Until now, there is no such tool as a hacksaw for wood, or when working with it you experience a lot of inconvenience, it's time to fix the situation and get a good saw, having understood in detail all the characteristics of the tool.

Hacksaws for wood differ in the size of the blade, steel grade, the shape of the teeth and the handle. Now in more detail about each aspect.

Blade characteristics: length, width, hardness

Particular attention should be paid to the hacksaw blade. The cutting capabilities of the saw itself depend on its quality characteristics. If the blade is long, then when sawing hard wood: oak, ash or maple, difficulties will arise, since the blade will spring, which will require more effort to get the job done.

When it is necessary to perform work on sawing small elements: baseboards, slats, then a blade length of up to 30 cm will be sufficient.To sawing thicker bars or even logs, you will need a tool with a cutting length of at least 45 cm.

Here is the simplest rule for determining the optimal length of the blade, which will allow you to minimize the effort spent when cutting: the length of the cutting part should be twice the thickness of the part to be cut. A hacksaw that is too short will constantly get stuck inside the piece being cut, and you will quickly get tired.

As for the width of the canvas, then we choose the golden mean. If it is too narrow, then there is a risk of breaking the tool during bending, and when working with a blade that is too wide, inconvenience will arise. The width should be between 10 and 20 cm.

The hacksaw blade is made of tool alloy steel, grade U10, U8GA, U8G, U8A, U8, U7A, U7, 9 XC, 8 HF, 9 HF, U9A, 60 C2A, 65G.

The admissible parameters of the hardness of the alloy of the cutting part of the saw are considered to be 45. But nevertheless, choose a blade that has large parameters in terms of hardness: 55-60 HRC. Such a tool has the necessary flexibility and at the same time strong teeth. These teeth have a characteristic darkish tint.

Determine by teeth

We are interested in the dimensions of the teeth. There is such a coefficient: "TPI" (number of teeth of the blade per inch). For example, to work with chipboard TPI should be about 7-9 (meaning 7-9 teeth per inch). If the work is mainly gardening: sawing logs, branches, then rarer teeth are also suitable - from 3 to 6 teeth per inch.

Saw blades with sparse and large "teeth" can set a high cutting speed, however, at the same time, the cut will be chipped. A blade where the number of teeth is larger and their size is smaller, on the contrary, leaves behind a clean cut, without burrs, but the operating speed is quite low.

Don't be too quick to conclude that the best wood hacksaws have hardened teeth. Indeed, at home, the use of such a tool for a long time does not lead to tooth wear. However, it will no longer be possible to sharpen them again. When the teeth become dull, the tool will only have to be thrown away.

But you can sharpen an ordinary, non-heat-treated tooth. To sharpen a saw, it is enough to take a special file marked with an abbreviation of three letters: accident (for turning saws), and walk it over each tooth.

Video: saw sharpening technique

There are several types of hand saws:

• Longitudinal. Has an oblique tooth. Seen from the side, it looks like a hook. They are used when sawing large wooden elements along the fibers. The tooth in such saws is sharpened on both sides, which makes it possible to cut not only in one direction.
• Transverse. Has a tooth in the shape of an isosceles triangle. Double-sided sharpening. This makes it possible to cut in two directions. Suitable for sawing only dry wood.
• For mixed sawing. It has triangular teeth, alternating with elongated, semicircular teeth. This shape of the edge of the blade allows you to effectively cut with semicircular teeth when moving forward, while triangular ones when moving backward expand the cutting groove, while removing the sawdust and shavings formed at the cutting site. Designed for infrequent use.
• Trapezoidal. Has three cutting edges. Sawing by hand with this type of teeth is a pleasure - effortless, quick and easy. However, sharpening this type of tooth is very difficult, and in some cases even impossible.
• Upgraded. The teeth are located on the edge of the blade in groups, with characteristic gaps between them. They are used when sawing raw wood. The gaps between the groups of teeth allow wet chips to easily exit the cutting area without clogging the cutting edge.

The following types of hacksaws can be distinguished:

	Narrow. Designed for smaller jobs: cutting curved wood elements no more than 8-10 cm thick. Very convenient for gardening to remove small branches.
	Regular. On a canvas of this type, different types of teeth, both modernized and trapezoidal, can be present. Convenience is that the canvases are replaceable. However, due to inaccurate cutting, it is not recommended to use it in the manufacture of wooden structures.
	With a backing. This cutting tool received this name because of the characteristic stiffener that runs along the edge of the upper part of the blade. This allows you to avoid unwanted bends in the cutting part of the hacksaw during work. They are used in works where it is necessary to make shallow and accurate cuts in the workpiece.
	Luchkovaya. It is somewhat reminiscent of a jigsaw, with which it is possible to easily make a curvilinear and accurate cut, even in the presence of knots.

