- How to choose a saw?
- Tooth size
- Steel selection
- Blade length
- Handle shape
- Varieties
- Type 1: Classic
- Type 2: Narrow
- Type 3: With collar
- Type 4: Archery
- Type 5: Reward
- Type 6: Folding tool
- Choice by purpose
- How to decide
Without a hand saw, it is difficult to imagine the arsenal of tools for a home craftsman or locksmith. Its other name is a hacksaw. With this tool, you can file branches in the garden, shorten picket fences and do a lot of work where you need to change the length of a wooden product: laminate, boards for the household, etc.
Perhaps you have not thought about it, but the right choice of a hacksaw determines not only its service life, but also the convenience of work, the quality of the cut. Consider the main parameters of the correct choice of this tool, which is necessary in the household and carpentry activities.
How to choose a saw?
A hacksaw for wood is presented on the market in different versions. How products may differ:
- The shape and size of the tooth;
- canvas size;
- The steel grade from which the working part (sheet) is made;
- Handle shape.
A hacksaw with a change in one of these parameters can radically change its characteristics. Also, sitting comfortably in the hand of one master, it will not fit another at all. These factors must be taken into account when choosing a tool for different purposes.
Tooth size
This parameter affects the quality and speed of work. For the convenience of determining the size and number of teeth, the designation TPI was introduced, indicating the number of teeth in one inch. This parameter can be seen in the description of a hand saw for wood, often the value is applied to the blade.
The carpenter's saw is selected, first of all, according to the size of the tooth. So, for an ordinary tree, small and large ones are suitable, and for “delicate” materials such as fiberboard, a fine-toothed saw is needed. In stores, you can now find similar designations: “for wood”, “for drywall”, etc. Their main difference is the size of the teeth, which is optimal for sawing each of the materials indicated on the label.
The teeth are distinguished by shape, depending on this, the tool acquires a different purpose:
Steel selection
In order for the tool to last longer, you should choose high grades of steel for the production of blades. Better if it is stainless.
Teeth can be hardened or regular. Ordinary ones can be sharpened at home, saws with hardened teeth are disposable, after wear, nothing can be done with them. They are easy to recognize by the dark color as in the photo.
Blade length
This parameter is determined by the size and pitch of the saw tooth.
- The mini-hacksaw is always equipped with small frequent teeth, the length of its blade does not exceed 350 mm;
- The universal hacksaw has an average tooth size and a length of not more than 550 mm;
- The wide hacksaw is equipped with large teeth with an increased pitch, the length of its blade is over 600 mm.
In addition to length, the canvas may vary in shape. A traditional saw has the shape of a rectangle narrowed on one side. This is a universal type of tool that can cut anything.
The rounded blade is adapted for working with branches and other objects from a distance: it is light, easily glides over the wood without much effort.
Handle shape
This part of the saw determines the convenience of work. The tool should fit perfectly with the hand and be comfortable. For the manufacture of handles, various plastics are used that are pleasant to the body. An important note - the material should not slip if the hand suddenly becomes sweaty. To do this, recesses and grooves, a rubberized lining are provided in the handle body.
Varieties
By combining the above factors, manufacturers have developed and today produce standard products with different canvases, the shape of the handle and tooth. To understand how to choose a hacksaw for wood, you first need to familiarize yourself with the existing types of saws.
Type 1: Classic
The main type of saw that almost every man has, even far from construction and carpentry. This hacksaw can have a blade of any length with a different number of teeth, often the tool is equipped with interchangeable blades that come with the purchase.
Type 2: Narrow
Its other name is a hacksaw. It takes its name from the main application - it cuts out lines of various shapes, moreover, it does it neatly and clearly. It is also used for cutting through round, square holes. The saw blade is narrow, the teeth are frequent, they can be located both on one working plane and on both.
When working with a saw, you should be careful: with an uncertain movement, the blade will turn in the other direction, so the choice of a hacksaw for wood with a narrow blade should be stopped on a product made of high-quality hard steel, which will not bend during the sawing process.
Type 3: With collar
A hacksaw with a backing is equipped with a stiffening rib (the same backing), which prevents the blade from bending during operation. Thus, the tool is not able to make a cut lower than the width of the working part of the saw.
The edge hacksaw is always equipped with a comfortable handle at an angle of 45 0 to the blade for easy work.
Type 4: Archery
For plumbing, a bow saw is indispensable: it is used for sawing off the rough parts of the trunk, knots, for sawing figures out of plywood and other wood materials, for sawing wood along and across the fibers. The use of the bow saw is so widespread that it alone can replace a small woodworking machine.
