, then saw out a hole for an outlet box, a vent or a patch. The blade is short and stiff, so it is easy to steer in tight spots.

Gypsum board is soft. It is a chalky core between two paper faces, so the blade does not need hard, fine teeth. That is why the tool works well on it and why it behaves differently on denser materials.

One caution from our best drywall saw comparison: many saws sold under this label are really hacksaws, pruning saws or coping saws. Check the saw type in the listing before you decide what a given saw can cut.

Using a drywall saw on wood

Technically you can cut wood with a drywall saw, but you probably should not. The teeth are shaped for crumbling gypsum, not for slicing wood fibers. In thin, soft stock like a small piece of pine trim or a thin wood panel, the blade will cut slowly and leave a ragged edge.

In thicker or harder wood, the blade tends to bind and wander. A narrow blade can bend or snap when you force it, and the teeth dull quickly. A dull blade then does a worse job on drywall later.

If a cut in wood is a one-off and you have nothing else, keep it short, use light strokes and clamp the piece. Otherwise pick a saw designed for the job. Here are three common options:

• Coping saw: good for curves and small cuts in wood. The Jorgensen coping saw on our page lists a 6.25 in frame depth and a 15 TPI blade.
• Fine pull saw: good for clean, flush cuts in trim and dowels. The SUIZAN flush cut saw on our page lists 30 TPI and a 0.008 in kerf.
• Full-size crosscut hand saw: best for larger boards and straight cuts.

Using a drywall saw on plaster

Plaster is a different story from wood. A drywall saw can cut thin plaster, such as a skim coat or a small repair patch, because the material is brittle and soft compared with wood. Expect it to be slow and to wear the teeth faster than plasterboard does.

Traditional plaster over wood lath is the tricky case. Plaster is held on by keys that push between the lath strips. Hard sawing sends vibration through the wall and can crack or break off more plaster than you meant to remove.

To limit damage on an old plaster wall, try this approach:

• Score the outline first with a utility knife or the saw tip, using light passes.
• Cut slowly with short strokes and let the teeth do the work.
• Support the area with your free hand to reduce vibration.
• Stop if the plaster starts to crack outward, and re-plan the cut line.
• Expect to cut through lath behind the plaster, which needs a different saw.

Can you saw plasterboard with it?

Yes. This is the job the saw is made for. Score the paper face, jab the tip in, and cut along your line with steady strokes.

Fine teeth leave a cleaner paper edge, while coarse teeth cut faster but can tear the facing. Our comparison notes that listed TPI on the page runs from 8 to 32, so check the number on each blade. Compare blade length and any published cutting depth if you need to reach into a wide opening.

Which saw for which material

Use this quick guide when you are deciding what to pick up.

Safety before you cut

Before you cut into any wall, check for hidden wires, pipes and ducts. Turn off power to the circuit if you are near outlets or switches, and use a stud finder or inspection hole where you can. A saw tip that hits a live wire can cause shock or fire.

Wear safety glasses and a dust mask or respirator. Drywall and plaster dust is fine and irritating to eyes and lungs. In an older home, paint or plaster may contain lead or other hazardous materials, so get it tested before you cut, sand or disturb it.

Keep your free hand clear of the blade path, and wear gloves if the saw has a sharp tip. If you are working from a ladder, make sure it is stable and avoid reaching far to the side.

Bottom line and how to choose

Use a drywall saw for plasterboard, treat it as a light-duty option for thin plaster, and keep it away from most wood. If you are buying one, look for a true jab saw rather than a general hacksaw or pruning saw. The Klein Tools folding jab saw on our page lists four blades, a 6 in blade length and an adjustable blade angle.

For a side-by-side look at blade length, TPI and weight, see our drywall saw comparison.

Frequently asked questions

Is plasterboard the same as drywall?

Yes. Plasterboard is the common name in the UK and other regions for the same gypsum board Americans call drywall.

Will cutting wood ruin a drywall saw?

It will not ruin it right away, but wood dulls the teeth faster than gypsum does. A dull blade tears paper and slows every later cut, so keep a separate blade or saw for wood.

Can a hacksaw cut drywall instead?

It can, but the fine teeth clog with gypsum dust and the frame can get in the way. Our comparison notes many saws in this category are hacksaws, so check the saw type before you buy.

Is it safe to cut old plaster?

Take care. Older plaster and paint can contain lead or other hazardous materials. Get it tested, wear a respirator and eye protection, and ask a professional if you are unsure.