Hacksaw for longitudinal cutting of wood. Hacksaw for wood - the secrets to choosing the perfect tool
Every real master (even at home) always has a convenient and multifunctional circular power saw. But sometimes there are such types of work when you need to saw off only one part, or just perform small amounts of work, and get electrical device do not want. In this case, a hacksaw blade will help you out. But how to choose a good hacksaw for wood, which will be easy to use and can easily "gnaw" any type of wood, we will consider further.
By right, it is the saw that can be called the mother of all hand tools... Since the moment people understood the importance of iron and created the first saw, the tool has changed many times and already has a dozen "sisters" that can do any kind of work.
Let's take a closer look at what each of these parameters should be.
Hacksaw blade - what it should be
The main part of the tool is the canvas. The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing a hacksaw for wood is the length of the blade. A lot will depend on this, at least even the possibilities in application.
At the same time, the larger the canvas, the more it will spring, which will complicate the process, especially when working with maple, ash and oak.
If you plan to saw bars or narrow slats, a tool with a length of 25 to 30 cm is enough for you.When planning to use a tool for serious work in construction, give preference to tools with a blade length of 50 cm.
When choosing the length, one should be guided by the rule that the length should be exactly 2 times the diameter of the workpiece.
If you do not follow this recommendation, you will complicate your work. The teeth of a short hacksaw will only bite into the wood, and it will be very difficult to move such a saw to free it from sawdust.
Working in an uncomfortable environment will cause fatigue sooner than if you followed all directions.
Usually the width hacksaw blade equals from 10 to 20 cm. Models with a width of less have many disadvantages, since they are impractical and will fail immediately. But keep in mind that too wide tools will not give you comfort.
For the manufacture of hacksaws, alloy steel is used, which differs from the usual high content of carbon and silicon of the following grades:
- 65G, 60 C2A.
- 8 XF, 9 XF, 9 XC.
- Y7, Y7A, Y8, Y8A, Y8G, Y8GA, Y9A, Y10.
The metal is hardened by special exposure to a magnetic field, due to which a high-frequency electricity.
When spreading on the surface, it warms up upper layer metal, after which quenching is done cold water... According to the standard, the hardness of the metal should be 45 HRC, but it is better to give preference to products, the hardness of the fabric of which will be from 55 to 60.
A high density wood saw will good performance flexibility, but the teeth will be stable. Externally, when examining the quality of the tool, you can determine the dark shade of the sharpened teeth.
What should be the teeth
The size of the teeth is another important factor in tool performance and performance when cutting. An indicator such as sawing accuracy is designated TPI, which means the number of teeth per inch (2.54 cm).
The relationship between this technical parameter is as follows:
- Larger toothed blade gives high speed when working, but in this case expect a sloppy and rough cut.
- For hacksaws with small teeth, the cut will be clean and accurate, but the speed of work will be several times lower.
When you decide on the size of the teeth, be guided by the type of material being processed.
When working with material such as chipboard. Where high cutting accuracy is needed, you should take a tool with an indicator from 7 to 9, and for logs in the garden, where the cleanliness of the cut does not play an important role, an indicator from 3 to 6 is suitable.
If we compare a regular and a hardened tooth, the difference is that a regular tooth does not dull for a long time in domestic use. But the hardened-toothed hacksaw cannot be re-sharpened, so when the quality of the cut decreases, you have no choice but to simply throw it away.
The advantage of a regular tooth is that it can be sharpened. This work is periodically carried out using a file marked with an accident ( for sharpening saws). For sharpening, you need to file a file several times along each tooth.
There are three types of hand saws depending on the type of teeth:
Some types of instruments have teeth that resemble a trapezoid. This decision has made a new generation of hacksaw blades, which is wear-resistant and an order of magnitude stronger.
But it should be borne in mind that sharpening such a blade is a difficult task, since it is difficult to shape the difficult figure of small teeth. This will greatly shorten the life of the tool, at the end of which you will have to change the blade or choose another good hacksaw for wood.