Also saws are:

• Sweeping. Used for longitudinal cuts.
• Transverse. Used for cross cut.
• Circumferential. Used when making holes, curved sawing.
• Spike. Used to cut connecting tenons.

The folding saw is the most popular among tourists. It looks like a large folding knife with a serrated blade snapped into the handle. Firstly, you do not need a special cover, and, secondly, such a saw takes up little space. Such folding saws are able to cut a tree trunk up to 14 cm, which makes it an indispensable tool on long hikes.

So, we examined the main types of hacksaws for wood: in 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:

1. For what purpose. If for carpentry work, then the blade should be with a fine tooth. If you do carpentry - with a large one.
2. How often will it be applied. If from time to time, it is better to take with a hardened tooth.
3. What is the quality of the metal. Bend the canvas at an angle of 30–45º, then let it flatten again. If after that it visually did not return to its original position, then the quality of the metal of the cutting part of the hacksaw leaves much to be desired.
4. What is the price. If the product is expensive, then it is not consumer goods. It is better to pay for durability and durability than to simply throw away the saw, and with it the money. However, for infrequent use, you can take a cheaper tool.

The tool handle should also not be forgotten when choosing a saw. It is better to buy a tool with a solid handle, where, as a rule, there is a rubberized insert for the fingers. These rubber pads allow for a tighter grip with the hand, which will save you from the appearance of calluses.

Video: technical characteristics of hacksaws for wood

It is very difficult to do on a private plot or cottage without a hand saw for wood. This tool is also called "hacksaw". With such a simple device, you can cut trees or branches in the garden, shorten fences and perform many more types of work where you need to change the length of some wooden product: boards, laminate flooring, and so on.

It is unlikely that someone seriously thought about this, but if you make the right choice of a saw, then its service life, as well as the convenience of work and the quality of the cut, will depend on it. That is why it is necessary to know all the basic parameters for the correct choice of such a carpentry tool.

Choosing a saw

There is a wide variety of hacksaws in the markets and shops. They all differ in several parameters:

• the shape and size of the teeth;
• the size of the canvas;
• the brand of steel from which the canvas is made;
• the shape of the handle.

If one of the specified parameters changes, then the hacksaw saw will radically change its initial characteristics. All these factors must be taken into account when buying a tool for different cases. Also, you should always make sure that the saw sat very well in the master's hand, because this will greatly facilitate the work. It is not worth purchasing 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 the 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 also this value is very often drawn directly on the canvas.

1. Hacksaw for wood with a large tooth will provide a rough cut, as well as a high speed of work. This parameter is needed for sawing large boards, firewood and branches. The TPI of such an instrument is 3 ... 6.
2. 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 productivity will be much less than that of a coarse-toothed hacksaw.

The carpentry saw is matched 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. The optimal size will be selected for each material.

The teeth can also differ in their shape, and this will affect the purpose of the tool:

1. For rip sawing the teeth are made in a triangular shape with oblique corners. Their appearance will resemble hooks that are sharpened from 2 sides. This saw will slide along the grain of the wood and make the cut very evenly, without leaving jagged edges.
2. For cross cutting denticles are made in the shape of an isosceles triangle. This type of hacksaw cuts when going back and forth, but it is advisable to use it only on dry wood.
3. 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 the materials in the forward direction, and the triangles, when moving backward, will expand the channel and cling to sawdust and shavings.

Steel

No one wants the saw to fail after a few uses, and therefore it is advisable to choose the highest grade of steel. Teeth can be regular or hardened. Ordinary ones are sharpened at home.

Saws with hardened teeth are disposable, because when they wear out, nothing can be done with them on their own. This type is very easy to spot by its dark color. It is advisable to choose a saw that is made of stainless steel, since it can often be very damp in garages, and therefore the saw will be 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 is also covered with rust.

Blade length

This parameter will be determined by the pitch of the teeth and the size of the saw.

1. Small hacksaws are equipped with small and frequent teeth, the length of the blade will not exceed 350 mm.
2. Universal hacksaws are available with an average tooth size, and the length of the entire tool is no more than 550 mm.
3. A wide hacksaw has large teeth and an increased pitch, the blade length is usually no more than 600 mm.

The canvas can differ 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 versatile tool that can be used to saw various objects. A 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 any special 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 a handle, different plastics are used, which will be pleasant to the touch. When choosing, make sure that the material will not slip if your hand gets sweaty while working. It is for this purpose that special grooves and grooves are made in the handle, as well as rubberized pads. It is these parameters that all manufacturers take into account, and therefore they produce products that differ in a wide variety of handles.