A wide range of work carried out slightly obscure the main disadvantages:
- Bulky. A bow saw is a complex structure, its bearing part is made in the form of a large curved arc, to which is attached a blade as narrow as a thread with teeth.
- Fragility. You need to work with the tool very carefully: the blade can fly off the mounts and tear during work, and it needs to be replaced frequently.
Type 5: Reward
An award-winning saw takes a lot of effort to master. It is a tool that resembles a planer. It is equipped with two handles. Its main application is the cutting of grooves and spikes, the depth of holes and recesses can be of different sizes, moreover, on rocks of any hardness.
Type 6: Folding tool
A mechanical hacksaw that you can take with you on a hike or vacation. It is compact, lightweight, and folds completely safe. Folding hacksaw has fine teeth, short pointed blade.
Choice by purpose
In addition to taking into account the main types of saws, the choice of a hacksaw for wood should be carried out on request for a certain type of work:
- Swing for longitudinal sawing;
- The transverse one copes well with wood across the location of the fibers;
- Spike for cutting grooves, spikes and technological recesses in products;
- Vyruzhnaya for cutting holes of various shapes;
- Folding wood saw
These types of wood saws generalize the above tool models. The choice should be made according to the main purpose, for which the selected type of tool is acquired. For a household, it is advisable to purchase a saw with interchangeable blades or have several different types of hacksaws in the arsenal.
How to decide
This amount of new information is not easy to put into practice, so we will give you some tips on how to consistently choose the right saw.
- The first factor to consider is what kind of material will be cut and what is the desired cut quality. Carpenters working with small wood products choose small saws with a short blade. For a carpenter, it is better to use large teeth and a blade - this master does not need high work accuracy, speed is a priority. A folding garden hacksaw is ideal for summer residents who will only cut through trees and shrubs.
- Application frequency. Determine how often you will need to work with the tool. If the need is rare, take a saw with hardened teeth, if often there will be a need for sharpening - from ordinary steel.
- The quality of steel must be high for a tool with any frequency of use. The higher the class of metal, the better the product. Before buying, take the tool in hand and gently bend the canvas to 45 0. Good metal is resilient and when the end of the saw is released, it will restore its shape without shifting the central axis. Noticed a deviation - return the hacksaw to the seller.
- The price in this case is the guarantor of quality. Of course, provided that the seller is honest and does not offer you a fake. A good product cannot be cheap. Choose in the middle price range, if your wallet allows - do not skimp on an expensive saw. Choose a manufacturer by trust rating and give preference to their products in the store. In most cases, this tactic allows you to avoid buying incomprehensibly what instead of a good tool.
- Take a hacksaw tool in your hand. You should be comfortable holding it. The material of manufacture can be solid plastic with a rubberized handle.
By adhering to these simple rules, you can easily choose the right hacksaw for your needs.
Take away the saws from mankind and progress will stop. This statement is not a joke. Without a tool capable of cutting wood and metal, concrete and stone, the functioning of industrial enterprises and other areas of commodity production is impossible.
In the household, too, it is not possible to do without saws. Every man has at least one hacksaw, and a good craftsman can find a whole arsenal of “toothy helpers”.
We will look at the most common types of saws to get an idea of their working capabilities and application features.
It all started with a simple hacksaw
It is this saw that is the ancestor of the family of hand tools designed for woodworking. As soon as the first ingot of iron was smelted, a person had the idea to forge a tool for cultivating the earth from it.
It can be assumed that the ax became the second after the hoe. The third was probably a saw with a handle, known to us today as a hacksaw. Over the centuries that have passed since its invention, she has acquired numerous "brothers and sisters" who perform dozens of different jobs.
The accepted classification divides this type of hand saws into two groups:
- Hacksaws for wood;
- Hacksaws for metal.
Depending on the cutting direction, hand saws for wood are divided into three categories:
- For ripping cutting;
- For cross cutting;
- Universal (longitudinal-transverse).
The difference between them is in the shape of the cutting teeth: on a rip saw they are inclined forward, while on a crosscut saw they are straight.
The universal hacksaw tooth is also inclined forward, but has a special sharpening. It allows you to cut along and across the fibers.
By appointment, hand saws are divided into several types:
- Classic hacksaws (transverse or longitudinal cutting);
- Circular saws (for cutting holes);
- Spike saws (for cutting connecting spikes).
