Hacksaw is a very useful tool used for cutting materials like wood, plastic and steel. The tool is derived from the traditionally used hand saws that were primarily used by craftsmen to cut pieces of wood. Hacksaw is very handy in ATL labs to cut and craft pieces accordingly for the purpose of making models and prototypes. Majorly, there are 2 parts that are present in all Hacksaws:-
1. Hacksaw Frame
The part of the hacksaw which had a handle to be held by the craftsperson and a frame to hold the blade is called the Hacksaw frame.
2. Hacksaw Blade
The other part is what serves the main purpose of cutting materials. It’s a specialised blade which can be fit onto the Hacksaw frame and once done, make sure that the fittings are tight enough, and you’re good to go!
Then again, there are two different kinds of Hacksaws, used for different tasks and purposes:-
1. Normal Hacksaw
It is designed in a way such that the length of the blade is 12 inches, or 300 mm. It provides a greater cutting edge.
2. Mini Hacksaw
It is designed in a way such that the length of the blade is 6 inches, or 150 mm. It is mostly useful if you need to carry out lighter operations and if the space is compact.
How to use
Using a hacksaw is very straightforward, just make sure that the usage is safe and correct. First of all, it is important to attach the blade to the frame. To do this, first loosen the wing nut a little bit by rotating it counter-clockwise such that the blade is easily insertable. Make sure that the sharp teeth side of the blade is facing outwards to deliver the proper desired impact. After that, put in the blade and attach it to the hooks on both sides, and tighten it by rotating the wing nut in clockwise direction. Ensure that the connection is tight enough. After enough usage, the blade will become blunt and would need to be replaced. The procedure is the same. First loosen the wing nut, remove the old blade, put the new blade, tighten the wing nut, and yay, you’re done!
While using the hacksaw to cut any material, the handle should be held with the dominant hand. The other hand should hold the surface or the material to make sure it doesn’t slip while applying force. Thereafter, start cutting the material by applying almost horizontal push and pull force. Make sure to use the maximum length of the blade to cut the material for feasibility. Once done, wipe off the filings from the blade if any.
Safety measures to follow
1. Do not apply excessive pressure while cutting as it might break the blade.
2. Do not use it when the blade becomes loose on the frame.
Common Applications
1. To cut and shape their prototypes properly.
2. To cut PVC pipes of right length if the project is utilising them
Basically, anything related with cutting pieces of plastic, metal or wood, Hacksaw comes into play
Important Links
How to use a Hacksaw (https://youtu.be/-BdLo8UfOSk)
YouTube video linkBasics of Force (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJWEtCRWGvI)
YouTube video link