Varieties

Modern stores and markets have a huge variety of saws for every purpose. Therefore, in order to understand which tool is useful for you, you first need to familiarize yourself with all their types.

Selection 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:

1. For rip sawing, a jigsaw must be used.
2. The transverse will cope well with wood where there is a transverse arrangement of fibers.
3. With a tenon, you can cut various grooves and tenons, as well as technological recesses in a tree.
4. Circular cuts holes of various shapes.
5. A folding hacksaw is used on trees.

The choice must always be made according to the main purpose for which a certain instrument 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 the exact 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 hacksaw for wood? You shouldn't ask this 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 adhering to these simple rules, you can easily find the right tool that is right for you.

Hacksaw – This is a hand-held joiner's and locksmith's tool which is a kind of a saw. Depending on the design, it can be used to cut wood, metal, plastic, aerated concrete and other materials. The tool consists of two parts - a working blade with sharp teeth and a handle for a comfortable grip.

Varieties of hacksaws

Hand saws come in two configurations - for wood and for metal. Wood hacksaws have large teeth and can also be used for cutting aerated concrete and drywall. Saws for metal are capable of cutting almost any material, including wood, plastic, drywall, aerated concrete, expanded polystyrene, polystyrene, etc. They have small cutters, so the cut is neat, and small chips are formed.

Hacksaw for wood

The hacksaw is one of the most ancient tools. It appeared much earlier than the modification for working with metals. There are several varieties of it:

• Classic.
• Circumferential.
• Spike.

Classic

Which is also called wide or regular, is a standard hand sawing tool. It is intended for longitudinal or transverse cuts. It can be used to shorten a board or cut a branch. This is a standard carpentry and joinery tool. Such a saw provides a fast cut, while the cut is rather rough and large chips are formed. Its teeth have a triangular shape, the pitch between them is from 1.5 to 6.5 mm.

Circumferential or narrow

This is a more focused instrument. Due to the small width of the canvas, it can be used to cut curved elements. The main purpose of such a tool is not ordinary trimming, but the ability to cut sheet material when work is required along a strictly defined contour. A narrow blade is more maneuverable and allows you to bypass drawn bends, which cannot be done with wide hacksaws. These saws are much lighter and more compact. They can have teeth on both sides that differ in size. This makes it possible to create a slice of different purity. Choosing finer teeth will result in a smoother cut.

Thorn

Also called passovoy or obushkoy- This is a specific tool, the main purpose of which is to remove protruding spikes and grooves. These saws are used by carpenters and joiners for a clean and smooth cut. The blade of this tool is the thinnest, so the cut is narrow. In order for the canvas not to constantly bend on the side opposite from the incisors, the butt clings, increasing the rigidity. Due to the presence of a butt, it is impossible to make a cut with a depth wider than the height of the blade. Such a tool has fine teeth in the shape of an isosceles triangle. It is used exclusively for cross cutting. The thickness of the working part does not exceed 1-1.5 mm.

Varieties of teeth

Wood is a specific material that can be difficult to cut depending on the direction. In this regard, hacksaws are divided into three categories:

• For longitudinal cuts.
• For cross cut.
• Universal.
• Specialized.

For longitudinal cuts

The hacksaw has special teeth that are angled forward at an acute angle. As a result of movement, they provide cutting of wood fibers and chipping of sawdust. Such equipment guarantees the fastest possible work in cases where it is necessary to separate the board in the direction of the fibers. In this case, rather large sawdust is formed, the size of which depends on the height of the teeth. The larger they are, the faster the work goes. If it is necessary to cut off even a thin branch, such a saw will be ineffective.

For cross cut

A hacksaw with straight teeth is used. This tool is a great choice for trimming planks or cutting branches in the garden. It is he who is suitable for harvesting firewood or shortening the handle for a shovel. The vast majority of all hand sawing equipment for wood is transverse.

Universal

This is a transverse modification, but with a special sharpening of the teeth, which makes it possible to compensate for the lack of the obtained angle of attack to the wood fibers. There are also specialized types of hacksaws, in which the teeth are arranged in groups of several pieces. There is a small gap between the groups. Such a tool is designed to work with raw wood. The distance between the cutters provides cleaning of wet chips, which can be removed independently without the need for manual cleaning.

Specialized

Especially for working with aerated concrete, a special specialized structure with victorious solders was developed. This tool provides a harder penetration into the surface and faster cuts in tough materials. Such a hacksaw is quite suitable for both transverse and longitudinal sawing.

