Hand saw for wood how to choose. Hand saws for wood: parameters, types and applications

It is very difficult to do on a private plot or cottage without a hand saw for wood. This tool also has the name "hacksaw". With such a simple device, you can cut trees or branches in the garden, shorten fences and do many more types of work where you need to change the length of some kind of wooden product: boards, laminate, and so on.

It is unlikely that anyone seriously thought about this, but if you make the right choice of saw, then its service life will depend on this, as well as the convenience of work and the quality of the cut. That is why it is necessary to know all the basic parameters for the correct choice of such a carpentry tool.

Choosing a saw

In the markets and shops there is a wide variety of hacksaws for wood. They all differ in several parameters:

• the shape and size of the teeth;
• canvas size;
• steel grade from which the canvas is made;
• handle shape.

If one of the specified parameters changes, then the hacksaw will also radically change its original characteristics. All these factors must be considered when buying a tool for different cases. Also, you should always make sure that the saw sat very well in the hand of the master, because it will greatly facilitate the work. You should not buy a tool with a small handle for a person who has large hands. Such a hacksaw will be very inconvenient to use, and therefore the quality of the cut will suffer.

Tooth size

This parameter will greatly affect the speed of work, as well as quality. To make it convenient to determine the size and number of teeth, the designation TPI was specially introduced, which should indicate the number of teeth in one inch. Such a parameter can always be found in the description of the tool, and this value is also very often drawn directly on the canvas.

1. Hacksaw for wood with a large tooth will provide a rough cut, as well as high speed. This parameter will be needed for sawing large boards, firewood and branches. The TPI of such an instrument is 3…6.
2. If there is a need to make a neat and even cut, then you need to buy a saw with fine teeth - T PI 7 ... 9. Such a hacksaw is ideal for sawing chipboard, fiberboard, laminate. But it is worth noting that the performance will be much less than that of a coarse-toothed hacksaw.

The joiner's saw is selected according to the size of the teeth. For processing ordinary wood, you can buy large or small, and for delicate materials such as fiberboard, it is better to purchase a fine-toothed saw. There are several designations in stores: for drywall, for wood, and so on. The difference lies in the same size of the teeth. For each material, the optimal size will be selected.

The teeth can also differ in their shape, and this will affect the purpose of the tool:

1. For longitudinal sawing teeth are made triangular with oblique corners. Their appearance will resemble hooks that are sharpened from 2 sides. Such a saw will slide along the grain of the wood and make a very smooth cut, leaving no nicks.
2. For cross cutting teeth are made in the form of an isosceles triangle. This type of hacksaw cuts when passing back and forth, but it is advisable to use it only on dry wood.
3. Sometimes it is necessary to use a mixed type of sawing, and for this option, two types of cloves are ideal, which are alternately located one after the other. Long curved ones will cut materials in the forward direction, and triangles, when moving backwards, expand the channel and cling to sawdust and chips.

Steel

No one wants a saw to fail after only a few uses, so it is advisable to choose the highest grades of steel. Teeth can be regular or hardened. Ordinary ones are sharpened at home.

Hard-tooth saws are disposable, because when they wear out, nothing can be done with them on their own. This species is very easy to detect by its dark color. It is advisable to choose a saw that is made of stainless steel, as it can often be very damp in garages, and therefore the saw will become covered with unnecessary corrosion. And there are often situations when work is carried out on the street, but after use the saw is forgotten on the site, then it rains, after which the tool also becomes rusty.

Blade length

This parameter will be determined by the pitch of the teeth and the size of the saw.

1. Small hacksaws are equipped with small and frequent teeth, the length of the blade will not exceed 350 mm.
2. Universal hacksaws are available with an average tooth size, and the length of the entire tool is no more than 550 mm.
3. A wide hacksaw has large teeth and an increased pitch; the length of the blade is usually no more than 600 mm.

The canvas can vary not only in length, but also in shape. A traditional saw is usually tapered on one side of the rectangle. This suggests that you have purchased a universal tool that can be used to cut various objects. The rounded blade is usually used to cut branches or other objects from a distance. Such a hacksaw is very light and glides on wood with high quality, without causing much trouble to the owner.

