Wood saw: saw selection criteria and good models. Hand saw for wood: varieties, which one is better to choose Hand saw for wood how to choose

1. How to choose a saw?
2. Tooth size
3. Steel selection
4. Blade length
5. Handle shape
6. Varieties
7. Type 1: Classic
8. Type 2: Narrow
9. Type 3: With collar
10. Type 4: Archery
11. Type 5: Reward
12. Type 6: Folding tool
13. Choice by purpose
14. How to decide

It's hard to imagine an arsenal of tools without a hand saw home master or locksmith. Its other name is a hacksaw. With this tool, you can file branches in the garden, shorten picket fences and do a lot of work where you need to change the length of a wooden product: laminate, boards for the household, etc.

Perhaps you have not thought about it, but the right choice of a hacksaw determines not only its service life, but also the convenience of work, the quality of the cut. Consider the main parameters right choice this necessary tool in the economy and carpentry activities.

How to choose a saw?

The wood saw is on the market in different options. How products may differ:

• The shape and size of the tooth;
• canvas size;
• The steel grade from which the working part (sheet) is made;
• Handle shape.

A hacksaw with a change in one of these parameters can radically change its characteristics. Also, sitting comfortably in the hand of one master, it will not fit another at all. These factors must be taken into account when choosing a tool for different purposes.

Tooth size

This parameter affects the quality and speed of work. For the convenience of determining the size and number of teeth, the designation TPI was introduced, indicating the number of teeth in one inch. This parameter can be seen in the description of a hand saw for wood, often the value is applied to the blade.

The carpenter's saw is selected, first of all, according to the size of the tooth. So, for an ordinary tree, small and large ones are suitable, and for “delicate” materials such as fiberboard, a fine-toothed saw is needed. In stores, you can now find similar designations: “for wood”, “for drywall”, etc. Their main difference is the size of the teeth, which is optimal for sawing each of the materials indicated on the label.

The teeth are distinguished by shape, depending on this, the tool acquires a different purpose:

Steel selection

In order for the tool to last longer, you should choose high grades of steel for the production of blades. Better if it is stainless.

Teeth can be hardened or regular. Ordinary saws can be sharpened at home, saws with hardened teeth are disposable, after wear, nothing can be done with them. They are easy to recognize by the dark color as in the photo.

Blade length

This parameter is determined by the size and pitch of the saw tooth.

• The mini-hacksaw is always equipped with small frequent teeth, the length of its blade does not exceed 350 mm;
• The universal hacksaw has the average size tooth and length no more than 550 mm;
• The wide hacksaw is equipped with large teeth with an increased pitch, the length of its blade is over 600 mm.

In addition to length, the canvas may vary in shape. A traditional saw has the shape of a rectangle narrowed on one side. This is a universal type of tool that can cut anything.

The rounded blade is adapted for working with branches and other objects from a distance: it is light, easily glides over the wood without much effort.

Handle shape

This part of the saw determines the convenience of work. The tool should fit perfectly with the hand and be comfortable. For the manufacture of handles, various plastics are used that are pleasant to the body. An important note - the material should not slip if the hand suddenly becomes sweaty. To do this, recesses and grooves, a rubberized lining are provided in the handle body.

Varieties

By combining the above factors, manufacturers have developed and today produce standard products with different canvases, the shape of the handle and tooth. To understand how to choose a hacksaw for wood, you first need to familiarize yourself with the existing types of saws.

Type 1: Classic

The main type of saw that almost every man has, even far from construction and carpentry. This hacksaw can have a blade of any length with a different number of teeth, often the tool is equipped with interchangeable blades that come with the purchase.

Type 2: Narrow

Its other name is a hacksaw. Takes the name from the main application - she cut out the lines different shapes, moreover, she does it neatly and clearly. It is also used for cutting through round, square holes. The saw blade is narrow, the teeth are frequent, they can be located both on one working plane and on both.

When working with a saw, you should be careful: with an uncertain movement, the blade will turn in the other direction, so the choice of a hacksaw for wood with a narrow blade should be stopped on a product made of high-quality hard steel, which will not bend during the sawing process.

Type 3: With collar

A hacksaw with a backing is equipped with a stiffening rib (the same backing), which prevents the blade from bending during operation. Thus, the tool is not able to make a cut lower than the width of the working part of the saw.

The edge hacksaw is always equipped with a comfortable handle at an angle of 45 0 to the blade for easy work.

Type 4: Archery

For plumbing, a bow saw is indispensable: it is used for sawing off the rough parts of the trunk, knots, for sawing figures out of plywood and other wood materials sawing wood along and across the fibers. The use of the bow saw is so widespread that it alone can replace a small woodworking machine.

A wide range of work carried out slightly obscure the main disadvantages:

1. Bulky. Bow saw - complex structure, its bearing part is made in the form of a large curved arc, to which is attached a blade as narrow as a thread with teeth.
2. Fragility. You need to work with the tool very carefully: the blade can fly off the mounts and tear during work, and it needs to be replaced frequently.

