What Is a Hacksaw?
Hacksaw is hand-operated, used for cutting small toothed metal pipes, rods, brackets, etc. Huxos can also cut through the plastic. The hacksaw has a U-shaped frame & a handle at one end. Hacksaws have smalls pins at each end of the frame that receives a blade.
A tensioner nut or knobs is then used to extend the length of the frame, which puts tension on the blade & locks it in place. The blade can be installed for cutting on push or pull strokes; Cutting is more common on push strokes.
When a hacksaw is operated using machines, it is known as a power hacksaw. It is a type of rotating saw machine. Power hacksaw is used when materials cannot be cut to hack by hand.
When the cutting diameters of the material to be cut are large, it is very difficult to cut with a hand-cut hacksaw, in which case power hacksaws are used. Power hacks can cut large diameter or workpiece workpieces that require a large amount of time & hard work to cut.
This machine can be used to cut any type of material in workshops as the hacksaw blade used is made of HSS (high-speed). Some cutting fluids are provided in this machine to cut hard materials.
Parts of Power Hacksaw:
#1. Base
The base of the power hacksaws is made using cast products. All the other parts of the power hacksaws are carried by this base.
#2. Column
The first part of the powers hacksaw is the columns. This column is a housing for the drivings mechanism of the power hacksaws, & the electrical cables are also present inside this column.
#3. ON/OFF Switch
These switches are used on and off. These devices are connected to an electrical connection & can be switched on and off using these switches.
#4. Support
In front of the column, there is two support, one is horizontals support, and another one is verticals support. The vertical supports the horizontals frame or support.
#5. Machine Vice
Machine Vice is present above the horizontals support. This machine’s vice is used to clamp the workpiece, i.e., hold the workpieces tightly. These vices are adjustable so that various sizes & shapes of metals can be held.
This machine’s vice has been handled. The vices can be tightened or loosened by turnings the handles. This vice locks the workpiece & does not allow it to move during the cutting operation. The size of the power hacksaws is determined by the largest workpiece that can be held in the vice.
#6. Cooling Pipe
Cooling pipe is used to provides coolant while cutting so that too much heat is not produced during cutting & the hacksaw blade does not get blunt. These cooling pipes provide a coolant between the hacksaw & the workpiece. These cooling pipes provide the coolant by the application of a pump.
#7. Power Hacksaw Frame
The power hacksaw frames are used to support & carry the hacksaw blade. The power hacksaw frames are connected to the driving mechanism present inside the columns. These frames are also known as an arm. The hacksaw blade is fixed in this armor frame.
#8. Handwheel
The handwheels are present on the top of the handle & are rotated to move the hacksaw frame up and down.
#9. Emergency Foot Switch
Almost every power hacksaw has an emergency footswitch to turn the power hacksaw on and off. This is added mainly to turn off the machine in emergency conditions. This footswitch is located on the front side of the machine.
#10. Hacksaw Blade (Cutting Blade)
The hacksaw blade performs the cuttings operation on the workpiece. The blade does cuttings in the forward stroke & removes chip produced while cutting in the backward strokes.
The blade of this hacksaws blade is made up of high-speed steel. Blades of power hacksaws are categorized based on the materials from which they are made and the number of teeth in the blades per inch.
The top category blade is made from High-Speed Steel (HH.S.S. But HH.S.S.blades are very expensive, so there are cheaper alternatives like carbon steels blade.
Generally, the number of teeth per inch varied from 14 to 24; as the number of teeth increases, the smoothness of cuttings also increases. The correct blade for a particulars workpiece is determined based on the material to be cut.
#11. Handle
A handle is attached to the column. These handles are used to move the hacksaw frame & hence the hacksaw blade up and downs. Hacksaw blades are moved near the workpiece to performs the cutting operations.
Driving Mechanism of Power Hacksaw:
Two pulleys are placed on fronts of each other. One winch is on top of another. These two pulleys are connected by a belt. A link is attached to the pulley at the top. The link is connected to a pulley on one side and an electric hacksaw frame on the other side.
When the power hacksaws are switched on, the bottom pulley starts rotating, and since this lower pulley is connected to the top pulleys by a belt, the top pulley also starts rotating.
When the top pulley rotates, the link connected to the top pulley will also rotate. Since this link is connected to the power hacksaw frame, when the link moves back and forth due to the pulley rotating, the power hacksaw frame will also move forward and backwards.
The rotational speed of the pulley will be converted into reciprocating motion in the power hacksaw frame. So in this way, the driving mechanism of an electric hacksaw works.
