Wood hacksaw: how to choose and which one is better? Rating of hand saws by purpose and characteristics of the tool (70 photos)

How to choose a hacksaw for wood

The choice of saw, whether for gardening work or for repair and construction purposes, should be approached responsibly.
After all, if you buy the wrong tool, at best there will be difficulties in working, it will be difficult to achieve the desired result, and at worst there is a risk of injury. A hand saw is without a doubt a necessary tool in the household.

There are different types of hacksaws for woodworking, which differ in many ways. For example, the ease of sawing and the service life of a hacksaw depend on the blade.

In total, when buying a hacksaw for wood, you should pay attention to three components:

1. Blade (steel grade, length);
2. Teeth (their size, shape, distance between them);
3. Handle model.

Length and size of the canvas

You need to choose a hacksaw for wood based on your needs: for cutting small, not large building materials, a 300 mm hacksaw is enough. If the purpose of the purchase is repair, use in the country, or, especially, construction, it is advisable to choose a saw with a base of 450 - 500 mm. Also, we must not forget about the “golden rule” of choosing a hacksaw: the length of the tool must be at least twice as long as the workpiece being cut.

The most common hacksaws - with blade lengths from 350 to 600 mm - are medium sizes. It is believed that up to thirty-five centimeters these are mini-saws, and over 60 cm – large ones. The success of working with wood depends on the correct choice of blade length.

Classic hacksaw with a comfortable and ergonomic handle

Tooth size and shape

This property of the saw affects the main factor of the tool - its purpose. The right size can be easily selected using the TPI coefficient. This is a special scale showing the number of teeth per inch of working length of the blade. Often this coefficient is indicated directly on the working surface of the tool.

Advice! Hacksaws with large teeth are well suited for roughing, initial work on construction sites, and sawing trunks. Working with small cutters will take more time and effort, but the quality will be higher.

Wood saw with double action blade

Differences between incisors in appearance

The triangular tooth configuration is considered standard. Variations are allowed: acute or isosceles triangle. The advantage of such teeth is that they are easy to sharpen. The cut is quite neat without any rough notches.

It is best to use a hacksaw with triangular cutters for transverse or longitudinal cuts.

Tempered blade-shaped cutters with the correct layout can cope with any type of wood

The option with a hardened cutter is good because of its energy consumption - you don’t have to sharpen anything yourself, because the saw will be as sharp as possible. However, a non-hardened cutter can always be sharpened “to suit you” (or when it becomes dull), which cannot be done with hardened teeth.

With small cutters the cut will be more accurate, but the work will take more time; with large ones, on the contrary, you can saw off faster, but the result will be a rough cut.

Sharpening saw teeth is a difficult task, so if you do not have enough experience, it is better to entrust this task to a professional

Handle design

The design of the handle is an important characteristic that affects the quality and safety of work. Handles come in different shapes, depending on the purpose of the hacksaw. They can be made from different materials: wood, plastic, metal or rubberized. There are 2 types of handles:

• reversible (with the ability to easily change the canvas)
• classical.

Important! An awkwardly held hacksaw will slip in your hands, bend and move poorly through the source material, which can lead to injury.

The efficiency of work directly depends on how well and comfortably the hacksaw handle is made.

Material requirements

To ensure that the hacksaw can serve you for a long time, you should choose a model whose blade and handle are made of high-quality materials. Such a hand saw will of course cost more, but you are unlikely to achieve a quick and high-quality cut with a cheap option.

A stainless steel hacksaw will last for decades

Hacksaws from Japan

Professionals in their field know that there are Japanese-made pruning saws, but not every beginner knows about them.

Their varieties include:

• Rioba;
• Kataba;
• Mawashibiki;
• Dozuki.

The main difference between these hacksaws is that their cutting edges are self-acting. The teeth on the working base stick close to each other, due to this the sawing is narrow, without large tears of wooden fibers. Kataba accommodates the cloves on a single side.

A hacksaw is used for sawing lengthwise and crosswise, due to this it is considered a universal tool. On a ryob, the teeth of the blade for cross-cutting are arranged on the first side, and on the second side for longitudinal cutting.

When working with the mentioned tool, you need to maintain some tilt. Dozuki is used for meticulous and fine cuts. Mavashibiki is considered the narrowest of the above-mentioned models. The actions in using the mentioned saw are assumed to be pulling.

Types of hacksaws for wood

Hacksaws are presented in a wide range; they can be divided into three large groups, which have their own classification:

• with butt;
• to create a curved cut;
• Japanese.

If you plan to do delicate work, then you should use a tool with a backing, which has an additional strip of brass or steel installed on the upper edge of the blade to prevent bending. These hacksaws are classified as follows:

• tenoning;
• with swallow tail;
• with offset handle;
• edge;
• model.

The first ones on the list are the largest, since their main purpose is to work with thick boards and firewood. It is equipped with a closed handle shape, which is ideal for conveniently holding the tool in the hand. A smaller version of this model, the dovetail, is used for working with hardwoods.

If you have to work with through tenons, then you should use a hacksaw with an offset handle. The user can adjust the element, and it is convenient to work with both the right and left hands.

If you need to make a thin cut, you cannot find a better tool than an edge saw, which has a compact size. But the smallest of all the presented options for this tool is the model file.

If it is necessary to cut out a curved part, a completely different tool is used. This category also has its own classification:

• onion;
• openwork;
• jigsaw;
• narrow.

A bow saw usually has a length of 20-30 centimeters, and the cutting blade has from 9 to 17 teeth of the same size per inch. It is possible to rotate the canvas in the required direction so that the frame does not interfere with the view. There are folding travel models on sale that take up little space.

The openwork file has a working surface of 150 mm in length, and the frame is made in the shape of an arc. The main areas of use are artificial materials and solid wood.

