A hand saw, at first glance, is a fairly simple tool that does not require much maintenance. However, few people know about the criteria for choosing a saw and its types. Like other tools, a hand saw has certain signs of quality and characteristics.
Basic parameters of hand tools for cutting wood
The hacksaw is one of the most necessary tools in every man's inventory. This device allows you to easily change the dimensions of wood and plastic lumber. Using a hacksaw, you can perform a lot of operations in construction, cut branches in the garden, shorten fence poles, and so on.
But when purchasing such a seemingly simple tool, not everyone thinks about how to make the right choice and what criteria need to be taken into account. A hacksaw has its own special parameters that can affect the quality of work. There are four basic parameters when choosing a hacksaw: blade length, tooth size, steel type and handle type.
Blade length
For ease of use, the length of the hacksaw blade is chosen so that it is twice the size of the material at the cut site. This allows you to effectively remove sawdust during work due to the fact that all the teeth of the blade will come out of the board/log. In addition, this ratio of the size of the hacksaw and lumber contributes to a greater range of hand movement. This, in turn, takes much less effort. In construction, a universal hacksaw with a blade length of 45–50 centimeters is most often used. To work with small bars and boards, a blade 30–35 centimeters long will be sufficient.
Tooth size
This is perhaps the most important parameter. After all, the speed and accuracy of cutting depends on the size of the tooth.. The number of teeth per inch of blade is usually denoted by the TPI coefficient. To work more accurately with the material, it is necessary to use a hacksaw with a high TPI coefficient, that is, with a large number of teeth. When choosing a blade with a TPI of at least 7–9, and a distance between teeth of no more than 2–4 mm, the surface at the cutting site will be smoother and without torn edges. To work with large bars And garden trees A blade with a TPI of 3–6 and a tooth spacing of over 4 mm will work well. Using such a hacksaw will reduce the effort required and increase the speed of cutting the working material.
Tooth pitch correspondence table
| 1 TPI = 25.5mm | 10 TPI = 2.5mm |
| 2 TPI = 12mm | 11 TPI = 2.3mm |
| 3 TPI = 8.5mm | 12 TPI = 2mm |
| 4 TPI = 6.5mm | 13 TPI = 2mm |
| 5 TPI = 5mm | 14 TPI = 1.8mm |
| 6 TPI = 4mm | 17 TPI = 1.5mm |
| 7 TPI = 3.5mm | 19 TPI = 1.3mm |
| 8 TPI = 3mm | 22 TPI = 1.1mm |
| 9 TPI = 2.8mm | 25 TPI = 1mm |
Sharpening teeth
The usual triangular shape of hacksaw teeth is taken as standard. The teeth are made in the form of an acute triangle or isosceles, depending on the purpose of the cut. Such a blade can be sharpened with particular ease by repeating all the angles of the teeth. This blade can be used for both longitudinal and transverse cuts to avoid rough notches.
Video: self-sharpening hacksaw teeth for wood
But modern hacksaws, unlike classic ones, have hardened teeth with a non-standard trapezoidal shape. Such saws are endowed with increased strength and are resistant to wear. Their steel cannot be sharpened, and it is very difficult to maintain all the angles of the sharpened teeth.
Steel type
For the production of blades, hacksaws are most often used stainless steel high grade. Typically, wood saws are made of steel with a hardness of HRC45. Very often, manufacturers combine steel in the canvas. In a hacksaw with a combined blade, the majority is also made of 45 steel, but the cutting part is made of 55 and 60 steel. When hardening cutting edge wear resistance increases. This type of tool can be easily distinguished from a regular hacksaw by its dark, hardened teeth.
The first forged saws were made back in Ancient Greece. Forging gave high hardness to the metal and improved the quality of the tool.
Handle type
The ease of use of the saw depends on the correct choice of saw handle. Handles are made of wood or plastic. Very important point- the surface at the grip site should be such that the hand does not slip. This can be eliminated by scarring the handle or covering it with a rubber layer. The hacksaw can be either a classic cast saw or with a reversible blade. The latter allows you to replace the canvas, which is very convenient.
How to choose a hand saw
By combining all the basic parameters of the saw, everyone can easily decide for themselves which one suits them best. When choosing a tool, you need to decide for yourself which saw is more suitable - a carpenter's or a carpenter's saw. If the most important thing is cutting speed, then, of course, you need to purchase a carpenter's tool. A carpenter's hacksaw has fewer teeth per inch, which allows for faster cutting performance and sawdust removal. If cutting accuracy is a priority, then you should use a carpentry shop.
