What hacksaw to choose for Laminated chipboard. Vira 800245

Wood hacksaws for home their types and requirements for selection

Except for power tools, a good master must have hand tools in his arsenal. And it is not only a hammer and a set of keys, but even to the hand tools also includes a hacksaw for wood, to the choice of which requires an appropriate approach. It is used exclusively for woodworking. trimming trees, preparing rafters, beams and boards during construction, as well as the manufacture of various structures from woodworking materials. Wood hacksaws are the second most important tool after the hammer, and a proper approach is necessary when selecting the right one.

Choosing the right tool for any job requires thoughtful thought. Although wood hacksaw is considered the simplest hand tool, which consists of a cutting part and a handle, but a lot depends on it. It is both the speed of the result, and the quality of the cut, as well as the amount of physical effort a person makes when cutting trees.

Many home crafters still have old hacksaws from Soviet times, which have one important quality. reliability. Modern hacksaws are less reliable, but are more practical and easy to use. That is why if you have an old handheld wood saw lying around in your garage, do not rush to throw it away. To restore the serviceability of the tool you need to sharpen the wood hacksaw. However, it is important to consider that the teeth on the tool must be all, otherwise it is not suitable for further use.

This is interesting! The lack of one or more teeth on a wood hacksaw not only reduces the performance of the tool, but also makes it unsafe to use. After all, in the place of absence of teeth on the blade, the load increases, so it is not excluded that the material can break, thereby injuring the master, working with the tool.

If there is an old wood hacksaw in the arsenal, you can restore its performance, but if you decide to buy a new one, then you need an appropriate approach to the choice. Before we choose, let’s consider the types of wood hacksaws, what they are and how they differ.

How to choose a quality hacksaw

Our review includes 14 of the best wood hacksaws. Expert opinion and user feedback were taken into account when compiling the rating.

An overview of the best wood hacksaws

On the tool market, wood hacksaws are presented in a wide range. Among them, there are products of both domestic and foreign production, which have proven themselves from the best side.

Zubr Expert saw. universal tool that can perform both longitudinal and cross cutting of wood. The 40 cm long blade has specially hardened and peened teeth, positioned in 5 mm increments.

Banco Laplander 396-LAP mini saw was specially designed for outdoor use. Narrow, pointed blade with Sandvik XT teeth for a good cut both lengthwise and crosswise. Length of the hacksaw when folded is 23 cm and weighs only 200 g.

Blade of Gross Piranha hacksaw is made of high quality steel with hardness of HRC 52. over the teeth, hardened to HRC 66, have a laser-ground triangular shape and are coated with Teflon, which improves sliding of the blade and a clean cut.

Choosing a hacksaw, you should pay attention to its marking, study the parameters and, if something is unclear, clarify with the seller. After purchase, the tool should be cared for, cleaned after work, stored in a dry place, sharpened and deburred if necessary. Only then will it last as long as possible.

All about choosing a wood hacksaw

Today there are different modifications of goods, each of them is designed for a certain type of work. That’s why the choice has become more complicated. Let’s understand what to look for when choosing a.

Hacksaw blade

The blade is the centerpiece of the tool and determines its performance. The length of the blade is important. It can be between 25 and 50 cm. The longer the blade, the larger elements the hacksaw cuts. Less effort is required. But there is a disadvantage: the long blade is more springy, which is inconvenient. This is especially noticeable during the processing of hardwood: oak, ash, maple, t.п.

Therefore masters recommend to adhere to the rule: the length of the blade must be twice as long as the area to be sawed. This ratio ensures comfortable handling. A smaller saw could jam, it would need to be extracted with great force. Too long will begin to spring and jam, and may break. All of this will make it much more difficult to manipulate. Choose a length of 250-300 mm for small items, for large. 450-500 mm.

The width of the blade also makes a difference. A blade that is too narrow will break even with a slight bend. Working with tools that are too wide can be uncomfortable, and requires great force. Optimal width for hand saw. 100-200 mm. You should know that for different types of processing, products of a certain width are used. That’s why craftsmen buy them in sets, so they can choose an appropriate blade for different purposes.