As for the jigsaw, its frame is also made in the form of an arc, but deep, since the tool is necessary for creating strong bends in thin material, for example, veneer.

A narrow hacksaw is also known in the professional world as a round saw, since it is used in the middle of a wooden workpiece. The cutting element is very thin and tapers towards the end. It is thanks to this shape that it is possible to create curves with large angles. The design includes a pistol-type handle on which you can attach the desired blade.

Professionals know that the range of hacksaws is not limited to this, since there are also Japanese edged ones, which not every beginner has ever heard of. Their classification includes:

• kataba;
• dozuki;
• rioba;
• mawashibiki.

The main distinguishing feature of all these hacksaws is that their blades work for themselves. The teeth on the blade are very close to each other, so the cut is narrow, without serious breaks in the wood fibers.

In kataba, the cutting elements are located on one side. The tool can be used for both longitudinal and cross cuts, so it is considered universal. In comparison with the described model, the Rioba has a cutting blade for cross cutting on one side, and longitudinal cutting on the other. When working with such a tool, you should hold it at a slight angle.

The tooth pitch of hacksaws can range from 14 to 32 teeth per inch. With the development of technological progress, this instrument moved from the category of manual classics and began to be made electric. Electric hacksaws have a powerful motor that provides the necessary power to cut branches.

Stationary silent vertical machines have the greatest power, but some portable models are also not inferior. Power depends on the type of power supply. Rechargeable ones are inferior to stationary electric ones, but they can be used even where it is not possible to connect to the network.

There is also a separate award in the category of the described tool - a product with a thin blade no more than 0.7 mm. The cutting part fits very tightly into a block made of wood. Used with one or two hands for small cuts or notches.

Other hacksaw options

Models with a butt. Used as auxiliary tools. Their purpose is to make small cuts in parts.

1. Sweeping hacksaws. With their help you can make longitudinal cutting. Nowadays, there are canvases 40-80 cm long. Workpieces with longer lengths must be cut with an electric tool.
2. Bow saws. They operate similarly to a jigsaw powered by electricity. They allow you to make the most precise cutting and process different parts at the desired angle. There are: sweeping, transverse, circular, tenon types.
3. Transverse options. Used for sawing parts across the grain. They are able to make cuts at right and different angles. An even cut is obtained at the edges of the edge.
4. Thorn species. With their help, you can make simple geometric shapes on a workpiece.
5. Circular models. They are designed narrow and are used for figure sawing. Using them you can make curves and other complex elements. They have a peculiarity - they use very flexible steel grades.

Bow saws are distinguished by the fact that their fastening mechanism is purchased once, and saw blades can be purchased in addition, without spending money on an entirely new product.

Classification

There are several varieties designed to perform individual tasks. They are divided into groups according to different characteristics.

By type of canvas:

• Narrow. Used for cutting out various shapes with a relatively large radius of curvature of cutting lines.
• Regular. This is the most common type of saw, has a standard blade width and is designed to perform different jobs.
• Obushkovaya. These tools have a wide blade with fine teeth. Capable of performing clean cuts with high precision. Used for precise, critical work using a template or pre-applied markings. A special feature of backed hacksaws is the need to process material that is obviously thinner than the blade - the presence of a backing will prevent it from being passed through the cut.
• Luchkovaya. A narrow sheet with a small tooth is stretched between two support bars. This design combines several capabilities - clean, neat cuts, cutting accuracy and high productivity.

By type of tasks performed:

• Classic. It is used in most situations when it is necessary to saw off a piece of board, saw through timber or solve other issues of a common nature.
• Trimming. Used to adjust elements protruding above the plane. The handle of such a saw is placed in such a way as not to interfere with the blade coming into contact with the material along its entire length. A special case of a scoring saw is the abutment construction. This group also includes tenoning and edging saws.
• Circular. The narrow blade allows you to make figured cuts. You can cut a closed contour by starting work from a pre-drilled hole. The free end of the blade is not secured, which requires caution during operation—it is easy to bend or deform the saw with a careless movement.
• Plywood saw. It has a wide blade that allows you to hold a straight cut without the danger of taking it to the side. The teeth at the beginning of the blade allow you to start cutting from the middle of the plane.
• Reward. This saw is capable of performing specific tasks - cutting grooves and other structural elements. It has several handles, and the method of operation is closer to the method of processing with a plane. Requires skills and experience from the master.
• Folding saw. Typically, such a tool has a handle that is detached or rotated, making the overall length of the hacksaw noticeably shorter. Convenient for a hike, trip or other field conditions.

The traditions of carpentry in this country require virtuoso mastery of the instrument, the quality of which has been elevated to the level of art. The technique of working with Japanese saws cannot be repeated with a conventional hacksaw, since the elasticity of the blade and the ability to maintain shape and plane are used.

The names of the tools are little familiar not only to beginners, but also to experienced specialists:

1-Kataba 2-Ryoba 3-Dozuki

• Kataba. A saw with teeth on one side of the blade. It has a universal sharpening that allows you to perform both longitudinal and cross cuts.
• Rioba. The blade of these tools is equipped with teeth on both sides of the blade, and on one edge there is a notch for longitudinal cutting, and on the other - for cross cutting.

• Dozuki. The flexible blade is designed for precise and accurate cutting. in the area of ​​the handle, the teeth become smaller, which is convenient for performing critical work.
• Mawashibiki. A narrow blade with fine teeth, capable of producing fine and clean work.

A common feature of Japanese hacksaws is their relatively small size and specific method of use. Unlike European tools, which are effective when moving away from you, Japanese saws are all designed to move towards you. This is unusual at first, but experienced people testify to the significant advantages of this technique.

