In the arsenal of a home master there is always a functional and easy-to-use circular saw. But there are situations when you need to saw off a part and do a small amount of woodwork, and there is no time or desire to deploy and connect the unit. In these cases, a hand hacksaw perfectly saves. But how to choose a manual hacksaw for wood so that it is convenient to use and easily “gnaws through” any type of wood, we will consider in more detail.

    • Blade tooth parameters
  • Kinds hand saws on wood
    • Option #1 - narrow
    • Option #2 - normal
    • Option # 3 - with a butt
    • Option # 4 - bow
  • Recommendations for choosing a tool

Tool Specifications

The saw is rightfully considered the ancestor of a large family of hand tools. Since the creation of the first type of tool from iron, the saw has undergone many changes, having managed to acquire numerous “sisters” capable of performing dozens of jobs.

In the household, it is impossible to do without "toothy helpers": they are indispensable for pruning the garden, small carpentry and joinery work

Hand saws for wood differ from each other in many ways: blade size, steel grade, tooth shape, handle design. Let's dwell on each parameter in more detail.

How should a hacksaw blade be?

The main part of the tool is a hacksaw blade. The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing a product is the length of the canvas. The possibilities of its application largely depend on this parameter. At the same time, the longer the blade, the more springy it is, which also complicates the process, especially when working with hardwoods such as ash, maple or oak.

The long stroke makes it possible to apply less effort when sawing, since a large number of teeth are cut in one stroke.

For sawing small elements such as skirting boards, bars or narrow slats, you can get by with a hacksaw with a blade length of 25-30 cm. When planning to use the tool when performing more serious construction works, choose a product with a canvas of 45-50 cm.

When determining the length of the hacksaw blade, follow the rule that the length of the saw exceeds the diameter of the processed elements by 2 times. If you do not follow this recommendation, you will only complicate your work. The teeth of a short hacksaw will stick inside the wood, and everyone will have to make a lot of effort in order to advance the tool to free it from sawdust. Uncomfortable work will cause premature fatigue.

Traditionally, the width of the fabric of the product varies in the range of 10-20 cm. Models with a narrower fabric are not allowed for technical reasons, since they fail at the slightest bend. But it should be borne in mind that too wide canvases are inconvenient for manual work.

Of no small importance is the material of manufacture of the blade, which is most often alloyed steel, as well as its degree of hardening.

For hacksaws, tool alloy steel with a high content of silicon and carbon grades is used:

  • 65G, 60 S2A;
  • 8 HF, 9 HF, 9 HS;
  • U7, U7A, U8, U8A, U8G, U8GA, U9A, U10

Hardening of the metal is carried out due to the influence of an alternating magnetic field on it, at which electricity high frequency. Spreading over the surface, it heats the surface layer of the metal, which hardens after cooling.

The standard parameter is the metal hardness of 45 HRC, but it is still preferable to choose products whose web hardness is 55-60 HRC. A hacksaw with a high hardness blade will have sufficient flexibility, but at the same time high tooth stability. With an external examination, such a tool can be identified by the darkish shade of sharpened teeth.

Blade tooth parameters

The determining indicator of the performance of the tool and the accuracy of cutting wood is the size of the teeth.

The teeth of a hacksaw for woodworking perform double function: cut wood and at the same time remove sawdust

Sawing accuracy is determined by the "TPI" indicator - the number of teeth per inch.

Between these technical parameters there is an inverse relationship:

  • canvases with large teeth set a high speed of work, but the saw cut turns out to be rough and sloppy;
  • hacksaws with fine teeth guarantee a clean and precise cut, but at a relatively slow working speed.

When determining the required tooth size, one should be guided by the type of material being processed. For example, for work with chipboard, where high precision of the cut is required, choose a tool with a high TPI of 7-9, and for sawing logs and gardening, where the cleanliness of the cut is not so essential, choose a TPI of 3-6.

When choosing the best hacksaw option, follow the rule that the minimum log thickness should in any case be more than a three-tooth pitch

If we compare a hardened and ordinary tooth, then the difference lies in the fact that in the first variant, subject to domestic use, the product does not dull for a long time. But a hacksaw with a hardened tooth can no longer be sharpened again. When she starts to cut badly, she will just have to be thrown away.

A normal tooth can be sharpened. Periodically, it can be performed using a special file marked with an accident (for sharpening saws). To sharpen the blade, it is enough to perform several movements on each tooth.

Depending on the type of teeth used, there are three types of hand saws:

  • For longitudinal sawing. Products are equipped with teeth in the form of an oblique triangle and look like hooks. The tool allows you to cut wood along the grain. Such saws have sharpening on both sides of the tooth, due to which they are able to cut both when passing forward and in the opposite direction.
  • For cross cutting. The teeth of the tools are made in the form of isosceles triangles. This design makes it easy to cut the material both when the cutting edge is drawn forward and in the opposite direction. But this type of tooth is only suitable for working with dry blanks, but not fresh wood.
  • For mixed sawing. Products have a combined composition in which triangular edges are combined with slightly elongated semicircular notches. This solution allows, when moving the hand forward, semicircular teeth to perform a guide cut, and when returning, to expand the channel with triangular ones, removing chips and sawdust from it.
  • Some types of modern tools are equipped with teeth that are made in the shape of a trapezoid. This solution allows you to make the canvas more durable and wear-resistant.

