Saw HACK

Forward stroke, I feel it cuts better that way. Best hacksaw is a sawzaw

All that are in the stores are preinstalled for a forward stroke. Actually do it the way it works for you on the particular thing you are doing. Maybe even put the blade in with the cutting edge up, whatever works for what you are doing. Joy of woodworking for me is finding the method or tool that helps create my project.

-- It's not a mistake it's a design opportunity

for a hand operated hack saw the blade should be installed to cut on the pull stroke, at least that is what I was taught almost 70 years ago.

-- Smitty!!!

I was taught to make it cut on the push stroke…..

-- Heyoka

Push stroke and Klein is a quality saw.

I can see using the pull stroke if cutting over your head though.

Yes. Push or pull, like a coping saw, whichever is better for whatever you are doing.

I have a dewalt high tension that works well. I am still looking for good blades.

I cut on the forward stroke. The only exception is if I am using one of those cheap frameless blade holders. If you push with that, the blade will inevitably fold up.

-- "Join the chorus if you can. It'll make of you an honest man." - I. Anderson

Pull stroke might work in Japan, but here it cuts on the push. Klein frame is one of the best, and it has a 45 degree position for flush cutting. I have used mine almost daily for forty years as an electrician cutting conduit and unistrut, and it is still in great condition. A cheap saw frame will lead to bad cuts, broken blades, injuries, and swearing. Lennox makes great blades. Remember to use fine blades for thin material, and coarser as the material thickens. Yes, a Milwaukee hackzall battery saw is nice, but too much money for occasional use.

I have some metal cutting blades for a Rockwell saw with a special end bracket that were made for the automotive exhaust industry. The concept was to cut off old exhaust systems. The blade is about 8 inches long, mid point between the ends is coarse teeth with fine teeth on the end areas. Great for cutting pipe. The tool i.e. Rockwell saw had a special bracket to hand clamp on an old exhaust pipe and cut it off. Never went over well. The exhaust shops preferred their acetylene torches, quicker and easier. I still have one of the saws and a box of the blades. Disposed of the special bracket.

-- It's not a mistake it's a design opportunity

I have a Lenox hacksaw frame that is so far above a cheap hacksaw that my mind was blown when I first used it!

Yes. Push or pull, like a coping saw, whichever is better for whatever you are doing.

I have a dewalt high tension that works well. I am still looking for good blades.

- SMP

Mid 50’s in highschool I was taught in industrial shop class like woodsmithshop was, cut on the pull. However I fully beleive that what ever works at the time is what to use….larry

-- Just a barn cat, now gone to cat heaven.

Cutting conduit on the pull gets almost nowhere , and not very fast. Personally, I see no time where a pull cut works in a hacksaw.

I was also taught to install on the pull stroke. I put it in whichever way works best.

-- Bruce, Boise, ID