Hacksaws

Hacksaws

A hacksaw cuts metal, and the blade does the work while the frame just holds it in tension. Frame size divides the range in two. A full size 300mm 12 inch frame is the general purpose tool for pipe, bar, threaded rod and angle, giving a long stroke that clears swarf and cuts faster. A junior hacksaw at 150mm 6 inch takes a smaller sprung blade and is for confined spaces, small bore pipe and light work where a full frame simply will not fit, which is why buying the pair together is common and why several packs here supply both. Blade TPI matters more than most people realise, and the rule is that at least three teeth should be in contact with the material at all times. Coarse 18 TPI blades suit thicker solid sections and cut quickly. Fine 32 TPI blades are for thin walled tube, sheet and small sections, where a coarse blade will snag on the wall and either tear the work or snap. Fit the blade with the teeth pointing forward away from the handle, since a hacksaw cuts on the push stroke, and tension it properly because a slack blade wanders and breaks. Blades are consumable, so keeping spares is normal rather than optional.

Faithfull is the widest range, with a Handyman 300mm hacksaw supplied with a 150mm junior saw, a standalone junior hacksaw, 300mm blades at 18 TPI in packs of two and junior 150mm blades at 32 TPI in packs of ten. Bahco supplies the 239 junior saw at 150mm, a 317 hacksaw at 300mm with a junior hacksaw, and a 300mm and 150mm pack. Irwin makes the I-75 hacksaw at 300mm, Protool a 12 inch hacksaw, and Spear and Jackson the Eclipse 70-14JR junior hacksaw at 150mm. Dargan adds spare coping saw blades in a 10 pack and Dewalt a folding jabsaw and rasp. For wood saws see Handsaws and for the wider range Hand Tools.