    But it should be borne in mind that sharpening such a blade is very problematic, since it is difficult for trapezoidal teeth to give the desired shape. This significantly reduces the service life of the product, after which it is necessary to change the blade or purchase a new tool.

    For sawing fresh branches, it is more convenient to use blades equipped with triangular teeth processed by parallel sharpening, in which each element is sharpened only on one side and in a checkerboard pattern

    Often on the market you can also find a modernized type of hacksaws.

    Upgraded hacksaws are easy to distinguish by the groups of teeth located on the canvas, between which the gaps are clearly visible.

    Modernized type hand saws are effective for cutting raw wood. Wet chips through the gaps between the teeth in the process of sawing easily come out of the cut, without hindering the movement of the tool.

    Types of hand saws for wood

    Option #1 - narrow

    A small narrow saw is a design that consists of a straight flat blade and a handle. She performs delicate work: through cuts, cut out curved parts.

    This type of tool is designed for sawing wooden blanks, the thickness of which does not exceed 8-10 cm, sawing small branches and small jobs in the garden

    In the manufacture of narrow models, manufacturers install blades with triangular double-sided teeth, or with parallel sharpening. The disadvantage of the tool is that when pressed during operation, the canvas can deviate from a given direction.

    Option #2 - normal

    A standard hand saw can be fitted with any type of tooth and often comes with interchangeable blades. various types and execution.

    To be able to saw off workpieces at a certain angle using a standard hand saw, you have to purchase special miter boxes

    But despite the declared versatility of their application, it is not advisable to use saws of this type in the manufacture of furniture.

    Option # 3 - with a butt

    Both narrow and conventional saws are prone to bending when the material being processed increases in rigidity. In these cases, it is effective to use canvases equipped with a backing, which acts as a kind of stiffener.

    Hand saws equipped with a butt are designed to create shallow cuts in wooden surface any thickness

    The presence of the butt prevents the saw from making a cut deeper than the width of the blade, as it prevents the cutting blade from passing further into the tree.

    Option # 4 - bow

    Bow-type saws are more bulky devices that act as an analogue of a jigsaw.

    The main purpose of this type of saws is to create an accurate cut when working with surfaces located at any angle.

    Due to the solidity of the design and the threaded connections of the handles, bow-type saws are able to easily overcome knots, cutting along radii and curvilinear patterns.

    Depending on the purpose and design solution, saws can be:

    • swing - for longitudinal cutting;
    • transverse - for sawing blanks across the wood fiber;
    • rounded - for cutting holes, making roundings and figured sawing;
    • spiked - for cutting connecting spikes, as well as sawing simple geometric shapes on a workpiece.

    Only with a bow-type hacksaw can you cut the material up and down, sawing blanks with complex lines and doing the work alone without involving an assistant.

    The procedure for choosing a hand saw for wood is quite simple:

  • Determine the purpose for which the tool will be used. For carpentry work, choose products with fine teeth that provide high sawing accuracy, for carpentry - blades with large teeth.
  • Application frequency. If the hand saw will only be used for occasional work, choose a tool with hardened teeth. The service life of this type of product is quite large. In addition, you do not have to worry about sharpening and setting teeth during operation.
  • Canvas uniformity. While inspecting the tool, try gently bending the blade to a 30-45° angle, and then release it. Re-examine the blade: the slightest deviation at the fold point, even within 2 mm, indicates poor quality of the metal.
  • Product cost. As with other tools, keep in mind that high-quality models from leading brands are always an order of magnitude more expensive than consumer goods. This overpayment acts as a kind of guarantee of wear resistance and durability of the saw. But for one-time work, it makes no sense to spend money on an expensive tool.
  • Conventional handles are made of plastic. Prefabricated plastic handles made of two halves do not have sufficient rigidity. It is much more convenient to work with a tool that has a one-piece handle, which is equipped with a rubberized finger pad. The presence of a rubber insert allows you to make a tighter grip, preventing the formation of calluses on the palm.

    Pay attention to the design of the tool handle: it is desirable that it has an ergonomic shape that allows you to correctly transfer force to the blade

    On sale there are products with standard and flip-over handles. The second option is convenient in that it allows, if necessary, to replace the worn canvas with a new one.

    Keep in mind that not all hand saws go on sale already sharpened. And this seemingly trifle largely determines how soon you can get to work.

    There are many companies that manufacture hacksaws on the market. Judging by the reviews, they have proven themselves well: the Zubr hacksaw of domestic production, Gross Piranha joint German-Chinese cooperation, Irwin Xpert made in the USA. They are famous for their decent quality at a low price, which varies between 10-20 USD.

    Finally, we suggest you watch a video with tips on choosing:

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    Hacksaw This is a manual carpentry tool that is a kind of saw. Depending on the design, it can be used to cut wood, metal, plastic, aerated concrete and other materials. The tool consists of two parts - a working blade with sharp teeth and a handle for a comfortable grip.

    Varieties of hacksaws

    Hand saws come in two configurations - for wood and for metal. Hacksaws for wood have large teeth and can also be used for cutting aerated concrete and drywall. Saws for metal are capable of cutting almost any material, including wood, plastic, drywall, aerated concrete, polystyrene foam, polystyrene, etc. They have small cutters, so the cut is neat, and small chips are formed.

