Sawing is one of the more productive operations in the shop due to the constant cutting of material and the amount of material being removed. When preparing material for processing, a sawing operation is commonly the first step. Rough cutting stock with a saw can be most efficient because less time is needed to finish the part and there is less wear on expensive cutting tools. Proper blade selection must be considered when preparing to saw material. Workholding is both a challenge and a safety concern. The abrasive saw is ideal for cutting hardened materials.