Lever

Thanks to the handle, the convenience of carrying out any work is carried out. The tool should fit perfectly in the hand, and also be very comfortable. To make the handle, different plastics are used, which will be pleasant to the touch. When choosing, make sure that material will not slip if your hand gets sweaty while working. It is for this purpose that special grooves and recesses are made in the handle, as well as rubberized lining. It is these parameters that all manufacturers take into account, and therefore produce products that differ in a wide variety of handles.

Varieties

In modern shops and markets there is a huge variety of saws for any purpose. Therefore, in order to understand which tool is useful for you, you must first familiarize yourself with all their types.

Choice by purpose

As already found out, there is a wide variety of saws, but the choice of a hacksaw should also be carried out in accordance with certain types of work:

1. For rip sawing, a swing saw must be used.
2. Transverse will cope well with wood, where there is a transverse arrangement of fibers.
3. Spike can cut various grooves and spikes, as well as technological recesses in the tree.
4. Vyruzhnaya cuts holes of various shapes.
5. Folding hacksaw is used on trees.

The choice should always be made according to the main purpose for which a certain tool is purchased. For a household, a saw with interchangeable blades is suitable, and it is also desirable to have several types of cutting tools at home.

It is very difficult to master all the information and choose exactly the saw that is suitable for a particular situation. That is why it is advisable to study a few more tips that will help you choose the right hacksaw.

What is the best wood saw? You should not ask such a question, because each tool is useful for a specific situation. Therefore, you need to know how to choose a hacksaw for wood, depending on the purpose. By following these simple rules, you can easily find the right tool that is right for you.

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 done with either a jigsaw or a 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 main task is small cuts in the details.

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. Exist:

• 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. In 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 the general requirements of the company.

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.

In the arsenal of a home master there is always a functional and easy-to-use circular saw. But there are situations when you need to saw off a part and do a small amount of woodwork, and there is no time or desire to deploy and connect the unit. In these cases, a hand hacksaw perfectly saves. But how to choose a manual hacksaw for wood so that it is convenient to use and easily “gnaws through” any type of wood, we will consider in more detail.

• Blade tooth parameters
• Types of hand saws for wood
• Option #1 - narrow
• Option #2 - normal
• Option # 3 - with a butt
• Option # 4 - bow
• Recommendations for choosing a tool

Tool Specifications

The saw is rightfully considered the ancestor of a large family of hand tools. Since the creation of the first type of tool from iron, the saw has undergone many changes, having managed to acquire numerous “sisters” capable of performing dozens of jobs.

In the household, it is impossible to do without "toothy helpers": they are indispensable for pruning the garden, small carpentry and joinery work

Hand saws for wood differ from each other in many ways: blade size, steel grade, tooth shape, handle design. Let's dwell on each parameter in more detail.

How should a hacksaw blade be?

The main part of the tool is a hacksaw blade. The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing a product is the length of the canvas. The possibilities of its application largely depend on this parameter. At the same time, the longer the blade, the more springy it is, which also complicates the process, especially when working with hardwoods such as ash, maple or oak.

The long stroke makes it possible to apply less effort when sawing, since a large number of teeth are cut in one stroke.

For sawing small elements such as skirting boards, bars or narrow slats, you can get by with a hacksaw with a blade length of 25-30 cm. When planning to use the tool when performing more serious construction work, choose a product with a blade of 45-50 cm.

When determining the length of the hacksaw blade, follow the rule that the length of the saw exceeds the diameter of the processed elements by 2 times. If you do not follow this recommendation, you will only complicate your work. The teeth of a short hacksaw will jam inside the wood, and everyone will have to make a lot of effort in order to advance the tool to free it from sawdust. Uncomfortable work will cause premature fatigue.

Traditionally, the width of the fabric of the product varies in the range of 10-20 cm. Models with a narrower fabric are not allowed for technical reasons, since they fail at the slightest bend. But it should be borne in mind that too wide canvases are inconvenient for manual work.

Of no small importance is the material of manufacture of the blade, which is most often alloyed steel, as well as its degree of hardening.

For hacksaws, tool alloy steel with a high content of silicon and carbon grades is used:

• 65G, 60 S2A;
• 8 HF, 9 HF, 9 HS;
• U7, U7A, U8, U8A, U8G, U8GA, U9A, U10

Hardening of the metal is carried out by exposing it to an alternating magnetic field, in which a high-frequency electric current appears. Spreading over the surface, it heats the surface layer of the metal, which hardens after cooling.

