hacksaw

[Black Cat2Participant @blackcat256889]

I know hacksaw blades for brass shojld be kept for brass only but would ‘brass’also apply to copper,bronzee or anything else similar please? Jonathon

[Black Cat2Participant @blackcat256889]

blades

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

You can use a hacksaw blade for anything you like. I think that what you have been taught is that it is best to keep one blade for brass and softer materials (as it will last longer and give a more accurate cut), and another for harder materials like steel. I am afraid that I don't bother. However if you like cutting through High Tensile bolts and cap screws, you will find that if you then try to cut brass, the blade will certainly feel 'blunt'. Whilst on the subject of blades, I tend to use a coarser blade for brass so that the swarf is cleared quicker than a fine tooth blade, but bear in mind the old adage that at least 3 teeth should be in contact with the material to be cut (Ie: cutting sheet material).
BobH

[Black Cat2Participant @blackcat256889]

Thank you Bob..I never use anything harder than mild steel so I ll carry on..Jonathon

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Best to have two hacksaws, one for non ferrous and one for ferrous. Saves keep changing the blade.

[Black Cat2Participant @blackcat256889]

I ve been to a sale-now have 4! I think..
So that would be easy enough..

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

I'v got 4, one at each end of the workshop, one cheap light weight one is spare, and the other is one with a file handle that folds up nicely in the tool box if I have a job away from home. Two would be adequate, I don't use enough brass to justify a dedicated saw for that.

Ian S C

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Whilst on the subject, can anyone recommend a source of decent quality Junior blades that don't shed teeth and pins at the first sight of trouble, and also of decent junior hacksaw frames, please?

[Black Cat2Participant @blackcat256889]

I might tmrw! Ive bought some Irwin hacksaw blades which are bimetal and not as bdittle as hss so I can use them twice! Also junior size too..I ve git to use both tmrw although I wont know if they stay sharp for long yet!

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Hi John H,

You can still buy "Eclipse" branded Junior blades in a number of 'tooth' sizes and they are not expensive.

I purchased my last 3-4 packets on the Isle of Wight (in Hursts – an excellent hardware store) but I'm sure you can find a good local tool shop that will stock them. And of course there is always the internet but I try to use my local HW guy when possible – mine will get stuff in for me if asked to…. (Use them or Lose them)

I've still got supplies of other hacksaw "Brands" I've purchased over the years and they are pretty rubbish by comparison. I will give a special mention to some purchased from Robert Dyas (their own brand) which are complete c**p.

I now use these for any real butchery/garden jobs where I'm probably going to throw the blade away afterwards anyway – or if one of my sons wants to borrow one. There's no point in wasting a good one on them as (based on previous experience) it's going to get either broken or lost.

I will admit to being "fiscally restrained" with some of my tool purchases but I learnt long ago that good hacksaw blades are well worth the extra money (same is true of files). And "Yes" – I have a number of hacksaws with different sized blades (tooth numbers) in them and I do keep a Junior one just for brass….

Regards,

IanT

[Johnboy25Participant @johnboy25]

In my years of collecting tools I have two Eclispe hacksaws. I have a course blade in one and a fine toothed blade in the other. It just save time changing blades to suit the thickness of material I want to cut. Eclispe also make a better design of junior hacksaw as well. I do like the idea of keeping blades for ferrous and non-ferrous material. 

John

[Black Cat2Participant @blackcat256889]

finally used an Irwin blade..I have some 18tpi for a little power hacksaw but tried one by hand and it didnt break..too course to be practical but a thin piece of bar was twanging around in the vice and the blade cut it without breaking..A 24 tpi did thesame but cut a lot easier ..No more hss hacksaw blades for me!!

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