Type 5: Reward

An award-winning saw takes a lot of effort to master. It is a tool that resembles a planer. It is equipped with two handles. Its main application is the cutting of grooves and spikes, the depth of holes and recesses can be of different sizes, moreover, on rocks of any hardness.

Type 6: Folding tool

A mechanical hacksaw that you can take with you on a hike or vacation. It is compact, lightweight, and folds completely safe. Folding hacksaw has fine teeth, short pointed blade.

Choice by purpose

In addition to taking into account the main types of saws, the choice of a hacksaw for wood should be carried out on request for a certain type of work:

1. Swing for longitudinal sawing;
2. The transverse one copes well with wood across the location of the fibers;
3. Spike for cutting grooves, spikes and technological recesses in products;
4. Vyruzhnaya for cutting holes of various shapes;
5. Folding wood saw

These types of wood saws generalize the above tool models. The choice should be made according to the main purpose, for which the selected type of tool is acquired. For a household, it is advisable to purchase a saw with interchangeable blades or have several different types of hacksaws in the arsenal.

How to decide

Such an amount new information difficult to put into practice, so we will give you some tips on how to consistently choose the right saw.

1. The first factor to consider is what kind of material will be cut and what is the desired cut quality. Carpenters working with small wood products choose small saws with a short blade. For a carpenter, it is better to use large teeth and a blade - this master does not need high work accuracy, speed is a priority. A folding garden hacksaw is ideal for summer residents who will only cut through trees and shrubs.
2. Application frequency. Determine how often you will need to work with the tool. If the need is rare, take a saw with hardened teeth, if often there will be a need for sharpening - from ordinary steel.
3. The quality of steel must be high for a tool with any frequency of use. The higher the class of metal, the better the product. Before buying, take the tool in hand and gently bend the canvas to 45 0. Good metal is resilient and when the end of the saw is released, it will restore its shape without shifting the central axis. Noticed a deviation - return the hacksaw to the seller.
4. The price in this case is the guarantor of quality. Of course, provided that the seller is honest and does not offer you a fake. A good product cannot be cheap. Choose in the middle price range, if your wallet allows - do not skimp on an expensive saw. Choose a manufacturer by trust rating and give preference to their products in the store. In most cases, this tactic allows you to avoid buying incomprehensibly what instead of a good tool.
5. Take a hacksaw tool in your hand. You should be comfortable holding it. The material of manufacture can be solid plastic with a rubberized handle.

By adhering to these simple rules, you can easily choose the right hacksaw for your needs.

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 cutting, and this is an effective removal of sawdust (it will not clog);
• it is easier for the hands, with more sweeping movements, the hand does not get so tired.

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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 easily recognizable 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 fewer teeth per inch, the better more speed cut and 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 would be the following rule: the minimum thickness of the bar should be more than a step 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 in ascending order. 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. A very good tool for a reasonable price, from $20. 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 of professional tools. 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.

Take away the saws from mankind and progress will stop. This statement is not a joke. Without a tool capable of cutting wood and metal, concrete and stone, the functioning of industrial enterprises and other areas of commodity production is impossible.

V household also can not do without saws. Every man has at least one hacksaw, and a good craftsman can find a whole arsenal of “toothy helpers”.

We will look at the most common types of saws to get an idea of ​​their working capabilities and application features.

It all started with a simple hacksaw

It is this saw that is the ancestor of the family of hand tools designed for woodworking. As soon as the first ingot of iron was smelted, a person had the idea to forge a tool for cultivating the earth from it.

It can be assumed that the ax became the second after the hoe. The third was probably a saw with a handle, known to us today as a hacksaw. Over the centuries that have passed since its invention, she has acquired numerous "brothers and sisters" who perform dozens of different jobs.

The accepted classification divides this type of hand saws into two groups:

• Hacksaws for wood;
• Hacksaws for metal.

Depending on the cutting direction, hand saws for wood are divided into three categories:

• For ripping cutting;
• For cross cutting;
• Universal (longitudinal-transverse).

The difference between them lies in the shape of the cutting teeth: on a rip saw they are inclined forward, while on a crosscut saw they are straight.

The universal hacksaw tooth is also inclined forward, but has a special sharpening. It allows you to cut along and across the fibers.

By appointment, hand saws are divided into several types:

• Classic hacksaws (transverse or longitudinal cutting);
• Circular saws (for cutting holes);
• Spike saws (for cutting connecting spikes).

When choosing a hand saw, an important role is played not only by the shape, but also by the size of the teeth.

There are three types of incisors:

• Small tooth - 2.0-2.5 mm (for high-precision sawing and cutting of small products);
• Medium tooth - 3.0-3.5 mm (for medium-sized parts);
• Large tooth - 4.0-6.0 mm (for rough cutting of timber and logs).

The international classification divides hacksaws not by the height of the teeth, but by their number per 1 inch of the cutting blade. This standard has taken root with us, so do not be surprised if you see the letters PPI or TPI on the tool label. The number behind them is the number of teeth per inch of length. The larger it is, the smaller the tooth (eg PPI 8 or TPI 14).

Today on the market you can see a modernized look of hacksaws. They are easy to distinguish by the gaps cut in the canvas. As a result, the teeth are arranged in groups of 6-7 pieces.

