Hacksaw
A fine-toothed frame saw for cutting metal, plastic, and thin material with replaceable blades.
What is it?
The hacksaw has a frame holding a thin, fine-toothed blade for cutting metal, plastic, and pipe. The blade is replaceable, and tooth count per inch is chosen for the material being cut.
What is it used for?
- Cutting metal rod, bar, and tube
- Cutting plastic pipe and conduit
- General shop metal cutting
How to choose
Choose teeth per inch (TPI) by material: 18 TPI for hard metal, 24 for thin wall, 32 for thin tube. A firm frame and proper blade tension give straight cuts.
Anatomy
Understanding the parts of a hacksaw helps you use, maintain, and buy it with confidence.
- Frame: the rigid body that holds the blade under tension
- Blade: the replaceable fine-toothed cutting strip
- Tensioner: the mechanism that tightens the blade
- Handle: the grip for pushing and guiding the cut
Materials & construction
Hacksaw blades are made of high-carbon steel for general work or bi-metal (a high-speed steel edge on a flexible carbon base) for durability. The blade hardness is matched to the material being cut.
Safety & maintenance
- Install the blade with teeth pointing forward so it cuts on the push stroke
- Apply steady, even pressure and a straight stroke to avoid snapping the blade
- Use the correct TPI for the material to prevent binding or breakage
- Wear eye protection; broken blades are sharp
Also known as
metal saw, frame saw