Power hacksaw vs bandsaw

[andeep]

I'm currently trying to decide whether to get a power hacksaw or a bandsaw.

I've been eyeing up an old Qualters & Smith power hacksaw for a decent price, or the alternative is a chinese 6x4 bandsaw such as a clarke one as they sort of fall into the same price category of around £200.

I prefer properly built British machinery that will long outlast me. I also like that the power hacksaw is such a simple piece of machinery as theres probably less to go wrong.

Therefore I would much rather get a power hacksaw, but I have a few questions:

How easy are powerhack saw blades to get?
Are the cuts nice and square? How does it compare to the cut of a bandsaw?

I realise that a power hacksaw will be slower than a bandsaw, but I would rather have a quality cut that may take longer.

 

[madkayaker]

Blade very easy to get decent blades available on ebay. Providing the saw is in good condition should be very square cut and defiantly better than cheep bandsaw

 

[Robotstar5]

Same as above, plenty of good quality blades available and once it's started, leave to cut while you do something else.

 

[andeep]

Its a Qualters & Smith 6" power hacksaw which I believe takes a 16" blade. Can anyone point me in the direction for a good source of blades? I'm mostly going to be cutting 2-4mm walled stuff

 

[madkayaker]

The only improvement that can be made to power hacksaw would be a bear fridge attachment or a kettle attachment

 

[Robotstar5]

We used to get ours from Cromwell

 

[Welderpaul]

The power hacksaw will outlast us all, but is slow as hell for cutting. The Chinese bandsaw will (probably) last 30 seconds and make you pull your hair out but willcut faster.

Depends whats more important to you really.

 

[Spark plug]

I had a Chinese bandsaw I didn't have it long and got sick of adjusting it, replaced it with a with a old wellsaw power hack saw, never looked back.

Blades are easy to get and cheep, they last ages, longer than a band saw blade.

Only downside not good for thin wall stuff (less than 1.5) and don't particularly like stainless.

 

[madkayaker]

With the correct blade will cut stainless and thin stuff fine

 

[lshigham]

How slow are power hacksaws? I know they aren't quick but how long to cut though say 3mm wall 40mm box?

 

[madkayaker]

Couple of minuets

 

[andeep]

What sort of TPI blade would be ideal for cutting thin stuff? Seems that 14TPI is the highest blade available

 

[norlander]

The only improvement that can be made to power hacksaw would be a bear fridge attachment or a kettle attachment

OK-I'll be the dummy-wotsa bear fridge? summat to wi polar bears? have you imbibing of the Hawkshead products for Sunday lunch?

 

[madkayaker]

Sorry beer

 

[brightspark]

the mechanical hacksaw

I had a Chinese bandsaw I didn't have it long and got sick of adjusting it, replaced it with a with a old wellsaw power hack saw, never looked back.

Blades are easy to get and cheep, they last ages, longer than a band saw blade.

Only downside not good for thin wall stuff (less than 1.5) and don't particularly like stainless.

Its a Qualters & Smith 6" power hacksaw which I believe takes a 16" blade. Can anyone point me in the direction for a good source of blades? I'm mostly going to be cutting 2-4mm walled stuff

well worth having a power hacksaw and the blades can be had from autojumbles and carboot sales sometimes for no more than 3 quid each and they last ages

 

[Spark plug]

How slow are power hacksaws? I know they aren't quick but how long to cut though say 3mm wall 40mm box?

Seen as tho I was sat next to the hacksaw drinking tea I was curious. It took 52 seconds to cut some 40x3mm box. With a 14tpi blade that's done something in the region of 1000 cuts

 

[shed or dead]

How slow are power hacksaws? I know they aren't quick but how long to cut though say 3mm wall 40mm box?

59 seconds on a Rapidor Major for 2mm wall 50mm box. Not sure on tpi, I timed it months back when I had lots to cut. Not sure how many cuts the blades done but I'm the machines 3rd owner on the same blade and it's seen plenty of use.

 

[andeep]

Looks like I will defo be getting a power hacksaw of a bandsaw as it certainly has its advantages!

As for manufacturers, how does Qualters & Smith compare against something like a Rapidor?

 

[brightspark]

u can cut a

Looks like I will defo be getting a power hacksaw of a bandsaw as it certainly has its advantages!

As for manufacturers, how does Qualters & Smith compare against something like a Rapidor?

both are a good make .the qualters and smith are a heavier machine not that that makes much odds. both are sturdy machines

 

[shed or dead]

As for manufacturers, how does Qualters & Smith compare against something like a Rapidor?

Only used the Rapidor but mine came with lots of play on the connecting rod, no sideways movement though. Inspect before buying.

Another consideration is where it will be located. The smaller bandsaws can usually be moved easily but i'm sure I've heard that hackssaws dance around when fitted with wheels.

I've no idea how loud a bandsaw is but my neighbours have never heard the hacksaw.