This tool is designed for cutting raw wood. The gaps between the teeth are needed so that wet chips do not clog the cut and are easily removed during operation.

In addition to the usual hand saws, users today are offered an electrified version of the tool. A powerful electric saw can easily handle a large amount of lumber cutting work without tiring the owner too much.

The versatility of its application is achieved due to the configuration of saws with different lengths and widths of the blade and the size of the teeth. This allows you to successfully work not only on wood, but also on plastic and metal. Another name for this tool is a reciprocating saw.

The main parameter characterizing the capabilities of electric cutters is power. It is in the range from 400 to 1600 watts. The depth of cut directly depends on it, which ranges from 90 mm for household to 200 mm for professional models.

Hand tools for metal processing are not so diverse. There is only one type of hand saw that can cut this material. Its working body is a wide or narrow blade with fine hardened teeth. It is inserted into the bow holder and tightened with a screw.

Circular saws

The idea to replace the reciprocating movement of the cutting blade with a circular one can rightfully be called revolutionary. It arose after the advent of the electric motor and significantly increased the speed and productivity of work.

A typical representative of a tool that uses this principle is Circular Saw. Its main advantages - mobility and high power overshadowed the modest capabilities of a hand hacksaw.

By design, circular electric saws are divided into gear and gearless. In the first case, the electric motor rotates the gear reducer, on the shaft of which there is a saw blade. The second option is to mount the disk directly on the motor rotor shaft. Both designs have a mechanism for adjusting the depth of cut and the angle of inclination.

The advantage of gear mechanisms is the ability to perform deeper cuts. Gearless saws have two advantages: lighter weight and affordable price.

In the passive, they are inclined against the course (negative sharpening angle).

Passive discs are indispensable when cutting metal. Active ones are used for wood processing. The disc teeth can be hard-faced. They make it possible to cut harder materials, but negatively affect the cleanliness of the cut.

The working capabilities of the tool depend on the power of the electric motor (from 0.65 to 2.5 kW). Manufacturers also indicate the maximum depth of cut that a circular saw can perform (from 25 to 85 mm).

A variation of this power tool is a circular saw, which is mounted on a fixed frame. This solution allows you to cut long and wide material with high accuracy.

Some manufacturers offer an interesting compromise - hand-held circular saws that can be turned over and fixed on the table, turning it into a stationary "circular saw".

When answering the question of what kind of saws are, it is impossible not to mention trimming devices. In this case, the circular saw is mounted on a pendulum arm. As a bed, a rotary plate with a conveyor (angular) marking is used.

The advantages of a miter saw over a circular saw are obvious: you can make perfectly precise cross cuts at any angle. This operation is especially important when docking different wooden parts(platband, plinth, lining, timber).

Chain saws

Often, when working with wood, it is not the cleanliness and accuracy of the cut that is important, but its depth. This is precisely the task that the chain saw solves - a powerful device with an electric or gasoline engine, designed for felling trees and cutting firewood.

It has two main interrelated technical parameters:

• Engine power;
• Tire length.

A tire is called two flat plates interconnected with a small gap for installing a saw chain. At one end it has a driven sprocket, and at the other there are cutouts for the tensioner.

Power chain saws with electric drive range from 1.5 to 4 kW. When choosing a device for household work on the site, it is better to stop at a power of 1.5 to 2 kW with a saw bar length of 30 to 40 cm. This is quite enough not only for sanitary pruning garden, but also for firewood.

If necessary, such a tool can dissolve a board, log or beam, although you will not get high quality and cutting accuracy.

There are two subspecies of chain saws:

• With lateral (transverse) placement of the engine;
• With longitudinal motor mounting.

The first type is simpler in design and cheaper in price. But the second one is more convenient to use, although more expensive due to the introduction of a gearbox into the design.

The main thing that gives the owner a chainsaw is autonomy. With such a tool, you can go to the forest and cut firewood there. You will have to pay a price for such a significant plus: chainsaws are more complex in design than electric ones. This difference is especially felt when buying a cheap "but-hire" device. Problems with starting, carburetor, rings and candles are frequent companions of such a purchase. Therefore, it is better to buy a more expensive one. chainsaw than to lose money when operating an economy option.

Electric jigsaw

Circular saws and chain saws cannot replace a device that uses a narrow blade that moves up and down at high speed.

Thanks to this arrangement of the working body, the jigsaw allows you to quickly and accurately cut curved flat parts. Plywood, ceramics and plastic, OSB and soft metal - all this can be cut with a good jigsaw with a quality file.

Electric jigsaw

For each material, manufacturers make special saws that differ both in the inclination of the teeth and in their frequency.

For example, wood is better cut with a file with a large tooth. WITH sheet metal a canvas with a fine jagged notch will confidently cope. We will not give special recommendations for choosing saws for electric jigsaws, since the manufacturer indicates the recommended type of material on each of them.

The main technical parameters of the jigsaw are engine power, saw blade stroke rate and maximum cutting depth (indicated for different materials).

