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  1. #16
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Lebrina
    Posts
    1,910

    Default

    Unless you want the experience of building a power hacksaw or even a horizontal bandsaw, why not just buy one ready made? A 150X100 bandsaw will cost $400 new (second hand much less) and while not the best machine invented, it will work quite well. I doubt that you could build anything close for the price.

  2. #17
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,436

    Default

    Hi Guys,

    I tend to wholeheartedly agree with Karl ! Whilst to a great extent I've been spoiled by being able to use other peoples bandsaws, often hacksawing by hand when I needed to, the best thing I've done was to buy a second hand 6x4 bandsaw and refurbish it !

    I'm chuffed to little mint balls with mine ! If you are going to put in the amount of work that it will take to make an old style power hacksaw, then I would certainly go down the second hand bandsaw path and refurbish it. Then enjoy it twice, first the refurbishment and second the use of it.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  3. #18
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    43

    Default

    I just have to agree with those advocating a metal cutting bandsaw. Sure, the cheaper ones (and maybe some expensive ones) have issues with cutting square and plumb but there is plenty of help here to get those things sorted. My bandsaw that I bought secondhand about 15 years ago and renovated could still do with a bit of adjustment to get it cutting perfectly, but it is a fantastic machine. I have used "industrial" power hacksaws, the kind you would use to cut railway iron etc and they are great, especially compared to flame cutting or hand hacksawing. However, you will be amazed at the number of times a bandsaw comes in handy to use in vertical mode for free-hand cutting of small pieces and even wood (slight curves and a series of trimming cuts are easily done). Also, you don't have to worry about the hydraulic/mechanical mechanism that lifts the blade on the back stroke failing and stuffing your new blade.

    The only issue I have with my metal cutting bandsaw is the throat depth which can be an issue sometimes, so you have to come up with an alternative cutting method (oxy, plasma....). Obviously, this may not be a problem with the machines bigger than your basic 4X6 saws. Certainly worth consideration at least.

    Simon

  4. #19
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    12

    Default power hacksaw to build or not to build

    You miss the whole point. Mountains are there to climb and stuff is there to be made. Making some object from scratch you end up with a device that may or may be functional but you learn something useful along the way. Cost isn't necessarily a major factor. The hacksaw machine and other machines I have built and use and modify cost virtually nothing in dollars terms as I build devices using found, scrounged and repurposed stuff. Turning a lump of rusty metal into a functional and useful device is what it is all about Digging up dead machine and getting them back to life is also great fun.

  5. #20
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    43

    Default

    Sorry, I forgot to address the criteria in the original post which was to build something personal and enduring. Maybe you could accomplish your ambitions with some custom modifications to a bandsaw like a small parts vice, better angle adjustment, vice jaw extension, improved saw stop for repetitive cuts..... maybe end up with a better, more useful tool for your grandkids to use ...or just build a hacksaw, they are fun to watch!

    Simon

  6. #21
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

    Default

    They're not fun to watch, they're MESMERISING.
    As others have mentioned, a bandsaw is superior as it can be used both in the horizontal and vertical planes. Power hacksaws can be an easy or complicated item to make.
    My first power hacksaw was a HEKO, a very simply made item.
    HekoSaw1.jpgHekoSaw3.jpg
    Below is an article on the restoration of one, which while not plans, will hopefully give you some ideas to make your own, which sometimes is better as you can use the material that is in the shed, somewhere.
    http://home.iprimus.com.au/stevor/power_hacksaw.htm
    Here's another one that is undergoing restoration, appears to be a factory made item, but seems to have a lot of mild steel and channel, so this could be a contender also.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7429aWOTF8
    Another one for you, utilising a worm drive to power the blade.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyrduJiizBk Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mNw62SRrbQ
    One important thing to remember, is that the blade speed be kept around 60 strokes a minute, the same as for cutting by hand.
    HTH
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  7. #22
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Location
    Nambour Queensland
    Age
    63
    Posts
    86

    Default

    I believe I have a compromise and a project as well, i will rejuvenate an old setup which is repurposing and also adding which is constructing and of course cost effective so the budget has something left for the next brain storm I have. A linisher will be my future project as the cheap shop one I have just doesn't cut it and it's not looking like it will last long. Thankyou for the wonderful info it's well received.

  8. #23
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Near Bendigo, Victoria, AUS
    Age
    72
    Posts
    3,102

    Default

    Does that mean you already found one?
    I have built one 45 years ago, used it for 20 and then got a band saw....
    I'm happy to pass mine along (would have to check if I have a suitable motor for it, as the original stopped working long ago) if you're interested.... I'm in Bendigo Victoria though...
    Cheers, Joe
    retired - less energy, more time to contemplate projects and more shed time....

  9. #24
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Location
    Nambour Queensland
    Age
    63
    Posts
    86

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jhovel View Post
    Does that mean you already found one?
    I have built one 45 years ago, used it for 20 and then got a band saw....
    I'm happy to pass mine along (would have to check if I have a suitable motor for it, as the original stopped working long ago) if you're interested.... I'm in Bendigo Victoria though...
    Many thanks for the offer but the drive could be a bit long. I'm on the sunshine coast in QLD. Yes I have a saw to start with, thanks.

  10. #25
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Hards2u View Post
    Many thanks for the offer but the drive could be a bit long. I'm on the sunshine coast in QLD. Yes I have a saw to start with, thanks.
    I drove from Murray Bridge to Sydney to pick up a Surface Grinder Plus visit a few friends on here, on the way back via Melbourne.
    Or you could put a request for anyone from Melbourne going to Qld on Members Transport?
    https://metalworkforums.com/f311
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  11. #26
    Join Date
    Dec 2020
    Location
    Geelong
    Posts
    7

    Default

    I was searching for information on one I just picked up. I believe it's a modified Heko which I just further modified. Took 3 hrs to cut through 62mm bright steel. Slow, but who's in a rush!!



  12. #27
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,656

    Default

    I could cut that faster by hand

  13. #28
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by China View Post
    I could cut that faster by hand
    All day though?
    Either you've had a lot of 'practice' or you have arms like Popeye.

  14. #29
    Join Date
    Dec 2020
    Location
    Geelong
    Posts
    7

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by China View Post
    I could cut that faster by hand
    I can also, in fact I cut it 4 times. Here's my first video of the Heko.




  15. #30
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    574

    Default

    I made a power hacksaw back about 30yrs ago, it worked fine and I did get a fair amount of use from it, made mostly of bar stock with castings for the crank and vice, all work was done with a drill press and welder, I did not own a lathe at that time, but eventually I went over to the dark side and when I saw a horizontal bandsaw offered on Gumtree for $125 - for me at least it is far better, so much so that I have been gradually cutting up the hacksaw bar stock and using it as a source of material for projects, the castings are still lying around somewhere.

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