    Wood saw
    The hacksaw is one of the most ancient tools. It appeared much earlier than the modification for working with metals. There are several varieties of it:
    • Classic.
    • Vykruzhnaya.
    • Thorn.
    classical

    which is also called wide or regular, is the standard hand tool for sawing. It is intended for longitudinal or transverse cutting. With it, you can shorten the board or cut down a branch. This is a standard carpentry and joinery tool. Such a saw provides fast cutting, while the cut is quite rough and large chips are formed. Its teeth have a triangular shape, the pitch between them is from 1.5 to 6.5 mm.

    Round or narrow

    This is a more narrowly focused tool. Due to the small width of the web, it can be used to cut curved elements. The main purpose of such a tool is not the usual pruning, but the possibility of sawing sheet material when work is required on a strictly defined contour. A narrow blade is more maneuverable and allows you to bypass lined bends, which cannot be done when using wide hacksaws. These saws are much lighter and more compact. They may have teeth on both sides that differ in size. This makes it possible to create a cut of various purity. By choosing smaller teeth, you will be able to make a smoother cut.

    spiked

    Also called pasovochny or obushkovy- This is a specific tool, the main purpose of which is to remove protruding spikes and grooves. These saws are used by carpenters and joiners to get clean and smooth cuts. The blade of this tool is the thinnest, so the cut is narrow. In order for the canvas not to constantly bend to the side opposite to the incisors, a butt clings, which increases rigidity. Due to the presence of the butt, it is impossible to make a deep cut wider than the height of the blade. Such a tool has fine teeth in the shape of an isosceles triangle. It is used exclusively for transverse cutting. The thickness of the working part does not exceed 1-1.5 mm.

    Types of teeth
    Wood is a specific material that can be difficult to cut depending on the direction. In this regard, hacksaws are divided into three categories:
    • For longitudinal cutting.
    • For cross cutting.
    • Universal.
    • Specialized.
    For longitudinal cut

    The hacksaw has special teeth that are inclined forward at an acute angle. As a result of movement, they provide cutting of wood fibers and chipping of sawdust. Such equipment guarantees the fastest possible work in cases where it is necessary to divide the board in the direction of the fibers. In this case, rather large sawdust is formed, the size of which depends on the height of the teeth. The larger they are, the faster the work goes. If it is necessary to cut even a thin branch, such a saw will be ineffective.

    For cross cutting

    A hacksaw with straight teeth is used. Such a tool will be an excellent choice for trimming boards or cutting branches in the garden. It is he who is suitable for harvesting firewood or shortening the handle to a shovel. The vast majority of all hand-held woodcutting equipment is crosscut.

    Universal

    This is a modification of the transverse, but with a special sharpening of the teeth, which allows you to compensate for the lack of the resulting angle of attack to wood fibers. There are also specialized types of hacksaws, in which the teeth are arranged in groups of several pieces. There is a small gap between groups. This tool is designed to work with raw wood. The indentation between the cutters ensures that wet chips are cleared away on their own without the need for manual cleaning.

    Specialized

    Especially for working with aerated concrete, a special specialized design with victorious soldering was developed. This tool provides a more rigid plunge into the surface and faster sawing of hard materials. Such a hacksaw is quite suitable for both transverse and longitudinal cuts.

    When choosing a saw, you should pay attention not only to the direction of the teeth, but also to their size. There are 3 types of incisors:
    • 2-2.5mm– for accurate work with small details.
    • 3-3.5mm- for medium-sized workpieces.
    • 4-6 mm- for rough cutting of timber and firewood.
    Hacksaws for metal

    The hacksaw has a special design, which consists of a cutting blade and a frame for its fastening. The sheets are interchangeable. They have small teeth that are specially hardened. Itself is densely made of high-speed steel, but nevertheless, as a result of operation, it is erased quite quickly, there are also cases of breaking of individual teeth. The dimensions of such a tool rarely exceed 400 mm in length. The depth of cut is limited by the height of the frame.

    At the ends of the canvas there are through holes through which the mount is inserted to the frame. It should also be taken into account that the direction of the teeth for cutting has special meaning, therefore, arrows are affixed on the canvases, guided by which it is possible to carry out the correct fixing. If you confuse the side, then the speed of work is significantly reduced. A hacksaw for metal allows you to adjust the length of the installed blades. There are also professional saws that allow you to adjust the slope of the edge, turning it at an angle of 45, 90 and 180 degrees.

    Manufacturers of cloths produce them with teeth on one side and on both sides. By choosing the latter, you can turn over the spent cutting edge. This will allow you to get a sharp and ready-to-use tool again. When working with a hacksaw for metal, a high-quality and smooth cut is ensured. The tool can cut almost any material except stone and concrete.

    It is worth noting that for the frame of a hacksaw for metal, special blades are produced for working with wood. This allows you to significantly expand the scope of the frame. It should be noted that in this configuration the tool is still inferior to a specialized saw for wood.

    When choosing any tool, regardless of the material it is intended for sawing, you should pay attention to the size of the teeth. The larger they are, the faster it will be possible to cut the required workpiece. At the same time, the quality of the cut will turn out to be quite rough, and large sawdust will form. Small cutters will allow you to get the most even surface, while the sawing process will take much longer. The delay is due to the difficulty in removing sawdust and the lower efficiency of cutting into the material.

