Quick answer: Power tools fall into five main categories: cutting (saws), drilling and driving (drills, impact drivers), fastening (impact wrenches, nailers), finishing (sanders, planers), and outdoor/garden (chain saws, hedge trimmers). Each category has specialized tools optimized for specific materials and applications.
This guide is written from the factory floor. Xiecheng manufactures 150+ tool models across cutting, finishing, and outdoor categories — plus the motors and machined components that go inside tools from other brands. When we describe how a tool works, we are describing machines we build every day.
Cutting Tools
Cutting tools use a rotating or reciprocating blade to remove material. They represent the highest-power category of portable power tools, with corded models drawing 800–2,000W and cordless models requiring 18V or higher battery platforms.
Miter Saws
A miter saw pivots a circular blade downward through a workpiece clamped on a fixed fence. The "miter" refers to the ability to angle cuts horizontally (miter angle) and vertically (bevel angle). Sliding miter saws add a rail system that allows the blade to travel forward, increasing the cut width from 150 mm to 300+ mm.
Key specs: blade diameter (185–305 mm), max crosscut width, max bevel angle (single vs dual), motor power (1,200–2,000W corded), and RPM (3,800–5,000). Our lineup ranges from compact 185mm cordless sliding saws to heavy-duty 305mm compound models. For a deeper comparison, read our sliding vs non-sliding miter saw guide.
Circular Saws
Circular saws are the most versatile cutting tools — they rip, crosscut, and bevel-cut lumber, plywood, MDF, and (with the right blade) metal and masonry. Handheld circular saws come in standard, compact, and mini sizes from 85 mm to 210 mm blade diameter.
Key specs: blade diameter, max depth of cut at 90° and 45°, RPM, and bevel range. Cordless models at 18V/20V handle 165–190 mm blades comfortably. For deeper cuts and sustained ripping, corded 210mm models at 1,500–1,600W remain the professional standard. Read our miter saw vs circular saw comparison to understand when each tool is the right choice.
Jig Saws
Jig saws use a thin, narrow blade moving in a rapid up-and-down stroke to cut curves, circles, and irregular shapes in wood, metal, and plastic. Stroke length (15–26 mm) and strokes per minute (500–3,100 SPM) determine cutting speed. Variable speed is essential — slow for metal, fast for wood.
Key specs: stroke length, max SPM, max cutting depth in wood and steel, orbital action settings (0–3), and blade change system (tool-free T-shank is now standard). Our range covers compact 400W models through 890W heavy-duty professional saws.
Reciprocating Saws
Reciprocating saws (also called "recip saws" or "Sawzalls") push a straight blade back and forth in a powerful cutting stroke. They are the demolition tool of choice — designed to cut through wood with nails, metal pipe, tree branches, and mixed materials that would destroy other saw types.
Key specs: stroke length (typically 28–32 mm), max SPM, cutting depth in wood and metal, and anti-vibration features. Our reciprocating saw lineup includes both 20V brushless professional models and corded 850W units for continuous heavy use.
Table Saws
Table saws mount a blade in a fixed table, with the workpiece fed through. They excel at long rip cuts, repeatable crosscuts with a sled, and dado (groove) cuts. Portable jobsite table saws at 216–254 mm blade diameter balance cutting capacity with transportability.
Finishing Tools
Belt Sanders
Belt sanders use a continuous loop of abrasive belt running over two rollers to rapidly remove material. They are the fastest hand-held sanding option — ideal for leveling rough lumber, removing old finishes, and flattening surfaces before finer sanding. Belt size (75×457 mm, 75×533 mm) determines coverage area per pass.
Key specs: belt size, belt speed (m/min), dust collection capacity, and variable speed range. Our lineup includes compact 600W models and 900W heavy-duty units for professional floor and furniture work.
Electric Planers
Electric planers use a rotating cutterhead with 1–2 reversible blades to shave thin layers from wood surfaces. They are used for fitting doors, straightening edges, chamfering, and reducing lumber thickness. Professional planers at 82 mm width can remove 0.1–3.0 mm per pass.
Outdoor and Garden Tools
Garden power tools have shifted heavily toward cordless battery platforms, with 18V and 36V models now matching the performance of small gasoline engines for residential use.
- Chain saws — compact 6" cordless models for pruning, telescopic pole saws for high branches, and corded 750W+ models for firewood and light felling.
- Hedge trimmers — dual-action blades at 500–660W, with 510 mm blade lengths standard for residential hedges.
- Multi-function garden tools — interchangeable head systems that switch between hedge trimmer, chain saw, grass trimmer, and brush cutter on a single motor and shaft.
How to Choose the Right Power Tool: Decision Framework
| If You Need To... | Best Tool | Key Spec to Compare |
|---|---|---|
| Crosscut lumber at precise angles | Miter saw | Max crosscut width + bevel range |
| Rip long boards or sheet goods | Circular saw or table saw | Max depth of cut + rip fence quality |
| Cut curves and irregular shapes | Jig saw | SPM range + orbital action settings |
| Demolish walls, cut pipe, prune trees | Reciprocating saw | Stroke length + anti-vibration |
| Strip old finish or level rough wood | Belt sander | Belt speed (m/min) + dust collection |
| Trim hedges and prune branches | Garden tools | Blade length + battery platform |
Motor Technology Across Tool Types
Every power tool is ultimately a motor with a purpose-built output mechanism attached. The motor type — brushed or brushless — determines efficiency, runtime, and lifespan across all categories. As of 2026, the professional tool market has largely shifted to brushless motors for cordless tools, while corded tools still predominantly use universal (brushed) motors due to their lower cost and ability to run on AC mains power.
Understanding motor specifications — voltage, torque, RPM, and efficiency — helps you compare tools across brands meaningfully. Read our motor specs guide for a deep dive into what each number means from a manufacturing perspective.
Related Guides
- Power Tool Motor Specifications Explained
- 12V vs 18V Power Tools: Which Voltage?
- Battery Compatibility Chart
- Power Tool Certifications: GS, CE, UL, EMC
- OEM Power Tools Manufacturing Guide
Need Power Tools Manufactured? Talk to the Factory.
Xiecheng produces 3,000,000+ power tools annually across our China and Vietnam factories, covering miter saws, circular saws, jig saws, reciprocating saws, belt sanders, table saws, and garden tools. OEM, ODM, and private-label orders welcome — ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 certified.