Carbon or alloyed steel is used for blade production. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Initially, low-alloy carbon metal was used. It is ductile and does not break, but wears out very quickly. Hardened, on the other hand, does not blunt for long, but breaks under bending stress. Bimetal plates, where metal is hardened only in the tooth area, are a kind of compromise. Bimetal blades can be purchased in every construction store. They are ductile, do not break and do not blunt for a long time. But it is impossible to sharpen them again. Hardened metal is difficult to sharpen.

Gross Piranha wood saw

For professional applications, high-alloy steel blades are available. They give the best quality of cut, but are very fragile. Softer varieties are more resistant to bending, but they lose precision in the cut. High-alloy steel grades M50, M7, M2, M1 are used for the saws. It is marked as HSS or HS. These are the most expensive saw blades.

For domestic use carbon steel blades are available. They are plastic, not sensitive to bending, can be sharpened. True, it is quite difficult to qualitatively sharpen and set the teeth. Not all masters are able to cope with it and ask professionals for help in order not to spoil the saw.

For domestic use, it is optimal to choose a metal of medium hardness. It is marked with numbers 45 and letters HRC. The harder variant is also suitable: 60-55 HRC.

Working steps

Using an electric jigsaw is the most common option when sawing chipboard at home, because of the availability of the tool, versatility and ease of handling.

Requirements for the saws used:

Most tool manufacturers offer special products for sawing Woodchipboard. Saw blades for laminate will also be suitable for work.

The process of sawing consists in the consecutive performance of three operations: marking sheets, sawing and processing of edges if necessary.

Cutting

When working at home, it is important to properly cut the material to minimize waste. Particular attention is paid to “nesting” if the workpiece is laminated Particleboard has a pronounced pattern, which must be taken into account.

It is recommended to plan the location of parts on a sheet of paper lined in a ticker. On the Internet you can easily find calculators and programs which will automatically plan the best parts layout.

Before starting the work it is necessary to lay the sheet on a firm base, taking into account that under the place of the cut there must be a free space for the saw’s movement.

Then the cutting algorithm consists of pasting masking tape and drawing the cutting lines with a permanent marker.

By attaching masking tape of the required width, it is possible to avoid scratches from the steel sole of the jigsaw, to reduce the probability of chipping of the laminating layer.

If you can’t find special saws for chipboard, sawing is done from the backside so that the teeth “work” against the surface.

Sawing process

It is recommended to saw straight lines with a guide.

The work algorithm is as follows:

• Use a sharp knife or a special tool to cut through the laminate layer. Reduces chipping.
• Use jigsaws to secure the guide rail that the jigsaw blade will rest against when making a straight cut. No need for a guide if edge quality is not crucial or if you are very experienced in sawing. The position is chosen according to the width of the jigsaw base plate.
• Set the medium speed of the electric motor, remove the rolling mode.
• Start cutting from the edge to the center. Do not apply pressure on the tool, because in this case, the saw will certainly be carried away or the cut will be at an angle to the plane of the sheet.
• If necessary, carry out additional sawing, bypassing the workbench.
• Avoid sheets breaking under their own weight at the end of the cut.

Only high-quality saws are able to operate for long periods of time. The tool “economy class” will not cut more than 5-10 linear meters Laminated chipboard, after which the teeth are blunted chipping appears, the jigsaw is pulled to the side.

If it is necessary to saw an inner hole for a hatch, installation of electric sockets or switches, first make a marking. Next, drill the chipboard with a drill 1-2 mm wider than the width of the saw. After putting the saw into the hole that is formed, sawing is carried out.

Machining after trimming

If rigid profiles are used, it is enough to remove the dust. Gluing is carried out with carpentry glue.

Facing the end of the chipboard is carried out with foils of different material:

Important condition. prior to gluing it is necessary to level the end surface Particleboard.