    It is also worth noting that the convenience of work depends on the handle. The softer and more pleasant it fits in the hand, the easier it will be to use the tool. Rubberized handles are the best. They do not slip, and besides this, they significantly reduce rubbing.

    Unusual hiking hacksaws

    A hacksaw is not only a metalwork and carpentry tool, but also an effective tool for cutting firewood. With it, it is much easier to divide a tree trunk into decks than in the case of using an ax. In this regard, there are specialized camping saws that are compact in size. Their main task is to provide an easy transverse cut. The vast majority of these models fold like a regular pocket knife.

    There are also universal pocket hacksaws, the design of which provides for folding the working blade inside the handle, as is the case with a mounting or clerical knife. Such a tool is designed to work with wood and scrap metal. It is convenient to carry, but the effectiveness of the application is minimal and will allow you to perform the simplest tasks.

    Very convenient to carry is a compact metal file, which is a small handle worn on the canvas. Such a tool is the most compact and inexpensive. During operation, there is a high probability of breaking the canvas, because it constantly bends.

    Suppose we need to adjust wooden plinth or prune your garden. It would seem that we take a hacksaw and saw. What kind of wood saw do you use? No, the question is not at all idle. In order to be convinced of this, it is enough to go to any building supermarket or an online store that sells tools. Dozens of models are presented to our attention. And they differ not only in logos and price.

    It seems to be a simple tool, but no, with the wrong choice, at best, we will not get the expected pleasure from work. At worst, since the author of the comment on the forum: “It seemed to me that saws were sold ready for use, i.e. already imprisoned and divorced. So how to choose a hacksaw for wood? What to look for: brand, length or price? We will try to answer this question in this article.

    Main characteristics

    The canvas is of paramount importance in this tool. The ease of use of the product and its service life will depend on the steel grade, the correct hardening procedure and successful sharpening. The choice of a hacksaw for wood is based on four basic characteristics:

    • canvas length;
    • tooth size;
    • steel type;
    • handle type.

    The first criterion is the length of the canvas. It depends on the needs of the buyer, so for small bars, boards, etc. a 280 - 300 mm hacksaw is enough. For construction or summer cottages, a canvas of 450 - 500 mm is more appropriate. There are more. When choosing a model, you must clearly know what size wood you are going to cut. The rule is as follows: the length of the hacksaw should be twice the largest workpiece for which it is intended. You can do less, but the usability will be lost. This is due to several reasons:

    • this ratio allows all the teeth of the hacksaw to completely exit the log during the cut, and this effective removal sawdust (will not clog);
    • it is easier for the hands, with more sweeping movements, the hand does not get so tired.

    Teeth size and sharpening. From this characteristic will depend on the accuracy of the cut and its speed. The pattern is as follows: a small tooth - a clean and accurate cut, but less speed; larger - a rough cut with significantly higher speed and less fatigue. This characteristic on hacksaws is referred to as "TPI", which means the number of teeth per inch (almost 30 mm). The larger the TPI value, the more “delicate” the cut will be. For example, for work with chipboard and fiberboard, this value should be at least 7 - 9. The cut surface will be smoother without a “torn” edge.

    For work in the garden, the cleanliness of the cut is not so critical, especially for trimming or sawing logs. A more important characteristic in such work is the speed of sawing and the effort to be expended. To do this, we need a hacksaw with a TPI value of 3-6, the distance between the teeth is from 4 to 8 mm.

    The classic shape of a tooth is a triangle. As a rule, such saws are of the sharpened type. The latest generation of hacksaws with hardened teeth are trapezoidal in shape. They are initially designed with increased strength and wear resistance. When it gets dull, we go, buy a new hacksaw or change the blade. With all the desire to sharpen it will not work: it is extremely difficult to repeat the sharpening angles, and even such steel cannot be filed. Provided that the production technology is observed.

    Steel type. The standard metal hardness for a wood saw is 45 HRC. For teeth, steel with a hardness of 55 - 60 HRC is used. This type of hacksaw combines the flexibility of the blade with high wear resistance of the teeth. They are easy to recognize by their characteristic appearance - the teeth have a darker shade than the rest of the blade surface. These hacksaws are of the non-sharpened type. If the teeth are not hardened, they can be straightened and sharpened.

    Lever. The number of calluses on the hands depends on its ergonomics. There are two options for the handle: flip or classic. The first option allows you to change blades, for example, in the Bahco Superior EX-19-XT9-C hacksaw model.

    How to choose?

    First of all, it is necessary to determine what type of tool is needed: carpentry or carpentry. The carpentry has a more accurate and clean cut, it is used mainly for dry wood. The cutting speed for this type of tool is not the main characteristic.

    When choosing a length, be guided by your needs, i.e. what size timber or log are you going to cut. If the tool will be used infrequently, for example, on suburban area, choose with hardened teeth. The resource of operation of such a saw is large. In addition, sharpening and setting teeth correctly is a science of its own, and it may not be advisable to master it for seasonal work in the garden.

    The quality of the canvas can be checked upon purchase. To do this, take a hacksaw and see how smooth the canvas is. Next, bend the canvas to tangible resistance and release. The zeal of the fold should be slight, do not break. After that, look at the evenness of the blade at the bend, if the deviation is more than 2 mm - the steel is not of very high quality.

