Jamb & Undercut Saws: Which of These 5 Picks Is Best?

A jamb saw, which is also known as a mechanical gizmo or an undercut saw, is made for the purpose of removing the bottom of door casings.

This is done in order for the flooring to slide under, allowing for a neat appearance once the floor is installed. Jamb saws are used mostly for wood, laminate, and cork flooring type of installations.

Jamb saws are used by just about any professional home-improvement contractor. After all, they are a very commonly-used tool, which is both reasonably-priced and versatile.

Jamb saws normally cost anywhere between $15 – $500. This depends on factors such as whether you want an electric jamb saw, a manual undercut door jamb saw, and which features you expect to have.

Power jamb saws are typically more expensive than manual hand jamb saws, much like chainsaws are more pricey than top-rated felling axes. At the same time, they also have a much more efficient cutting process (since they don’t rely on manual labor).

Throughout this review, we will examine the five best jamb saws on the market and break down everything you need to know about these products.

What is a Jamb Saw?

 

A jamb saw if used if you want to install flooring where a door frame is. Within a short period of time, a jamb saw cuts off any unnecessary door or door frame length to free up the space that you need.

Jamb saws can be motor-powered or used by hand. There are also certain jamb saws that are placed into versatile power tool kit sets. In any case, a jamb saw uses a blade to cut off excess door length without causing aesthetic damage to either your flooring or the door.

How Much Do Jamb Saws Cost?

The average jamb saw is priced between $15 and $500. Those who want a cheap jamb saw usually settle with a manual door jamb saw model without a motor and features like precision sawing height and depth adjustments.

Comparing the Top 5 Models

The Best Undercut Saws: Our Top 5 Picks

1. CRAIN No. 835 Heavy-Duty Undercut Saw – Best Overall

If you want a top-quality electric power jamb saw, this model from CRAIN is a wonderful place to start your search. This model features a very powerful 13 AMP motor and a strong steel blade which cuts much more efficiently than many other power door jamb saws.

An electric jamb saw like this one is great for professional contractors, carpenters, or anybody who will constantly put their new electric door jamb saw to use. Or, those who simply want one of the best jamb saws ready at their disposal.

This model has the ability to customize the height and depth of your blade. This way, you can create straight and flawless cuts each time it is used. With the maximum depth setting, you may not need the deep cut band saws (a list of best models here) to get the precise cut you want.

It also is made with strong parts and comes with a carrying case which helps make it easy to protect and maintain for a long time.

2. IRWIN Tools ProTouch Dovetail Jamb Saw – Most Affordable and Portable

This portable hand jamb saw is a great choice for those who have tight budgets. In addition to a very reasonable price, this jamb saw also has one of the smallest and most portable designs we find among other popular door jamb saws.

If you are fine with using an undercut door jamb saw which doesn’t come with a motor or some of the other pricy features, this is a great option. The blade can be easily reversed to make it easily used by both left and right-hand users.

The handle of this door jamb saw is ergonomic, making it comfortably used for hours at a time. The blade is also longer than many other portable handheld door jamb saws. The blade also includes teeth to help make cuts easier to handle.

3. Roberts 17076 Jamb Saw with Case – Most Portable Power Jamb Saw

When portability is one of your top concerns, it is common for people to settle for an undercut hand jamb saw which doesn’t come with a motor. However, you can still receive both portability and plenty of power and cutting efficiency if you get a model like this one.

This door jamb saw is only 15 inches long once you attach the blade, making it about half the size of many other power jamb saws. In addition, it only weighs 10 pounds.

This model comes with many of the premium features you should expect from a power jamb saw. This includes a strong 900-wat motor, and the ability to customize the blade height and depth of the cuts.

4. Kraft Tool FC518 Undercut Door Jamb Saw – Versatile Jamb Saw at a Reasonable Price

This is another great portable hand jamb saw for people on tight budgets. Although this jamb saw isn’t the most efficient jamb saw on the market, it has a very sharp blade that makes it the next best thing to using a power tool.

This door jamb saw doesn’t have to be used solely on doors, either. Due to it’s sleek and thin design, it is versatile enough to be used for many other jobs. Brick masons, asphalt pavers, tile setters, cement finishers, and so on, can also use this jamb saw for their work.

Many people who want an undercut door jamb saw intend to use the saw for much more than just sawing off pieces of a door. If versatility, portability, and a reasonable price are three things you need to find in a hand jam saw, this is a great option to consider.

5. DEWALT Oscillating Tool Kit – Most Versatile and Useful Option

People who want a power jamb saw will often want the ability to handle tasks such as oscillating and sanding. In many cases, those using a jamb saw will also need to handle other jobs with other tools in the same sitting. If this describes you, getting a multi-tool kit like this one is a great option to consider.

In addition to a door, jamb saw attachment, this kit has a 29-piece accessory set equipped with many popular cutting and sanding tool attachments. For this reason, this model is also the most versatile jamb saw featured on this page.

When turned on, this power tool has an LED headlight, which can light up corners and crevices which are hard to see. Due to this model’s versatility and reasonable price, it is a great tool for those who could use much more than a new jamb saw.

Jamb Saw Brands

Jamb saws are definitely a great tool to have in your arsenal. However, this is not a product that is dominated by one or two brands. Many different manufacturers compete with each other well, offer many of the same features, and have similar prices.