For household models, these parameters are within the following limits:

• Power from 400 to 900 W.;
• Stroke frequency (with the possibility of smooth adjustment from 0 to 3000 rpm);
• Cutting depth (wood - 45-80 mm, steel from 4 to 20 mm).

A useful option for a jigsaw is a laser pointer. It helps to clearly see the direction of the cut when the marking line is hidden under a layer of sawdust. When choosing an electric jigsaw, pay special attention to the nozzle in which the file is attached. It should provide the most reliable clamp. Otherwise, the file will regularly jump out of its weak "embrace".

A logical development of the design of the electric jigsaw has become a compact band-saw. Its working body is a closed steel tape with teeth, which is rotated by an electric motor.

Sawing with it is easier than working with a jigsaw, which vibrates strongly and strives to escape from your hands. The cleanliness and precision of the cut of the band saw is perfect. This not only reduces waste, but also produces a cut surface that does not need to be sanded.

The workpiece here can be held with two hands, which increases the accuracy of operations when cutting curved elements.

The main indicator of band saws for wood is the depth of cut, which can be from 8 to 50 cm. An electric jigsaw and a circular saw are not able to cut such a thick material.

The remaining characteristics refer to cutting blades.

There are two categories here:

• Carbon saws (manufactured steel C75 and analogues);
• Alloyed saw blades made of D6A steel (have increased wear resistance and resistance to alternating loads).

Depending on the manufacturing technology and hardening of the cutting teeth, the blades are divided into two types:

• Saw bands with notched non-hardened teeth;
• Blades with cut hardened teeth.

The advantages of saws of the first type are low cost and the ability to cut wood with foreign inclusions: nails, stones, fragments. Such a blade works with small sawing volumes (2-4 m3 per day) and at a minimum feed rate (6-10 meters per minute).

The main advantage of a saw blade with a hardened tooth is its high wear resistance (2 times higher than that of saw blades with non-hardened cutters). Disadvantages - high cost and sensitivity to foreign inclusions.

The remaining parameters of band saws are reduced to a simple list:

• Web width;
• Number of teeth per length inch (TPI).

For standard work for sawing wood, a 1/2 ″ wide tape is optimal. Narrower blades (3/8") are used for curly cutting.

The number of teeth of the cutting belt directly affects the evenness of the cut (the more teeth, the smoother the cut). Coarse saw blades (2.3 TPI) are used for cutting wood and logs up to 200 mm thick. For cleaner work use saws with 6 TPI, and for precise cutting use size 10-14 TPI. The optimum size for achieving high productivity and good cut quality is 8 TPI.

A table band saw for metal is similar in design to a wood cutting device. However, its capabilities are more modest. This tool can only perform cross cutting of rolled steel (pipes, angle bars, fittings, channel bars) at different angles.

In addition to power tools, a good craftsman should have hand tools in his arsenal. And this is not only a hammer and sets of keys, but also hand tools also include a hacksaw, the choice of which requires an appropriate approach. It is used exclusively for wood processing - pruning trees, preparing rafters, beams and boards during construction, as well as manufacturing different designs from woodworking materials. Hacksaws are the second most important tool after a hammer, and their choice requires an appropriate approach.

How to choose a hacksaw for wood for home

The choice of any tool requires a competent approach. A hacksaw for wood, although it is considered the simplest hand tool, which consists of a cutting part and a handle, a lot depends on it. This is the speed of achieving the result, and the quality of the cut, as well as the amount of physical effort applied by a person when cutting trees.

Many home craftsmen still have old hacksaws from the times of the USSR, which have one important quality - reliability. Modern hacksaws are less reliable, but more practical and easy to use. That is why, if you have an old hand saw for wood in your garage, then do not rush to throw it away. To restore the tool's performance, you need. However, it is important to take into account that the teeth on the tool must be all, otherwise, it is not suitable for further use.

It is interesting! The absence of one or more teeth on a hacksaw for wood not only reduces the performance of the tool, but also makes it unsafe to operate. Indeed, in the place where there are no teeth on the canvas, the load increases, therefore it is not excluded that the material can break, thereby injuring the master working with the tool.

If there is an old wood saw in the arsenal, then you can restore its performance, and if you decide to purchase a new one, then you will need an appropriate approach to the choice. Before choosing, consider the types of wood saws, what they are and how they differ.

Types of hacksaws for wood - the main criterion for choosing

A good craftsman should have at least two wood saws in his arsenal. One saw is used for sawing dry boards, and the second tool is used for raw (when cutting orchard). They differ in the layout and shape of the teeth. Depending on the type of planned work, it is necessary to purchase the appropriate type of cutting hand tool. In order to find out what types of wood saws are produced by manufacturers in different countries.

1. The classic version is an ordinary file, which consists of a closed type of handle and a blade of different lengths. This type of hacksaw is also called universal, as they are suitable for performing various work related to woodworking.
   
2. Vykruzhnaya is a highly specialized option cutting attachment, which is designed for cutting into sheet woodworking materials of different shapes and patterns, for example, when plywood needs to be cut round hole. Circular saws are also called narrow, as they have a narrowed blade design and a sharp nose.
   