    The teeth of a hacksaw have a dual role:

    • cut wood;
    • remove sawdust.

    The lower the number of teeth per inch, the greater the cutting speed and the less clogged with sawdust. Hacksaws with up to 7 teeth provide high performance with little user effort. True, accuracy will suffer from this. But even here it is necessary to look for a golden mean, because. the greater the distance between the teeth, the smaller the cutting surface. As a result, performance will drop. The best option there will be the following rule: the minimum thickness of the bar must be greater than the pitch of three teeth. Otherwise, it will be flour, not cut.

    Hacksaws can be with a longitudinal and transverse cutting method. Longitudinal blades are easy to recognize by the angle of inclination of the teeth; such saws cut only from themselves. Usually their length does not exceed 50 cm, they have an acute cutting angle - 75 - 800. Most of the models presented in stores can be attributed to hacksaws with a cross cut. They have sharpening on both sides of the tooth. That allows you to cut both when moving forward and backward.

    One of the determining criteria for choosing a hacksaw for wood is the price. As with everything else, quality products from leading brands will cost more than Chinese brands. This overpayment, in fact, is a guarantee of durability and wear resistance of such a tool. And with hardened teeth, this is very important, the overall service life of such a tool will depend on this. It does not lend itself to sharpening. Leading manufacturers exercise tighter control over the choice of steel grade and hardening technology. And as we discussed above, even the shape and pitch of the teeth of such a tool will affect a lot. Starting with the convenience and effort expended, ending with the accuracy and evenness of the cut.

    Models to look out for

    The models below are highly good feedback both according to the results of specialized tests of the tool, and according to the opinion of the users themselves. For convenience, all models will go according to an increasing price category, from budget to professional wood saws.

    Hacksaw for wood Zubr Expert It has a very comfortable plastic handle. The teeth are hardened, triangular in shape with two cutting edges. Suitable for both longitudinal and transverse sawing. The length of the blade, as well as the number of teeth per inch, the user selects independently, the variations of this model are different. It cuts well on any type of wood. This tool is suitable for carpentry work, because. controllability and cutting accuracy at height. For the garden, you can choose a model with a lower TPI value. The cost is from 12 to 15 USD.

    Hacksaw Gross Piranha also available in several versions. Blades Available in different lengths (from 400 to 550 mm) and different numbers of teeth. The saw is made of hard steel 52 HRc, teeth, hardened 66 HRc with triangular laser sharpening. Cuts straight and clean. The Piranha hacksaw has a Teflon coating, which significantly improves the sliding of the blade and allows you to get clean cut edges. The cost of this tool is 12 - 15 USD.

    Hacksaw Stanley General Purpose. This tool is produced by a French company, has good quality and not a high price (about $12). Designed for both longitudinal and transverse sawing. Length 500 mm with TPI 8. Hardened teeth. The cut is easy, without additional effort. An excellent purchase for a summer cottage.

    Hacksaw Irwin Xpert. Very good tool for a reasonable cost, from 20 c.u. Washed down easy, the cut is even and smooth. When sawing hardwood, the force on the hand does not increase significantly. Good handle ergonomics. Length 500 mm, teeth, hardened with proprietary geometry, TPI 8.

    Hacksaws Sandvik(in the past), and now it is a well-known tool under the Bahco brand. Bahco saws with proprietary XT geometry are practically unrivaled, this is already a category professional tool. Noteworthy is the Bahco ProfCut PC-19-File-U7 model. This is one of the few saws that can be sharpened. Convenient, 475 mm long hacksaw. Cuts smoothly and easily. Cost from 20 c.u.

    By the way, you can get the quality of the Bahco company, and at the same time save money, when buying a hacksaw under the brand name "Tescha". This instrument comes to Russia from two countries. If you purchase with the mark "made in Sweden" - you will have in your hands a tool from the Bahco factory, with its level of quality.

    It is very difficult to do on a private plot or cottage without a hand saw for wood. This tool also has the name "hacksaw". With such a simple device, you can cut trees or branches in the garden, shorten fences and do many more types of work where you need to change the length of some kind of wooden product: boards, laminate, and so on.

    It is unlikely that anyone seriously thought about it, but if you make the right choice of a saw, then its service life will depend on this, as well as the convenience of work and the quality of the cut. That is why it is necessary to know all the basic parameters for right choice such a carpentry tool.

    Choosing a saw

    In the markets and shops there is a wide variety of hacksaws for wood. They all differ in several parameters:

    • the shape and size of the teeth;
    • canvas size;
    • steel grade from which the canvas is made;
    • handle shape.

    If one of the specified parameters changes, then the hacksaw will also radically change its original characteristics. All these factors must be considered when buying a tool for different cases. Also, you should always make sure that the saw sat very well in the hand of the master, because it will greatly facilitate the work. You should not buy a tool with a small handle for a person who has large hands. Such a hacksaw will be very inconvenient to use, and therefore the quality of the cut will suffer.

    Tooth size

    This parameter will greatly affect the speed of work, as well as quality. To make it convenient to determine the size and number of teeth, the designation TPI was specially introduced, which should indicate the number of teeth in one inch. Such a parameter can always be found in the description of the tool, and this value is also very often drawn directly on the canvas.