We can increase or decrease the speed of the pulley, and the feed of the forward and backward strokes can be adjusted into a power hacksaw. The speed of the pulleys can be changed by changing the belt from one size pulley to another shaped pulley.
If the belt is placed on a small pulley, the speed increases, and if the belt is placed on a larger pulley, the cutting speed decreases. Different types of metals can be observed at the proper speed by the change of speed.
Working of Power Hacksaw:
The vice of the machine has two jaws. One jaw is stable, and the other is flammable. There is a threaded row that is attached to the movable jaw on one side and a handle on the other side.
When we rotate this handle, the movable jaws of the machine vice move forward and backwards on this threaded rod of the machine vice.
We can easily attach any workpiece in the vice of this machine to use movable. The cooling pipe then supplies the coolant during the cutting process between the hacksaw and the workpiece.
This coolant extends tool life, helps remove chips and removes heat generated during cutting, and keeps equipment and workpiece cool. This coolant acts as a lubricant to smooth the cutting process.
The hacksaw moves along the blade frame using the driving mechanism of the power hacksaw present inside the front and rear columns. When the hacksaw blade is brought near the workpiece, and the switch is switched on.
The driving mechanism begins, and the cutting process or the process of removing material from the workpiece. A forward stroke of a power hacksaw is a cutting stroke that consists of a material removal process, and a backward stroke is a passive stroke.
Cutting only during the forward stroke avoids unnecessary wear on the saw blade. A backward stroke is used to extract chips from the workpiece produced during the forward stroke.
FAQ about Hacksaws
What Is a Hacksaw Used For?
A hacksaw is a hand-operated tool designed for cutting through metal pipes, rods, brackets, and plastic. It is commonly used in various workshop and DIY applications for precision cutting tasks.
How Does a Hacksaw Work?
A hacksaw works by using a serrated blade stretched across a U-shaped frame. The blade cuts through the material during push strokes, although it can also cut on pull strokes. The tension in the blade is adjusted using a tensioner nut or knobs.
What Are the Main Parts of a Power Hacksaw?
A power hacksaw includes the following main parts:
- Base: Supports all other components.
- Column: Houses the driving mechanism and electrical cables.
- ON/OFF Switch: Controls the power to the machine.
- Support: Includes horizontal and vertical supports for stability.
- Machine Vice: Holds and clamps the workpiece.
- Cooling Pipe: Provides coolant to reduce heat during cutting.
- Power Hacksaw Frame: Supports and carries the blade.
- Handwheel: Moves the hacksaw frame up and down.
- Emergency Foot Switch: Allows for quick shutdown in emergencies.
- Hacksaw Blade: The cutting element made of high-speed steel or carbon steel.
What Is the Difference Between a Hand Hacksaw and a Power Hacksaw?
A hand hacksaw is manually operated and suitable for small to medium cutting tasks. A power hacksaw, on the other hand, is machine-operated and ideal for cutting larger materials or when significant time and effort would be required with a hand hacksaw.
How Do You Install a Hacksaw Blade?
To install a hacksaw blade, align it with the pins at each end of the frame. Use the tensioner nut or knobs to adjust the frame length, apply tension to the blade, and lock it in place. The blade can be set to cut on either push or pull strokes, though cutting is typically performed on push strokes.
What Materials Can a Power Hacksaw Cut?
A power hacksaw can cut a wide range of materials, including metals and plastics. The cutting efficiency is enhanced by using high-speed steel (HSS) blades and appropriate cutting fluids.
How Do You Maintain a Power Hacksaw?
Regular maintenance includes checking and tightening the blade, ensuring the coolant system is functioning, and keeping the machine clean. Periodically inspect the driving mechanism and pulleys for wear and replace any damaged parts.
What Factors Determine the Choice of a Hacksaw Blade?
The choice of a hacksaw blade depends on the material being cut and the required smoothness of the cut. Factors include the blade material (HSS or carbon steel) and the number of teeth per inch (TPI), which affects the cutting speed and finish.
Can You Adjust the Speed of a Power Hacksaw?
Yes, the speed of a power hacksaw can be adjusted by changing the belt between pulleys of different sizes. A smaller pulley increases the speed, while a larger pulley decreases it. This adjustment allows for optimal cutting conditions based on the material being worked on.
What Safety Precautions Should Be Taken When Using a Hacksaw?
When using a hacksaw, wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from debris, ensure the workpiece is securely clamped, and keep your hands away from the cutting area. For power hacksaws, follow all manufacturer safety guidelines and be familiar with emergency shutdown procedures.