Basic parameters of hand tools for cutting wood

A hacksaw is one of the most necessary tools in every man's inventory. This device allows you to easily change the dimensions of wood and plastic lumber. Using a hacksaw, you can perform a lot of operations in construction, cut branches in the garden, shorten fence poles, and so on.

A hand saw is used to work with lumber

But when purchasing such a seemingly simple tool, not everyone thinks about how to make the right choice and what criteria need to be taken into account. A hacksaw has its own special parameters that can affect the quality of work. There are four basic parameters when choosing a hacksaw: blade length, tooth size, steel type and handle type.

Blade length

For ease of use, the length of the hacksaw blade is chosen so that it is twice the size of the material at the cut site. This allows you to effectively remove sawdust during work due to the fact that all the teeth of the blade will come out of the board/log. In addition, this ratio of the size of the hacksaw and lumber contributes to a greater range of hand movement. This, in turn, takes much less effort. In construction, a universal hacksaw with a blade length of 45–50 centimeters is most often used. To work with small bars and boards, a blade 30–35 centimeters long will be sufficient.

Tooth size

This is perhaps the most important parameter. After all, the speed and accuracy of cutting depends on the size of the tooth.

.
The number of teeth per inch of blade is usually denoted by the TPI coefficient. To work more accurately with the material, it is necessary to use a hacksaw with a high TPI coefficient, that is, with a large number of teeth. When choosing a blade with a TPI of at least 7–9, and a distance between teeth of no more than 2–4 mm, the surface at the cutting site will be smoother and without torn edges. For working with large beams and garden trees, a blade with a TPI of 3–6 and a tooth spacing of over 4 mm will work well. Using such a hacksaw will reduce the effort required and increase the speed of cutting the working material
.

Tooth pitch correspondence table

Sharpening teeth

The usual triangular shape of hacksaw teeth is taken as standard. The teeth are made in the form of an acute triangle or isosceles, depending on the purpose of the cut. Such a blade can be sharpened with particular ease by repeating all the angles of the teeth. This blade can be used for both longitudinal and transverse cuts to avoid rough notches.

The teeth of a classic hacksaw are made in the shape of a triangle and can be sharpened

Video: self-sharpening hacksaw teeth for wood

But modern hacksaws, unlike classic ones, have hardened teeth with a non-standard trapezoidal shape. Such saws are endowed with increased strength and are resistant to wear. Their steel cannot be sharpened, and it is very difficult to maintain all the angles of the sharpened teeth.

Modern hacksaws are made with hardened teeth in the shape of a trapezoid.

Steel type

High-grade stainless steel is most often used to produce hacksaw blades. Typically, wood saws are made of steel with a hardness of HRC45. Very often, manufacturers combine steel in the canvas. In a hacksaw with a combined blade, the majority is also made of steel 45, but the cutting part is made of steel 55 and 60. When the cutting edge is hardened, wear resistance increases.

This type of tool can be easily distinguished from a regular hacksaw by its dark, hardened teeth.

The first forged saws were made in Ancient Greece. Forging gave high hardness to the metal and improved the quality of the tool.

Handle type

The ease of use of the saw depends on the correct choice of saw handle. Handles are made of wood or plastic. A very important point is that the surface at the grip site should be such that the hand does not slip. This can be eliminated by scarring the handle or covering it with a rubber layer. The hacksaw can be either a classic cast saw or with a reversible blade. The latter allows you to replace the canvas, which is very convenient.

Photo of blades for hacksaws for metal

Hand Tool Specifications

A hand saw for wood has several fundamental parameters - steel grade, blade length, blade shape and handle tilt, but the most important parameter is the shape and type of tooth, and this characteristic is the same for both manual and electric models.

The quality of domestic hacksaws for wood is in no way inferior to their foreign counterparts

Hacksaw blade length

It all depends on the purpose for which the hacksaw is purchased. So, if you take a hacksaw to a city apartment and do not plan to work with it constantly, then a folding model with a blade length of 300 - 400 mm is quite sufficient. For a private house or cottage you already need a full-size tool with a blade of 500 - 700mm.

Important! When cutting a workpiece, the length of the blade must be at least twice the thickness of the workpiece, otherwise sawdust will accumulate inside the cut and the hacksaw will quickly jam.

Folding or small-sized types of wood hacksaws are suitable for one-time work.

Steel grade for wood hacksaw

In the recent past, hacksaws were made from grades HRc45 and HRc50; the metal is of high quality, but the blade requires periodic sharpening. Now all leading manufacturers produce hacksaws with combined blades.

The blade itself is made of HRc45 steel, which provides it with good flexibility and high strength, and the cutting edge with teeth is made of HRc55 or HRc60 steel. You can recognize these hacksaws by their dark cutting edge.

Important! When purchasing a hacksaw with a dark edge made of high-strength steel, make sure that it is already set and sharpened well. The fact is that sharpening and wiring by an amateur of such metal at home is very problematic, so you will have to pay extra for sharpening the blade.

Wood saws with a dark cutting edge are of high quality

Choosing a tooth for a wood hacksaw

Before we look at tooth configuration, let's talk about tooth markings and size. Any types of hacksaws for wood are classified according to the same parameters. The marking indicates the number of teeth per 1 inch (1“ = 25.4 mm) and designates this indicator as TPI.

The TPI indicator indicates the number of teeth per 1 inch of blade

• A fine-tooth wood saw has a TPI of 7 or higher. Moreover, the higher the TPI number, the more accurate and cleaner the cut will be, but at the same time, the speed of work with such a tool drops in proportion to the increase in TPI; in other words, a small tooth cuts accurately, cleanly, but for a long time;
• A hacksaw for wood with a large tooth has a TPI from 1 to 7. A similar tool is designed for work in gardens and summer cottages, in other words, a large tooth is used to cut firewood or cut branches.