When choosing a saw, you should pay attention not only to the direction of the teeth, but also to their size. There are 3 types of incisors:

• 2-2.5 mm- for accurate work with small parts.
• 3-3.5 mm- for medium-sized workpieces.
• 4-6 mm- for rough cutting of timber and firewood.

Hacksaws for metal

A hacksaw for metal has a special design, which consists of a cutting blade and a frame for fastening it. The canvases are removable. They have small teeth that are specially hardened. It is very tightly made of high-speed steel, but nevertheless, as a result of operation, it is erased quite quickly, there are also cases of breaking of individual teeth. The dimensions of such a tool rarely exceed 400 mm in length. The cutting depth is limited by the height of the frame.

At the ends of the web there are through holes through which the fastener is inserted to the frame. It should also be borne in mind that the direction of the teeth for cutting is of particular importance, therefore arrows are placed on the blades, guiding by which you can carry out the correct fastening. If you confuse the side, then the speed of work is significantly reduced. A hacksaw for metal allows you to adjust the length of the installed blades. There are also professional saws that allow you to adjust the slope of the edge by turning it at an angle of 45, 90 and 180 degrees.

Blades manufacturers produce them with teeth on one side and on both sides. By choosing the latter, it is possible to turn over the used cutting edge. This will give you a sharp and ready-to-use instrument again. When working with a hacksaw for metal, a high-quality and smooth cut is ensured. The tool can cut almost any material except stone and concrete.

It is worth noting that for the metal hacksaw frame, special blades are produced for working with wood. This allows you to significantly expand the scope of the frame. It should be noted that in this configuration, the tool is still inferior to a specialized saw for wood.

When choosing any tool, regardless of the material for which it is intended for cutting, you should pay attention to the size of the teeth. The larger they are, the faster it will be possible to cut the required workpiece. In this case, the quality of the cut will turn out to be rather rough, while large sawdust will form. Small cutters allow you to get the most flat surface, while the sawing process will take much longer. The delay is associated with the difficulty in removing sawdust and lower penetration efficiency into the material.

It is also worth noting that the convenience of work depends on the handle. The softer and more pleasant it is in the hand, the easier it will be to use the tool. The best are rubberized grips. They do not slip, and in addition, they significantly reduce chafing.

Fancy hiking hacksaws

A hacksaw is not only a joiner's tool, but also an effective tool for preparing firewood. With it, it is much easier to split the trunk of a tree into decks than in the case of using an ax. In this regard, there are specialized camping saws that are compact in size. Their main task is to provide an easy cross-section. The vast majority of these models are folded like an ordinary pocket knife.

There are also universal pocket hacksaws, the design of which provides for folding the working blade inside the handle, as is the case with an assembly or clerical knife. Such a tool is designed to work with wood and scrap metal. It is convenient to carry with you, but its effectiveness is minimal and will allow you to perform the simplest tasks.

A compact file for metal, which is a small handle, put on a canvas, is very convenient to carry. Such a weapon is as compact and inexpensive as possible. During work, there is a high probability of breaking the blade, since it is constantly bending.

Despite the variety of modern materials, it is difficult to imagine handicrafts without wood. Therefore, for a home workshop, carpentry tools are most in demand. With the help of them, wood is processed, crafts are made from wood and structures, consisting of wooden parts.

Carpentry tools, based on their purpose, can be divided into several groups:

• shock;
• sawing;
• chopping;
• measuring;
• marking;
• boring;
• chopping;
• auxiliary.

The sawing tool is designed for cutting and sawing wood parts according to specified dimensions. Such devices include a hacksaw for wood, which is a type of hand saw.

All hacksaws differ from each other in their characteristics: size, steel grade of the blade, shape of the handle and teeth.

Dimensions and material of the canvas

The dimensions of the canvas depend on the needs of the buyer. If it is necessary to saw boards, a block of small diameter, it is enough for the hacksaw blade to reach 28-30 cm.For construction, it is more convenient and more expedient to use a blade of 45-50 cm.The dimensions may be larger, they directly depend on the size of the wood with which it is planned to work.

In order to make it more convenient to work, the length of the workpiece should be two times less than the blade... If this rule is followed, then the arm movements will be more sweeping, and the arm will not quickly get tired. In addition, the teeth of the hacksaw during cutting completely come out of the workpiece, this contributes to the effective removal of sawdust. The width of the canvas varies from 10 cm to 20 cm.

Hacksaws are made of alloy steel containing silicon and various types of carbon grades. Quenching of some is carried out by exposing the metal to an alternating magnetic field. One of the indicators of the quality of the canvas is its hardness, which is measured by the Rockwell method using the C scale, hence the abbreviation HRC.

