Hacksaw basics

For a basic hand tool, there are a surprising number of technicians who don’t use hacksaws properly. The right frame, with a correct blade can be as fast as a rotary cutoff wheel in many applications, but done incorrectly, sawing with a hacksaw can be slow and even dangerous. Frames should be substantial, with cast frames keeping blades under more consistent tension than tube types. Blades should be as tight as the wing nut can be comfortably adjusted with the fingers, and the blade should have the teeth pointing forward, so the saw cuts on the push stroke. Blades should be good alloy steel (such as cobalt bimetallic), with 20 to 24 teeth per inch for general work. If teeth are missing, or the blade is cracked, change it. Both conditions can result in a breakage, which can cause injury. Keep spare blades in a cardboard sleeve until ready for use, and they’ll be sharp when you need them. And the old blades? Wrapped in tape with the broken end carefully ground, an old blade can make a handy scraper.