The higher the TPI indicator in the marking, the cleaner and smoother the wood cut will be

There is a common expression “middle tooth”, but in the documents the TPI value of the middle tooth is not recorded anywhere, but people popularly refer to this direction as hacksaws with a TPI of 5 to 8.

Tooth pitch is far from the only parameter when choosing a hacksaw

Model rating

Among domestic manufacturers, I would like to highlight the Enkor model range, which is made of carbide steel. One of the best representatives is the Anchor 19183 model, the distinctive feature of which is the tooth size of only 2.5 mm. The tool is supplied for sale with a comfortable handle and hardened teeth, which indicates a long service life of the product.

It is impossible not to highlight Japanese saws, for example, the Silky Sugowaza model, which is used for the most complex work, since the size of its teeth is 6.5 mm. Gardeners and summer residents prefer to purchase such a tool for forming the crown of fruit trees when they want to work quickly without putting a lot of effort. The special arc shape makes it easy to cut off unnecessary branches.

Swedish hacksaws are not inferior in quality to domestic ones. Among them, the Bahco brand stands out, which has established itself due to its high quality. In the universal tool category, the Ergo 2600-19-XT-HP model stands out, used for medium-thick workpieces.

What types of hand saws are used for what purposes?

1. The classic hacksaw is the most common of all. It has a long and wide canvas. If the blade is too long, the hacksaw may tilt to the side when cutting. Great care must be taken to avoid deviation of the cutting line from the initial marking. This hacksaw is suitable for working with timber, boards, chipboard and so on.
2. Hacksaw with back. This saw model has a rigid rib attachment, which minimizes the vibration frequency of the blade. This hacksaw also has smaller teeth and a higher TPI coefficient. They are designed for cutting plywood, chipboard with a coating layer and sawing profile strips.
3. Finish saws have an adjustable handle. They are needed for cutting grooves, grooves and straight and profile planks.
4. A circular hacksaw, or a hacksaw with a narrow blade. It is also used for cutting grooves, as well as for cutting out parts with rounded areas and large holes.
5. A bow saw is well suited for cutting knots and rough parts of material, as well as for cutting out parts from plywood and wood. This hacksaw is distinguished by a thin blade fixed on both sides in a frame. It is worth noting that you need to work with it extremely carefully due to its increased fragility.
6. The award has two handles. The appearance of such a saw is in many ways similar to a plane. It is used for cutting tenons and grooves, deepening holes and slots in materials of any hardness.
7. Garden saw with curved blade. Most often, for greater convenience, they are made folding. This saw is well suited for garden work. The saw blade is made of chrome steel. Widely spaced teeth with an inclination in the direction of the handle will allow you to conveniently cut down twigs and branches, placing emphasis on yourself while cutting.
8. A two-handed saw has the highest productivity. It has two wooden handles. For greater efficiency, cutting with such a saw requires two people. A two-handed saw is often used for sawing large logs and trees.
9. A hand or pocket chain saw is a small piece of chain with two handles on the ends. This saw is convenient for both one and two people to work with. The log or branch is wrapped around a chain and cut is made using the handles. A manual chainsaw, like a folding one, is well suited for gardening.

Photo gallery: types of hand saws

This classic hacksaw can be easily sharpened This hacksaw has hardened teeth and increased wear resistance A hacksaw with a back or butt minimizes vibrations of the blade during work A hacksaw with a narrow blade is well suited for cutting holes and grooves This saw has an adjustable handle, which will allow you to work under the desired angle A bow saw is good for cutting parts out of plywood This type of hacksaw is similar to a plane and is used for cutting tenons and slots A two-handed saw is suitable for cutting large logs Garden saws with a curved blade are good for cutting knots and small branches of trees A hand chain saw is compact and works well Suitable for cutting logs while camping and branches in the garden

Thus, having carefully studied all the nuances regarding hand saws, everyone will be able to choose the most suitable option for themselves. Choosing the right tool will provide you with high-quality and enjoyable work.

Wood, as a building material, has numerous advantages, not the least of which is ease of processing. Various tools for working with wood are produced, but the simplest and most common is the ordinary handsaw. What parameters are used to select a hacksaw for wood, which is better and what to look for when choosing a new tool?

Varieties

By combining the above factors, manufacturers have developed and are now producing standard products with different blades, handle and tooth shapes. 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 those far from construction and carpentry. This hacksaw can have a blade of any length with a different number of teeth; the tool is often equipped with replaceable blades, which are included with the purchase.

Type 2: Narrow

Its other name is a circular hacksaw. It takes its name from its main application - it cuts out lines of different shapes, and it does it neatly and clearly. It is also used for cutting through round and square holes. The saw blade is narrow, the teeth are frequent, and can be located either on one working plane or on both.

When working with a saw, you should be careful: if you move uncertainly, the blade will turn in the other direction, so when choosing a hacksaw for wood with a narrow blade, you should choose a product made of high-quality hard steel that will not bend during the cutting process.

Type 3: With pad

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 backed hacksaw is always equipped with a comfortable handle at an angle of 450 to the blade for easy work execution.

Type 4: Bow

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

The wide range of work carried out is slightly obscured by the main disadvantages:

1. Bulky. A bow saw is a complex structure; its supporting part is made in the form of a large curved arc, to which a narrow, thread-like blade with teeth is attached.
2. Fragility. You need to work with the tool extremely carefully: the blade can fly off the mounts and tear during operation; it requires frequent replacement.

Type 5: Reward

The award saw requires a lot of effort to master. This is a tool that resembles a plane. It is equipped with two handles. Its main application is cutting grooves and tenons; the depth of holes and recesses can be of different sizes, and on rocks of any hardness.