A tip with a diamond cone or strong balls is pressed into the test piece as an indicator. Based on the penetration depth of the indicator, the hardness of the investigated material is determined on the Rockwell scale. For the hacksaw blade, the standard hardness is 45 HRC. Steel with hardness from 55 HRC to 60 HRC is used for teeth. With such indicators, the tool is distinguished by the flexibility of the blade and high wear resistance of the teeth.

Handle shape

Comfort of work depends on the shape of the tool handle. To ensure the working stroke of the hacksaw, the handle is attached to the back of the blade. While some manufacturers make tools with pistol grips, most make heavy-duty closed plastic or wooden grips. On some models, the closed plastic handles act as a large square.

Varieties of teeth

The tool blade has a series of pointed teeth along the incisal edge. If they stand evenly next to each other, the canvas will jam immediately in the first minutes of work, so they are bent in different directions one by one. Depending on the purpose of the saw, the teeth are given different shapes:

Tooth size can be indicated in two ways. The first is by the number of teeth per inch when calculating the distance between the vertices, the second is between the bases.

Models with variable tooth spacing are available. Sawing starts with fine teeth, and closer to the handle the distance between the teeth increases.

Operation and maintenance rules

If the workpiece is not positioned correctly, it can affect the result of the work being performed. Therefore, the workpiece must be positioned so that the tilt of the hacksaw to the surface is at an angle of 45º, and the blade is in line with the forearm.

For a smooth cut, the blade can be rubbed with a candle.

When working with the tool, keep the index finger in the direction of the blade in an extended position. The blade is guided by the joint of the thumb of the free hand. In this case, you need to cut with short reciprocating movements. After the cut has been formed, the movements of the saw should be smooth along the entire length of the blade. If the saw deviates from the marking line, you need to turn it slightly, returning it to the desired path. When narrowing the cut, use a small wedge.

At the end of the cut, hold the retract with your free hand. Smooth and gentle cutting of the last fibers will prevent the workpiece from splitting.

To extend the operational life of a hacksaw, you must:

• Put on plastic protection on the teeth.
• If you do not use the tool for a long time, before starting work, you need to wipe the canvas with an oiled rag to prevent corrosion.
• It is necessary to remove rust stains from the canvas with a wire sponge, having previously moistened it with white spirit.

There is a wide variety of sawing tools that differ depending on the type of work that needs to be done.

Hacksaws with backing

This tool is perfect suitable for delicate work... A massive brass or steel strip covers the upper edge of the canvas. It prevents the saw from bending, and the weight makes it easier to cut by assisting in downward hand pressure.

Types of hacksaws with backing:

Work with a hacksaw with a backing begins with short strokes towards yourself, while the tool is held at a slight angle. As the cut is formed, the tool is lowered to a horizontal position.

For curved sawing

For cutting curved parts, there are tools of various sizes, which allow working with wood material of any thickness.

This group includes the following types of hacksaws:

A narrow hacksaw is used as usual, all others require certain skills in work.

Japanese hacksaws

Japanese hacksaws work when moving towards themselves, so their blades are thin, and the teeth are planted very often. They make a narrow cut without virtually breaking the grain of the wood. The handles are wrapped in split bamboo.

Japanese hacksaws are represented by the following types:

To choose which hacksaw will be better for wood, you need to decide on the purpose of purchasing it. A large-toothed hacksaw is used in carpentry and a fine-toothed hacksaw in carpentry.

If the tool is rarely used, then it will be right to choose a model with hardened teeth, since in the process of work you will not have to think about their divorce and sharpening.

Inspecting whether the tool is of high quality, you need to bend the blade at an angle of 45º and release it. If, upon re-examination, any deviations in the fold are noticeable, this indicates a low quality of the metal.

If you choose a tool handle, then it is most convenient to work with a solid one, which has a rubberized support for the fingers. Models with flip and standard handles are available. Reversible handles allow you to change the blade in a hacksaw at any time.

Manufacturers rating

The rating of manufacturers will help to identify the best hacksaws for wood. At the same time, you can be sure that the tool is reliable and will last a long time. These are the models of the Swedish company Bahco, the American manufacturer is represented by the Stanley models, the models of the German company Gross can compete with.

The ZUBR Expert models are in the first place due to their budgetary cost and versatility. On the second - hacksaws Gross Piranha Teflon coated, hardened teeth with triangular laser sharpening. In third place is a good quality tool with a low price - Stanley General Purpose. It features easy rip and cross cuts.