What Is a Hacksaw?

A hacksaw is a hand tool with a removable blade used for cutting metal and plastic.

Hacksaw Frame

A hacksaw frame is C-shaped with a handle at one end.

Hacksaw on wood - NO REUSE

The Spruce / Jacob Fox

The hacksaw blade runs across the open end of the frame.

Most hacksaw frames are 6, 10, or 12 inches in length.

The blade mounts to the frame on pins.

After it has dulled, a hacksaw blade is difficult to sharpen.

It’s typically disposed of and replaced with a new blade.

Hacksaw blades have between three and 32 teeth per inch (TPI).

Most blades range from 18 to 32 TPI.

Blades that have more teeth per inch are used for cutting finer materials.

Like any other saw, though, pressure on the saw increases its cutting strength.

Keep hands and the rest of your body away from the hacksaw blade when cutting.

Sharp metal, plastic, or the tool itself can cause harm.

confirm that the blade is well-tensioned and straight.

Tighten the thumbscrew clockwise until the blade is tight and does not wobble side-to-side.

Use a rag to rub two or three drops of machine oil across the blade.

Clamp Work Material

Clamp the work material into a vise.

Or, use clamps to hold the material to the work table.

Cut Material

Saw the material by moving forward and back in full strokes.

Press firmly down on the forward stroke, but not so much that you twist the blade.

Ease up on the pressure for the backward stroke.

Hacksaw blades with 18, 24, and 32 TPI are suitable for most applications.

While both tools can cut the same types of materials, they are typically used in different ways.