A milling cutter, file or a grinder are used for treatment.

The self-adhesive films are pressed with some flat bar. After gluing, cut off the protruding parts of the end tape.

The primary importance in this tool is the blade. The grade of steel, proper hardening procedure, and successful sharpening will determine the usability and service life of the product. The choice of a wood hacksaw is based on four basic characteristics:

The first criterion is the length of the blade. It depends on the needs of the buyer, so for small bars, planks, etc.п. 280. 300 mm of a hacksaw is quite sufficient. For construction or dacha it is advisable to have a blade of 450. 500 mm. There are also bigger saws. When selecting a model, you must clearly know what size wood you are going to cut. The rule is as follows: the length of the hacksaw must be twice as long as the largest workpiece for which it is designed. Smaller is fine, but usability is lost. This is due to several reasons:

• this ratio allows all the teeth of the hacksaw during sawing to come out of the log completely, which is an effective removal of sawdust (will not clog);
• your hands are at ease, and your arm is not as fatigued with the sprawling motion.

How big the teeth are and how well they are sharpened. The accuracy and speed of the cut will depend on this characteristic. The regularity is as follows: a shallow tooth means a clean and precise cut, but less speed; a larger tooth means a coarse cut at much greater speed and less fatigue. This characteristic is marked on hacksaws as “TPI” which indicates the number of teeth per inch (almost 30 mm). The higher the TPI value, the more “delicate” the cut will be. For example, for works with particleboard and fiberboard, this value should be at least 7-9. the cutting surface will be smoother without a torn edge.

For work in the garden, the cleanliness of the cut is not so critical, especially for cutting or sawing logs. A more important factor in this type of work is the cutting rate and the effort that has to be expended. For this, we need a hacksaw with TPI value of 3-6, the distance between the teeth from 4 to 8 mm.

The classic tooth shape is a triangle. As a rule, such saws are of the sharpenable type. The latest generation of hacksaws with hardened teeth have a trapezoidal shape. They are designed for toughness and resistance to wear from the very beginning. When blunt. go buy a new hacksaw or change blade. It will not be possible to sharpen it with all intention: it is extremely difficult to repeat sharpening angles, and this steel cannot be filed. Provided that the manufacturing process is observed.

Type of steel. Standard hardness of metal for wood hacksaws is 45 HRC. Steel with hardness of 55-60 HRC is used for teeth. This type of hacksaw combines a flexible blade with high resistance to tooth wear. They can be easily recognized by their distinctive appearance. teeth have darker shade than the rest surface of the blade. These hacksaws are of the unsharpened type. If the teeth are not hardened. They can be dressed and sharpened.

Handle. The number of blisters on your hands depends on its ergonomics. There are two handle options: flip-up or classic. The first option allows you to change blades, such as in the Bahco Superior EX-19-XT9-C wood hacksaw model.

Selection criteria

The main purpose of the hand saw. longitudinal or transverse cutting of wood, as well as materials based on it or close to them in properties. When choosing a tool, first of all the following parameters are taken into account:

Let’s analyze in details the peculiarities of each type of choice.

Designation

The first thing you need to know in order to choose the right wood saw is the type of work to be done with it. They are classified according to two features. the type of cut and purpose. According to the nature of the cut the hand saws are divided into 3 main varieties:

• Longitudinal. Equipped with teeth with a sharpening angle of about 45-60 degrees. Provide a unidirectional, even, precise cut. That is why they are used for finishing works, in furniture and interior furnishing.
• Transversal. Characterized by an angle of teeth sharpening of about 45-55 deg. Used for sawing in both directions of cut, mostly in dry material.

Cross-cutting sawing of wooden workpiece Source domnomore.com

• Universal. The blade has two types of teeth. semicircular and triangular. The first set the direction of movement, the second one widens the seam. The higher the accuracy of cut the closer to each other the teeth are.

According to the purpose, the manual saws are differentiated into classic, tenoned and cupped. The first are used as standard, the second. to form technological tongue-and-groove joints, the latter. to create rounded shapes and holes.

