hack saw blades...

[exsanguinate]

Started the tedious job of cutting out my knife pattern from ATS34 3/16" steel. Sheez, I only cut about 1" and my blade became dull. Is this the norm? Is there a better way? I am using a mini sandvik hacksaw.

 

[Taz]

I use a high speed tool steel or bimetal blades for the hacksaw. Home Depot has some Buck Bros blades I have used to go thru 1/4" 1075 and 3/16" O-1 and 1/8" 1095 and A-2. They work well, just get a coarse tooth, like 14 or 19 TPI. I tried the plain carbon blades, but they didn't work at all.

 

[Guy Thomas]

Definitely go to a full size hacksaw with the appropriate teeth for the thickness of the metal you are cutting!-Guy T.

 

[Matt Shade]

yep thats normal. ATS34 is hell on a hacksaw. Buy a full sized hacksaw and lots of blades, then settle in for lots of sawing. I've tried cuting it with a hacksaw, cuttoff wheel, and reciprocating saw. The hacksaw works but is slow and dulls after awhile. The cutoff wheel work hardens the hell out of the stuff, but cuts it fairly quickly. They do burn up awful fast though and don't give a real precise cut ( very wide)
The reciprocating saw with a bimetal blade, cut for about 1/4" and turned cherry red with heat, then I discovered that it had no teeth left. It might work on a slower speed but I was out of blades and couldn't try it.

 

[Possum]

Yes, go get you some bi-metal blades and a bigger hacksaw...! The bi-metal will cut a lot better. It will just take some time and make your arms stronger. Good Luck..!
Later "Possum"

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Thomas Clegg

 

[exsanguinate]

Thanks for all the replies. Finally got the pattern cut (3 blades later). Got the blade and the index finger/thumb groves filed. Tomorrow, the handle. Dang, this is fun

[This message has been edited by exsanguinate (edited 11-20-2000).]