Type 6: Folding tool

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

Video description

Video on how to choose the right hacksaw for wood:

• Stanley Jetcut 2-15-283. This hand saw model was included in the rating of hacksaws for wood as the best among universal ones. Thanks to the 3-sided sharpening of the teeth and a fairly long blade - 45 cm - the tool allows you to saw almost any workpiece without clamping. Disadvantage: the cut is not of very high quality and is not suitable for processing finishing parts.
• BAHCO LAPLANDER 396-LAP. Folding universal saw. Application – construction, tourism, hunting, fishing, gardening. The universal shape of the teeth allows you to cut wood both lengthwise and crosswise. Canvas length 23 cm.

Note! When choosing a saw, it matters how often it will be used. For periodic use, a model with hardened teeth is suitable; for frequent use, it is better to use one made of standard steel, since inevitable grinding will require constant updating of the cutting part, which cannot be done with an analogue made of hardened material.

How to choose a saw?

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

• Tooth shape and size;
• Canvas size;
• The grade of steel from which the working part (blade) is made;
• Handle shape.

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

Teeth size

This parameter affects the quality and speed of work. To make it easier to determine 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; the value is often written on the blade.

• A wood saw with a large tooth produces a rough cut at high speed. It is useful for cleaning the area from branches, cutting boards for firewood and other activities where you can get by with the rough ends of products and trunks. For such instruments, the tooth size TPI 3...6 is selected.
• For products that need to be cut neatly and evenly, a fine-tooth hacksaw with TPI 7...9 is suitable. This type is used for sawing fiberboard, chipboard, laminate, and in repair work. The productivity of such a tool is significantly lower than that of a coarse-toothed one.

A carpenter's saw is selected primarily based on the size of the tooth. So, for ordinary wood, small and large are suitable, but 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 different purposes:

1. The hacksaw for longitudinal sawing is equipped with triangular teeth with oblique angles. Their appearance resembles hooks that are sharpened on both sides. Because of this, the saw slides along the wood fibers and cuts the blade smoothly, almost without jagged edges.
2. The crosscut tool is equipped with teeth in the shape of an isosceles triangle. A mechanical hacksaw of this type cuts as it passes back and forth, but it can only be used for processing dry wood.
3. A manual hacksaw for mixed sawing is equipped with both types of teeth alternately located one after the other.
   Long curved saws the material in the forward direction; in the reverse movement, the triangles expand the channel for passage and catch shavings and sawdust behind them. In modern models, teeth alternate with voids. This allows you to use the saw on dry and freshly cut wood; coarse unnecessary fibers are removed through the holes.

Steel selection

To make the tool last longer, you should choose high grades of steel for the production of the blade. It's better if it's stainless.

The teeth can be hardened or regular. Regular saws can be sharpened at home, saws with hardened teeth are disposable, and once worn out, nothing can be done with them. They are easy to recognize by their dark color as in the photo.

Blade length

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

• A mini-hacksaw is always equipped with small, frequent teeth; the length of its blade does not exceed 350 mm;
• A universal hacksaw has an average tooth size and a length of 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 the length, the canvas can 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 be used to cut anything.

The rounded blade is adapted for working with branches and other objects at a distance: it is lightweight and easily glides along the wood without much effort.

Handle shape

This part of the saw determines the ease of work. The tool should fit perfectly into your hand and be comfortable. Various plastics that are pleasant to the body are used to make handles.

An important note: the material should not slip if your hand suddenly becomes sweaty. For this purpose, the handle body has recesses and grooves, a rubberized pad

Selection options

Many people are interested in the question of how to choose a suitable hacksaw for sawing wood?

The fundamental aspects will be the following parameters:

• Material type;
• Dimensions;
• Teeth shape;
• Shape and type of handle material;
• Purpose.

Choosing a hacksaw for sawing wood is quite difficult due to the large selection. It is used during construction work, procuring materials for heating a house, and during work on the production of various products.

Therefore, depending on the planned work, every master of his craft should have such a tool.

How to choose a saw?

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

• Tooth shape and size;
• Canvas size;
• The grade of steel from which the working part (blade) is made;
• Handle shape.

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

Teeth size

This parameter affects the quality and speed of work. To make it easier to determine 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; the value is often written on the blade.

• A wood saw with a large tooth produces a rough cut at high speed. It is useful for cleaning the area from branches, cutting boards for firewood and other activities where you can get by with the rough ends of products and trunks. For such instruments, the tooth size TPI 3...6 is selected.
• For products that need to be cut neatly and evenly, a fine-tooth hacksaw with TPI 7...9 is suitable. This type is used for sawing fiberboard, chipboard, laminate, and in repair work. The productivity of such a tool is significantly lower than that of a coarse-toothed one.

A carpenter's saw is selected primarily based on the size of the tooth. So, for ordinary wood, small and large are suitable, but 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 different purposes:

1. The hacksaw for longitudinal sawing is equipped with triangular teeth with oblique angles. Their appearance resembles hooks that are sharpened on both sides. Because of this, the saw slides along the wood fibers and cuts the blade smoothly, almost without jagged edges.
2. The crosscut tool is equipped with teeth in the shape of an isosceles triangle. A mechanical hacksaw of this type cuts as it passes back and forth, but it can only be used for processing dry wood.
3. A manual hacksaw for mixed sawing is equipped with both types of teeth alternately located one after the other. Long curved saws the material in the forward direction; in the reverse movement, the triangles expand the channel for passage and catch shavings and sawdust behind them. In modern models, teeth alternate with voids. This allows you to use the saw on dry and freshly cut wood; coarse unnecessary fibers are removed through the holes.

Steel selection

To make the tool last longer, you should choose high grades of steel for the production of the blade. It's better if it's stainless.

The teeth can be hardened or regular. Regular saws can be sharpened at home, saws with hardened teeth are disposable, and once worn out, nothing can be done with them. They are easy to recognize by their dark color as in the photo.