Now on the market, new models of hacksaws, which are created for cutting not yet dried, have become increasingly common. Small chips easily pass between the teeth of the cut, and do not hinder the work.
Narrow
This is a small saw that is a flat, straight blade and handle. With its help, you can perform a number of small jobs: cut out curved parts, make a through cut, and so on.
It is made from a blade with double-sided teeth in the form of a triangle, sometimes with parallel sharpening. The disadvantage of the tool is that when pressed during operation, the blade can deviate from the specified direction.
Standard
A hand saw with standard parameters can have any type of teeth and is most often equipped with several changing blades, which have different designs and types of teeth. Despite the versatility declared by the parameters, such saws are not suitable for making furniture.
With backing
Both narrow and standard saws tend to bend when the stiffness threshold is raised. To avoid this, it will be effective to use a tool with a back, which will act as a stiffener. The presence of such a "retainer" will not make it possible to make a cut larger than the width of the canvas, since it will prevent the passage of the canvas into the tree to a great depth.
Luchkovaya
A saw of this type is a more bulky device that is a manual version of a jigsaw. Due to the fact that the structure is solid and its threaded connection of the handles, such saws can easily overcome knots, making a cut along patterns and radii.
Depending on the intended type of work and the design of the saw, there may be:
- Transverse- for cutting across the grain of the tree.
- Sweeping- for cutting along.
- Circumferential- for making holes, rounding and curved cutting.
- Spike- for cutting connecting pins and sawing out simple geometric shapes on the workpiece.
Only an onion-type hacksaw can perform all these functions without additional tools.
The procedure for choosing is quite simple:
Now about the arms. They are usually made of plastic. The prefabricated handles are made from two plastic halves that are not very rigid. It is much more convenient to work with tools with a one-piece handle, equipped with a rubber pad for fingers. If you have a rubber insert, it will be much more convenient for you to make a grip, thereby protecting yourself from the formation of corns.
Still on sale you can often find a tool with a cross over and a standard handle. The first option is convenient in that it is possible to replace the canvas with a new one in case of expiration of the service life.
Keep in mind that not all saw models go on sale sharpened, and how soon you can start working depends on this seemingly insignificant detail.
According to customer reviews, trust has won:
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 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 right choice 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 considered when buying a tool for different cases. Also, you should always make sure that the saw fit 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 big hands... It will be very inconvenient to use such a hacksaw, 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 this value is very often drawn directly on the canvas.
- 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.
- 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:
- For rip sawing the teeth are made in a triangular shape with oblique corners. Appearance they 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 any jagged edges.
- 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.
- 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 the triangles, when moving backward, expand the channel and catch sawdust and shavings.
Steel
No one needs the saw to fail after several uses, and therefore it is advisable to choose the most high grades become. 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 your own. This type is very easy to detect by 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 also often there are 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.
- 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 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 indicates what you have purchased universal tool that can be used to cut 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 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:
- For rip sawing, a jigsaw must be used.
- The transverse will cope well with wood where there is a transverse arrangement of fibers.
- With a tenon, you can cut various grooves and tenons, as well as technological recesses in a tree.
- The fillet cuts holes of various shapes.
- 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 specific 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 will come in handy 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's right for you.
In the arsenal home master there is always a functional and easy-to-use circular electric 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 unfold and connect the unit. In these cases, a hacksaw is excellent. But we will consider in more detail how to choose a hand saw for wood, so that it is convenient to use and easily “gnaws” any wood species.
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.
V household it is impossible to do without "toothy helpers": they are indispensable when pruning a garden, small carpentry and joinery
Hand saws for wood differ 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 look like?
The main part of the tool is a hacksaw blade. The first thing to look for 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 spring it is, which also complicates the process, especially when working with hard wood species such as ash, maple or oak.
Long stroke allows less effort when sawing, since the cut is made in one stroke big amount teeth
For sawing small elements such as plinths, bars or narrow slats, you can do with a hacksaw with a blade length of 25-30 cm.Planning to use the tool when doing more serious construction works, choose a product with a canvas of 45-50 cm.