    1. Hacksaw for wood with a large tooth will provide a rough cut, as well as high speed. This parameter will be needed for sawing large boards, firewood and branches. The TPI of such an instrument is 3…6.
    2. If there is a need to make a neat and even cut, then you need to buy a saw with fine teeth - T PI 7 ... 9. Such a hacksaw is ideal for sawing chipboard, fiberboard, laminate. But it is worth noting that the performance will be much less than that of a coarse-toothed hacksaw.

    The joiner's saw is selected according to the size of the teeth. For processing ordinary tree you can buy large or small, and for delicate materials such as fiberboard is better buy a fine-toothed saw. There are several designations in stores: for drywall, for wood, and so on. The difference lies in the same size of the teeth. For each material, the optimal size will be selected.

    The teeth can also differ in their shape, and this will affect the purpose of the tool:

    1. For longitudinal sawing teeth are made triangular with oblique corners. Appearance they will resemble hooks that are sharpened from 2 sides. Such a saw will slide along the grain of the wood and make a very smooth cut, leaving no nicks.
    2. For cross cutting teeth are made in the form of an isosceles triangle. This type of hacksaw cuts when passing back and forth, but it is advisable to use it only on dry wood.
    3. Sometimes it is necessary to use a mixed type of sawing, and for this option, two types of cloves are ideal, which are alternately located one after the other. Long curved ones will cut materials in the forward direction, and triangles, when moving backwards, expand the channel and catch sawdust and chips behind them.

    Steel

    No one wants a saw to fail after only a few uses, so it is advisable to choose the highest grades of steel. Teeth can be regular or hardened. Ordinary ones are sharpened at home.

    Hard-tooth saws are disposable, because when they wear out, nothing can be done with them on their own. This species is very easy to detect by its dark color. It is advisable to choose a saw that is made of stainless steel, as it can often be very damp in garages, and therefore the saw will become covered with unnecessary corrosion. And there are often situations when work is carried out on the street, but after use the saw is forgotten on the site, then it rains, after which the tool also becomes rusty.

    Blade length

    This parameter will be determined by the pitch of the teeth and the size of the saw.

    1. Small hacksaws are equipped with small and frequent teeth, the length of the blade will not exceed 350 mm.
    2. Universal hacksaws are available with an average tooth size, and the length of the entire tool is no more than 550 mm.
    3. A wide hacksaw has large teeth and an increased pitch; the length of the blade is usually no more than 600 mm.

    The canvas can vary not only in length, but also in shape. A traditional saw is usually tapered on one side of the rectangle. This suggests that you have purchased a universal tool that can be used to cut various objects. The rounded blade is usually used to cut branches or other objects from a distance. Such a hacksaw is very light and glides on wood with high quality, without causing much trouble to the owner.

    Lever

    Thanks to the handle, the convenience of carrying out any work is carried out. The tool should fit perfectly in the hand, and also be very comfortable. To make the handle, different plastics are used, which will be pleasant to the touch. When choosing, make sure that material will not slip if your hand gets sweaty while working. It is for this purpose that special grooves and recesses are made in the handle, as well as rubberized lining. It is these parameters that all manufacturers take into account, and therefore produce products that differ in a wide variety of handles.

    Varieties

    In modern shops and markets there is a huge variety of saws for any purpose. Therefore, in order to understand which tool is useful for you, you must first familiarize yourself with all their types.

    Choice by purpose

    As already found out, there is a wide variety of saws, but the choice of a hacksaw should also be carried out in accordance with certain types of work:

    1. For rip sawing, a swing saw must be used.
    2. Transverse will cope well with wood, where there is a transverse arrangement of fibers.
    3. Spike can cut various grooves and spikes, as well as technological recesses in the tree.
    4. Vyruzhnaya cuts holes of various shapes.
    5. Folding hacksaw is used on trees.

    The choice should always be made according to the main purpose for which a certain tool is purchased. For household a saw with interchangeable blades is suitable, and it is also desirable to have several types of cutting tools at home.

    It is very difficult to master all the information and choose exactly the saw that is suitable for a particular situation. That is why it is advisable to study a few more tips that will help you choose the right hacksaw.

    What is the best wood saw? You should not ask such a question, because each tool is useful for a specific situation. Therefore, you need to know how to choose a hacksaw for wood, depending on the purpose. Adhering to these simple rules, you can easily find the right tool that is right for you.

    It is extremely difficult to overestimate the need for a hacksaw for wood. This simple tool is a reliable and faithful assistant in the repair of an apartment or construction country house, can be useful when ennobling a summer cottage or complex garden care. However, before you go to the store, it would be useful to find out its technical and operational characteristics. Read more about how to avoid mistakes when choosing a hacksaw for wood, later in our article.

    How to choose a hacksaw for wood

    To the choice of saw whether for garden work, or for repair and construction purposes, it is worth approaching responsibly. After all, when buying an unsuitable tool, at best, there will be difficulties in work, it will be difficult to achieve the desired result, and at worst, there is a risk of injury.

    Experienced carpenters are advised to pay attention to the working surface of the hacksaw - the canvas. Before buying, be sure to find out what steel is used in the saw. A well-hardened panel with properly sharpened teeth will be much more efficient to use than a tool with a poor working base.

