Fortuna (power hacksaw)

[NotStock]

Just scored what is without a doubt, the worlds dirtiest saw. I can't believe I have a power hacksaw. I really want this to be the more awesome, yet slightly less practical, alternative to a horizontal bandsaw. I love these things in theory. In practice they are pretty unruly, but I suppose that is some of the charm.



Started the cleaning process. Hit the parts washer, then a few rounds with paint stripper.




Interestingly, there are still blades available for these things, but common only in the 14" length. I will have to make a blade adapter as it currently uses a 16" blade. It will also need a complete redo on the vise cam lock (wear and a misaligned previous repair), a couple new bushings, a new motor, and a new base with better feet. The thing tries to migrate every time you turn it on.

Overall, $120 well spent, but it will require some work to get it where I want it.

The PO told me he feared it would have to go to the scrap yard. I'm happy that it will be safe for another few decades.


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[Doug Arthurs]

Starrett stills shows 2 different 16 x 1-1/4 blades on their website.

 

[NotStock]

I think they only have low tooth counts, like 4-6 if I recall correctly. I'll take a look later. Low TPI numbers won't really suit my needs, I mostly want to cut 1/8 wall tubing.


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[cvairwerks]

Both Bahco and Rontgen make the blades you need. Rontgen has them up to 24tpi.

BTW, should probably be 400 mm length blades for that saw.

 

[dutchgray]

Mine is a 16"/ 400mm blade saw, plenty available, I have bought several off eBay, the finer blades cost a little more but I haven't payed over £10 for one, all old stock stuff, brand new from a supplier is more.
I like 10 tpi myself.
They cut metal just fine.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Buy 17" blades and drill an extra hole. You may need a carbide drill. Then grind off the extra blade length if needed.

 

[Hdonly0]

Can't tell for sure, but yours looks big enough to saw mine in half.

 

[NotStock]

Can't tell for sure, but yours looks big enough to saw mine in half.

Hah, mine can't cur anything right now, but soon! Do you use your saw much? I can't wait to put this thing to work.

New frame is nearing completion.

Welds are starting to look better too!

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[VocaTexas]

I want one of these sooo bad...

Apparently they weren't very common in my area back in the day. I doubt people around here could afford them. I've never seen one 'in the wild', just in pictures.

 

[Hdonly0]

The last one I used before I picked this one up was in an old metal shop that had all their equipment powered by flatbelts from a common overhead shaft. One large old electric motor powered almost everything in the shop. Old school equipment. That powered hacksaw weighed about 600 lbs with a 2" blade on it.
NotStock, your stand is looking nice. I actually just found this saw recently. I am getting ready to build a stand for it also. As soon as I get a few other projects out of the way. Getting older and slower.

 

[NotStock]

I want one of these sooo bad...

Apparently they weren't very common in my area back in the day. I doubt people around here could afford them. I've never seen one 'in the wild', just in pictures.

Hah, I use that term too. I had never seen one in the wild either. I hadn't even seen one for sale! A lot of cool stuff is hard to come by where I live too, so I know the feeling. East coast of Canada isn't great for used gear. My colchester student was the lathe I decided I wanted (once I realized the 1Oee was never happening). It was, and still is, the only one I've ever seen in person. I have the same problem collecting motorcycles, I often see the model for the first time ever when going to buy it.

Anyway, I got lucky that the first hacksaw I found was the perfect size for my shop (and was at a good price point). I believe this saw would have been considered "light to medium duty" back in the day. Pretty good fit for my needs.


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[MushCreek]

I used to run an ancient one back in 1980. How ancient? It was originally run off of an overhead flat belt! It was fully automatic; when it finished a cut, the head would raise back up, the vise would unclamp, and the stock would advance to a stop. The vise would clamp up, and the head would come back down. The stock advance mechanism consisted of a chain clamped to the end of the bar of stock, and some kind of clutch that pulled on the chain. As I recall, we put about half a dozen bars in at a time, held together with a C-clamp. I kinda wish I had paid more attention, but I didn't care about vintage machinery back then.

 

[dutchgray]

I dont think a power hacksaw was ever a hobbyist tool in my area, I bought the first one I saw, although I was offered another but it had lived outside under a tarp for more than a decade.
View media item 80610Gradually getting it converted to run on a VFD, tidying up bits that need work. Supposed to be 1/2 ton.

 

[NotStock]

Oh man, that is a nice looking saw. I am jealous! I have a small 3 phase motor and may do the same with a vfd. It would be nice to ease into a cut by ramping up the speed vs just hitting the switch and watching the thing kick to life.

I call my saw light duty because it doesn't seem to be built for long term. Sure, it is heavy, but the saw head slides inside cast iron dovetail ways with no adjustment gib. There is no way to ever take up slack or wear in the ways, meaning it could get a bit sloppy over time. The system for oiling the bottom way is terrible/non-existent, but the top one seems fine.

The ways are in good shape with minimal play, so it's great for my purposes and the amount of use it will see going forward.


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