Junior hacksaw blades

[AJWParticipant @ajw]

[AJWParticipant @ajw]

For sawing most metals I use a 12 inch hacksaw fitted with usually a 24 you blade. I've cut loads with the current blade including lots of 2 inch bar – the blades been in the saw for months.

I also at times use a junior hacksaw fitted with an eclipse blade and am always disappointed at how long it lasts.

Can anybody recommend a make that will last better?

Alan

[Alain FooteParticipant @alainfoote90915]

I think you will find that junior hacksaw blades are not high speed steel like the better quality normal hacksaw blades generally are.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

I only recently discovered that Junior Hacksaws work much better if you turn the blade round and cut on the pull stroke. I found some Bahco blades that seem much better.

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

They work much better in a proper frame iwth screw tensioner than in the cheap bent steel rod device.

The are softer than the usual hacksaw blade. Bimetallic is impossible and a hard one would snap in nothing flat.

Itty bitty teeny weeny teeth too so clogging is an issue. Being so small and light the tendency is to push down and force the saw.

Most folk tend to go too fast. Apparently the proper speed is something under half normal hacksawing speed which feels really slow.

Clive

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

The flimsy frame is much less of an issue if you cut on the pull stroke.

[AJWParticipant @ajw]

Thanks guys, I do try and take it steady when sawing although I didn't realise Bahco made saw blades, I've always been impressed with their spanners so will have a search for saw blades.

Alan

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Has the quality degraded over time, or more recently? I have always considered them to be much harder than regular hacksaws but hence less durable long term. As well as small cutting jjobs and accessibility I choose them for all harder materials like silver steel and piano wire to save my full size blades for the bigger bits of soft mild steel.

[AdrianRParticipant @adrianr18614]

I too have found junior hacksaw blades to be soft recently, but I put it down to buying DIY store blades.

A blade I have had for at least 30 years and probably came from R.S. still cuts even if a little dull. The DIY store ones are lucky to survive the first pass of the blade. I have bought Eclipse blades and they are better, still not as good as I remember them to be.

But how much of that is a rosy memory of days gone past?

[Steve NeighbourParticipant @steveneighbour43428]

The makes that perform well are Bahco or Hilka, and avoid using the cheap wire type frames, try and use one with a tension screw

[AJWParticipant @ajw]

Perhaps I'm expecting too much? The blades I have are all old stock and are probably 30+ years old so pre date the cheap influx of 'pound shop' type product.

Having had a bit of a search and hoping to find something like the bimetal larger blades where we have a hss cutting edge but all I could find was hardened and tempered carbon steel so have gone for a pack of bahco ones and will see how they go!

Alan

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Try reversing the blade when you do (or does everyone do that anyway it's just me that didn't realise?).

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

I have always used junior hacksaws on the pull. Same as piercing saws and fretsaws

Roy

[Nigel McBurney 1Participant @nigelmcburney1]

my first genuine eclipse junior hack saw frame ,new in 1958 and still has my clock number stamped on it,seems to have more spring in it than later ones from unknown sources,and holds the blade tight,still works ok ,I have always cut in the push direction,never tried to pull.The quickest way to ruin a blade is to cut "unbrako" socket screws. In more recent times i tend to cut toughened bolts and socket screws with a 1 mm disc in an angle grinder,then this yearI purchased a Dewalt cordless angle grinder and that tool is useful saves the need for long cables when using it around the sheds and yard.

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

Thank you gentlemen for suggesting the blade works better on the pull stroke, I now agree after trying it out

Regards Brian

[Grizzly bearParticipant @grizzlybear]

While on the subject of junior hacksaws, they make very good pruning saws.

Use a woodworking bandsaw blade, cut to length and drilled for small self tappers.

Used on the pull, watch your fingers.

Bear..

[GeorgineerParticipant @georgineer]

Posted by Clive Foster on 05/03/2021 22:22:30:

They work much better in a proper frame iwth screw tensioner than in the cheap bent steel rod device.

…

I use a cheap bent steel rod device, which was the first thing I made when I started my apprenticeship in 1969. I'm planning to replace it when it wears out.

George B.

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

Bear you can get junior hacksaw blades for wood

Roy

[Brian MorehenParticipant @brianmorehen85290]

I always smear Both types of hacksaw blades with some lathe cutting oil makes life so much more easier also st ops clogging and seems to make the blades last longer . give it try.

Regards to all Bee M

[Grizzly bearParticipant @grizzlybear]

Roy,

Make the blades from broken bandsaw blades.

I doubt there are any wood blades, they wouldn't be accurate enough.

Having said that:

Irwin 14tpi Wood Junior Hacksaw Blades 6" (150mm) 10 Pack | Hand Saw Blades | Screwfix.com

Bear..

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

Posted by AJW on 05/03/2021 22:56:12:

Thanks guys, I do try and take it steady when sawing although I didn't realise Bahco made saw blades, I've always been impressed with their spanners so will have a search for saw blades.

Alan

Sandvik may be a name more associated with saw blades and they bought Bahco 30 odd years ago. As usual brand names get used and abused when they get hoovered up into a conglomerate so Bahco who invented the crescent adjustable have their name applied to saw blades. I think Snap On own them now so who knows what names will turn up on anything now.

Mike

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I think it's easier to work a junior hacksaw far too fast, with the result you over heat them and draw the temper so they blunt easily.

Bahco hacksaw blades (and saw frames) are good. I find Starrett blades even better.

Neil

[AJWParticipant @ajw]

Just fitted a new (eclipse) blade the 'wrong' way round and in use I'm inclined to think less force was used on the pulling/stroke cut?

Seems alien but will continue with the trial.

Alan

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Posted by AJW on 08/03/2021 08:57:25:

Just fitted a new (eclipse) blade the 'wrong' way round and in use I'm inclined to think less force was used on the pulling/stroke cut?

The main advantage of fitting the blade so that it cuts on the pull stroke is that, if it sticks the couple tends to lift the blade rather than causing it to dig in.

Russell

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Also it's like a Japanese saw, when you pull the cutting tension prevents the blade bending if the frame is a bit springy, since the handle end is much more rigid.

[Author]

Posts