When determining the length of the hacksaw blade, be guided by the rule that the length of the saw is 2 times the diameter of the processed elements. If you do not follow this recommendation, you will only complicate your work. The teeth of a short hacksaw will seize inside the wood, and each will have to make a lot of effort to advance the tool to free the 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 for making the canvas, which is most often the role of alloy steel, as well as its degree of hardening.
Tool alloy steel with a high silicon and carbon content is used for hacksaws:
- 65G, 60 C2A;
- 8 HF, 9 HF, 9 XC;
- U7, U7A, U8, U8A, U8G, U8GA, U9A, U10
Metal hardening is carried out due to the effect on it of a variable magnetic field, at which an electric current of high frequency appears. Spreading over the surface, it heats up the surface layer of the metal, which is quenched after cooling.
The standard parameter is considered to be the hardness of the metal at 45 HRC, but it is still preferable to choose products, the hardness of the fabric of which 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. On visual inspection, such a tool can be identified by the darkish shade of sharpened teeth.
Parameters of teeth on the blade
The determining indicator of the productivity of the tool and the accuracy of cutting wood is the size of the teeth.
The teeth of a hacksaw for woodworking have a double function: they cut the wood and at the same time remove the sawdust
Cutting accuracy is determined by the TPI, 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 saw cut is rough and sloppy;
- Fine-toothed hacksaws guarantee a clean and precise cut, but at a relatively low working speed.
In determining required size teeth should be guided by the type of material being processed. For example, for work with chipboard, where high cutting accuracy is required, choose a tool with a high TPI 7-9, and for sawing logs and work in the garden, where the cleanliness of the cut is not so important - TPI 3-6.
When choosing the best option hacksaws follow the rule that minimum thickness the logs must in any case be larger than the pitch of three teeth
If we compare a hardened and a regular tooth, the difference is that in the first version, subject to domestic use, the product does not dull for a long time. But a hacksaw with a hardened tooth cannot be re-sharpened. When it starts to cut badly, you just have to throw it away.
A regular tooth lends itself to sharpening. It can be periodically performed using a special file marked with an accident (for sharpening saws). To sharpen the blade, it is enough to perform a few movements on each tooth.
Depending on the type of teeth used, there are three types of hand saws:
- For rip sawing. The products are equipped with teeth in the form of an oblique triangle and look like hooks. The tool allows you to cut wood along the grain. Such saws are sharpened on both sides of the tooth, due to which they are able to cut both when going forward and in the opposite direction.
- For cross cutting. The teeth of the instruments are made in the form of isosceles triangles. This design makes it easy to saw the material as when carrying out cutting edge forward and backward. But this type of tooth is only suitable for working with dry pieces, not fresh wood.
- For mixed sawing. The products have a combined composition, in which triangular edges are combined with slightly elongated semicircular notches. This solution allows, when the hand moves forward, the semicircular teeth perform a guiding cut, and when returning, it expands the channel in triangular shape, removing chips and sawdust from it.
Some types of modern tools are equipped with teeth that are trapezoidal. This solution allows you to make the blade 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 cutting fresh branches, it is more convenient to use blades equipped with triangular teeth, processed with parallel sharpening, in which each element is sharpened only on one side and in a staggered manner
Often on the market you can find a modernized type of hacksaws.
Upgraded hacksaws are easy to distinguish by groups of teeth located on the blade, between which the gaps are clearly visible
Modernized hand saws are effective for cutting raw wood. Wet chips through the gaps between the teeth in the process of cutting easily come out of the cut, without hindering the movement of the tool.
Types of hand saws for wood
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 work in the garden
When making 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 a given direction.
Option # 2 - regular
Standard hand saw can be equipped with any type of teeth and is often completed with replaceable blades of various types and execution.
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 use, it is not advisable to use saws of this type in the manufacture of furniture.
