Introduction: Hacksaw
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About: Eric J. Wilhelm is the founder of Instructables. He has a Ph.D. from MIT in Mechanical Engineering. Eric believes in making technology accessible through understanding, and strives to inspire others to learn …
Hacksawing is a great way to cut a wide variety of materials.
Step 1:
Measure and mark the material to be cut.
Step 2:
Choose the right blade for the material you are going to cut. Typically, blades for harder materials such as metal will have smaller teeth than blades for softer materials such as wood and PVC
.It is often possible to cut softer materials with a metal blade, but difficult to cut metal with a wood blade.
Hacksaw blades only cut in one direction. The blade in the image only cuts when moving from right to left. Don't try to cut in both directions by really bearing down on the blade; you can damage your blade that way.
.It is often possible to cut softer materials with a metal blade, but difficult to cut metal with a wood blade.
Hacksaw blades only cut in one direction. The blade in the image only cuts when moving from right to left. Don't try to cut in both directions by really bearing down on the blade; you can damage your blade that way.
Step 3:
Step up the material to be cut. If you don't have a vise, clamp the material to the edge of a table.
Step 4:
Put on your safety glasses.
Cut the material with even strokes and slight pressure against the material (use a reasonable amount of pressure along the direction of the cut).
Cut the material with even strokes and slight pressure against the material (use a reasonable amount of pressure along the direction of the cut).
Step 5:
Smooth any sharp edges or square the ends of the workpiece by sanding, deburring, or other processes.
Step 6:
Vacuum or sweep up any chips and put away all tools.