When choosing a hand saw, an important role is played not only by the shape, but also by the size of the teeth.
There are three types of incisors:
- Small tooth - 2.0-2.5 mm (for high-precision sawing and cutting of small products);
- Medium tooth - 3.0-3.5 mm (for medium-sized parts);
- Large tooth - 4.0-6.0 mm (for rough cutting of timber and logs).
The international classification divides hacksaws not by the height of the teeth, but by their number per 1 inch of the cutting blade. This standard has taken root with us, so do not be surprised if you see the letters PPI or TPI on the tool label. The number behind them is the number of teeth per inch of length. The larger it is, the smaller the tooth (eg PPI 8 or TPI 14).
Today on the market you can see a modernized look of hacksaws. They are easy to distinguish by the gaps cut in the canvas. As a result, the teeth are arranged in groups of 6-7 pieces.
This tool is designed for cutting raw wood. The gaps between the teeth are needed so that wet chips do not clog the cut and are easily removed during operation.
In addition to the usual hand saws, users today are offered an electrified version of the tool. A powerful electric saw can easily handle a large amount of lumber cutting work without tiring the owner too much.
The versatility of its application is achieved due to the configuration of saws with different lengths and widths of the blade and the size of the teeth. This allows you to successfully work not only on wood, but also on plastic and metal. Another name for this tool is a reciprocating saw.
The main parameter characterizing the capabilities of electric cutters is power. It is in the range from 400 to 1600 watts. The depth of cut directly depends on it, which ranges from 90 mm for household to 200 mm for professional models.
Hand tools for metal processing are not so diverse. There is only one type of hand saw that can cut this material. Its working body is a wide or narrow blade with fine hardened teeth. It is inserted into the bow holder and tightened with a screw.
Circular saws
The idea to replace the reciprocating movement of the cutting blade with a circular one can rightfully be called revolutionary. It arose after the advent of the electric motor and significantly increased the speed and productivity of work.
A typical representative of a tool that uses this principle is a circular saw. Its main advantages - mobility and high power overshadowed the modest capabilities of a hand hacksaw.
By design, circular electric saws are divided into gear and gearless. In the first case, the electric motor rotates the gear reducer, on the shaft of which there is a saw blade. The second option is to mount the disk directly on the motor rotor shaft. Both designs have a mechanism for adjusting the depth of cut and the angle of inclination.
The advantage of gear mechanisms is the ability to perform deeper cuts. Gearless saws have two advantages: lighter weight and affordable price.
In the passive, they are inclined against the course (negative sharpening angle).
Passive discs are indispensable when cutting metal. Active ones are used for wood processing. The disc teeth can be hard-faced. They make it possible to cut harder materials, but negatively affect the cleanliness of the cut.
The working capabilities of the tool depend on the power of the electric motor (from 0.65 to 2.5 kW). Manufacturers also indicate the maximum depth of cut that a circular saw can perform (from 25 to 85 mm).
A variation of this power tool is a circular saw, which is mounted on a fixed frame. This solution allows you to cut long and wide material with high accuracy.
Some manufacturers offer an interesting compromise - hand-held circular saws that can be turned over and fixed on the table, turning it into a stationary "circular saw".
When answering the question of what kind of saws are, it is impossible not to mention trimming devices. In this case, the circular saw is mounted on a pendulum arm. As a bed, a rotary plate with a conveyor (angular) marking is used.
The advantages of a miter saw over a circular saw are obvious: you can make perfectly precise cross cuts at any angle. This operation is especially important when joining various wooden parts (platband, plinth, lining, timber).
Chain saws
Often, when working with wood, it is not the cleanliness and accuracy of the cut that is important, but its depth. This is precisely the task that the chain saw solves - a powerful device with an electric or gasoline engine, designed for felling trees and cutting firewood.
It has two main interrelated technical parameters:
- Engine power;
- Tire length.
A tire is called two flat plates interconnected with a small gap for installing a saw chain. At one end it has a driven sprocket, and at the other there are cutouts for the tensioner.
Power chain saws with electric drive range from 1.5 to 4 kW. When choosing a device for household work on the site, it is better to stop at a power of 1.5 to 2 kW with a saw bar length of 30 to 40 cm. This is quite enough not only for sanitary pruning of the garden, but also for harvesting firewood.
If necessary, such a tool can dissolve a board, log or beam, although you will not get high quality and cutting accuracy.
There are two subspecies of chain saws:
- With lateral (transverse) placement of the engine;
- With longitudinal motor mounting.
