How to use a hacksaw

[jerronimo]

Master's mechanical engineering student here. Just wanted to say that the blade will actually last longer if you leave it tensioned when you put it away. Things don't break from having constant tension in them, but they do fail from alternating between no load and high tension load through a phenomenon called fatigue. Much the same way as a metal coat hanger will break after you bend it back and forth several times.

[jwong]

Again, thanks for the tip. Deeply appreciated your work to help others. Greetings from P.R.

Thank you. I was wondering about it's usage on wood. You answered it.

[drpepperdude]

Hi, I'm looking to cut a steel piece of metal about the same size of the first piece of metal your cutting. Is there a certain type of blade I should be looking for? Or can any hacksaw cut it? Oh also, would a dremel be better?

[Malkiesmith]

When cutting steel, I like to put a drop of cutting oil on the blade. I find that it makes the job a lot easier.

[Soknik]

Well, you don't see this everyday- A YouTube video where the guy knows exactly what the hell he's talking about.
Great information. Nicely done!

[Takuan]

I use the teeths facing me so it cuts as I'm pulling. Stronger muscle, better control. Works just like a japaness saw.

[roller]

Really decent advice, cheers mate!

Did a really shit job on cutting pieces of steel today and the shame brought me here. Kept missing the cut-line by centimetres and got yelled at -- gah, was horrible. But then again, there was no clamp provided, and the bench was knee-height, so getting enough force into the cut was hard-as-anything.

Practice makes perfect I hope. Let's hope I get better at it!

[ultimatehandyman]

+palmero8877 
It's not something I have ever tried cutting but I would guess a regular blade would cut it. I only use a blade with more teeth per inch when cutting thin material.
If the zinc is thin you might want to clamp it in some scrap pieces of timber ;-)

[tolsonw]

Didn't know it was possible to cut through steel using a hacksaw (in 1 minute 10 seconds, no less, that's faster than setting up the machine)! Great tutorial, thanks for posting.

[alfanazzamcraft]

The equipment in your country is of very high quality, it's different in our country a lot of equipment that isn't worth using ❤❤❤

[AaronPovey-wu]

Explain why you should slow down near the end, as steel and vices are hard when you smash your knuckles into them.

[danieledward]

What a terrific slow learned so much in such a short

[MrBobDobolina]

I no idea t that the saw should be stored with the blade loosened. Great information, thanks.

[OnlineMD]

Ah, the art of the 'acksaw....:) let's see if I got it right: in artford, ereford and ampshire, urricanes ardly appen! :) But more seriously, I enjoyed this video. As far as I've read, aside from a higher TPI, getting a bi-metal blade is important...today I have to cut an old box spring in half to get it downstairs. It has a tubular metal frame about 5 mm thick cylindrical metal. It'll be my first time with an 'acksaw! :) And oh, I'm a bit nervous about fine metal dust so I think I'll wear a mask. These Covid-19 masks sure come handy! :)

[MBeal-dddt]

I've always been frustrated using this type saw which I only use rarely. Thanks for the great tips. I wished you had addressed not having your kerf wander on you while cutting. By the time I'm half way through the cut my blade is twisting on me.

[TheSarah]

Thank you! I’m learning how to use tools and didn’t know to use 2 hands for the hacksaw.

[szariq]

Meanwhile I had to straighten the pipes to get them threaded for my project. It was such a pain to do that (but finally done them with a makeshift vise called "firewood pile") and hearing about the importance of teeth facing certain way I'll have to check on it if they're facing the correct way.

[caskwith]

Totally agree the cheap chinese blades are awful but they do have their uses. Certain industrial plastics, vulcanised rubber especially, can be very abrasive, cheap blades are perfect for these jobs. Also when you need to slide a thin blade between something with no handle for support, blades will often snap doing this but if its a cheapy it doesn't matter.

[romwell]

Thanks! Watching this video helped me successfully lower an Ikea bed. All in all, took about an hour, including measuring, rotating the bed, etc.
One extra piece of advise for others doing the same: put some newspaper on the floor to collect the metal dust.