Automated and manual tools designed for shaping and severing timber exist in a wide variety of forms, ranging from simple hand saws and axes to complex computerized numerical control (CNC) routers and industrial sawmills. Examples include band saws, circular saws, chainsaws, lathes, and planers, each tailored for specific tasks such as ripping, crosscutting, shaping, and smoothing wooden materials.
These tools have been essential for woodworking throughout history, enabling the creation of everything from furniture and housing to artistic carvings and musical instruments. The development of advanced powered machinery has significantly increased efficiency and precision in wood processing, contributing to the growth of industries and facilitating complex architectural and design projects. This evolution has also led to safer working conditions and the ability to process wood on a much larger scale.