3. The backed, backed or tenon saw is another variation of the classic cutting tool that also consists of a blade and a handle. The difference from the classics is that the canvas has same size(without narrowing), as well as a small tooth. This type of tool is intended exclusively for working with a miter box, when you need to get the appropriate cutting angle on woodworking material. Suitable for laminate flooring and skirting boards
   
4. Archery - it is more like a hacksaw for metal, only it has larger size frame part, as well as a blade with large teeth. It is used in locksmith workshops, as well as for cutting branches and knots from trees. The tool received this name for the reason that there is a similarity with an ancient weapon tool - a bow that shoots arrows.
   
5. The award is a highly specialized type of hand saws used in carpentry and locksmith workshops. This type of tool resembles a planer, as there are two handles. At the bottom, a cutting blade with fine teeth is attached to the base, which allows you to get accurate cuts on boards, beams and other similar materials.
   
6. Folding is an upgraded version of the hacksaw, which is a great solution for hiking trips. It folds, which is its main advantage.
   

Knowing what types of wood saws are and how they differ, you can decide for yourself which type of tool is suitable for performing certain planned actions. Given the wide variety of tools under consideration, one of the most important wood saws on the farm is the classic one.

It is interesting! Unlike working with a hacksaw for metal, where sawing is done by applying effort from oneself, with a saw for wood, the situation is different. Woodworking is carried out in two directions, that is, sawing is performed in the direction from oneself and towards oneself.

To choose the right hacksaw for wood, you need to consider the following main indicators:

• The size of the canvas, or rather its length. Not only the possibility of sawing large-diameter workpieces depends on the length, but also the speed of achieving the result, as well as the convenience of performing work.
• The material of steel from which the canvas is made. The efficiency and service life of the tool depends on this parameter.
• Teeth and their size - large teeth do not mean that the tool is better. The larger the tooth, the easier it is to cut raw workpieces, but the lower the quality of the cut.
• Holder or handle - the ease of use of the tool depends on it. The more comfortable the handle, the easier it is to control the tool.

So, knowing the basic parameters for choosing, buy best hacksaws woodworking for a home craftsman will not be difficult. Among the many varieties of cutting tools, it will be difficult to choose suitable option without proper help. You can turn to the tool seller in a hardware store for help, but only in the end you will buy such a hacksaw, for which the seller will receive a percentage of its sale. If you need to buy a good wood saw, then the advice and recommendations from the material will help you make the right decision.

What are the parameters for choosing wood saws for the home - basic requirements

Buying the most expensive hacksaw does not mean getting the highest quality and most reliable cutting tool. The result of such a rash purchase is one - the tool will lie on a shelf in the garage, and become covered with dust. The reasons for this can be a variety of factors - from the inconvenience of working with a saw to low efficiency when sawing woodworking materials. Therefore, you should not rely on the cost of hacksaws, since the price, although it affects the quality, is not always able to satisfy the needs. That is why the choice of wood sawing for the home will require an appropriate approach, which we will discuss in more detail below.

Blade material or type of steel used

Blades for hacksaws for wood are made from different types steel, which must have a hardness of at least 45 HRC. The main material is alloy or tool steel. To increase the service life of the tool in question, it is necessary to give preference to materials such as stainless steel. To increase the service life of the tool, the cutting part of the blade is made of steel with a hardness of at least 55-60 HRC.

Even when buying, you need to pay attention to the color of the teeth. If the teeth are black, this means that after manufacturing the material has undergone additional heat treatment - hardening. Usually, the teeth are hardened on hacksaws, in which the blade is made of steel with a hardness of 45 HRC, but no more. The material of steel and its hardness, most manufacturers indicate on the blades of manufactured tools.

1. Hacksaw blades for wood with hardened teeth have a long service life, however, when they are dulled, they cannot be sharpened. The teeth on the canvases can be hardened and not hardened. If hardened ones cannot be sharpened after blunting, then not hardened ones, on the contrary, can be sharpened the required number of times until the teeth are completely worn out.
2. Unhardened teeth are not subjected to additional heat treatment, however, due to the fact that they are made from harder types of steel, they are more expensive than similar saws for wood with a hardened tooth.

Length of hacksaw blades

Probably had to deal with hacksaws different sizes. Some are very compact and have a short length of canvases, while the latter, on the contrary, are very long and awkward. Having decided on the material of the canvas, it is necessary to deal with their dimensions. Everything is simple here, as modern manufacturers produce classic hacksaws with blades of 28 cm or more. The longest are files that have blades of 60 cm or more. When you need to use long and short blades on hacksaws for wood:

• Short blades - such files are used for sawing boards, beams and other small-sized workpieces. If you take a large saw for sawing small workpieces, it will be inconvenient to work
• Long blades from 50 cm or more are used for sawing workpieces of large diameter from 30 cm. The use of such tools allows you to remove a large amount of woodworking material from the cutting line in one pass of the hacksaw

As you understand, the household should have at least two tools with a long and a short blade, which will allow them to be used when performing the corresponding work.