Blade length

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

• A mini-hacksaw is always equipped with small, frequent teeth; the length of its blade does not exceed 350 mm;
• A universal hacksaw has an average tooth size and a length of 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 the length, the canvas can 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 be used to cut anything.

The rounded blade is adapted for working with branches and other objects at a distance: it is lightweight and easily glides along the wood without much effort.

Handle shape

This part of the saw determines the ease of work. The tool should fit perfectly into your hand and be comfortable. Various plastics that are pleasant to the body are used to make handles.

An important note: the material should not slip if your hand suddenly becomes sweaty. For this purpose, the handle body has recesses and grooves, a rubberized pad

Types of electric and gasoline saws

Gasoline and electric tools have a motor or motor that rotates the tool. Thanks to this, the operator has to put in less effort and the work speed increases. Some versions of the tool are self-contained and suitable for field conditions, others are corded and require a 220 V outlet. Here are the main features of this category of saws.

Chainsaw

The saw operates with an internal combustion engine. Requires gasoline and lubrication of the small cutting part. The tool varies in bar length, which ranges from 35 to 60 inches. This affects the ability to cut a certain diameter of the trunk in one approach from one side.

Device

The cutting element is a chain consisting of links and protruding teeth. It is looped and moves along an oval bus with a guide. The operator holds the unit by the main and auxiliary handles. You can cut horizontally or vertically.

Replacement and tightening of the chain is carried out by a tensioning mechanism on the side. If the working part gets caught in the material, the saw will bounce off. To increase safety, it is equipped with a chain brake that is activated when the plastic safety stop collides with the operator’s hand.

Chainsaw.

Purpose

The presence of exhaust gases allows this type of tool to be used only outdoors. Chainsaws are often used for felling trees and collecting firewood. Thanks to the autonomy of the gasoline engine, they are suitable for long-term use in field conditions.

But the tool is quite universal, so it is used almost everywhere:

• construction of houses and baths from logs;
• cutting firewood in the yard of the cottage;
• cutting down garden trees;
• figured cutting of sculptures from concrete or ice.

Thanks to the powerful engine, the saw copes well with dense materials and withstands heavy loads. But this is an expensive tool that requires proper care.

Electric chain saws

They are similar to gasoline ones in terms of the cutting part and use the same chains. But thanks to an electric rather than a gas engine, they have both their advantages and disadvantages. Within their type, they are divided by tire length and power.

Electric chain saw.

Device

The electric motor is located in front of the main handle and is installed longitudinally or transversely. In the first case, the electric saw has a narrow body, and in the second - with a shorter one. This is worth considering when choosing for use in limited space. All corded chain saws are connected to 220 V. There are 36 V battery versions.

Cordless chain saw.

Electric saws are lighter than chainsaws, so they are less tiring on your hands and are suitable for long-term work throughout the day. They do not emit exhaust gases and are used both indoors and outdoors. Their design is also simpler (only an electric motor, gearbox and equipment), which is why they cost less and repairs are inexpensive.

But the presence of a power cord limits the operator’s maneuverability, and sometimes simply gets in the way (when working at height or frequently walking around a large workpiece). Cordless electric saws are not as powerful and are limited in terms of duration of use by the capacity of the battery.

Purpose

In general, this is a universal tool, but the presence of a power cord allows you to use it only close to an outlet. They are used to cut firewood in the yard, build wooden houses, and cut openings for doors and windows in wooden houses.

Reciprocating saw

It got its name because of its curved cutting element, reminiscent of a saber. Among craftsmen it is also called an electric hacksaw.

Reciprocating saw.

Device

It has an electric motor and gearbox that makes the saw blade move back and forth. Due to such repeated translational movements with high frequency, a cut is made. To protect the operator's hands, there is a stop on the second handle next to the equipment. The main handle is L-shaped or D-shaped. Some models have a step speed switch that helps you set the desired speed for a specific material.

The tool is either corded or cordless. The pros and cons of the type of power supply here are the same as with other saws: a corded one limits mobility and requires an outlet nearby, and versions with a battery remain autonomous only for an hour. For longer use without interruption, you will need a second battery. Then the batteries can be alternated, changing them in the tool and charging them in the base.

Cordless reciprocating saw.

Purpose

The main feature of a reciprocating saw is its compactness and light weight. Thanks to this, it is used at heights or in hard-to-reach places where it is inconvenient to operate a chain saw or a hand-held circular saw.

For example, it is well suited for roofing work. The model cuts not only wood. Special replaceable blades allow you to cut stone, concrete, and metal. There are saw blades that can be used to make neat cuts in combined materials.

Saw alligator

It is a type of reciprocating saw but is intended for larger objects and workpieces. It got its name due to the use of two toothed blades, similar to the double dentition of an alligator. The tool can be battery-powered or corded. The first type is much more expensive.

The alligator saw.

Cordless alligator saw.

Device

It has handles on the motor block and a long guide. Two blades move along the bottom of the tire in opposite directions. The stroke length can be up to 40 mm. This ensures an even cut and minimizes the cutting line moving to the side. When the blade becomes dull, it is replaced with a new one.

Purpose

Most often, the alligator saw is used for cutting aerated concrete and building blocks of similar structure and density. It is lightweight and suitable for sawing bricks perpendicularly or diagonally. But two blades in the composition increase the thickness of the cut, which is important to take into account when calculating the size of materials.

Circular (circular) hand saw

It is held with one hand and can be used for cuts in the downward and vertical positions. It is called disc because of the rotation of the disk as the main cutting element. Thanks to this design, it is compact. There are versions powered by 220 V mains and battery-powered 36 V.

A circular saw.

Cordless circular saw.