Option # 3 - with backing
Both narrow and conventional saw blades tend to bend as the material becomes stiffer. 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 back are designed to create shallow cuts in wooden surface any thickness
The backing prevents the saw from making a cut deeper than the width of the blade, since it prevents the blade from going 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 saw is to create an accurate cut when working with surfaces located at any angle.
Due to the solidity of the design and threaded connections bow-type saw handles are able to easily overcome knots, cutting along radii and curved patterns.
Depending on the purpose and constructive solution saws can be:
- swinging - for longitudinal cutting;
- transverse - for sawing blanks across the wood fiber;
- circular - for cutting holes, making rounding and curly sawing;
- thorns - for cutting connecting spikes, as well as cutting out simple geometric shapes on the workpiece.
Only with an onion-type hacksaw can you cut the material up and down, sawing workpieces with complex lines and performing the work alone without involving an assistant.
The procedure for choosing a hand saw for wood is quite simple:
- Determine the purpose for which the tool will be used. For carpentry work, choose products with fine teeth, which provide high cutting accuracy, for carpentry work, choose blades with coarse teeth.
- Application frequency. If the hand saw will only be used for one-off work, choose a tool with hardened teeth. The service life of this type of product is quite large. In addition, you do not have to worry about sharpening and setting the teeth during operation.
- Uniformity of the web. As you inspect the tool, try to gently bend the blade to a 30-45 ° angle and then release it. Re-inspect the blade: the slightest deviation at the bend point, even within 2 mm, indicates poor metal quality.
- Product cost. As with the choice of other tools, keep in mind that high-quality models from leading brands are always much more expensive than consumer goods. This overpayment acts as a kind of guarantee for the durability and durability of the saw. But for one-time work, it makes no sense to spend money on an expensive tool.
Conventional handles are made of plastic. Prefabricated plastic handles made of two halves are not rigid enough. It is much more convenient to work with a tool with a one-piece handle, which is equipped with a rubberized pad for 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
On sale there are products with standard and crossover handles. The second option is convenient in that it allows, if necessary, to replace the worn-out canvas with a new one.
Keep in mind that not all hand saws are sold already sharpened. And this seemingly trifle largely determines how soon you can start working.
There are many companies that make hacksaws on the market. Judging by the reviews, they have proven themselves well: the Zubr hacksaw of domestic production, Gross Piranha of joint German-Chinese cooperation, Irwin Xpert made in the USA. They are famous for their decent quality at a low price, which ranges from 10-20 USD.
Finally, we suggest you watch a video with tips for choosing:
In the arsenal of a home craftsman, there is always a functional and easy-to-use circular electric 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 unfold and connect the unit. In these cases, a hacksaw is excellent. But we will consider in more detail how to choose a hand saw for wood, so that it is convenient to use and easily “gnaws” any wood species.
- Parameters of teeth on the blade
- Types of hand saws for wood
- Option # 1 - narrow
- Option # 2 - regular
- Option # 3 - with backing
- Option # 4 - bow
- Tool recommendations
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 when pruning a garden, small carpentry and joinery
Hand saws for wood differ 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 look like?
The main part of the tool is a hacksaw blade. The first thing to look for 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 spring it is, which also complicates the process, especially when working with hard wood species such as ash, maple or oak.
Long stroke allows less effort when sawing, since more teeth are cut in one stroke
For cutting small elements such as plinths, bars or narrow slats, you can do with a hacksaw with a blade length of 25-30 cm.When planning to use the tool for more serious construction work, choose a product with a blade of 45-50 cm.
When determining the length of the hacksaw blade, be guided by the rule that the length of the saw is 2 times the diameter of the processed elements. If you do not follow this recommendation, you will only complicate your work. The teeth of a short hacksaw will seize inside the wood, and each will have to make a lot of effort to advance the tool to free the 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 for making the canvas, which is most often the role of alloy steel, as well as its degree of hardening.