The first type is simpler in design and cheaper in price. But the second one is more convenient to use, although more expensive due to the introduction of a gearbox into the design.
The main thing that gives the owner a chainsaw is autonomy. With such a tool, you can go to the forest and cut firewood there. You will have to pay a price for such a significant plus: chainsaws are more complex in design than electric ones. This difference is especially felt when buying a cheap "but-hire" device. Problems with starting, carburetor, rings and candles are frequent companions of such a purchase. Therefore, it is better to purchase a more expensive chainsaw than to lose money when operating an economy option.
Electric jigsaw
Circular saws and chain saws cannot replace a device that uses a narrow blade that moves up and down at high speed.
Thanks to this arrangement of the working body, the jigsaw allows you to quickly and accurately cut curved flat parts. Plywood, ceramics and plastic, OSB and soft metal - all this can be cut with a good jigsaw with a quality file.
Electric jigsaw
For each material, manufacturers make special saws that differ both in the inclination of the teeth and in their frequency.
For example, wood is better cut with a file with a large tooth. A sheet with a fine serrated notch will confidently handle sheet metal. We will not give special recommendations for choosing saws for electric jigsaws, since the manufacturer indicates the recommended type of material on each of them.
The main technical parameters of the jigsaw are engine power, saw blade stroke rate and maximum cutting depth (indicated for different materials).
For household models, these parameters are within the following limits:
- Power from 400 to 900 W.;
- Stroke frequency (with the possibility of smooth adjustment from 0 to 3000 rpm);
- Cutting depth (wood - 45-80 mm, steel from 4 to 20 mm).
A useful option for a jigsaw is a laser pointer. It helps to clearly see the direction of the cut when the marking line is hidden under a layer of sawdust. When choosing an electric jigsaw, pay special attention to the nozzle in which the file is attached. It should provide the most reliable clamp. Otherwise, the file will regularly jump out of its weak "embrace".
A logical development of the jigsaw design was a compact band saw. Its working body is a closed steel tape with teeth, which is rotated by an electric motor.
Sawing with it is easier than working with a jigsaw, which vibrates strongly and strives to escape from your hands. The cleanliness and precision of the cut of the band saw is perfect. This not only reduces waste, but also produces a cut surface that does not need to be sanded.
The workpiece here can be held with two hands, which increases the accuracy of operations when cutting curved elements.
The main indicator of band saws for wood is the depth of cut, which can be from 8 to 50 cm. An electric jigsaw and a circular saw are not able to cut such a thick material.
The remaining characteristics refer to cutting blades.
There are two categories here:
- Carbon saws (manufactured steel C75 and analogues);
- Alloyed saw blades made of D6A steel (have increased wear resistance and resistance to alternating loads).
Depending on the manufacturing technology and hardening of the cutting teeth, the blades are divided into two types:
- Saw bands with notched non-hardened teeth;
- Blades with cut hardened teeth.
The advantages of saws of the first type are low cost and the ability to cut wood with foreign inclusions: nails, stones, fragments. Such a blade works with small sawing volumes (2-4 m3 per day) and at a minimum feed rate (6-10 meters per minute).
The main advantage of a saw blade with a hardened tooth is its high wear resistance (2 times higher than that of saw blades with non-hardened cutters). Disadvantages - high cost and sensitivity to foreign inclusions.
The remaining parameters of band saws are reduced to a simple list:
- Web width;
- Number of teeth per length inch (TPI).
For standard wood sawing jobs, a 1/2″ wide band is optimal. Narrower blades (3/8") are used for curly cutting.
The number of teeth of the cutting belt directly affects the evenness of the cut (the more teeth, the smoother the cut). Coarse saw blades (2.3 TPI) are used for cutting wood and logs up to 200 mm thick. For cleaner work use saws with 6 TPI, and for precise cutting use size 10-14 TPI. The optimum size for achieving high productivity and good cut quality is 8 TPI.
A table band saw for metal is similar in design to a wood cutting device. However, its capabilities are more modest. This tool can only perform cross cutting of rolled steel (pipes, angle bars, fittings, channel bars) at different angles.
One of the differences between wood and many other building materials is the ease of processing. And, nevertheless, manufacturers produce a tool for sawing it in various modifications. What is the difference between this tool, 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 specifics of use for carpentry and joinery. The tools of the last group are designed for cutting dried wood. They provide a cleaner cut, and exactly on the markup. In other words, hacksaws of the carpentry category are chosen for fine work. Carpentry, respectively, for rough.