The standard parameter is the metal hardness of 45 HRC, but it is still preferable to choose products whose web hardness is 55-60 HRC. A hacksaw with a high hardness blade will have sufficient flexibility, but at the same time high tooth stability. With an external examination, such a tool can be identified by the darkish shade of sharpened teeth.

Blade tooth parameters

The determining indicator of the performance of the tool and the accuracy of cutting wood is the size of the teeth.

The teeth of a hacksaw for woodworking perform a dual function: they cut wood and simultaneously remove sawdust

Sawing accuracy is determined by the "TPI" indicator - the number of teeth per inch.

There is an inverse relationship between these technical parameters:

• canvases with large teeth set a high speed of work, but the saw cut turns out to be rough and sloppy;
• hacksaws with fine teeth guarantee a clean and precise cut, but at a relatively slow working speed.

When determining the required tooth size, one should be guided by the type of material being processed. For example, for work with chipboard, where high precision of the cut is required, choose a tool with a high TPI of 7-9, and for sawing logs and gardening, where the cleanliness of the cut is not so essential, choose a TPI of 3-6.

When choosing the best hacksaw option, follow the rule that the minimum log thickness should in any case be more than a three-tooth pitch

If we compare a hardened and ordinary tooth, then the difference lies in the fact that in the first variant, subject to domestic use, the product does not dull for a long time. But a hacksaw with a hardened tooth can no longer be sharpened again. When she starts to cut badly, she will just have to be thrown away.

A normal tooth can be sharpened. Periodically, it can be performed using a special file marked with an accident (for sharpening saws). To sharpen the blade, it is enough to perform several movements on each tooth.

Depending on the type of teeth used, there are three types of hand saws:

For longitudinal sawing. Products are equipped with teeth in the form of an oblique triangle and look like hooks. The tool allows you to cut wood along the grain. Such saws have sharpening on both sides of the tooth, due to which they are able to cut both when passing forward and in the opposite direction.

For cross cutting. The teeth of the tools are made in the form of isosceles triangles. This design makes it easy to saw through the material both when the cutting edge is drawn forward and in the opposite direction. But this type of tooth is only suitable for working with dry blanks, but not fresh wood.

For mixed sawing. Products have a combined composition in which triangular edges are combined with slightly elongated semicircular notches. This solution allows, when moving the hand forward, semicircular teeth to perform a guide cut, and when returning, to expand the channel with triangular ones, removing chips and sawdust from it.

Some types of modern tools are equipped with teeth that are made in the shape of a trapezoid. This solution allows you to make the canvas more durable and wear-resistant.

But it should be borne in mind that sharpening such a blade is very problematic, since it is difficult for trapezoidal teeth to give the desired shape. This significantly reduces the service life of the product, after which it is necessary to change the blade or purchase a new tool.

For sawing fresh branches, it is more convenient to use blades equipped with triangular teeth processed by parallel sharpening, in which each element is sharpened only on one side and in a checkerboard pattern

Often on the market you can also find a modernized type of hacksaws.

Upgraded hacksaws are easy to distinguish by the groups of teeth located on the canvas, between which the gaps are clearly visible.

Modernized type hand saws are effective for cutting raw wood. Wet chips through the gaps between the teeth in the process of sawing easily come out of the cut, without hindering the movement of the tool.

Types of hand saws for wood

Option #1 - narrow

A small narrow saw is a design that consists of a straight flat blade and a handle. She performs delicate work: through cuts, cut out curved parts.

This type of tool is designed for sawing wooden blanks, the thickness of which does not exceed 8-10 cm, sawing small branches and small work in the garden.

In the manufacture of narrow models, manufacturers install blades with triangular double-sided teeth, or with parallel sharpening. The disadvantage of the tool is that when pressed during operation, the canvas can deviate from a given direction.

Option #2 - normal

A standard hand saw can be equipped with any type of teeth and is often equipped with interchangeable blades of various types and designs.

To be able to saw off workpieces at a certain angle using a standard hand saw, you have to purchase special miter boxes

But despite the declared versatility of their application, it is not advisable to use saws of this type in the manufacture of furniture.

Option # 3 - with a butt

Both narrow and conventional saws are prone to bending when the material being processed increases in rigidity. In these cases, it is effective to use canvases equipped with a backing, which acts as a kind of stiffener.