The quality of a hacksaw can be determined in simple ways. First you need to visually verify the evenness of the canvas. Then you need to bend the canvas with a little effort and release it as soon as resistance appears. After the blade plays back and calms down, you should again check the evenness of the blade. If it is slightly deviated from the original position, then the tool is of poor quality and it is not recommended to buy it.
If you need a rip saw, you need to choose a hacksaw with sharp teeth. The teeth of such saws are sharpened only on one side, so the cut will be made only in one direction - away from you.
When longitudinal sawing, the cut occurs parallel to the fibers of the material. For rip sawing Circular saws and bow saws work well.
Crosscut saws are the most common. Their teeth are made in the shape of an isosceles triangle and sharpened on both sides. This allows you to cut in both directions.
When cross-cutting, the material is cut across the grain. For such sawing, classic hacksaws, hacksaws with a backrest are suitable, and for large thickness material - two-handed saws.
The price of the saw is also an equally important factor when choosing. A more expensive hacksaw guarantees reliability and wear resistance. Those saws whose price is significantly lower than average are made from cheaper raw materials and do not guarantee you long-term service.
What types of hand saws are used for what purposes?
- The classic hacksaw is the most common of all. It has a long and wide canvas. If the blade is too long, the hacksaw may tilt to the side when cutting. Great care must be taken to avoid deviation of the cutting line from the initial marking. This hacksaw is suitable for working with timber, boards, chipboard and so on.
- Hacksaw with back. This saw model has a rigid rib attachment, which minimizes the vibration frequency of the blade. This hacksaw also has smaller teeth and a higher TPI coefficient. They are designed for cutting plywood, chipboard with a coating layer and sawing profile strips.
- Finish saws have an adjustable handle. They are needed for cutting grooves, grooves and straight and profile planks.
- A circular hacksaw, or a hacksaw with a narrow blade. It is also used for cutting grooves, as well as for cutting out parts with rounded areas and large holes.
- A bow saw is well suited for cutting knots and rough parts of material, as well as for cutting out parts from plywood and wood. This hacksaw is distinguished by a thin blade fixed on both sides in a frame. It is worth noting that you need to work with it extremely carefully due to its increased fragility.
- The award has two handles. The appearance of such a saw is in many ways similar to a plane. It is used for cutting tenons and grooves, deepening holes and slots in materials of any hardness.
- Garden saw with curved blade. Most often, for greater convenience, they are made folding. This saw is well suited for garden work. The saw blade is made of chrome steel. Widely spaced teeth with an inclination in the direction of the handle will allow you to conveniently cut down twigs and branches, placing emphasis on yourself while cutting.
- A two-handed saw has the highest productivity. It has two wooden handles. For greater efficiency, cutting with such a saw requires two people. A two-handed saw is often used for sawing large logs and trees.
- A hand or pocket chain saw is a small piece of chain with two handles at the ends. This saw is convenient for both one and two people to work with. The log or branch is wrapped around a chain and cut is made using the handles. A manual chainsaw, like a folding one, is well suited for gardening.
Photo gallery: types of hand saws
This classic hacksaw can be easily sharpened. This hacksaw has hardened teeth and increased wear resistance. A hacksaw with a back or butt minimizes vibrations of the blade during work. A hacksaw with a narrow blade is well suited for cutting holes and grooves. 
This saw has an adjustable handle, which allows you to work under the right angle A bow saw is well suited for cutting out parts from plywood. This type of hacksaw is similar to a plane and is used for cutting tenons and slots. A two-handed saw is suitable for cutting large logs. 
Garden saws with curved blades are well suited for cutting down knots and small tree branches. 
The hand chain saw is compact and well suited for sawing logs while camping and branches in the garden.
Thus, having carefully studied all the nuances regarding hand saws, everyone will be able to choose the most suitable one for themselves. suitable option. Choosing the right tool will provide you with high-quality and enjoyable work.
There is still no such tool as a hacksaw for wood, or when working with it you experience a lot of inconvenience, it’s time to correct the situation and purchase good saw, understanding in detail all the characteristics of the tool.
Wood hacksaws differ in blade size, steel grade, shape of teeth and handle. Now about each aspect in more detail.