Such a tool is used when sawing logs, timber, 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 norm of choice for this indicator, which it is desirable to adhere to. The length of the blade should exceed the size of the most dimensional lumber with which it is supposed to work, approximately 2 times, at least.
Why? Firstly, the teeth of a hacksaw in the process of sawing a tree are clogged with sawdust. The double excess of the length ensures that the blade in the extreme positions will completely come out of the wood. As a result, its self-cleaning due to the fall of debris.
Secondly, the greater the amplitude of movement of the hands when working with the tool, the less they get tired. And this directly affects performance. If a hacksaw is chosen for intensive use, sawing large volumes of wood is more than important.
- If a hacksaw for wood is purchased as a household hand tool, for all cases, a canvas for 300 is enough.
- Overhaul, especially construction, is, among other things, sawing up of dimensional samples (log, board,). For such purposes, you should choose a hacksaw with a blade in the range of 475 ± 25.
Steel type
There are many grades of metals. For hacksaws for wood, as a rule, this is 45 HRC. The teeth are more difficult. They can be hardened (have a shade darker than that of the canvas) or without prior heat treatment.
Hardened teeth will not be sharpened. In fact, this hacksaw, although more durable, is in a sense disposable. If, due to negligence, non-compliance with the operating rules, the cutting edges of the tool are blunted, then it will not be possible to bring them into working condition. But for episodic work, small household chores related to sawing wood - the best option. Having chosen a hacksaw from a well-known manufacturer, there is no doubt that it will last for a long time.
Teeth that have not been hardened can be sharpened and straightened on their own. On the one hand, it is convenient and practical. But this requires experience in this matter. How many can boast of it? As a tool for everyday use, it is hardly worth buying such a hacksaw. But if we are talking about large-scale work with wood (the same construction), then this is the right choice. Involuntarily, you will have to master the basics of sharpening and editing, 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 bend limit. Initially, it is perfectly flat. You need to gently 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. Deviation of the section subjected to deformation from the center line by more than 2 mm is an indicator of low quality steel. It is 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 is subject to editing and sharpening. Trapezoidal cutting edges are hardened. They have already been mentioned above.
Tooth size
This characteristic of the hacksaw is displayed on the canvas with TPI symbols. The dimension of the value is the number of teeth / inch.
As a rule, masters are interested in 2 indicators of the efficiency of sawing wood - the 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 speed of cutting the material is reduced. And vice versa - a hacksaw with large cutting edges produces a cut at a higher speed, but its accuracy deteriorates.
- 3 - 6. This hacksaw is suitable for rough woodworking. For example, pruning large branches on the site, sawing small logs, boards, and so on. That is, in cases where the presence of a fringe on the edges is not critical, and cutting accuracy is not a defining 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 is no fringe and torn edges.
Hacksaw handle type
- Check if it is comfortable in your hand. The main difference between the hands of people is in size. The solution is simple - take a hacksaw in the palm of your hand, squeeze your fingers and make a few forward movements. A man will immediately understand whether “his” is a tool or it is better to choose something else.
- The handles of hacksaws for wood are classic (cast) and flip. The first allows you to replace the canvas.
And here it is more interesting. If you choose a hacksaw with a flip handle, then it makes sense to purchase a product with a “disposable” blade with hardened teeth. Even in the case of careless handling of the tool, it will be possible to “repair” it. It should only be clarified whether there are replacement canvases on sale (it is at this outlet or another in this locality) and whether they are in short supply. When buying a hacksaw for small chores, it is enough to take 1 spare. Given 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 “pitch” of three adjacent cutting edges must be less than the cross section of the wood blank being cut. It 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 method of cutting 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 direction “away from you”. This tool is quite specific and as a household one, you should not choose it for everyday use.
Hacksaws for wood with a transverse blade are considered universal. Sawing is carried out during its course both forward and backward. Such a tool is easy to determine by the two-sided sharpening of the cutting edges.
A brief overview of the most purchased hacksaws for wood
This TOP-list is based on the results of the analysis of reviews, opinions posted on thematic forums. To say that they are the only true ones would not be entirely correct. But it is hardly worth ignoring them completely. If people in practice used one or another hacksaw for wood, 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. Teeth of triangular shape with hardening, plastic handle, cut both longitudinal and transverse. The range is impressive. A large selection of hacksaws of this brand in terms of TPI and blade length allows you to purchase the best 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 a TPI = 8. Wood is cut in any direction. For a private house or cottage - an excellent choice.
