Author Topic: hacksaws (Read 12198 times)

elk killer · « **on:** January 30, 2015, 04:11:05 PM »

after having 2 hacksaw frames break in the last 2 months..
who makes a decent one???
one was a Ridgid..one was Stanley

JBJ · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2015, 05:17:37 PM »

Have had good luck with a Lennox high tension hacksaw for the past several years. I see that they have a newer version on the mkt. that is capable of sustaining even higher blade tensions than my oldere model. Beats anything that I had previously! Pay attention to the kind of blades you buy for this type of saw. I have had equally good luck with the bi-metal blades from Lennox as well as Starrett.
JB

WadePatton · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2015, 08:31:01 PM »

Good hacksaws and blades aren't as common as they used to be. I prefer the kind with the wheel up top, and the blades from England/France... I think I ebayed the last batch.

This mild steel we mess with mostly doesn't matter much but working thin-wall 4130 require some properly made blades.

Well i give up. will get pics later. (wasted too much time looking just now) I can't find a representative photograph of either my frames or blades, but i do recall choosing that frame as I'd seen a few that had been in professional service for a long time.

Completely satisfied with that part, chasing down a good source of not-widely-imported blades is the hassle. I used to get the blades at a local independent auto parts house-it's gone, and those are getting TOO scarce as well.

JTR · « **Reply #3 on:** January 30, 2015, 08:39:18 PM »

I've been using a Millers Falls Model 48-D with good results for about the last 30 years. It's a tough sucker, and the back part of the frame can be used as a hammer in a pinch! :-)

But I just googled it, and it's now called a 'Vintage' model, so guess it isn't made any longer... Found one sold on ebay for 13 bucks!

John

WadePatton · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2015, 09:09:02 PM »

okay, i found one. "vintage" was the ticket. These are hard to beat.

"Ultra" is the blade brand i seek out, the best i've used. They have various configurations, the "bi-hard" in 32 is the ticket for hard stuff*. I've not tried their other offerings. Think they're made in France. I've yet to use anything else as good-and i've tried most everything else as these got hard to find.

*4130 and also sawed a bearing race off the spindle on the side of the road once. I'm sure there had been some friction annealing.

Mark Elliott · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2015, 09:10:57 PM »

I can't imagine any hacksaw frame I ever had, breaking. I currently use a Lowes brand Kobalt hacksaw frame with lever tensioning. I have had it a number of years. The frame is based on square steel tubing, and it is a deep frame. There is also a proper handle on each end of the frame. The level tensioning makes changing blades easy and i do that a lot as you should. The blade should match the use. I only buy Starrett bi-metal (high speed steel/carbon steel) blades. The stuff you buy at the hardware store don't last more than a couple minutes.

flehto · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2015, 10:30:08 PM »

Bought my hacksaw in 1954 at the start of my tool and diemaker apprenticeship and it's still in A-1 shape. Evidently the "Crescent Tool Co." made a quality product and after 61 yrs of use, still does the job. l have problems buying quality blades....they don't seem to last as long as years go.....which is nothing new in this modern time.....Fred

T*O*F · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2015, 11:27:40 PM »

Quote from: WadePatton on January 30, 2015, 09:09:02 PM

okay, i found one. "vintage" was the ticket. These are hard to beat.

That's almost exactly like the one I purchased from Matco Tools at least 30 years ago and it's still going strong. It was used to cut everything automotive before relegated to gun use. They may still sell it.

Kermit · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2015, 03:42:02 AM »

I guess those red-handled wheel adjusters were sold under a few names. Mine sez Craftsman, and I've had it for about 40-45 years. I lost the blade retaining pins pretty quickly, and a series of bucked off nails have served ever since.

Dave Marsh · « **Reply #9 on:** January 31, 2015, 04:00:54 AM »

Quote from: flehto on January 30, 2015, 10:30:08 PM

Bought my hacksaw in 1954 at the start of my tool and diemaker apprenticeship and it's still in A-1 shape. Evidently the "Crescent Tool Co." made a quality product and after 61 yrs of use, still does the job. l have problems buying quality blades....they don't seem to last as long as years go.....which is nothing new in this modern time.....Fred

Is your Crescent Hacksaw the 1047 model?? That is what I have. Tough piece of gear.

Dave

Mark Elliott · « **Reply #10 on:** January 31, 2015, 04:17:26 AM »

I didn't even know you could get cobalt steel bi-metal blades. I will have to look for them. I stopped using high speed steel lathe tool bits in favor of cobalt steel, because the high speed steel wouldn't hold an edge on tool steel. My graver bits are cobalt these days also.

