Can anyone recommend a good hacksaw, as I don't seem to be having much luck witht them recently. The first one I had, was inherited from my
Grandfather who was a Bricky, so it would only cut to within the nearest inch, so I looked for a better one. I purchased one through ebay, which
appeared to be strong and rigid. Within three weeks it was in pieces. So before I waste any more money, can anyone recommend a good quality and robust
hacksaw.
Cheers Mike
Mine is a C.K. I got it from a guy we call Greengrass for a pound! God knows how old it is but it just feels right to use, got one the same at work along with a few others & the C.K. is the one everyone uses.
get an "eclipse" they are the original and still the best ,imho of course
We cut most of the steel for our chassis with a cheapo chinese saw, we replaced it near the end of the build with a bright yellow, resin framed
Stanley one.
I wish we'd bought it earlier, easier to use and more accurate, also buy bi-metal blades, umpteen times better than the cheap (actually rather
expensive) ones.
I bought this one Screwfix link
With decent blades it's fine, and comfortable to use.
I'm sure there's better to be found, but compared to the last one I had it's a rolls royce.
Sandvik, top notch
i]Originally posted by iank
I bought this one Screwfix link
With decent blades it's fine, and comfortable to use.
I'm sure there's better to be found, but compared to the last one I had it's a rolls royce.
I vote for the screwfix Irwin, however get the most expensive blades you can and change them as soon as they show signs of wear!
Caber
I've got a yellow copy of that Irwin... bought it from the market for £3... I bought it to have a second saw I could keep in the workshop (as
opposed to the garage)... it's ten times better that the Eclipse I have ...
I have to say though... I bought the best blades I could from Tilgear - in Cuffley (try Google).. I've used two... and that's coz I was
trying to cut through a bar over my knee(first one) ... and trod on the saw (second one)..
Aren't hacksaw blades a universal fit? In which case it matters not the acktual make of the hacksaw,rather the quality of the replacement
blades..no?
quote:
Originally posted by Fatgadget
Aren't hacksaw blades a universal fit? In which case it matters not the acktual make of the hacksaw,rather the quality of the replacement blades..no?
My personal preference is for an Eclipse hacksaw frame with a straight handle, as seen on a file (rather than the typical "D" handle).
I find that I can steer a far straighter course with that one!
Look of bi-metal blades - they have super-tough teeth on a springy back. The very best best blades are the all-hard ones, but they break very easily
in inexperienced hands. The bi-metal ones are very forgiving.
HTH
David
Thanks for all the good advice, new hacksaw now purchased. I bought a Bahco Sandvik 325. I'll let you know how i get on.
Mike
I have 3 frames, 2 Eclipse, 50p from car boots and one I found in the garden when we moved, a Ben Setter which looks just like the others. They all work fine with good blades in. Use two hands to control them, use the full length of the blade and keep watching where the cut is going.
I bought some cobalt blades at vast expense a while back. They seem to slice through virtualy anything, but they are very brittle, have broken
several already. The bi-metal ones are almost indestructable.
I think my frame is an Eclipse, one my old man gave me many years ago.
quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
I have 3 frames, 2 Eclipse, 50p from car boots and one I found in the garden when we moved, a Ben Setter which looks just like the others. They all work fine with good blades in. Use two hands to control them, use the full length of the blade and keep watching where the cut is going.
And don't rush at it like a bull in a china shop - go for a steady rhythm, about 1 stroke per second, relaxing on the back stroke to reduce wear
on the blade.
A good frame, correct blade and good technique will mean fast and accurate cuts. It's good exercise too!
Sandvik (Bahco) and Facom both make a very nice saw which are quite similar and sound like the one you have now bought, both proper rolls-royces of
the hacksaw world and both very good, good buy!!! 
Hacksaw arrived earlier in the week and I have used it to cut steel plate and ali bar. Its much better than previous hacksaws i have had, much more
controllable. The blades seem to make a lot of the difference though as well.
Thanks for everyones help.
Mike
Yes, the quality of the blades is the main factor - but you have to hold them properly to get the benefit!