Price - 849.
"Gross Piranha"
This hacksaw is available in the market in different versions. 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 that facilitates the cutting process. In addition, the cleanliness of the edges is close to ideal.
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 hard rocks, no significant effort is required. Those who have to regularly work with lumber at home should pay attention.
Price - from 705.
Bahco
Previously, such wood saws went on sale under the Sandvik logo, so they are known to many. Production has been established at several sites, and in the Russian Federation these samples are more often imported under the brand name "Tescha". The cost is lower while the quality remains high. Bahco hacksaws belong to the group of professional tools, which is hardly advisable to choose for fine work with wood. But cheaper products "Tescha" - just right for those who want to save money wisely.
Price - from 389 (360 mm).
About what criteria should be used to evaluate a hacksaw for sawing wood, it is described in detail, the main recommendations are given. And what exactly to choose, it's up to you, dear reader.
It is very difficult to do on a private plot or cottage without a hand saw for wood. This tool also has the name "hacksaw". With such a simple device, you can cut trees or branches in the garden, shorten fences and do many more types of work where you need to change the length of some kind of wooden product: boards, laminate, and so on.
It is unlikely that anyone seriously thought about it, but if you make the right choice of a saw, then its service life will depend on this, as well as the convenience of work and the quality of the cut. That is why it is necessary to know all the basic parameters for the correct choice of such a carpentry tool.
Choosing a saw
In the markets and shops there is a wide variety of hacksaws for wood. They all differ in several parameters:
- the shape and size of the teeth;
- canvas size;
- steel grade from which the canvas is made;
- handle shape.
If one of the specified parameters changes, then the hacksaw will also radically change its original characteristics. All these factors must be considered when buying a tool for different cases. Also, you should always make sure that the saw sat very well in the hand of the master, because it will greatly facilitate the work. You should not buy a tool with a small handle for a person who has large hands. Such a hacksaw will be very inconvenient to use, and therefore the quality of the cut will suffer.
Tooth size
This parameter will greatly affect the speed of work, as well as quality. To make it convenient to determine the size and number of teeth, the designation TPI was specially introduced, which should indicate the number of teeth in one inch. Such a parameter can always be found in the description of the tool, and this value is also very often drawn directly on the canvas.
- Hacksaw for wood with a large tooth will provide a rough cut, as well as high speed. This parameter will be needed for sawing large boards, firewood and branches. The TPI of such an instrument is 3…6.
- If there is a need to make a neat and even cut, then you need to buy a saw with fine teeth - T PI 7 ... 9. Such a hacksaw is ideal for sawing chipboard, fiberboard, laminate. But it is worth noting that the performance will be much less than that of a coarse-toothed hacksaw.
The joiner's saw is selected according to the size of the teeth. For processing ordinary wood, you can buy large or small, and for delicate materials such as fiberboard, it is better to purchase a fine-toothed saw. There are several designations in stores: for drywall, for wood, and so on. The difference lies in the same size of the teeth. For each material, the optimal size will be selected.
The teeth can also differ in their shape, and this will affect the purpose of the tool:
- For longitudinal sawing teeth are made triangular with oblique corners. Their appearance will resemble hooks that are sharpened from 2 sides. Such a saw will slide along the grain of the wood and make a very smooth cut, leaving no nicks.
- For cross cutting teeth are made in the form of an isosceles triangle. This type of hacksaw cuts when passing back and forth, but it is advisable to use it only on dry wood.
- Sometimes it is necessary to use a mixed type of sawing, and for this option, two types of cloves are ideal, which are alternately located one after the other. Long curved ones will cut materials in the forward direction, and triangles, when moving backwards, expand the channel and cling to sawdust and chips.
Steel
No one wants a saw to fail after only a few uses, so it is advisable to choose the highest grades of steel. Teeth can be regular or hardened. Ordinary ones are sharpened at home.
Hard-tooth saws are disposable, because when they wear out, nothing can be done with them on their own. This species is very easy to detect by its dark color. It is advisable to choose a saw that is made of stainless steel, as it can often be very damp in garages, and therefore the saw will become covered with unnecessary corrosion. And there are often situations when work is carried out on the street, but after use the saw is forgotten on the site, then it rains, after which the tool also becomes rusty.
Blade length
This parameter will be determined by the pitch of the teeth and the size of the saw.
- Small hacksaws are equipped with small and frequent teeth, the length of the blade will not exceed 350 mm.