Tooth parameters

The second important criterion for choosing a saw is its tooth parameters. It is primarily their size, which is also directly related to the distance between their tips. pitch. There are three basic groups:

• Fine. Tooth size is 2-2,5 mm. The number of teeth (TPI) per given length (usually an inch) is 7-9. Used for quality precision cutting.
• Medium. 3-3.5 mm teeth. TPI is 5-7. Used in joinery.
• Large. Tooth sizes are up to 4-6mm. TPI 3-5. A coarse-toothed wood saw is used for rough work such as sawing wood and building materials when high speed is needed.

Large-toothed hand-held wood saw Source domnomore.com

Just a side note! Modern models of hand saws have a cutting part structure in which the teeth alternate with hollows. This makes it possible to use the tool both in dry and in damp wood. When cutting fresh wood, wet sawdust is easily removed through the gaps. Thanks to this, the saw does not get bogged down and quickly copes with the work.

Blade steel type

Despite the fact that the wood saw is operated in soft conditions, its blade is still made of quality steel alloys. These are mainly such grades as. 8KhF, 65G, U7. U10 and others. Their main feature. the wear resistance achieved by the inclusion of silicon and carbon.

However, in order to save money some manufacturers make blades of ordinary steel and the cutting part of the blade of high-strength steel. At the same time, if the teeth have a hardened structure, which is usually reflected in their distinctive black color, then, after inevitable wear, they are not repairable. At the same time counterparts made of non-hardened steel may be periodically, as they wear out, sharpened.

Grinding the cutting part of a handsaw on wood Source domnomore.com

See also: Directory of companies that specialize in finishing materials and related work

Length and geometry of blade

In order to choose the right wood hacksaw for optimal and fast sawing in accordance with the specific conditions of use, it is necessary to consider the length of the blade. This parameter generally correlates directly with tooth pitch and tooth size and lays out 3 main categories of saws:

• Narrow blade with a length of 250 to 350 mm. Equipped with small, frequently spaced teeth.
• Universal saw with a 350-550 mm blade. Has medium-sized teeth.
• Wide blade 550-650 mm long. Equipped with large teeth with increased pitch.

The geometry of the blade can also vary depending on the purpose. For example, standard saws have a beveled rectangle shape. Special models, on the other hand, are equipped with a curved blade. For example, the branch saw has a curved sabre shape, which makes it easy and convenient to work on pruning garden trees and shrubs.

For pruning the branches of garden trees it is convenient to use a special shape saw Source domnomore.com

Important! When selecting a saw for a specific application, the ratio of blade length to workpiece thickness is not least important. It should be at least twice as big. Otherwise it will be uncomfortable to saw with it: the amplitude of the sawing will be insufficient, the blade will constantly jam.

the shape of the handle

The shape and size of the handle can have a variety of variations. it depends on the type of work, conditions, anthropometry and user requirements. The main thing is that it was convenient, ergonomically sat in the hand and did not slip.

Recommendation! For thrifty owners when equipping a home workshop, the best option for wood hacksaw will be a model with removable blades. It takes less storage space and in the end costs much less than a set of hand saws for every application.

Norgau N403

In the category of best hacksaw for metal the Norgau N403 wins. simple in appearance, but high quality hacksaw with lever tensioner. Yes, the Russian distributor, as usual, decided to “mimic Europe” by presenting a Taiwanese tool with a “kind of German” face, but their quality control is good, so it is very possible to use Norgau metal hacksaws.

The frame of the hacksaw is made of galvanized steel tubing, the handle is aluminum. The stiffness of the construction is very good, it does not “play” and easily holds a strong tension, and it is not difficult to tension the blade at the expense of the lever. The blade “out of the box” is not bad, with a pitch of 24 teeth per inch. And to replace it any 300 millimeter blade will do.

9.8 / 10Rating Reviews It’s a really working tool, no complaints during the entire time of use.