It is interesting! In order not to make a mistake with the choice of length hacksaw blade, it is necessary to multiply the diameter of the workpiece by two, and based on the value obtained, choose a saw. For example, if the diameter of the workpiece is 20 cm, then for its effective sawing, it is recommended to use a hacksaw with a blade 40-45 cm long.

After the length of the canvas is selected, you should move on to another important indicator - this is the type of handle.

What handle should be on a hacksaw

Old hacksaws for wood from the times of the USSR had handles made of durable plastic, wood or metal. Their main drawback is the inconvenience at work. With frequent use of the tool, calluses formed on the fingers of the master, so the work had to be done exclusively in protective gloves.

Modern hacksaws are equipped with handles made of plastic or metal, which are additionally covered with rubber or silicone materials. This increases the comfort in working with the tool, so you can forget about the appearance of corns, but on condition that the hacksaw lies well in the hand and does not cause discomfort.

The shape of the handle affects not only the convenience of working with the tool, but also the performance. Plastic handles without additional coating of rubber and silicone have a positive effect on the cost of the cutting tool, only with constant use of the tool, this option is far from the best. Handles can be removable and non-removable. Removable models allow you to change blades on a hacksaw for wood.

All about the teeth on a hacksaw for wood

What is a hacksaw for wood, and what types of tools are known, so now it will not be difficult to choose the most suitable option. But do not rush, because in addition to the main criteria for choosing hacksaws, you need to take into account auxiliary factors, which will allow you to more accurately select the tool for the corresponding tasks.

Such auxiliary factors of choice include the size, types and number of teeth. It is these parameters that have a direct impact on the quality of the cut, the speed of work, as well as worker fatigue. Consider each parameter, and find out what type of teeth should be on a hacksaw for wood, chosen for the home.

Types of teeth small and large

Hand saws for wood have blades on which the teeth can be large and small. For what purposes canvases with large and small teeth are used, we will find out further.

1. With large teeth - used for cutting damp trees, as well as other blanks where the quality of the cut does not matter. Large teeth are needed in order to get the result as quickly as possible, however, the accuracy of the cut and the quality of the cut suffer. When harvesting firewood or pruning trees, this does not play a big role
2. With fine teeth - designed to cut laminate, fiberboard, chipboard, plywood and other workpieces. Their main advantage is that they provide a high-quality cut line without the formation of scuffs, chips and other deformations. Fine-toothed hacksaws for wood are used to work with a miter box, where laminate, trim on doors and windows, as well as skirting boards can be cut at appropriate angles. Sawing with a hacksaw with a fine tooth is 2 times longer than with a large one

To achieve a quick result, you need to choose files with large teeth, and when accuracy is needed, then fine-tooth blades are used.

Tooth pitch and what is it

Consider such an important parameter as the pitch of the teeth, which many craftsmen do not even know about. The tooth pitch of a hacksaw for wood is abbreviated as TPI. This indicator characterizes the number of teeth per inch of blade length. It is not necessary to calculate this value, since most manufacturers indicate the pitch on the surface of the canvases. This parameter is related to the size of the teeth, since the larger they are, the higher the pitch. What affects the pitch of the teeth?

First of all, for the accuracy of the cut. If you need to get a neat cut, then you should give preference to tools with TPI parameters from 7 to 11. If speed is important, then you need to choose tool models on which the tooth pitch is larger, while the TPI value is smaller and ranges from 1 to 7. Below is a table of tooth pitches, on the basis of which you can determine the optimal parameters of this indicator.

For home best option tooth pitch on a hacksaw for wood - then 4-5 mm or 5-6 TPI.

Tooth shape and how it affects performance

There are different types of woodworking materials, so it is perfectly appropriate to produce blades with different tooth shapes. What are these types of teeth, find out in detail.

The higher the efficiency of the tool, the correspondingly more expensive it is. The most expensive are hacksaws with wolf and Japanese teeth. For the home, a tool with a classic shape of cutting links is quite enough.

How does the thickness of the canvas affect the efficiency of work

Another important parameter is the thickness of the sheets. It is almost impossible to detect the difference in thickness by eye, so many manufacturers indicate its values ​​​​on the surface of the device. Thickness affects the following parameters:

1. Device strength
2. Cutting thickness
3. Scope of application

The thicker the canvas, the more reliable it is. Hacksaws with thick blades do not “play” during operation, therefore, it is recommended to use these types of blades for sawing thick wood. Thin webs are fragile, and when bent at an angle of 90 degrees, they may break. They are suitable for sawing thin beams, boards, branches and other materials. They also allow you to get high-quality and thin cut materials.

Checking the steel and the quality of the sharpening of the teeth

When buying, you need to take into account not only the parameters by which the tool is made, but also the quality of sharpening the teeth and the straightness of the blade. How to check it yourself, we will find out further.