Fabric characteristics: length, width, hardness
Particular attention should be paid to the hacksaw blade. From him quality characteristics The cutting capabilities of the saw itself depend. If the blade is long, then when sawing hard wood: oak, ash or maple, difficulties will arise, since the blade will spring back, which will require more effort to get the job done.
When it is necessary to carry out work on sawing small elements: skirting boards, slats, a blade length of up to 30 cm will be sufficient. To saw thicker bars or even logs, you will need a tool with a cutting part length of at least 45 cm.
Here is the simplest rule for determining optimal length blade, which will minimize the effort expended during sawing: the length of the cutting part should be twice the thickness of the part being cut. A hacksaw that is too short will constantly get stuck inside the element being cut, and you will quickly get tired.
As for the width of the canvas, we choose golden mean. If it is too narrow, there is a risk of breaking the tool when bending it, and inconvenience will arise when working with a blade that is too wide. The width should be between 10 and 20 cm.
The hacksaw blade is made of tool alloy steel, grades U10, U8GA, U8G, U8A, U8, U7A, U7, 9 HS, 8 HF, 9 HF, U9A, 60 S2A, 65G.
The acceptable parameters for the hardness of the alloy of the cutting part of the saw are considered to be 45. But still choose a blade that has high hardness parameters: 55–60 HRC. Such a tool has the necessary flexibility and at the same time strong teeth. These teeth have a characteristic darkish tint.
Determined by teeth
We are interested in the size of the teeth. There is such a coefficient: “TPI” (the number of blade teeth per inch). For example, to work with chipboard, the TPI should be around 7-9 (meaning 7 to 9 teeth per inch). If the work to be done is mainly garden work: sawing logs, branches, then sparser teeth are also suitable - from 3 to 6 teeth per inch.
Saw blades with sparse and large “teeth” can set a higher cutting speed, however, at the same time, the cut area will be chipped. A blade with a larger number of teeth and a smaller size, on the contrary, leaves behind a clean cut, without burrs, but the operating speed is quite low.
Don’t rush to conclude that the best hacksaws for wood have hardened teeth. Indeed, at home, using such a tool for a long time does not lead to wear of the teeth. However, it will not be possible to sharpen them again. When the teeth become dull, all you have to do is throw the tool away.
But an ordinary, unhardened tooth can be sharpened. To sharpen a saw, just take a special file, marked with a three-letter abbreviation: Accident (for sharpening saws), and run it over each tooth.
Video: saw sharpening technique
There are several types of hand saws:
- Longitudinal. Has an oblique tooth. When viewed from the side, it looks like a hook. Used for sawing large wooden elements along the fibers. The teeth in such saws are sharpened on both sides, which makes it possible to cut not only in one direction.
- Transverse. It has a tooth in the shape of an isosceles triangle. The sharpening is double-sided. This makes it possible to cut in two directions. Suitable for sawing dry wood only.
- For mixed sawing. It has triangular-shaped teeth, replaced by elongated, semicircular teeth. This shape of the edge of the blade allows you to effectively cut with semicircular teeth when moving forward, while triangular teeth, when moving backward, expand the cutting furrow, while removing sawdust and shavings formed at the cutting site. Intended for infrequent use.
- Trapezoidal. Has three cutting edges. Hand sawing with this type of teeth is a pleasure - without extra effort, fast and easy. However, sharpening this type of tooth is very difficult, and in some cases impossible.
- Modernized. The teeth are located on the edge of the blade in groups, with characteristic spaces between them. Used when sawing raw wood. The spaces between groups of teeth allow wet chips to easily exit the cutting zone without clogging the cutting edge.
The following types of hacksaws can be distinguished:
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Narrow. Designed for smaller work: sawing curved elements made of wood no more than 8–10 cm thick. Very convenient for working in the garden for removing small branches. |
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Regular. A canvas of this type may contain different types teeth, both modernized and trapezoidal. The convenience is that the canvas is replaceable. However, due to inaccurate cutting, use in manufacturing work wooden structures Not recommended. |
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With a butt. This is the name cutting tool received due to the characteristic stiffening rib that runs along the edge of the upper part of the canvas. This allows you to avoid unwanted bends of the cutting part of the hacksaw when working. They are used in work where it is necessary to make shallow and neat cuts in the workpiece. |
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Luchkovaya. It is somewhat reminiscent of a jigsaw, which can easily make a curved and precise cut, even in the presence of knots. |
There are also saws:
- Sweeping. Used for longitudinal cutting.
- Transverse. Used for cross cutting.