- Universal hacksaws are available with an average tooth size, and the length of the entire tool is no more than 550 mm.
- A wide hacksaw has large teeth and an increased pitch; the length of the blade is usually no more than 600 mm.
The canvas can vary not only in length, but also in shape. A traditional saw is usually tapered on one side of the rectangle. This suggests that you have purchased a universal tool that can be used to cut various objects. The rounded blade is usually used to cut branches or other objects from a distance. Such a hacksaw is very light and glides on wood with high quality, without causing much trouble to the owner.
Lever
Thanks to the handle, the convenience of carrying out any work is carried out. The tool should fit perfectly in the hand, and also be very comfortable. To make the handle, different plastics are used, which will be pleasant to the touch. When choosing, make sure that material will not slip if your hand gets sweaty while working. It is for this purpose that special grooves and recesses are made in the handle, as well as rubberized lining. It is these parameters that all manufacturers take into account, and therefore produce products that differ in a wide variety of handles.
Varieties
In modern shops and markets there is a huge variety of saws for any purpose. Therefore, in order to understand which tool is useful for you, you must first familiarize yourself with all their types.
Choice by purpose
As already found out, there is a wide variety of saws, but the choice of a hacksaw should also be carried out in accordance with certain types of work:
- For rip sawing, a swing saw must be used.
- Transverse will cope well with wood, where there is a transverse arrangement of fibers.
- Spike can cut various grooves and spikes, as well as technological recesses in the tree.
- Vyruzhnaya cuts holes of various shapes.
- Folding hacksaw is used on trees.
The choice should always be made according to the main purpose for which a certain tool is purchased. For a household, a saw with interchangeable blades is suitable, and it is also desirable to have several types of cutting tools at home.
It is very difficult to master all the information and choose exactly the saw that is suitable for a particular situation. That is why it is advisable to study a few more tips that will help you choose the right hacksaw.
What is the best wood saw? You should not ask such a question, because each tool is useful for a specific situation. Therefore, you need to know how to choose a hacksaw for wood, depending on the purpose. By following these simple rules, you can easily find the right tool that is right for you.
In the arsenal of a home master there is always a functional and easy-to-use circular saw. But there are situations when you need to saw off a part and do a small amount of woodwork, and there is no time or desire to deploy and connect the unit. In these cases, a hand hacksaw perfectly saves. But how to choose a manual hacksaw for wood so that it is convenient to use and easily “gnaws through” any type of wood, we will consider in more detail.
- Blade tooth parameters
- Types of hand saws for wood
- Option #1 - narrow
- Option #2 - normal
- Option # 3 - with a butt
- Option # 4 - bow
- Recommendations for choosing a tool
Tool Specifications
The saw is rightfully considered the ancestor of a large family of hand tools. Since the creation of the first type of tool from iron, the saw has undergone many changes, having managed to acquire numerous “sisters” capable of performing dozens of jobs.
In the household, it is impossible to do without "toothy helpers": they are indispensable for pruning the garden, small carpentry and joinery work
Hand saws for wood differ from each other in many ways: blade size, steel grade, tooth shape, handle design. Let's dwell on each parameter in more detail.
How should a hacksaw blade be?
The main part of the tool is a 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, the longer the blade, the more springy it is, which also complicates the process, especially when working with hardwoods such as ash, maple or oak.
The long stroke makes it possible to apply less effort when sawing, since a large number of teeth are cut in one stroke.
For sawing small elements such as skirting boards, bars or narrow slats, you can get by with a hacksaw with a blade length of 25-30 cm. When planning to use the tool when performing more serious construction work, choose a product with a blade 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 processed elements by 2 times. If you do not follow this recommendation, you will only complicate your work. The teeth of a short hacksaw will stick inside the wood, and everyone will have to make a lot of effort in order to advance the tool to free it from sawdust. Uncomfortable work will cause premature fatigue.
Traditionally, the width of the fabric of the product varies in the range of 10-20 cm. Models with a narrower fabric are not allowed for technical reasons, since they fail at the slightest bend. But it should be borne in mind that too wide canvases are inconvenient for manual work.
Of no small importance is the material of manufacture of the blade, which is most often alloyed steel, as well as its degree of hardening.
For hacksaws, tool alloy steel with a high content of silicon and carbon grades is used:
- 65G, 60 S2A;
- 8 HF, 9 HF, 9 HS;
- U7, U7A, U8, U8A, U8G, U8GA, U9A, U10
Hardening of the metal is carried out by exposing it to an alternating magnetic field, in which a high-frequency electric current appears. Spreading over the surface, it heats the surface layer of the metal, which hardens after cooling.