Device

It consists of a D-shaped single handle, a transverse motor, to the shaft of which a steel disk with teeth is attached. Rotation of the working part at high speed ensures fast cutting of wood. The circular saw blade is protected by a sliding casing that automatically closes the teeth after the saw is removed from the board. The cutting depth depends on the diameter of the disc and can reach 50-60 mm.

Some models are capable of tilting the blade at an angle to make a bevel cut.

Purpose

The circular saw is used for longitudinal and transverse cutting of boards, beams, etc. Due to its low weight and size, it is convenient for working at heights, for example, trimming pediment boards, frames, rafters, etc.

Circular machines (sawing)

It has a similar cutting element as a hand-held circular saw, but is installed on the floor or table. The user, instead of a tool, holds the workpiece itself in his hands, feeding it at the desired angle to the disk. This simplifies the processing of large parts, but this technique is not used at heights. All types of sawing machines are networked.

Device

All circular saws have a motor and a drive (belt) that transmits torque. There must be a support platform with a slot from which the cutting disc looks out.

Structurally, there are three options for the types of circular saw:

1. Tabletop - has short legs and is installed on a workbench or durable table. The weight of the machine is within 20 kg, so after work it can be put away on a rack or other convenient place. A small disk allows you to cut material with a thickness of 40-80 mm.

Tabletop circular saw.

2. Circular sawing machine with stand - equipped with a table extension, on which it is convenient to place boards or timber with a length of 2-3 m. This ensures an even cut and relieves the operator, because he does not need to hold the weight of the workpiece with his hands.

Circular saw with stand.

There are versions with folding legs, so the machine is suitable for easy transport to the workplace. Depending on the diameter of the disc, the cutting depth is possible up to 80-90 mm.

3. Stationary circular saws - designed for operation in one place, since they weigh 40-50 kg. The heavy bed ensures a stable position even when processing large workpieces. It can be equipped with large discs that cut depths from 70 to 125 mm.

Stationary circular machine.

Purpose

Using circular machines, wide boards and beams are unraveled.

Straight transverse and oblique cuts are possible. Small desktop versions are optimal for working in the garage. Machines with stands are suitable for field activities in order to prepare all the wooden parts on site, rather than transporting them to the workshop. Stationary machines are in demand in enterprises and furniture factories.

Miter saw

It got its name from its ability to cut only ends and perform cross cuts. The material is not used for longitudinal dissolution.

Miter saw.

Device

Consists of a base and a lowering disk with teeth. The electric motor is located on top and transmits torque directly to the saw element. There are no belts or chains in the mechanism. The top of the disk is covered with a metal casing. Lowering is carried out on a bracket with a hinge, and the operator holds on to the handle.

The base of the machine has a stop for placing workpieces and securely fixing them. This promotes cutting accuracy. Some types of miter saws are capable of tilting the cutting blade to the left or right relative to the table to produce a miter cut. The mechanism provides for a tilt of up to 45-55 degrees.

One type of these saws is the broach miter saw. The saw blade of such a tool is mounted on special guides and can move horizontally. This design allows you to cut and trim fairly wide workpieces.

Miter saw with broach.

The saw is installed on a table or workbench. The weight of 10-30 kg makes it easy to rearrange it, put it away for storage and transport it to another place of work.

Purpose

The main area of ​​application for trimming is woodworking. With its help, timber and boards are cut to size for subsequent assembly. Miter saws are designed for miter joining parts. If you replace the disk, then using the device you can cut aluminum, plastic and other non-ferrous metals. The machines are used in framing workshops and furniture production.

Cut-off (mounting) saw

As the name suggests, it is designed for quickly making cuts on parts during installation. Essentially, it is a small cutting machine that sits on a table or even on the floor.

Device

Structurally, the saw is similar to a miter saw: there is a bracket on a hinge, a motor on the axis of which the saw blade is mounted, and a base. The machine is located on the table. Weighs 10-15 kg and can be easily moved from place to place by one person.

The difference from a miter saw is the design of the cutting disc. Here an abrasive wheel is used (similar to wheels for angle grinders, only with a larger diameter and thickness) or a steel disk with teeth and pobeditovy tipped.

The base is equipped with a vice for fixing workpieces. To prevent sparks and abrasives from flying into your eyes, a transparent protective screen is provided. Rotating the vice and tilting the wheel expands the cutting line options.

Assembly saw.

Purpose

The assembly saw is used on construction sites for quick cutting of workpieces. The abrasive wheel allows you to work with metal with a thickness of 1-30 mm. The tool is also used in production for the serial production of parts for welding. It is used to cut: profile and round pipes, fittings, rods.

Stationary band saw

It got its name because of the cutting element in the form of a moving saw blade.

Device

Vertical machine with electric motor and roller system. One node is located at the top of the device, and the other at the bottom. Between them there is a frame with a slot on which the workpiece is located. The cutting depth depends on the height of the workplace between the two rollers and the table, but even for the largest stationary machines this figure does not exceed several tens of centimeters.

Stationary band saw.

Purpose

A stationary band saw is used for straight and curved cuts in wood, metal, and plastic. A thin saw blade allows you to cut figuredly and make cuts with complex configurations. This is in demand for decorative elements or when creating special structural blanks.

Band saw

It also uses a saw blade, only the tool is small and convenient for transportation. There are two types of shape.

Device

The portable tabletop version has a rectangular base and the working part with rollers, belt and motor is lowered by pressing the handle. This saw can be easily placed on the table for convenient manipulation of workpieces. The parts are fixed using a vice built into the base.

Portable band table saw.

The hand-held band saw is made without a base - there are two handles above the rounded edges of the body with rollers. The operator holds the tool suspended, and the part to be cut is placed on the table, floor, or clamped with additional vices or clamps. Carrying the device is even easier.

Hand band saw.

Purpose

Band saws are used by welders and plumbers to make complex cuts where a grinder or other tool is not suitable. With its help, work is carried out on metal, plastic and wood. But the compactness affected the maximum possible size in height of the installed workpiece - often it does not exceed 10 cm.