- Circular. Used when making holes and curved cutting.
- Spiked. Used for cutting connecting tenons.
The most popular among tourists is the folding saw. It looks like a large folding knife, with a serrated blade that snaps into the handle. Firstly, you don’t need a special case, and secondly, such a saw takes up little space. Such folding saws are able to saw through a tree trunk up to 14 cm, which makes it an indispensable tool on long hikes.
So, we looked at the main types of hacksaws for wood: in terms of their purpose and characteristics, they are very different from each other. Therefore, before you buy a tool of one type or another, ask yourself a few questions:
- For what purpose. If for carpentry work, then the blade should have a fine tooth. If you do carpentry - with a large one.
- How often will it be used? If from time to time, it is better to take it with a hardened tooth.
- What is the quality of the metal? Bend the canvas at an angle of 30–45º, then let it straighten out again. If after this it does not visually return to its original position, then the quality of the metal of the cutting part of the hacksaw leaves much to be desired.
- What is the price. If a product is expensive, then it is not consumer goods. It is better to pay for wear resistance and durability than to simply throw away the saw, and at the same time the money. However, for infrequent use, you can take a cheaper tool.
You should also not forget about the tool handle when choosing a saw. It is better to buy a tool with a solid handle, which, as a rule, has a rubberized insert for the fingers. Such rubber backings allow you to make your hand grip tighter, which will protect you from the appearance of calluses.
Video: technical characteristics of hacksaws for wood
One of the differences between wood and many other building materials is its ease of processing. And, nevertheless, manufacturers produce tools for sawing it in various modifications. How this tool differs, how important it is, how to choose the right hacksaw for wood - this article will help you find answers to all questions on this topic.
Hacksaws for wood are categorized according to the specific application into carpentry and joinery. The tools of the last group are designed for cutting dried wood. They provide a cleaner cut, and exactly according to the markings. In other words, hacksaws in the carpentry category are chosen for fine work. Carpentry, respectively, for rough.
Such a tool is used when sawing logs, beams, pruning trees, and the like, that is, in situations where it is not necessary to maintain certain linear parameters, significant errors in work are allowed, or it is enough to cut not according to a template, but “by eye.”
Blade length (mm)
This is the first selection criterion. Without deciding on the length, it makes no sense to evaluate all other parameters of the hacksaw.
There is a generally accepted standard for choosing this indicator, which it is advisable to adhere to. The length of the blade should exceed the size of the largest lumber with which it is intended to work, approximately 2 times, no less.
Why? Firstly, the teeth of a hacksaw become clogged with sawdust in the process of sawing wood. Doubling the length ensures that the blade in extreme positions will completely come out of the wood. As a result, it self-cleanses due to the falling of debris.
Secondly, the greater the amplitude of movement of the hands when working with a tool, the less they get tired. And this directly affects productivity. If a hacksaw is chosen for intensive use, sawing large volumes of wood is more than important.
- If a wood hacksaw is purchased as a household hand tool, a blade of 300 is sufficient for all cases.
- Major repairs, especially construction, also include sawing up dimensional samples (logs, boards, etc.). For such purposes, you should choose a hacksaw with a blade in the range of 475 ± 25.
Steel type
There are many brands of metals. For hacksaws for wood, as a rule, this is 45 HRC. It's more difficult with teeth. They can be hardened (have a darker shade than the canvas) or without preliminary heat treatment.
Hardened teeth will not stand up to sharpening. In essence, this hacksaw, although more durable, is in a sense disposable. If, due to negligence or non-compliance with operating rules, the cutting edges of the tool are dulled, then it will not be possible to bring them into working condition. But for occasional work and small household chores related to sawing wood, it is the best option. Having chosen a hacksaw from a well-known manufacturer, you can rest assured that it will last for a long time.
Teeth that have not been hardened can be sharpened and straightened yourself. On the one hand, it is convenient and practical. But this requires experience in this matter. How many people can boast about it? It is hardly worth purchasing such a hacksaw as a tool for everyday use. But if we're talking about about large-scale work with wood (the same construction), then this right choice. You will inevitably have to master the basics of sharpening and straightening, especially since it is not so difficult.
How to check the quality of steel and sharpening
- You can check the quality of steel without a certificate. The hacksaw blade has a bending limit. Initially it is perfectly smooth. You need to carefully bend it (the permissible extreme position, when it is ready to break, the hand will “understand” itself), and then release it and check the geometry. A deviation of the area subject to deformation from the center line of more than 2 mm is an indicator of low quality steel. It’s better to overpay, but choose another hacksaw for wood.