The standard parameter is the metal hardness of 45 HRC, but it is still preferable to choose products whose web hardness is 55-60 HRC. A hacksaw with a high hardness blade will have sufficient flexibility, but at the same time high tooth stability. With an external examination, such a tool can be identified by the darkish shade of sharpened teeth.
Blade tooth parameters
The determining indicator of the performance of the tool 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 wood and simultaneously remove sawdust
Sawing accuracy is determined by the "TPI" indicator - the number of teeth per inch.
There is an inverse relationship between these technical parameters:
- canvases with large teeth set a high speed of work, but the saw cut turns out to be rough and sloppy;
- hacksaws with fine teeth guarantee a clean and precise cut, but at a relatively slow working speed.
When determining the required tooth size, one should be guided by the type of material being processed. For example, for work with chipboard, where high precision of the cut is required, choose a tool with a high TPI of 7-9, and for sawing logs and gardening, where the cleanliness of the cut is not so essential, choose a TPI of 3-6.
When choosing the best hacksaw option, follow the rule that the minimum log thickness should in any case be more than a three-tooth pitch
If we compare a hardened and ordinary tooth, then the difference lies in the fact that in the first variant, subject to domestic use, the product does not dull for a long time. But a hacksaw with a hardened tooth can no longer be sharpened again. When she starts to cut badly, she will just have to be thrown away.
A normal tooth can be sharpened. Periodically, it can be performed 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 of modern tools are equipped with teeth that are made in the shape of a trapezoid. This solution allows you to make the canvas more durable and wear-resistant.
But it should be borne in mind that sharpening such a blade is very problematic, since it is difficult for trapezoidal teeth to give 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
Often on the market you can also find a modernized type of hacksaws.
Upgraded hacksaws are easy to distinguish by the groups of teeth located on the canvas, between which the gaps are clearly visible.
Modernized type hand saws are effective for cutting raw wood. Wet chips through the gaps between the teeth in the process of sawing easily come out of the cut, without hindering the movement of the tool.
Types of hand saws for wood
Option #1 - narrow
A small narrow saw is a design that consists of a straight flat blade and a handle. She performs delicate work: through cuts, cut out curved parts.
This type of tool is designed for sawing wooden blanks, the thickness of which does not exceed 8-10 cm, sawing small branches and small garden work.
In the manufacture of 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 canvas can deviate from a given direction.
Option #2 - normal
A standard hand saw can be equipped with any type of teeth and is often equipped with interchangeable blades of various types and designs.
To be able to saw off workpieces at a certain angle using a standard hand saw, you have to purchase special miter boxes
But despite the declared versatility of their application, it is not advisable to use saws of this type in the manufacture of furniture.
Option # 3 - with a butt
Both narrow and conventional saws are prone to bending when the material being processed increases in rigidity. In these cases, it is effective to use canvases equipped with a backing, which acts as a kind of stiffener.
Hand saws equipped with a back are designed to create shallow cuts in a wooden surface of any thickness.
The presence of the butt prevents the saw from making a cut deeper than the width of the blade, as it prevents the cutting blade from passing further into the tree.
Option # 4 - bow
Bow-type saws are more bulky devices that act as an analogue of a jigsaw.
The main purpose of this type of saws is to create an accurate cut when working with surfaces located at any angle.
Due to the solidity of the design and the threaded connections of the handles, bow-type saws are able to easily overcome knots, cutting along radii and curvilinear patterns.
Depending on the purpose and design solution, saws can be:
- swing - for longitudinal cutting;
- transverse - for sawing blanks across the wood fiber;
- rounded - for cutting holes, making roundings and figured sawing;
- spiked - for cutting connecting spikes, as well as sawing simple geometric shapes on a workpiece.
Only with a bow-type hacksaw can you cut the material up and down, sawing blanks with complex lines and doing the work alone without involving 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 finger pad. The presence of a rubber insert allows you to make 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
On sale there are products with standard and flip-over handles. The second option is convenient in that it allows, if necessary, to replace the worn canvas with a new one.
Keep in mind that not all hand saws go on sale already sharpened. And this seemingly trifle largely determines how soon you can get to work.
There are many companies that manufacture hacksaws on the market. Judging by the reviews, they have proven themselves well: the Zubr hacksaw of 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 suggest you watch a video with tips on choosing:
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