    Hand saw - without a doubt, a necessary tool in the household

    There are various types of hacksaws for woodworking, which differ in many ways. For example, the convenience of sawing and the service life of a hacksaw depend on the blade. In total, when buying a hacksaw for wood, you should pay attention to three components:

    1. Canvas (steel grade, length);
    2. Teeth (their size, shape, distance between them);
    3. handle model.

    The length and size of the canvas

    You need to choose a hacksaw for wood based on your needs: a 300 mm hacksaw is enough for cutting small building materials. If the purpose of the purchase is repair, use in the country, or, even more so, construction, it is advisable to choose a saw with a base of 450 - 500 mm. Also, one should not forget about the “golden rule” for choosing a hacksaw: the length of the tool must be at least twice as long as the workpiece to be sawn.

    The most common hacksaws - with a blade length of 350 to 600 mm - are medium sizes. It is believed that up to thirty-five centimeters these are mini-saws, and over 60 cm they are large. The success of working with wood depends on the correct choice of the length of the canvas.

    If you take a tool shorter than optimal, you will have to exert more effort during the cut. If you choose a blade that is too long, the saw will spring back and also create additional difficulties.

    Tooth size and shape

    This property of the saw affects the main factor of the tool - its purpose. It is easy to choose the right size using the TPI coefficient. This is a special scale that shows the number of teeth per inch of the working length of the blade. Often this coefficient is indicated directly on the working surface of the tool.

    Advice! Hacksaws with large tooth well suited for roughing, initial work at construction sites, sawing trunks. Working with small cutters will take more time and effort, but the quality will be higher.

    Differences in incisors in appearance

    The triangular tooth configuration is considered standard. Variations are allowed: an acute or isosceles triangle. The advantage of these teeth is that they are easy to sharpen. The saw cut is quite accurate without coarse notches.

    It is best to use a hacksaw with triangular cutters for cross or longitudinal cuts.

    Another important point The one thing you should pay attention to before buying a saw is the blade teeth. Cheaper models use conventional cutters, while more expensive ones use better hardened teeth. This characteristic will affect the speed and accuracy of the cut.

    The option with a hardened cutter is good for its energy intensity - you don’t have to sharpen anything yourself, because the saw will be as sharp as possible. However, an unhardened cutter can always be sharpened “for itself” (or when it becomes dull), which cannot be done with hardened teeth.

    With small incisors, the cut will be more accurate, but the work will take longer, with large ones, on the contrary, you can saw off faster, but a rough cut will come out.

    Sharpening saw teeth is a difficult task, so if you do not have enough experience, it is better to entrust this matter to a professional.

    Handle design

    The device of the handle is an important characteristic affecting the quality and safety of work. Handles are different forms, depending on the purpose of the hacksaw. They may be made from different materials A: wood, plastic, metal or be rubberized.

    There are 2 types of handles:

    • flip (with the ability to easily change the canvas)
    • classical.

    Important! An awkwardly held hacksaw will slip in your hands, bend and go badly along source material, which could result in injury.

    material requirements

    In order for the hacksaw to serve you for a long time, you should choose a model whose blade and handle are made of high quality materials. Of course, such a hand saw will cost more, but you are unlikely to achieve a quick and high-quality cut with a cheap option.

    Technical characteristics of hacksaws

    According to GOST, hacksaws for wood intended for carpentry and joinery (manual sawing of wood) must meet certain technical specifications.

    IN state standard it is specified what materials the canvas, handles can be made of, what should be the connection of the working surface with the handle. The permitted dimensions of the tool and its individual parts are also indicated. There are requirements for sharpening and breeding cutters, the minimum allowable sharpening index to the front and back edges of the tool.

    Types of hacksaws for wood

    Having wondered how to choose a hacksaw for wood, first of all you need to start from what it is being purchased for.

    1. If you need a hacksaw for plywood, then just choose the classics - inexpensive option, where there are always variations with the base and incisors.
    2. If the instrument is to be used for various kinds works (repairs in the country or in the apartment), then the inclusion in the set of interchangeable canvases will be an advantage. Changing the working base depending on the goals, it will be possible to perform straight, transverse, figured cuts with one saw, cut trees, shrubs.

    When choosing a hacksaw, it is important to pay attention to all its components, because its operational properties will depend on this. It is better to buy a tool made of stainless steel - the price is more expensive, but the service life will be longer.

    classical

    The most popular hacksaw for wood, based on a wide blade. The length of the saw can vary, as can the number of teeth. Universal in application.

    The kit may contain interchangeable blades, special miter boxes for sawing wood at different angles. This type of saw is suitable for cutting chipboard, work with wood or plywood, for laminate.

    Vykruzhnaya

    The circular hacksaw has a narrow blade and closely spaced teeth. For certain types of work, there is a model with a double-sided arrangement of cutting elements.

    This type of saw is well suited for accurate sawing along pre-marked contours. If necessary, a circular saw is used for cutting holes (round, square, etc.). When working, you need to be careful - sometimes it can slip out of your hands.

    With an award

    Two-handed hacksaw with handles on both sides. The size of the working surface is 12-15 cm, the width is 8-10 cm. Externally, the saw is similar to a planer.

    The main application can be attributed to cutting a spike and groove. At the same time, the saw is suitable for any type of wood, even the hardest.