1. To check the quality of steel, you need to look at the design of the blade. It must be perfectly straight. Now, to make sure that the tool is made of high-quality steel, you should hold the hacksaw by the handle with one hand, and bend it to 70-80 degrees by the tip of the blade with the other, but do not overdo it, as it may burst. After that, release the canvas and look again at its rectilinear shape. If it remains the same as before, then it is made using high quality tool steel. If a bend angle has formed, then such a tool is made of low quality steel, and it will not last long.
2. You can visually identify the quality of sharpening by looking at the links. If their edges sparkle, then they are sharpened, and if they merge with the canvas, then the sharpening is not done well enough

The choice of tool requires an appropriate approach, and sometimes it is better to overpay than to buy a hacksaw for the home of insufficient quality. If such a tool will serve for a long time, then at the same time you will suffer with it not only during work, but also when sharpening teeth.

What is better Chinese or domestic hacksaw

Many are accustomed to dividing the instruments into “their own”, German and Chinese. As you know, Chinese products are not famous for their high quality, but at the same time they are considered affordable, like domestic ones. German instruments are expensive and of high quality, and therefore the price for them is correspondingly high. If you need a good cutting tool, then it is not necessary to choose models of German origin, as there are many Russian manufacturers that produce quality products, for example, the Bison.

Name	Description	Conclusion
View	Classical, round, butt, bow, etc.	Depending on the work performed, but the house will definitely need a classic look
Web material	Alloy or tool steel with hardness over 45 HRC	The degree of hardness on the canvas is indicated. It is not recommended to buy with a lower indicator. Before buying, check the canvas for bending
Tooth type	Hardened or not hardened	If you plan to sharpen it yourself, then not hardened ones will do, but hardened ones cannot be sharpened, but at the same time they have a long service life
Blade length	Starts from 25 cm and above	30-40 cm is enough for the house
Handle type	plastic or wood	Quality rubberized plastic recommended
Type of teeth	Big and small	For a quality cut, a small tooth, and for a quick cut, a large one
Tooth pitch	1 to 25 TPI	For the home, saws are selected in increments of 4 to 7 TPI
Tooth shape	Universal, chisel, dagger, wolf tooth, Japanese tooth	Depending on the tasks, but for the home, universal or Japanese types of teeth on canvases are selected
Web thickness	From 0.8 mm and above	The best option is 0.9-1 mm
Manufacturer	Europe, China, Russia	It is necessary to choose depending on the specified requirements, as well as cost. Chinese hacksaws "Mother-in-law" showed their worthy quality

Chinese models of hacksaws can be divided into cheap and high-quality ones, so if domestic products are not suitable, then you can choose a Chinese-made wood saw for your home, represented by brands such as Bahco, Stanley and others. The price of cutting tools depends not only on the manufacturer, but also on the length of the blades.

Hacksaws for wood differ in the size of the cutting teeth. This indicator determines what the cut will be, for which wood species the hacksaw is suitable and how convenient it will be to work with it. But, in addition to this, there are other indicators that you need to pay attention to when choosing a tool. Therefore, the question of how to choose the right hacksaw for wood requires careful study.

Technical characteristics of a hacksaw for wood

For a saw on a tree, the main importance is:

• canvas width;
• canvas length;
• tooth size;
• handle;
• brand of steel canvas.

The length of the blade affects the width of the cut workpiece. and also greatly simplifies the work. The long stroke makes it possible to apply less force, because in one movement the cut is made by a large number of teeth. Moreover, the longer the canvas, the stronger it will spring. When working with hardwoods such as ash, maple or oak, a hacksaw will cause a lot of inconvenience and will quickly become dull.

In terms of practice, short hacksaws, with a cutting blade length up to 35 cm, best used for one-time fine work. They are great for those who live in an apartment because they do not take up much space. So, in a private household, it is advisable to immediately choose a long hacksaw (50–55 cm). This will make it possible to work with blanks, as well as sawing trees.

As a rule, the width of the canvas is 10–20 cm. Narrower canvases are not allowed due to technical considerations (they break even with a slight bend), wider ones are rather inconvenient for manual work. When choosing a saw for wood, you must remember that thin workpieces are easier to cut with a narrower blade, and, conversely, thick (roofing logs, tree trunk, etc.) - wide.

Ordinary pens are made of plastic. It is best to choose a handle with a rubber backing. This will protect your hand from calluses and will allow you to perform a tighter grip.

The saw tooth is the most important part of the tool, so we will dwell on this point in more detail.

Purpose and types of teeth

In hacksaws for wood, the following types of tooth are distinguished:

• for universal cutting;
• for a cross cut;
• for a longitudinal cut.

Longitudinal cut most often produced either with a jigsaw, or circular saw. But there are also hand saws for these purposes. As with power tools, the tooth on the hacksaw looks like a hook. The angle between the tooth can be 45-60 degrees.

Hook shape Allows cutting in only one direction. It is best to cut along the fibers. In this case, the saw easily penetrates the tree and the cut comes out the most accurate and even. The purchase of this hacksaw is appropriate only for those people who want to make furniture with their own hands. Because it is not suitable for any other purposes.

Tooth for cross cutting the most popular. Outwardly, it looks like an isosceles triangle. The angle of the tooth is 45–55 degrees. This design makes it possible to cut well both during the movement of the blade forward and in the opposite direction. As a result, the cross cut occurs without much effort, quickly and as accurately as possible. When choosing a hacksaw, it must be borne in mind that this type of tooth is only suitable for dry workpieces. A saw will tear a fresh tree, and the sharpening will deteriorate.