Hand saws equipped with a back are designed to create shallow cuts in a wooden surface of any thickness.

The presence of the butt prevents the saw from making a cut deeper than the width of the blade, as it prevents the cutting blade from passing further into the tree.

Option # 4 - bow

Bow-type saws are more bulky devices that act as an analogue of a jigsaw.

The main purpose of this type of saws is to create an accurate cut when working with surfaces located at any angle.

Due to the solidity of the design and the threaded connections of the handles, bow-type saws are able to easily overcome knots, cutting along radii and curvilinear patterns.

Depending on the purpose and design solution, saws can be:

• swing - for longitudinal cutting;
• transverse - for sawing blanks across the wood fiber;
• rounded - for cutting holes, making roundings and figured sawing;
• spiked - for cutting connecting spikes, as well as sawing simple geometric shapes on a workpiece.

Only with a bow-type hacksaw can you cut the material up and down, sawing blanks with complex lines and doing the work alone without involving an assistant.

The procedure for choosing a hand saw for wood is quite simple:

Determine the purpose for which the tool will be used. For carpentry work, choose products with fine teeth that provide high sawing accuracy, for carpentry - blades with large teeth.

Application frequency. If the hand saw will only be used for occasional work, choose a tool with hardened teeth. The service life of this type of product is quite large. In addition, you do not have to worry about sharpening and setting teeth during operation.

Canvas uniformity. While inspecting the tool, try gently bending the blade to a 30-45° angle, and then release it. Re-examine the blade: the slightest deviation at the fold point, even within 2 mm, indicates poor quality of the metal.

Product cost. As with other tools, keep in mind that high-quality models from leading brands are always an order of magnitude more expensive than consumer goods. This overpayment acts as a kind of guarantee of wear resistance and durability of the saw. But for one-time work, it makes no sense to spend money on an expensive tool.

Conventional handles are made of plastic. Prefabricated plastic handles made of two halves do not have sufficient rigidity. It is much more convenient to work with a tool that has a one-piece handle, which is equipped with a rubberized finger pad. The presence of a rubber insert allows you to make a tighter grip, preventing the formation of calluses on the palm.

Pay attention to the design of the tool handle: it is desirable that it has an ergonomic shape that allows you to correctly transfer force to the blade

On sale there are products with standard and flip-over handles. The second option is convenient in that it allows, if necessary, to replace the worn canvas with a new one.

Keep in mind that not all hand saws go on sale already sharpened. And this seemingly trifle largely determines how soon you can get to work.

There are many companies that manufacture hacksaws on the market. Judging by the reviews, they have proven themselves well: the Zubr hacksaw of domestic production, Gross Piranha joint German-Chinese cooperation, Irwin Xpert made in the USA. They are famous for their decent quality at a low price, which varies between 10-20 USD.

Finally, we suggest you watch a video with tips on choosing:

related posts

What is the difference between a good and bad hacksaw? Poor quality can be seen by poorly sharpened teeth. Sometimes manufacturers cheat and make the teeth look sharp, but after a few works they become dull. A good hacksaw, on the contrary, is made of steel that will hold its sharpness for a long time. The review compiled a rating of the best hacksaws for woodworking, indicating the features of choice and function.

Category	Name	price, rub.	Short description
		900	The model is equipped with a fixed handle. Features hardened teeth and Teflon coating.
		600	Equipped with a fixed handle. Only wood is processed with a 500 mm long blade.
		1000	Fine teeth allow for precise cuts.
		450	Can process laminate, wood and plastic.
		450	Suitable for smooth and precise operation. Designed for woodworking only.
		950	Belongs to the category of novelties. Cutting direction: longitudinal-transverse.
		720	Carries out a cut of a tree, plastic and a laminate. There is also a 3D sharpening function.
		600	The fixed handle with a rubberized insert promotes comfortable work.
		1100	Works on wood, plastic and laminate. The set includes one canvas.
		1200	A miniature hacksaw will be indispensable in tourism and farming. The length of the entire tool is 302 mm.
		1500	Friction during operation reduces the low friction coating. Such a protective layer reduces the degree of heating of the web, and also protects against corrosion.

purpose

The main purpose of a hacksaw is to cut wood materials. The cloth, teeth, the handle are included in the package. The canvas is the working part of the tool. Sawing wood is divided into several types. The first is the division into parts of dry materials, that is, boards, logs, plywood and other rubbish. The second type is pruning the garden, ennobling other trees. The following materials are also processed:

• bars;
• laminate;
• plywood;
• polystyrene;
• aerated concrete;
• foam concrete.