- The type of teeth can be determined visually. If they are of a traditional, triangular configuration, then the hacksaw must be straightened and sharpened. Trapezoidal cutting edges are hardened. They have already been mentioned above.
Teeth size
This characteristic of a hacksaw is displayed on the blade with TPI symbols. The dimension of the value is the number of teeth/inch.
As a rule, craftsmen are interested in 2 indicators of the efficiency of sawing wood - speed and accuracy of the cut. The fact is that these parameters are inversely related. The cleanliness of the cut is ensured by fine teeth, but at the same time the cutting speed of the material is reduced. And vice versa - a hacksaw with large cutting edges cuts at a higher speed, but its accuracy deteriorates.
- 3 – 6. This hacksaw is suitable for rough work with wood. For example, trimming large branches on the site, sawing small logs, boards, and so on. That is, in cases where the presence of fringe on the edges is not critical, and cutting accuracy is not a determining requirement when working with wood.
- 7 – 9 or more. It is advisable to choose this type of hacksaw when you plan to work with sheet materials– Chipboard, MDF, OSV, FC and so on. Such a tool will provide a “delicate” cutting, after which there will be no fringe or torn edges.
Hacksaw handle type
- Check if it is comfortable in your hand. The main difference between people's hands is their size. The solution is simple - take the hacksaw in your palm, clench your fingers and make several forward movements. A man will immediately understand whether this is “his” instrument or whether it is better to choose something else.
- The handles of hacksaws for wood are classic (cast) and reversible. The first allows you to replace the canvas.
And this is where it gets more interesting. If you choose a hacksaw with a reversible handle, then it makes sense to purchase a product with a “disposable” blade that has hardened teeth. Even if the tool is handled carelessly, it can be “repaired.” You just need to clarify whether it is on sale (in this particular point of sale or other in this locality) replacement blades and whether they are in short supply. When buying a hacksaw for small chores, it is enough to take 1 spare one. Considering the increased wear resistance of the teeth and their strength, such a “set” will last for many years.
There is a relationship between the size of the teeth and their location. The “step” of three adjacent cutting edges should be less than the cross-section of the wooden workpiece being cut. This is easy to calculate if a hacksaw is chosen for sawing boards or small bars, that is, for everyday work, which is most often encountered in everyday life.
The cutting method depends on the type of sharpening of the teeth. Longitudinal blades have a length of up to half a meter, a greater slope of the cutting edges to the side and their one-sided sharpening. Sawing with such a hacksaw is carried out only in the “away” direction. This tool is quite specific and should not be chosen as a household tool for everyday use.
Wood saws with a transverse blade are considered universal. Sawing is carried out during its movement both forward and backward. Such a tool is easy to identify by the double-sided sharpening of the cutting edges.
A brief overview of the most popular wood hacksaws
This TOP list is based on the results of an analysis of reviews and opinions posted on thematic forums. To say that they are the only true ones would not be entirely correct. But it’s hardly worth ignoring them completely. If people have used one or another hacksaw for wood in practice, then it makes sense to listen to their assessments. And then finally decide which one to choose.
All prices are in Russian rubles, for the Moscow region.
"Zubr Expert"
Such a hacksaw for wood, given its reasonable price and versatility, is in high demand. Triangular teeth with hardening, plastic handle, cutting both longitudinal and transverse. The assortment is impressive. Big choice hacksaws of this brand according to TPI and blade length allows you to purchase the optimal option.
Price – from 738 (canvas 40 cm).
"Stanley General Purpose"
A hacksaw from a French manufacturer is characterized by a length of 0.5 m, hardened teeth with TPI = 8. Wood can be cut in any direction. For a private home or cottage - an excellent choice.
Price – 849.
"Gross Piranha"
This hacksaw is available in different modifications on the market. Differences in the number of cutting edges and blade length (400 – 550). The quality of the steel (52 HRc) is further enhanced by a Teflon coating, which makes the cutting process easier. In addition, edge cleanliness close to ideal is achieved.
Price – from 913.
Irwin Xpert
The main characteristics are identical to the hacksaw of the previous brand, although the cost is slightly higher. Users note the high quality and ease of cutting, regardless of the density of the wood. Even when sawing hardwood, no significant effort is required. Those who regularly work with lumber at home should pay attention.