Combination saw

It is called so because of the possibility of combining two cutting methods. They cannot be carried out at the same time - only one by one. This became possible thanks to the complex design.

Combination saw.

Device

The saw has a base and a hinged bracket. An electric motor and a working disk are attached to the latter. Lowering the rotating wheel helps you make cross cuts quickly - here the saw acts like a miter saw.

An example of using a combination saw as a miter saw.

If the moving part is lowered all the way and fixed, the disk will look out from above (on the back side) and the saw turns into a circular saw. It will allow you to spread boards and beams lengthwise, as well as make cuts at different angles.

An example of using a combination saw as a circular saw.

Purpose

Thanks to the combined cutting methods, the saw is in demand both for trimming boards and timber to size, as well as for preliminary unraveling of wood and reducing the width of the board. But the cost of the equipment is high, so it is used only in professional activities.

Radial console saw

It is called so because of its special shape with radial rotation of the bracket and movement of the cutting part along the console. This is a complex type of equipment for woodworking production.

Device

The machine has an L-shaped bracket mounted on a rectangular base. The stand rotates left and right. A metal disc with teeth is used for cutting. It receives torque from the engine, being directly mounted on the armature shaft.

The saw part moves back and forth under the console, which allows you to make long cuts. Some models are capable of tilting the blade to cut an edge. The cutting depth depends on the diameter of the disk and can be 20-50 mm.

Radial console saw.

Purpose

The movement of the saw blade along the console allows you to make long cuts in sheet material. This is relevant for preliminary cutting of chipboard, MDF, and laminated chipboard sheets. The saw is also suitable for square and rectangular cuts in large panels, since the cutting part has a submersible action and it is not necessary to start the blade from the edge of the material.

Jigsaw

Like a regular jigsaw, it works with a thin toothed blade, only the latter moves due to a gearbox and an electric motor.

Jigsaw.

Device

It has a D-shaped handle, a motor and a metal sole. Suitable for working in downward and vertical positions. The file is submersible and moves up and down in amplitude thanks to a pendulum mechanism.

The jigsaw has a speed controller to select the optimal speed for different materials. The housing has built-in vibration dampers and a bar that protects surrounding objects from accidental contact with the saw blade. Jigsaws can be corded or battery-powered.

Cordless jigsaw.

Purpose

The tool is suitable for straight and curved cuts, cutting out complex shapes. The cut starts from the edge. To cut shapes inside the material, you will need to pre-drill a hole to insert the cutting blade. Used by woodworkers and cabinet manufacturers, kitchen installers.

Jigsaw machine

The machine has a thin saw blade that tightly performs reciprocating movements. The master does not hold a jigsaw in his hands, but a wooden blank and, turning it, makes the necessary cuts.

Device

The device has a base with a supporting surface. There is a hole in the center through which the saw blade moves. The G-shaped frame with a long reach allows for internal cuts in large wood panels.

Since the tool is not supported by weight, but firmly mounted on the table, the cut is cleaner and smoother. Suitable for making critical products. For control, there are start and stop buttons, as well as a speed controller.

Jigsaw machine.

In some versions of the machine, the lower base can be tilted and there is a scale with degrees, so you can cut the edge without preliminary marking exactly at a given angle. Depending on the configuration, the jigsaw can be connected to a construction vacuum cleaner; there is illumination of the work area and air flow to keep the marking lines clean.

Purpose

Curly cutting of complex shapes in sheet materials, boards, production of decorative elements. Used in the production of furniture and wooden doors.

What is a reciprocating saw and how to choose one

Now let's figure out how to choose an electric hacksaw for wood; in the language of professionals, such a tool is called a reciprocating saw. Compared to hand tools, the selection criteria are slightly different. So, in addition to the reciprocating motion, the reciprocating saw also has a pendulum stroke.

For pruning trees with a reciprocating saw, the tool has a pendulum operating mode.

Vibrations of the blade based on the pendulum principle allow you to work much more efficiently, for example, when pruning trees or other rough work. And the standard mode is good for unraveling sheets of different densities.

In this case, the question of which hacksaw is better for wood will not be entirely correct, because in reciprocating saws the effectiveness of the tool depends on the correct choice of blade. There are blades designed for working on wood, metal, stone, drywall, etc.

Each reciprocating saw blade is designed to work with a specific material.

But the choice of a reciprocating saw does not end only with the purchase of a high-quality blade for the appropriate material; there are also a number of subtleties:

• I, like most craftsmen in this field, believe that buying an electric hacksaw with a power of up to 600 W is simply a waste of money. With it you can cut branches up to 20 mm in diameter and no more. From 600 W to 1 kW is suitable for a variety of country work, and a tool with a power of 1.2 kW is already classified as semi-professional and can effectively cut any materials;
• It is advisable to choose a model where a special key is not needed to change the blade;
• It is better to take a tool with a cutting depth limiter, which, by the way, can also be adjusted with a key or without a key; accordingly, the second type of hacksaw is more convenient;
• Pay attention to the head that holds the blade. There are universal models into which any blade can be inserted, while there are heads “sharpened” only for branded blades from a given manufacturer. It’s not a fact that the store will have the right model of branded canvas, so take a station wagon;
• Theoretically, all reciprocating saws have the ability to disable the pendulum stroke, but when purchasing, it is advisable to check how adequately this option works;
• A reciprocating saw with a speed regulator will significantly expand your work capabilities, and it is desirable that this regulator has a fine-tuning function;
• Another useful function is the ability to rotate the blade at different angles; this option is especially useful when working on the ceiling and in hard-to-reach, tight spaces;

A reciprocating saw with a battery, compared to corded models, has less power, but it is more convenient to use.