Tool alloy steel with a high silicon and carbon content is used for hacksaws:
- 65G, 60 C2A;
- 8 HF, 9 HF, 9 XC;
- U7, U7A, U8, U8A, U8G, U8GA, U9A, U10
Metal hardening is carried out due to the action of an alternating magnetic field on it, in which a high-frequency electric current appears. Spreading over the surface, it heats up the surface layer of the metal, which is quenched after cooling.
The standard parameter is considered to be the hardness of the metal at 45 HRC, but it is still preferable to choose products, the hardness of the fabric of which 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. On visual inspection, such a tool can be identified by the darkish shade of sharpened teeth.
Parameters of teeth on the blade
The determining indicator of the productivity of the tool and the accuracy of cutting wood is the size of the teeth.
The teeth of a hacksaw for woodworking have a double function: they cut the wood and at the same time remove the sawdust
Cutting accuracy is determined by the TPI, the number of teeth per inch.
There is an inverse relationship between these technical parameters:
- blades with large teeth set a high speed of work, but the saw cut is rough and sloppy;
- Fine-toothed hacksaws guarantee a clean and precise cut, but at a relatively low working speed.
When determining the required size of the teeth, you should be guided by the type of material to be processed. For example, for work with chipboard, where high cutting accuracy is required, choose a tool with a high TPI 7-9, and for sawing logs and work in the garden, where the cleanliness of the cut is not so important - TPI 3-6.
When choosing the optimal hacksaw option, be guided by the rule that the minimum log thickness should in any case be greater than the pitch of three teeth
If we compare a hardened and a regular tooth, the difference is that in the first version, subject to domestic use, the product does not dull for a long time. But a hacksaw with a hardened tooth cannot be re-sharpened. When it starts to cut badly, you just have to throw it away.
A regular tooth lends itself to sharpening. It can be periodically performed using a special file marked with an accident (for sharpening saws). To sharpen the blade, it is enough to perform a few 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 trapezoidal. This solution allows you to make the blade 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 cutting fresh branches, it is more convenient to use blades equipped with triangular teeth, processed with parallel sharpening, in which each element is sharpened only on one side and in a staggered manner
Often on the market you can find a modernized type of hacksaws.
Upgraded hacksaws are easy to distinguish by groups of teeth located on the blade, between which the gaps are clearly visible
Modernized hand saws are effective for cutting raw wood. Wet chips through the gaps between the teeth in the process of cutting 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 work in the garden
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 blade can deviate from a given direction.
Option # 2 - regular
A standard hand saw can be equipped with any type of teeth and is often equipped with replaceable 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 use, it is not advisable to use saws of this type in the manufacture of furniture.
Option # 3 - with backing
Both narrow and conventional saw blades tend to bend as the material becomes stiffer. In these cases, it is effective to use canvases equipped with a backing, which acts as a kind of stiffening rib.
Hand saws equipped with a back are designed to create shallow cuts in a wooden surface of any thickness
The backing prevents the saw from making a cut deeper than the width of the blade, since it prevents the blade from going 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 saw 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, the bow-type saws are able to easily overcome knots, cutting along radii and curved patterns.
Depending on the purpose and design of the saw, there may be:
- swinging - for longitudinal cutting;
- transverse - for sawing blanks across the wood fiber;
- circular - for cutting holes, making rounding and curly sawing;
- thorns - for cutting connecting spikes, as well as cutting out simple geometric shapes on the workpiece.
Only with an onion-type hacksaw can you cut the material up and down, sawing workpieces with complex lines and performing 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 are not rigid enough. It is much more convenient to work with a tool with a one-piece handle, which is equipped with a rubberized pad for 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
On sale there are products with standard and crossover handles. The second option is convenient in that it allows, if necessary, to replace the worn-out canvas with a new one.
Keep in mind that not all hand saws are sold already sharpened. And this seemingly trifle largely determines how soon you can start working.
There are many companies that make hacksaws on the market. Judging by the reviews, they have proven themselves well: the Zubr hacksaw of domestic production, Gross Piranha of joint German-Chinese cooperation, Irwin Xpert made in the USA. They are famous for their decent quality at a low price, which ranges from 10-20 USD.