For fresh wood use triangular teeth with parallel cutting. This means that the teeth are staggered and only on one side. As a result, a free channel appears between the teeth inside the cut, through which wet sawdust can freely exit without complicating the advancement of the blade.

The next option is combined teeth. Here the triangular ones intersect with the semicircular ones. Moreover, a semicircular tooth is larger than a triangular one. While the blade moves forward, long and narrow teeth make a guide cut, and when the blade returns to its original position, the triangular tooth enlarges the cut channel and removes chips and sawdust. We must not forget that the smaller the angle between the triangular and semicircular tooth, the more accurate the cut will be.

Saw blades for universal cutting it is advisable not to choose, as a rule, they have a different compilation of teeth, which in theory should do any job equally well. But in practice, these hacksaws dull much faster, and their sharpening is usually more expensive than a new saw.

And most importantly, in any high-quality saw, the teeth must be made of hardened steel.

Types of wood saws

There are several types of saws, among them:

• ordinary;
• narrow;
• beam;
• with a butt.

The cheapest wood saw is narrow hand saw. This tool is suitable for sawing branches in gardening and small work with workpieces. As a rule, either double-sided triangular teeth or parallel sharpening are used.

You need to understand that you can work with this hacksaw only with blanks, no more than 7-12 cm thick. A very short blade does not make it possible to create a lever, respectively, cutting thick parts suffers from requiring a large load.

Conventional saws can be with any kind of teeth. The choice will depend only on what tasks you plan to purchase the tool for. It is only necessary to pay attention to the fact that it is undesirable to work with these saws during the production of furniture. Or you need to buy special large miter boxes so that you can saw at a certain angle.

Back saws used as an auxiliary tool. Their the main task- small cuts in the detail.

Bow saws- This is an analogue of an electric jigsaw. They make it possible to make the most accurate cut and work with different workpieces at different angles. Exists:

• transverse;
• sweeping;
• spiked;
• rounded.

Swing saws enable longitudinal cutting. Today there are canvases 40-80 cm long. Longer workpieces can only be sawn with a power tool.

Crosscut saws used to cut workpieces across the grain. They can perform a cut, and at a right angle, and under any other. Moreover, perfectly smooth edges come out in the section of the cut.

Hacksaws narrower, used for figured cutting. With the help of them, roundings and other complex elements are performed. A characteristic feature is the use of very flexible steel grades.

spiked hacksaws make it possible to perform simple geometric shapes on the workpiece.

The difference between bow saws is that the mechanism for fasteners is purchased once, and they are not spent directly on saws, buying new blades.

Wood saw manufacturers

Professional saws distinguished by good quality and compliance with the specified characteristics. By purchasing a tool from trusted manufacturers, you will be sure that this product will serve you reliably and for a long time. Among the proven manufacturers it is necessary to highlight:

Bahco is a Swedish company that is part of the SNA Europe Corporation. For more than more than 200 years of history, the company has never changed its basic concept - the manufacture of high-quality and affordable hand tools. Bahco saws are characterized by durability, and a pleasant cost.

Also on the market you can find Sandvik saws. This company is part of Bahco, because the quality of the goods meets general requirements companies.

American saw manufacturer Stanley, also focuses on the availability of its product. The company is distinguished by a large staff of engineers and designers. Thanks to their developments, the cutting edge and blade of hacksaws differ from domestic GOST, but this does not affect the quality at all. This company is great for those who choose a hacksaw for the country. Because the combined large teeth make it possible to produce any kind of cut.

German firm Gross younger than other companies. The competitiveness of its product is achieved due to its very low cost. However, the products are quite high quality and meet all standards. The only drawback is that the choice of products is very small.

There are also domestic manufacturers offering high-quality and relatively inexpensive saws. Among which:

• Piranha;
• Bison.

Saw Bison are made in China, however, meet the requirements for teeth and steel. Of the shortcomings:

• cannot be used for working with hard wood;
• the time of continuous work is not more than 10 minutes (then a pause of 15 minutes);
• do not leave it outside (it will quickly rust, even with low humidity).

Despite this, the characteristics of the hacksaw are suitable for pruning trees.

The Piranha company is relatively small and has been operating relatively recently. Like everything new, its products are quite affordable and of good quality. Saw Piranha presented in only a few variants. The major manufacturing country of this product is China. But the products of this company are coated with Teflon, which protects the hacksaw from corrosion, even if you forgot it on the street.

About safety and comfort

When choosing a hacksaw for wood, pay attention to the handle. The most comfortable is the two-component handle with rubber insert. It provides a firm grip, does not allow the palm to slip and does not rub the hand.

For working with various sizes of workpieces and performing different types of cuts far from superfluous is a set of interchangeable cloths. Often, saws are equipped with equipment with different cutting edges and different shapes - for cutting branches, making transverse and straight cuts, etc. It is also quite convenient when the hacksaw is equipped with a carrying and storage case, or at least a plastic plug that covers sharp edges, eliminating injury and damage to the surface of the canvas.