Power hacksaw vs bandsaw

[MrFluffy]

Power hacksaw for me too, Ive got some circa 1920's thing thats original a flat belt machine thats been converted, that I just leave cutting. I left it to cut a 6" steel bar once and it took about 2 hrs, but those two hours I was using the lathe behind it, so its just a question of time management.
Theyre called donkey saws because you just leave them to it working away, slowly but get there in the end.
Own a vertical bandsaw, power hacksaw, plasma cutter etc, but dont feel the need to get a horizontal one.
The vertical is great for doing steered cuts freehand in alloy plate which is what it brings the table and I want to upgrade that next.

 

[julianthegypsy]

I had to cut twenty lengths of 12mm square bar this morning, I was very glad of my bandsaw. My old wicksteed would have done the actual cuts a bit quicker cos it was huge, but overall it would have taken much longer because it would have been so much slower and clumsier to set up between cuts. If I regularly had to cut really big solid bars though, the wicksteed really came into its own.

 

[ukracer]

I had to cut twenty lengths of 12mm square bar this morning, I was very glad of my bandsaw. My old wicksteed would have done the actual cuts a bit quicker cos it was huge, but overall it would have taken much longer because it would have been so much slower and clumsier to set up between cuts. If I regularly had to cut really big solid bars though, the wicksteed really came into its own.

whats a wicksteed??

 

[brightspark]

whats a wicksteed??

its the make of a mechanical hacksaw same as in rapidor or qualters and smith

 

[ukracer]

its the make of a mechanical hacksaw same as in rapidor or qualters and smith

Just wondered how it would cut quicker than a Band saw? I sold my Power hacksaw as it took up to much space for the amount of times it was used. It was always too slow. I used to take everything 3 doors down to my mates unit when I had stuff to cut.

 

[julianthegypsy]

its the make of a mechanical hacksaw same as in rapidor or qualters and smith

Yes and no. This one was a huge three phase beast with auto power rise on the arm because it weighed so much you'd get a hernia trying to lift it. I once counted, it took twelve hits to part a 3x25x25mm piece of box. That's how it was a bit quicker than a cheap bandsaw.

 

[brightspark]

Just wondered how it would cut quicker than a Band saw? if it is a large heavy machine and u use a coarse blade it would cut quicker on thick materials i wired a mechanical hacksaw up at rdg stainless steel depot. it was massive it cut up to 24inch round stainless they loaded the saw using a forklift and slings on to the saw the metal was 10 foot long the machine .fully automatic computer programmed hydraulically fed

 

[andeep]

Well I am the proud owner of a Qualters and Smith 6" power hacksaw. This machine also has the hydraulic arm that lifts itself up when the cut is finished, also has a working suds pump!

Will be collecting it this Sunday.

Thanks for the advice guys! I'm sure I will not be disappointed.

 

[MattF]

Let us know how you get on with it. I'm quite sure you won't be disappointed.

 

[andeep]

Picked up the saw today, my god its a big heavy beast!

I am very very impressed with it! It is extremely well built and cuts fast!

It cuts square but is around 1mm out vertically, does anyone know how to made adjustments to it? Or could it just be the really old blade that is in it?

 

[brightspark]

1mm out over what height ?? u could shim the saw frame where its attached to the slider

 

[Norm]

That looks like a fantastic machine and should last you a lifetime

 

[bigegg]

nice machine.
wouldn't fancy lifting it out away from the wall to use tho - or do you only use 6in lengths?

 

[brightspark]

nice machine.
wouldn't fancy lifting it out away from the wall to use tho - or do you only use 6in lengths?

pmsl

 

[andeep]

nice machine.
wouldn't fancy lifting it out away from the wall to use tho - or do you only use 6in lengths?

It could be worse, I could have put it with the switch up against the wall! I've just plonked it there for now until I clear some space and build a frame with castors on it

 

[brightspark]

Its just near the wall ter


It could be worse, I could have put it with the switch up against the wall! I've just plonked it there for now until I clear some space and build a frame with castors on it

it will run round your workshop iif u have it on castors unless u make them retractable

 

[andeep]

I've read a lot that blade tension is important for a square cut. The blade is tensioned with a knurled thumb screw, should I tighten this by hand or crank it down a bit more with pliers? I'm also assuming that the 20+ year old blade in the machine probably needs replacing

 

[MattF]

Just finger pressure. You only want to take the slack out of it. I'd definitely plump for replacing the blade before you do owt else. No point trying to sort a problem which may not exist.

 

[brightspark]

it would have had a nut on it if it needed to be tighter . it doesnt matter how old the blade is as long as the teeth arent worn .run your finger along them and u will soon see if u notice the blade is worn nearer the front of saw what i sometimes do is fit a block in the front of the vice. put your metal in and it cuts in a diffrent postition on the blade giving more even wear over the full length of blade not just a few inches cutting small material

 

[EddyP]

The old blades can make good chisels too.