Criteria for choosing a hacksaw for wood

When choosing, you should be guided by the following criteria:

• the size and shape of the teeth, as well as the length of their pitch;
• handle configuration;
• what material can be cut (oak, cherry, brushwood);
• canvas length.

The shape of the handle will affect the comfort of work. This parameter is the main one for intensive training. Use gloves to avoid blisters.

The length and size of the canvas

The average length of the canvas is from 350 to 600 millimeters. The choice depends on the thickness of the tree itself, which you plan to cut. Try to choose an average length. For example, if you cut with too short a blade, you will spend more time cutting, and if you saw too long, then it will begin to spring back after half the distance traveled.

The length should be 2 times the diameter of the blanks. In this case, the minimum thickness of the workpiece should be a step of three teeth.

Tooth size and shape

The whole process depends on this parameter. There are hardened / non-hardened teeth. Unhardened teeth can always be sharpened if the owner has certain skills. Hardened teeth are more reliable. Once worn, they cannot be sharpened.

The teeth are divided into small, medium, large. Cutting speed / accuracy - this parameter determines the degree of efficiency of cutting wood. High precision of work is provided by a fine tooth. To quickly cut materials, a large tooth is perfect, but accuracy and quality will suffer.

For products of the smallest sizes, teeth ranging in size from 2 to 2.5 mm are used. They provide high cutting accuracy.

Teeth of medium size received sizes from 3 to 3.5 mm. Large teeth can cut logs. Their length is from 4 to 6 mm.

Differences in incisors in appearance

There are several types of wood saws. They are determined by the appearance of the teeth:

• Performs the functions of longitudinal sawing. Such teeth cut trees along the fibers. The teeth will be in the shape of an oblique triangle.
• For dry wood, use a crosscut saw.
• Triangular teeth are suitable for occasional use. These teeth are regularly replaced with semi-circular ones. Suitable for mixed wood sawing.
• For high speed work, it is recommended to purchase a saw with teeth in the shape of a trapezoid. Its owner will cut quickly and not get tired.

Design

The design comes in a variety of configurations and sizes. So, there are such constructions:

• Narrow - sawing small workpieces that have a thickness of no more than 10 mm. They also saw out curvilinear parts and branches in the garden. A blade with narrow triangular teeth is installed here.
• Standard hacksaw. Any teeth can be installed. They are equipped with interchangeable sets of canvases. This is useful for carpentry work.
• Hacksaws equipped with a butt are protected from strong bending.
• The award hacksaw has two handles. A bit like a planer. Designed for cutting grooves in wood.
• The canvas in the form of an arc is presented on a bow-type hacksaw. Great for making difficult cuts.
• Folding hacksaws with small teeth are suitable for outdoor enthusiasts. They are positively evaluated by lovers of tourism / fishing. They differ from other types in lightness / compactness. It looks like a folding knife.

Other types:

• Garden hand saw.
• Two-handed file for two people (cross).
• Chain hand saw for hiking.
• Electric saw.

Handle type

This parameter determines the convenience of working with the tool. If the handle is made of two parts, then the use will be less comfortable, because it does not have a sufficient level of rigidity.

Universal or hand saws are equipped with toggle handles, where a blade change is required during operation. Next, consider which hacksaw for wood will be better.

Popular Models

The best new models of hacksaws for wood are presented below.

Gross Piranha 24106 450 mm

Quality hacksaw at an affordable price. It can be purchased for 900 rubles. The model is equipped with a fixed handle. Features hardened teeth and Teflon coating.

Has the following benefits:

• 3 D sharpening.
• Handles wood, laminate and styrofoam.
• Rubberized handle.

The length of the canvas is 450 mm, and the pitch is 11-12.

Gross Piranha 24106 450 mm

BLACK+DECKER BDHT0-20169 500 mm

One of the cheapest wood saws. Its cost is about 600 rubles. The teeth are hardened and their pitch is 11. Equipped with a fixed handle. Only wood is processed with a 500 mm long blade. The saw with hardened teeth received a longitudinal-transverse direction. There is also a 3D sharpening function.