    Obushkovaya

    Carpenter's hand saw for finer and more precise cuts. The main advantage is the presence of a metal or brass butt that protects the instrument. Thanks to additional protection (butt), you can work with hard materials, while getting accurate saw cuts - after all, the hacksaw itself has small hardened teeth.

    For sawing eyes, it is most convenient to use exactly backing hacksaw. The only disadvantage of this model is that the butt prevents you from making a cut deeper than the width of the working surface.

    Sadovaya

    For convenient use garden saws are often made with a curved blade. This is a great option for outdoor work. All thanks to a special design - a narrowed end with widely placed incisors, which are divorced in a special way, for a comfortable cut of branches and knots.

    The material from which it is made garden saw- this is a strong chromium steel of special hardening, for an even cut, so as not to damage the bark.

    Luchkova

    This name was due to the similarity with a small bow. Great for removing small branches and branches, although it can also handle harder material. Distinctive feature hacksaw - a thin canvas fixed in a single frame on both sides. Sizes vary from 300 to 910 mm in length.

    Good to know! All bow saws are tools with a stretched blade. It is also worth noting that the main tools of labor for cabinet makers are archery hacksaws.

    • The saw is considered quite fragile, but there is no need to worry: it is easily restored by replacing the blade with a new one. So, the disadvantage in the form of fragility is transformed into dignity - easy repair and durability.

    Important! Care must be taken when working with this type of saw, the frame located at an acute angle touches the palm of your hand, which can lead to injury.

    wide hacksaw

    Excellent for sawing large woods, most effective when sawing across the grain. This type of hacksaw can also be divided for longitudinal or cross cutting.

    Teeth of a triangular configuration (may contain an inclination "oblique sharpening") with a taper angle from 40° to 50° degrees. Separately, they are equipped with various canvases for comfortable carpentry or locksmith work.

    A hacksaw with a fine tooth of a small size, which consists of a handle and a straight flat panel. It is used when sawing thin boards, chipboard, when sawing out curved elements and for smooth cutting.

    The negative characteristic should include noticeable deviations during operation. Therefore, in order to get an even cut along the intended line, you will have to work more carefully and more slowly than with a wide hacksaw.

    Loppers

    Lopper is the main tool for complex work in the suburban area. Pruning trees, hard-to-reach shoots in large bushes - these tasks are easier to perform with a lopper than with a conventional hacksaw, thanks to the tool's elongated handles.

    Lopper variety:

    1. They work on the principle of cutting branches and branches;
    2. Remove branches and thin knots by biting them off.

    Of the significant advantages of loppers, we can distinguish:

    • sharply sharpened blades so as not to damage the bark of plants during cutting shrubs and trees;
    • Loppers are already traditionally made of indestructible metal. This is done so that during the cutting of branches, the juice released does not spoil the hacksaw with corrosion;
    • lightness and compactness of the tool. This garden view saw does not exceed 0.5 kilograms, it is convenient to work with it on stairs and other hills.

    Many models of this inventory look more like scissors than a regular saw. Some loppers consist of a single sharpened blade with a straight or curved edge - this model preferentially bites the wood rather than sawing it.

    Cross two-handed

    A two-handed cross saw, which is popularly called "Friendship 2", is used to work with round, massive timber. It differs in the configuration of cutters having the shape of an isosceles triangle, which contributes to the unhindered ejection of wood particles from the cut. Saw sizes vary from 100 to 175 cm, width from 14 to 16 cm.

    Among the shortcomings, one can single out the fact that two people are needed to work with this saw. However, the performance of a crosscut saw when sawing wood is significantly higher than that of a single-handled saw.

    Popular models of hacksaws in Russia

    • Hacksaw "Kremlin" - refers to a universal tool, the main purpose of which is still sawing wooden blanks. In total, the Kremlevka lineup includes more than 10 models, with various forms teeth, handles and different lengths.

    Interesting to know! The first models of the Kremlevka were considered country saws, but now you can find specimens suitable for large boards and logs.

    The main feature of the saw is the shape of the tooth (special symmetry, which excludes idling during reciprocating motion) that provides a soft movement of the unit, which allows you to effectively move both in length and across the wood fiber. There are models with a cast base and a handle, two-handed saws for roundwood and a bar.

    "Kremlevka" is a time-tested reliability

    • Delta hacksaw line are presented in three main groups: "ordinary" intended primarily for the garden, "standard" - medium-sized, and "premium" - with the expectation of large-sized wood.

    Most saws have an ultra-resistant polymer coating, high carbon hardened steel. When buying a hand saw for the first time, it is better to give preference to popular models and well-established manufacturers.

    For comfortable work, all Delta saws are equipped with a comfortable handle that fits well in the hand.

    • Tourist folding hacksaws are becoming more and more popular. Indeed, with the help of a compact but well-sharpened saw, it is faster and more convenient to get rid of interfering knots than with an ax.

    An important role is played by the weight of the tool - tourist models usually do not exceed 200 grams. A hacksaw cover is relevant in many cases. Often people take a saw for a picnic - sawing a log, getting rid of interfering knots.

    Important! The cover for folding hand saws should fit snugly and not dangle. It should also be easy to remove and put back on, while completely covering the working surface of the saw.

    There are a variety of hand saw cases available on the market, each with its own advantage. The scabbard cases are distinguished by a high degree of protection and durability. In any case, additional protection will not be superfluous when storing the instrument in a room with high humidity.


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