Price – from 705.
"Bahco"
Previously, such wood saws were sold under the Sandvik logo, so they are known to many. Production is established at several sites, and in the Russian Federation these samples are often imported under the “Tescha” brand. The cost is lower, while the quality remains high. Bahco hacksaws belong to the group professional tool, which is hardly advisable to choose for small work with wood. But the cheaper “Mother-in-Law” products are just right for those who want to save money wisely.
Price – from 389 (360 mm).
The criteria by which a hacksaw for sawing wood should be evaluated are described in detail, and basic recommendations are given. And what exactly to choose is up to you, dear reader.
In the arsenal home handyman There is always a functional and easy-to-use circular saw. But there are situations when you need to saw off a part and perform a small amount of woodwork, but there is no time or desire to deploy and connect the unit. In these cases, a hand saw is a great help. But let’s look at how to choose a hand hacksaw for wood so that it is easy to use and can easily “gnaw” through any type of wood.
- Parameters of teeth on the blade
- Types of hand saws for wood
- Option #1 - narrow
- Option #2 - regular
- Option #3 - with a butt
- Option #4 - archery
- Recommendations for choosing a tool
Tool Specifications
Saw is rightfully considered the ancestor of a large family hand tools. Since the creation of the first type of tool from iron, the saw has undergone many changes, having acquired numerous “sisters” capable of performing dozens of jobs.
IN household It’s impossible to do without “toothed helpers”: they are indispensable for garden pruning, small carpentry and joinery work
Hand saws for wood differ in many ways: blade size, steel grade, tooth shape, handle design. Let's look at each parameter in more detail.
How should a hacksaw blade be?
The main part of the tool is the hacksaw blade. The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing a product is the length of the canvas. The possibilities of its application largely depend on this parameter. At the same time, than longer blade, the more springy it is, which also complicates the process, especially when working with hard wood such as ash, maple or oak.
The long stroke makes it possible to apply less effort, since in one stroke the cut is performed by a large number of teeth
To cut small elements such as plinths, bars or narrow slats, you can get by with a hacksaw with a blade length of 25-30 cm. Planning to use the tool when performing more serious construction work, choose a product with a canvas of 45-50 cm.
When determining the length of the hacksaw blade, follow the rule that the length of the saw exceeds the diameter of the elements being processed by 2 times. Failure to follow this recommendation will only make your job more difficult. The teeth of a short hacksaw will jam inside the wood, and everyone will have to make a lot of effort to move the tool to free it from sawdust. Uncomfortable work will cause premature fatigue.
Traditionally, the width of the product blade varies in the range of 10-20 cm. Models with a narrower blade are not allowed for technical reasons, since they fail at the slightest bend. But it is worth considering that too wide canvases are inconvenient for manual work.
The material used to make the blade, which is most often alloy steel, as well as its degree of hardening also play an important role.
For hacksaws, tool alloy steel with a high content of silicon and carbon grades is used:
- 65G, 60 C2A;
- 8 HF, 9 HF, 9 HS;
- U7, U7A, U8, U8A, U8G, U8GA, U9A, U10
Hardening of metal is carried out due to the influence of variable magnetic field, at which it appears electricity high frequency. Spreading over the surface, it heats the surface layer of the metal, which is hardened after cooling.
The standard parameter is considered to be a metal hardness of 45 HRC, but it is still preferable to choose products whose blade hardness is 55-60 HRC. A hacksaw with a blade of high hardness will have sufficient flexibility, but at the same time high stability of the teeth. Upon external inspection, such a tool can be identified by the darkish tint of the sharpened teeth.
Parameters of teeth on the blade
The determining indicator of the tool’s performance and the accuracy of cutting wood is the size of the teeth.
The teeth of a hacksaw for woodworking perform a dual function: they cut the wood and, at the same time, remove sawdust
Sawing accuracy is determined by the “TPI” indicator - the number of teeth per inch.
Between these technical parameters there is an inverse relationship:
- blades with large teeth set a high speed of work, but the cut is rough and sloppy;
- hacksaws with fine teeth guarantee a clean and precise cut, but at a relatively low speed.
When determining required size teeth should be guided by the type of material being processed. For example, for working with chipboard, where high cutting accuracy is required, choose a tool with a high TPI of 7-9, and for sawing logs and garden work, where the cleanliness of the cut is not so important, choose a TPI of 3-6.