BLACK+DECKER BDHT0-20169 500 mm

STANLEY JETCUT 2-15-595 450 mm

Fine teeth allow for precise cuts. Also handles wood. Tooth pitch 11 points. Hardened teeth received a longitudinal-transverse direction. The fixed handle adds reliability during operation. Blade length 450 mm. The price is within 1000 rubles.

STANLEY JETCUT 2-15-595 450 mm

BISON Professional 15154-250 250 mm

Great option for hiking. Blade length 250 mm. This is ideal for small jobs. Can process laminate, wood and plastic. It will cost only 450 rubles. Ideal option for tourists.

BISON Professional 15154-250 250 mm

Vira 800240 400 mm

The fixed handle and the 3D sharpening function are typical features of modern hacksaws. Suitable for smooth and precise operation. Designed for woodworking only. A 400 mm long blade is suitable for small and medium-sized jobs. The direction is transverse. The price is 450 rubles.

Vira 800240 400 mm

STANLEY JETCUT 2-15-281 380 mm

Belongs to the category of novelties. Cutting direction: longitudinal-transverse. Hardened teeth work wood. Blade length 380 mm. The price is within 950 rubles. Tooth pitch 7 points.

STANLEY JETCUT 2-15-281 380 mm

Kraftool Katran Precision Cut 1-15194-18-22 185 mm

Carries out a cut of a tree, plastic and a laminate. There is also a 3D sharpening function. Blade length 185 mm. The price starts from 720 rubles. The direction of the saw is longitudinal-transverse. Suitable for hiking or trimming small branches in the garden.

Kraftool Katran Precision Cut 1-15194-18-22 185 mm

JCB JSW002 550mm

This model is equipped with the longest canvas of the presented models in the ranking. Its length is 550 mm. The fixed handle with a rubberized insert promotes comfortable work. Can process materials of sufficiently large diameter and thickness. Tool steel preventing possible spring action. Such a tool will cost 600 rubles.

JCB JSW002 550mm

Gross Piranha 24100 450 mm

Works on wood, plastic and laminate. The set includes one canvas. Its length is 450 mm. The longitudinal direction of the saw is provided by hardened teeth. The fixed handle and the possibility of 3D sharpening play an important role. The pitch of the teeth is 7-8 points. The cost of a copy is 1100 rubles.

Gross Piranha 24100 450 mm

STANLEY Fatmax 0-20-556

A miniature hacksaw will be indispensable in tourism and farming. The length of the entire tool is 302 mm. Outwardly, it resembles an ordinary knife, but differs in the presence of teeth. The durable rubber grip prevents slipping in your hand. Best for cutting drywall or thin plywood. The price is in the middle range for such an instrument. It will cost 1200 rubles.

Bahco 2600-16-XT11-HP

Universal model for cross cutting. This is one of the best rating models. Many are amazed at the long-lasting sharpness of the teeth. Friction during operation reduces the low friction coating. Such a protective layer reduces the degree of heating of the web, and also protects against corrosion. Unfortunately, the cut quickly begins to blacken. This model costs 1500 rubles.

Wood has been used as a building material since time immemorial. And now it has not lost its popularity. It is loved for its environmental friendliness and ease of processing, which is best done with wood saws. These tools are available with different parameters, which are selected depending on the specific application.

Specifications

The saw is one of the first hand tools invented by man. Since the appearance of the first rough version, centuries have passed, and many varieties have appeared for various types of work.

As for hand saws for wood, they differ among themselves in many ways, among which are the following:

Let's consider each in detail.

hacksaw blade

In principle, this is the tool itself. The most important parameter of the canvas is its length. It is this that determines the range of application possibilities. However, the longer the canvas, the stronger the springiness, which makes it especially difficult to work with hardwoods such as oak, ash or maple. For sawing small items such as a plinth, a bar or a narrow slat, a manual hacksaw for wood with a blade length is enough 25-30 cm. For more serious work, you need a tool with a blade length 45-50 cm.