Finally, we suggest you watch a video with tips for choosing:
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It is impossible to imagine a professional joiner or carpenter without a hacksaw for wood, and in everyday life it is used quite often. The widespread use of this tool has contributed to the emergence of various types of it, designed for specific operations.
To choose the right hacksaw, you should study its characteristics, imagine what exactly needs to be cut with it and how often it will be used.
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Like any common tool designed to perform a large amount of work, a hacksaw for wood is classified according to several parameters.
By type of cut and purpose
Hacksaws can be designed for cross-cutting, longitudinal (sweeping) or universal. Between themselves, these types differ in the shape of the teeth.
The teeth of saws intended for longitudinal cutting of wood have the form of an oblique triangle. The angle between them is from 45 to 60 °, which allows you to cut wood in only one direction, while maintaining an accurate and straight cut line. Most often they are used in the manufacture of furniture.
Hacksaws with teeth resembling an isosceles triangle are used to cross-cut wood. Sharpening at an angle of 45-55 ° makes it possible to cut workpieces both in the forward and in the opposite direction. This saw works most effectively on dry wood.
The universal hacksaw has two types of teeth - triangular and semicircular (while semicircular more than triangular). When the saw moves forward, long teeth set the direction, and wider, triangular teeth widen the cut, which allows sawdust and shavings to exit freely. The smaller the angle between these teeth, the more accurate the cut is.
Depending on the purpose, hacksaws for wood are classic, circular and spike. Classic saws are used for longitudinal or cross-cutting of wood. Circular saws for wood are designed for cutting holes. With the help of tenon saws, elements are formed for connecting individual parts.
By the size of the teeth
One of the main parameters of any hacksaw for wood is the size of the teeth. Size is understood as a step, that is, the distance between adjacent points. Depending on this parameter, the saws can have teeth:
- small;
- medium;
- large.
Hacksaws with fine teeth (from 2.0 to 2.5 mm.) Provide cutting of wood with high precision and are most often used to work with products of the smallest sizes.
Saws with coarse teeth (4 to 6 mm) are used to cut logs or beams.
Hacksaws with an average size of teeth (from 3.0 to 3.5 mm) are used when processing small parts.
There are also types of hand saws for wood with teeth arranged in groups of 6-7 pieces, separated from each other by intervals. This tool is used to process raw wood. Thanks to the space available, wet chips do not block the saw channel.
Classification by design
Structurally, hacksaws for wood are:
- narrow;
- standard;
- with backing;
- with an award;
- onion;
- folding.
They cut workpieces with narrow hacksaws, the thickness of which does not exceed 10 cm. They are also used for sawing branches in the garden, cutting out curved parts and other work. Structurally, these saws are a narrow blade with triangular teeth connected to an L-shaped handle.
The blade of a standard hacksaw (GOST 2615-84) can have any kind of teeth. Often they are equipped with sets of interchangeable blades designed for a wide variety of carpentry and joinery work.
When cutting hardwoods, the blades of the hacksaw can bend a lot. Saws are relieved of this drawback, the blades of which are equipped with a backing that acts as an additional stiffener. However, its presence does not allow making the cut deeper than the width of the blade itself.
A hacksaw with a reward looks like a plane. It has two handles and is used when it is necessary to make grooves or tenons. Moreover, the depth of these elements can be different.
A bow saw is a blade stretched over a base made in the form of a large arc. It is connected to the handle by means of a threaded or tension connection, which allows using blades during operation different types... In turn, this makes it possible to single-handedly cut workpieces with complex cutting lines.
On the market you can also find folding hacksaws for wood. They are very light and small in size when folded, which makes it possible for outdoor enthusiasts to take them with them on a hike or fishing. This saw has a short, pointed blade with small teeth.
Other varieties
There are other types of wood hacksaws. Among them, a garden hand saw is distinguished, equipped with a narrow blade, for the manufacture of which they use chromium steel. It is equipped with widely spaced teeth, angled towards the handle. It is convenient to work with such a tool in cases when the emphasis during cutting has to be done on oneself.