When choosing optimal option hacksaws, follow the rule that the minimum thickness of the log should be in any case more step three teeth
If we compare a hardened and a regular tooth, the difference is that in the first option, provided household use The product does not dull for a long time. But a hacksaw with a hardened tooth cannot be sharpened again. When it starts cutting badly, you just have to throw it away.
An ordinary tooth can be sharpened. This can be done periodically using a special file marked with an accident (for sharpening saws). To sharpen the blade, it is enough to perform several movements on each tooth.
Depending on the type of teeth used, there are three types of hand saws:
Some types modern instruments equipped with teeth that are made in the shape of a trapezoid. This solution makes the fabric more durable and wear-resistant.
But it is worth considering that sharpening such a blade is very problematic, since it is difficult to give the trapezoidal teeth the desired shape. This significantly reduces the service life of the product, after which it is necessary to change the blade or purchase a new tool.
For sawing fresh branches, it is more convenient to use blades equipped with triangular teeth processed by parallel sharpening, in which each element is sharpened only on one side and in a checkerboard pattern.
You can often find a modernized type of hacksaw on the market.
Modernized hacksaws can be easily distinguished by the teeth located on the blade in groups, between which the spaces are clearly visible
Retrofitted hand saws are effective for cutting raw wood. Wet chips easily come out of the cut through the spaces between the teeth during the cutting process, without impeding the movement of the tool.
Types of hand saws for wood
Option #1 - narrow
A small narrow saw is a structure that consists of a straight flat blade and a handle. It is carried out fine work: through cuts, cutting out curved parts.
This type of tool is intended for cutting wooden pieces whose thickness does not exceed 8-10 cm, sawing small branches and minor work in the garden.
During production narrow models Manufacturers install blades with triangular double-sided teeth, or with parallel sharpening. The disadvantage of the tool is that when pressed during operation, the blade can deviate from the given direction.
Option #2 - regular
A standard hand saw can be equipped with any type of teeth and often comes with replacement blades various types and execution.
To be able to cut workpieces at a certain angle using a standard hand saw, you have to purchase special miter boxes
But despite the stated versatility of their use, it is not advisable to use saws of this type in the manufacture of furniture.
Option #3 - with a butt
Both narrow and regular saws tend to bend as the hardness of the material being processed increases. In these cases, it is effective to use canvases equipped with a backing, which acts as a kind of stiffening rib.
Hand hacksaws equipped with a backing are designed to create shallow cuts in wooden surface any thickness
The presence of a backing prevents the saw from making a cut deeper than the width of the blade, since it prevents the passage cutting blade further into the tree.
Option #4 - archery
Bow-type saws are more bulky devices that act as an analogue of a jigsaw.
The main purpose of saws of this type is to create an accurate cut when working with surfaces located at any angle.
Thanks to the solidity of the design and threaded connections handles, bow-type saws are able to easily overcome knots, cutting along radii and curved patterns.
Depending on the purpose and constructive solution saws can be:
- sweeping – for longitudinal cutting;
- transverse – for sawing workpieces across the wood fiber;
- round - for cutting holes, making roundings and figure sawing;
- tenon - for cutting connecting tenons, as well as cutting out simple geometric shapes on the workpiece.
Only with a bow-type hacksaw can you cut the material lengthwise and crosswise, sawing workpieces with complex lines and doing the work alone without the involvement of an assistant.
The procedure for choosing a hand saw for wood is quite simple:
Conventional handles are made of plastic. Prefabricated plastic handles, made of two halves, do not have sufficient rigidity. It is much more convenient to work with a tool that has a one-piece handle, which is equipped with a rubberized backing for the fingers. The presence of a rubber insert allows for a tighter grip, preventing the formation of calluses on the palm.
Pay attention to the design of the tool handle: it is desirable that it has an ergonomic shape that allows you to correctly transfer force to the blade
There are products on sale with standard and reversible handles. The second option is convenient because it allows you, if necessary, to replace the worn blade with a new one.
Keep in mind that not all hand saws come on sale already sharpened. And this seemingly trifle largely determines how quickly you can get to work.
There are many companies producing hacksaws on the market. Judging by the reviews, they have proven themselves well: the Zubr hacksaw domestic production, Gross Piranha joint German-Chinese cooperation, Irwin Xpert made in the USA. They are famous for their decent quality at a low price, which varies between 10-20 USD.
Finally, we invite you to watch a video with tips for choosing:
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