Kraftool 15802_z01

This hacksaw also has a lever tensioner, but less convenient than the Norgau’s: to tension you must release the top lever, set the preload with the thumbwheel on the bottom lever and then put the top lever “in place”. But here is in convenience, it might be even more interesting, even with a two-handed grip. both on the handle and in front there is a rubber band.

Since we saw more time than we shift the blades (unless, of course, they “fly” after a couple of cuts), then we will not lower the rating of the hacksaw significantly for the tensioner design: it’s convenient to work with the tool. So as an option to buy, especially if you often work with two hands, it will be quite interesting.

9.6 / 10Rating Reviews It sits great in my hands. before I had an old one with a metal handle, my hands got tired more.

Types of wood hacksaws

Asked the question, how to choose a wood hacksaw, first of all, you need to start with what it is purchased for.

• If you need a hacksaw for plywood, it is enough to choose the classic. an inexpensive option, where there are always variations with the base and cutters.
• If the tool is planned to be used for different types of work (repairs at the cottage or in the apartment), the advantage will be the presence of interchangeable blades. Changing the working base depending on the purpose, you can perform straight, cross, curly kerf cuts, cut trees, bushes with one saw.

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

Saw blades are very sharp, so care must be taken when working with them

Classic

The most popular wood sabre saw, with a wide base plate. Saws can vary in length and number of teeth. Versatile in use.

This package may contain interchangeable blades, special files for cutting wood at different angles. This type of saw is suitable for cutting particle board, working with wood or plywood, for laminate.

Classic sabre saw with a plastic handle

Sawing out

Circular hacksaw has a narrow blade and teeth close to each other. 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 making accurate cuts along pre-marked contours. If necessary, a hacksaw is used to cut holes (round, square and others). Handle with care, as it can sometimes slip out of your hands.

It is very easy to work with a cupped (narrow) wood sander

With hacksaw

Two-handed sabre saw with handles on both sides. Working area size. 12-15 cm, width 8-10 cm. Similar in appearance to a planer.

The main use can include the cutting of the stud and groove. Suitable for all types of wood, even the toughest.

Hacksaw

The carpenter’s hand saw for finer and more precise cuts. Main advantage is metal or brass shoe to protect tool. Thanks to the additional protection (shoe) you can work with tough materials, and still get a neat cut. because the hacksaw itself has small, hardened teeth.

For sawing eyelets, it is most convenient to use a hacksaw. The only disadvantage of this model can be called that the shank prevents from making the cut deeper than the width of the working surface.

The bow hacksaw is great for working with any type of lumber

Garden

Garden saws are often made with a curved blade for ease of use. It’s a great option for yard work. Thanks to its special design. narrowed tip with widely spaced knives, angled for easier cutting of branches and twigs.

The saw is made of hard chrome steel, specially hardened for a smooth cut so as not to damage the bark.

With a bow hacksaw your garden will always look nice and tidy

Bow

This name comes from its resemblance to a bow. Great for removing small boughs and branches, although it can also handle harder material. The distinctive feature of the bow hacksaw is a thin blade fixed in a single frame on both sides. Dimensions range from 300 to 910 mm in length.

Good to know! All bow saws belong to the toolkit with a tensioned blade. It is also worth noting that the basic tools of carpenters- cabinetmakers include exactly onion hacksaws.

• The saw is considered quite fragile, but no need to worry: it can be easily repaired by replacing the blade with a new one. Thus, a disadvantage in the form of fragility is converted into an advantage. easy repair and durability.

Important! Working with this type of saw should be careful, the frame located at an acute angle touches the palm, which can lead to injury.

The beam hand saw can easily cope with the task entrusted to it

Wide hacksaw

Great for cutting big wood, most efficient for cross-cutting. This type of sabre saw can also be divided into a longitudinal or cross-cutting saw.

Triangular tooth configuration (may have an oblique cut) with an angle of sharpening of 40° to 50° degrees. Separately equipped with different blades for comfortable carpentry or locksmith work.