A simple rule for determining the length is that the blade should be twice the diameter of the logs that will be sawn with it. The teeth of a short hacksaw will stick in the wood, much more effort will have to be applied to work, which will quickly cause fatigue. The width of the canvas usually varies in the range of 10-20 cm. A narrower canvas is not allowed, as it breaks at the slightest bend, but it is inconvenient to work with an overly wide canvas by hand.

Production material

Blades for hacksaws are made of tool alloy steel with a high content of carbon and silicon, grades:

• 8 HF, 9 HF, 9 HS;
• 65 G, 60 C2A;
• U7, U7A, U 8, U8A, U8G, U8GA, U9A, U 10.

The metal is hardened by exposing it to an alternating magnetic field when a high-frequency electric current appears. When propagating over the surface, it heats a layer of metal, which hardens after cooling. The standard hardness is 45 HR C, although it is recommended to take products with a hardness of 55-60 HR C when the flexibility is sufficient and the teeth have high stability. With an external examination of such a tool, one can see a darkish shade of honed teeth.

Tooth parameters

Precision and performance mainly depends on tooth size.

The defining indicator - "TPI" - the number of teeth per inch.

There is an inverse relationship between these technical parameters:

• Cloths with large teeth allow you to work at high speed, but the cut turns out to be sloppy, rough.
• The fine-toothed blade guarantees a clean and precise cut, but the cutting speed is relatively slow.

When determining the size of the teeth, be guided by the material being processed. To work with chipboard, for example, a high cutting accuracy is required, so a tool with a high TPI of 7-9 is selected. For sawing logs and garden work, where the cleanliness of the cut is not so significant, TPI 3-6 is enough.

The difference between a hardened and an ordinary tooth is that the first one in domestic use does not dull for a long time. But a saw with hardened teeth cannot be resharpened, it can only be thrown away after use. Ordinary teeth can be sharpened, which is done with a special file marked with an accident (for sharpening saws). It is enough to spend several times on each tooth.

Depending on the type of teeth, there are three types of hacksaws for different types of sawing:

Some modern tools have teeth in the shape of a trapezoid. This increases strength and durability, but it is not easy to sharpen such a blade, since the trapezoidal teeth are difficult to shape. Because of this, the service life is greatly reduced, and after it has expired, the canvas has to be changed.

The market also offers modernized hacksaws. They are effective for sawing raw wood. Wet chips in the process of work easily exit through the gaps between the teeth, and the movement of the tool is not hindered.

Types of hand saws for wood

It is impossible to say unequivocally which is the best hacksaw for wood. There are different options for different types of work. Let's describe them.

Depending on the design and purpose of the saw, there are:

• Swing - for longitudinal cutting.
• Transverse - for sawing across the fiber.
• Vyruzhny - for making holes, figured sawing, making roundings.
• Spike - for cutting connecting spikes and cutting out simple geometric shapes.

It is possible to cut the material along and across only with a bow saw, sawing blanks with complex lines. The work can be done without an assistant.

Handle type

In many ways, the ease of use of the tool is determined by the shape and material of its handle. Handles can be wooden or plastic. The surface at the grip point should not allow the hand to slip. This effect is eliminated by making scars on the handle, or by covering it with a rubber layer. The saw can be cast or with a reversible blade. In the latter case, it is easy to replace the canvas.

Conventional handles are made of plastic. Prefabricated plastic handles from two halves do not have sufficient rigidity; it is much more convenient to handle a tool with a solid handle with rubberized finger pads. The rubber insert allows you to make the grip tighter, which prevents the formation of calluses.

To choose the right hand saw for wood, you need to follow a number of recommendations. Pay attention to the following:

• Target. For carpentry, you need a saw with fine teeth, which will provide high precision sawing. Carpenters need a blade with large teeth.
• web uniformity. Gently bend the canvas at an angle of 30-45 ° and release it. The slightest deviations on the fold line (even within 2 mm) indicate the low quality of the metal.
• Frequency of use. If you need a saw for one-time work, it is better to take a tool with hardened teeth. The service life is quite long, and you don’t have to worry about sharpening and wiring.
• Price. High-quality models of leading manufacturers are much more expensive than consumer goods. But the high price is a kind of guarantee of wear resistance and durability. However, for one-time work, buying an expensive tool is not practical.

Decide on the purpose of the tool, see how it lies in your hand. Read the enclosed instructions, if any. These minimal "wisdom" repeatedly reduce the risk of choosing a bad tool.