There is a two-handed saw that is convenient for sawing large logs or cutting trees. Two people must work with it.
A hand chain saw is a short chain with hardened teeth and two handles at the ends. It is compact and suitable for use in hiking trips... You can work with her as one person or together.
A modern and versatile tool - an electric chewer, with which you can perform a large volume various works... In some cases, it completely replaces the circular. Changing the canvases, they cut not only wood with it, but also plastic and metal.
main parameters
The effectiveness of using a hacksaw for wood largely depends on its technical characteristics... The main ones are:
- the material from which the saw blade is made;
- blade length and shape;
- the size and shape of the tooth;
- type of handle.
When choosing a tool, you need to pay attention to each element of the characteristic. Only in this case you will not have to regret the purchase.
Canvas material
The blade of modern hacksaws for wood is made from high-quality tool (alloy) steel with a high content of carbon and silicon (65G, 8HF, U7 ... U10). The hardness must be at least HRC 45. There are also models that use a combined, more wear-resistant blade with a cutting part (teeth) with increased hardness (HRC55… 60).
Length and shape of the blade
On the domestic market, you can find hacksaws for wood with a length of 250 to 650 mm in increments of 25 mm. This parameter is specified by GOST 2615-84 and depends on the distance between the teeth.
Note! It is necessary to choose a saw, guided by the rule: "The length of the blade should be 2 times the thickness (diameter) of the workpieces."
Otherwise, it will be uncomfortable to work with a hacksaw, since the short blade will jam inside the solid wood.
As a rule, hacksaws with a narrow blade are no more than 350 mm in length and are equipped with a large number of small teeth. Universal tools are completed with blades about 500 mm long with teeth average size... Hacksaws with a wide blade are made with large teeth located on great distance from each other (large step), their length can reach 650 mm.
Traditionally, a saw for wood looks like a triangle narrowed on one side. This tool can work with any type of wood. In addition, there are hacksaws adapted to work, for example, with tree branches or other objects located at some distance from the sawer. They are rounded and lightweight.
Tooth size and shape
The size of the teeth (pitch) of the hacksaw blade directly affects the productivity and accuracy of the tool. The larger the teeth, the higher the working speed, but the accuracy and quality of the cut deteriorates. On the other hand, using a fine-toothed saw guarantees a clean and even cut, but at the same time the speed decreases.
Cutting accuracy is determined by the number of teeth per inch of blade length (TPI coefficient), that is, their density. Its value is marked on the side surface of the web (for example, 7x1 ″ or 7TPI). The higher the TPI, the smaller the step. So, 2TPI = 12 mm and 12TPI = 2 mm.
When choosing a hacksaw for wood, it must be borne in mind that the minimum thickness of the workpiece must be greater than the pitch of three teeth.
When working with a hacksaw on wood, the appearance of sharpened teeth is essential. In this case, teeth are considered standard, sharpened on both sides and having the form of an acute-angled or isosceles triangle.
Important! The latest generation of saws is equipped with hardened teeth non-standard form... They have the appearance of a trapezoid and are distinguished by the presence of three sharpened edges and increased wear resistance. Blades with such teeth do not lend themselves.
Handle type
The type of handle and the material from which it is made largely determine the convenience of working with a hacksaw on wood. The saw is best equipped with a one-piece plastic handle with rubberized finger grips. The handle, made of two parts, is less comfortable, as it does not have sufficient rigidity.
Saw "Zubr Expert" is a versatile tool that can be used for both longitudinal and cross cutting of wood. The blade is 40 cm long and has hardened teeth set in a special way, spaced 5 mm apart.
The Banco Laplander 396-LAP mini file is specially designed for use in field conditions... The narrow, sharpened blade features Sandvik XT-shaped teeth for quality cuts along and across the grain. The folded length of the hacksaw is 23 cm, and it weighs only 200 g.