Keeping this in mind, it is still important to understand what makes each popular brand of jamb saws stand out. Below, we will explore three of the top jamb saw brands and what makes them stand out from their competition.

CRAIN

CRAIN is an all-purpose manufacturer of various construction and home-improvement related products. Outside of jamb saws, CRAIN manufacturers welding kits, utility knives, carpet rollers, carpet cutters, wall trimmers, toe kick saws (here) and much more.

Jamb saws made by CRAIN are especially known for their durability and efficiency. The CRAIN No. 835 Heavy-Duty Undercut Saw, for example, has the most powerful motor among our best jamb saw selections.

Irwin Tools

Irwin Tools is a professional-grade hand and power tool manufacturer owned by Stanley Black & Decker. Like many other jamb saw producers, Irwin Tools doesn’t specialize in jamb saws.

If we include the number of products produced by Stanley Black & Decker, this brand produces just about any sort of home-improvement item we can think of.

One model which stands out the most from this manufacturer is the IRWIN Tools ProTouch Dovetail Jamb Saw. This product is one of the most affordable jamb saws on the market. It also features an ergonomic handle and a very sharp blade to help make your work easier.

Roberts Consolidated Industries

Roberts Consolidated Industries is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of tools and flooring-related products.

Part of its mission as a brand is to constantly create innovative and unique products to address new challenges and problems of the modern world.

Take the Roberts 17076 Jamb Saw for example. Many electric door jamb saws are a lot bigger and heavier than this model. In a product such as an electric door jam saw which needs to reach tough spots, having a little extra portability and space can go a long way.

Factors to Consider Before Buying a Jamb Saw (350)

Before you decide which jamb saw is right for your needs, it’s important that you do some research and understand the many variables that exist. To help you find the best jamb saw possible, here are the top features that you need to keep in mind.

Powered or Manual

Power tools are almost always the preferred option. Unless you’re one of the few people who like the durability or manual tools (e.g. best wood splitting mauls) over power tools (e.g. chainsaws), you’ll be among the majority that will decide to purchase a powered electric jamb saw instead of a manual hand jamb saw.

Although hand jamb saws are a lot more affordable than electric jamb saws, they also are much harder to use. They don’t cut as quickly, as efficiently, or as precisely.

Adjustable Cutting Height and Depth

Having complete control over the placement of your blade and where it cuts will make your jamb saw work much easier. This can only be done if you get a model with adjustable cutting height and depth.

This feature is so popular because it helps you make perfect cuts each time. In order to receive the most height and depth customization possible, you will usually need to get an electric jamb saw with this feature.

Blade Strength and Quality

Usually, people will only use a jamb saw for cutting wood. Although wood is a lot easier to cut than many other materials, the blade you receive in your new jamb saw might not be quite up to par with what you need.

First, check to see that the blade on your model can be easily replaced. Then, make sure that it is made with strong material like steel. Finally, check to make sure that the blade has teeth if you want it to cut at the highest level of efficiency possible.

The Durability of the Model

Tools are generally expected to last a long time. In order for this to happen, though, they need to be built with strong parts. For jamb saws, it’s important that you look at the material quality outside of the most relevant parts like the blade.

Check to make sure the handle is durable enough to last years of rough use. If it is a powered model, check to make sure that the casing around the blade and engine are made with strong materials. Finally, check to see if there is an included storage case or a manufacturer warranty.

Price of the Model

The most important factor for many people while shopping for just about any consumer product is the price. After all, people like to feel that they are getting a good deal for their money. As we mentioned, a fair jamb saw price can be anywhere between $15 – 500 depending on which features you receive.

How to Use a Jamb Saw

Although it may appear intimidating to a beginner, using a jamb saw is very simple. In most cases, using a power door jamb saw is also very similar to using a hand jamb saw. Here are the basic steps involved in using a jamb saw.

1. Set Your Cutting Line and Depth

The first thing you need to do is pinpoint where your cuts are going to be and how deep they will be. If necessary, use a pencil and mark the line you intend to follow.

2. Check the Cutting Area for Nails

The last thing you need to do before getting started is to ensure that the space you will cut is free from any sort of nails or strong metal objects. That way, you will have no chance of ruining your jamb saw blade and even the entire cutting job as a whole.

3. Saw!

Once you have your cutting line, depth, and space ready, you are ready to go ahead and start sawing. If you are using an electric jamb saw, turn the device on and let it warm up for a few minutes. Then, saw down the line slowly in the direction away from your body.

Ready to Use a Jamb Saw For Your Next Construction Project?

In order to find the best jamb saw, you should start by considering your personal circumstances and budget. If you are a professional, and not just an average DIYer, it is usually best to get an electric jamb saw model like the CRAIN No. 835 Heavy-Duty Undercut Saw.

Electric jamb saws are more expensive than manual hand jamb saws but are also more efficient and easier to use. If you are on a budget, or simply don’t want another power tool sitting around, a manual undercut saw option like the IRWIN Tools ProTouch Dovetail Jamb Saw is a great option to consider.

Usually, those with one-time jobs will either purchase a cheap jamb saw, or simply go and rent a door jamb saw from their local hardware store. This also goes for the greatest wet tile saws, which people often do not need all the time.