Col. Barnett · « **Reply #11 on:** January 31, 2015, 03:09:59 PM »

I believe that Forney Welding supplied the Ultra blade. They are in a lot of the auto parts stores and some of the hardware chains and farm stores. Call around and ask if they have a Forney display

Ric

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #12 on:** January 31, 2015, 04:56:47 PM »

I buy all my tools at auctions, no new made junk for me. Auctions are the only place I buy hacksaw blades. Take a new store bought blade and take one swipe on a piece of mild steel and all the teeth fall off...... $:-\$

flehto · « **Reply #13 on:** January 31, 2015, 05:28:02 PM »

Strongbear....yes, it's a #1047. When I was building stamping dies , much of the tool steels were various grades of air hardeming, eg....D3 and D5 and this saw and the blades easily cut this stuff. Most of the blades made nowadays couldn't cut this "stuff" and as was said, can barely cut brass and mild steel. .....but what else is new?.....Fred

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #14 on:** January 31, 2015, 11:49:49 PM »

I have been using this old Balfore saw for most of my adult life. It was a gift from an English friend (now departed), and has never let me down. It is comfortable to use and very strong. I know that it will serve generations to come. It is completely adjustable for blades from 8" to over 12".

wilkie · « **Reply #15 on:** February 03, 2015, 09:20:20 AM »

I have a couple of old frames that are at least 50 years old. The most note worthy aspect of hacksawing I have learned is to use some bacon grease on the blade. The grease helps keep the blade cooler so that the teeth aren't overheated and softened. I use bimetal blades for long blade life. I use some high carbon blades and save them to make springs out of when they get dull. I also use a small amount of bacon grease on most of my files. It helps keep pins from lodging in the teeth and the cuttings can be easily removed with a brass brush.

sweed · « **Reply #16 on:** February 03, 2015, 04:45:08 PM »

When I was young, and old blacksmith taught me that a hacksaw was nothing more than a very thin file. Never drag the blade backward on the cut, lift it slightly!!! Just as with a file you make a stroke...lift...drawback...stroke again! If you practice this, you will be surprised how few blades you break, and how long they last.

Bill-52 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 03, 2015, 05:39:36 PM »

elk killer,

Many years ago I had a relatively new hacksaw break on me. Since then, I've been using two old Disston hacksaws which belonged to my father & grandfather. Nothing special, just very sturdy. You may want to check yard sales and online vintage tool vendors.

Bill

Darrin McDonal · « **Reply #18 on:** February 03, 2015, 07:19:51 PM »

Quote from: Mike Brooks on January 31, 2015, 04:56:47 PM

I buy all my tools at auctions, no new made junk for me. Auctions are the only place I buy hacksaw blades. Take a new store bought blade and take one swipe on a piece of mild steel and all the teeth fall off...... $:-\$

You got that Mike!! I was cussing about that yesterday and today. I do need some "good quality blades" I am so tired of the sh*# !!!
Darrin

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #19 on:** February 03, 2015, 08:06:48 PM »

All this talk about hacksaws and their blades reminded me of teaching highschool kids how to use a hacksaw in metal shop. Their idea was to use the middle two inches of a 12" blade, press hard and go really fast.

Acer Saccharum · « **Reply #20 on:** February 03, 2015, 08:23:46 PM »

Most modern hacksaw frames are made for the weekend warrior who will only occasionally cut a piece of copper pipe.

elk killer · « **Reply #21 on:** February 03, 2015, 08:43:06 PM »

when you use one almost every day, its hard to find one that will hold up,
i have been searching tool places and antique dealers,
hope to find one soon.!!

Bob Roller · « **Reply #22 on:** February 03, 2015, 11:21:15 PM »

Quote from: elk killer on February 03, 2015, 08:43:06 PM

when you use one almost every day, its hard to find one that will hold up,
i have been searching tool places and antique dealers,
hope to find one soon.!!

If you can find some old,new old stock Atkins Silver Steel hacksaw blades you will
have blades that will cut a drill bit in half.They are blue and gray in color and plainly
marked.When I worked for an industrial hardware store I delivered thousands of them
to Ahland Oil and Refinery,now Marathon Oil Co.

Bob Roller

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #23 on:** February 04, 2015, 02:07:23 AM »

Quote from: Darrin McDonal on February 03, 2015, 07:19:51 PM

Quote from: Mike Brooks on January 31, 2015, 04:56:47 PM
I buy all my tools at auctions, no new made junk for me. Auctions are the only place I buy hacksaw blades. Take a new store bought blade and take one swipe on a piece of mild steel and all the teeth fall off...... $:-\$

You got that Mike!! I was cussing about that yesterday and today. I do need some "good quality blades" I am so tired of the sh*# !!!
Darrin

Hit your local auctions, just don't bid against me!

cmac · « **Reply #24 on:** February 04, 2015, 03:46:45 AM »

I have one similar to this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-Used-Tools-West-Haven-Quality-Hacksaw-Frame-Pat-Jan-23-1900-EXc-/201266370949?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2edc691985 Mine has a length adjustment, and the best feature-you can rotate the blade to keep the frame from bottoming out on the work piece. I think I paid $8 for mine at a barn sale and it is by far the best I have ever had. I LIKE OLD TOOLS!!

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Author Topic: hacksaws (Read 12198 times)

wilkie

sweed