Types of Hacksaw Blades and Uses
Hacksaws come in a variety of shapes and sizes and all have a different purpose. A hacksaw is a tool you can find in every home, although in different sizes. A hacksaw is a small-toothed, hand-powered tool used to cut metal pipes, rods, and brackets. Plastic can also be cut with hacksaws. Hacksaws were designed primarily to cut metal, but they can also cut a variety of other materials mentioned above.
A C-shaped walking frame maintains a blade under tension in most hacksaws. Pins are used to join a narrow disposable blade to the handle, which is often a pistol grip. The frames could also be adjusted to accommodate different blade sizes. A screw or similar mechanism is used to tension the thin blade.
On hacksaws, like most frame saws, the blade can be held with the teeth on or away from the handle, resulting in a cutting action on a push or draw stroke. When cutting vertically downward with the work held in the bench vise, the hacksaw blades are generally facing forward.
Hacksaw blades are often categorized as flexible or hardened, with differences in coarseness, tooth pitch, and length to consider while selecting the right hacksaw for the job. Understanding the various types of hacksaws and their uses should be tough for a beginner. As a result, I'm writing this article to help you understand hacksaws, their types, and their applications.
Types Of Hacksaw Blades And Their Uses
Hacksaws are available in a variety of sizes to suit a variety of tasks. Below are the types of hacksaw blades:
- Course grade hacksaw blade
- Medium grade hacksaw blade
- Fine grade hacksaw blade
- Superfine grade hacksaw blade
- Ail hard blade
1. Course Grade Hacksaw Blade
This hacksaw blade is used to cut mild steel, copper, aluminum, and brass, among other materials. In simple words, course grade hacksaw blades are excellent for thick materials since they have a lower 14-18 TPI(teeth per inch)
2. Medium Grade Hacksaw Blades
Medium-grade hacksaw blades are excellent all-around hacksaw blades. Most metals can be cut with a bit more ease with these blades than with the course grade. These hacksaw blades may struggle with thicker metal projects, but they are the superior option for cast iron. It has 20-24 TPI.
3. Fine Grade Hacksaw Blade
Fine grade hacksaw blades are used for thin materials, sheet metal, thin-walled tubes, such as electrical conduit, and copper piping are examples. It will cut more finely and will not leave any rough border for wires to drag on, hence is great for electrical work. it has 24-30 TPI.
4. Superfine Grade Hacksaw Blade
Superfine hacksaw blades are used to cut fine metals and thin sheets. Typically has 30-32 TPI
5. Ail Hard Blade
Ail hard blades are also a hacksaw blade that is extremely fine (30-32 TPI). These blades have been hardened and tempered to reduce brittleness and help them stay sharper for longer. These are used to cut cast iron or mold iron, among other materials.
What is TPI?
The term TPI means, "number of teeth per inch," or you can say the number of teeth per inch on a saw blade. The higher the TPI number of the blade, the finer and cleaner the cut will be. High TPI saw blades can cut both hard and soft metals.
How To Use A Hacksaw
- Make sure the blade is properly fastened and tensioned.
- Measure the length of the pipe or conduit and mark it.
- Match the blade to the mark.
- Back and forth with the saw on the mark
Safety Measures While Using A Hacksaw
- Ensure to wear proper gloves and safety glasses
- Careful of sharp edges during and after sawing
Hacksaws are great and the easiest of tools to work with. Just make sure you choose the right blade for the right material.