Hacksaw - Cut on the Push or the Pull ?

[theoldwizard1]

So last year I bought a Japanese style folding saw that cuts on the pull. It is SO MUCH easier to work with for someone who only has a casual need for saw. It works on everything except metal.

So does anyone here turn there hacksaw blade around so the it cuts on the pull, or do hacksaw blades require more downward pressure (easier on the push than on the pull)

 

[shanny19]

There's no way my Teutonic heritage towards following instructions would EVER let me install one in violation of the arrow printed on the blade. PUSH.

 

[L5wolvesf]

You could go both ways

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FK5DH0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[rlitman]

Hacksaws have frames that tension the blade just so that you can cut on the push.

There's no way my Teutonic heritage towards following instructions would EVER let me install one in violation of the arrow printed on the blade. PUSH.

The arrow tells you which way the blade cuts, not which way is forward. You could always install it with the arrow pointing backwards and cut on the pull. With a good hacksaw, there is often also a pair of 45 degree pins, so you may have four ways that a blade could be installed.

Pull saws have their uses. But I prefer cutting on the push with a hacksaw.

 

[jallyn]

Interesting idea. I never tried.

The convention is to cut on the push stroke when using a hacksaw.

I, too, enjoy Japanese pull saws but think hacksaws are better left as designed.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

And about the time things are getting figured out; I pop in to mention having a normal hacksaw in which the blade can be mounted eight different ways.. I have actually used these eight different ways in tight spots.. I have an old USA made Blue Point HS13 frame-less hack saw intended for a pull stroke only.. I value this saw for most close quarters.
I do prefer My Normal hacksaws to be left with blades pointed in the Normal push position.

 

[freudianfloyd]

You learn something new everyday. My entire life I have always used the pull method. Pushing usually makes everything on the workbench shake and fall over as I tend to put too much weight into the push.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have always been a pusher, not a puller, that is just the way I was taught.

 

[Wamsutta]

Unless I'm sawing something rather large, I prefer using my GreatNeck hand saw. It's a real comfortable to to work with and it cuts on the pull stroke. It takes regular 6 inch reciprocating blades.

https://www.greatnecksaw.com/catalo...buc42016-jab-saw-buck-brothers/category/8417/

 

[apollo11]

how do you plug in a hacksaw?

 

[larry_g]

how do you plug in a hacksaw?

You've never seen an electric hack saw? You gotta get out more.

And yes it does cut on the pull stroke by design.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Jim c]

Larry g that is one of the coolest tool set ups that I have seen in a long while. I love it.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I usually start my cuts by pulling. Once I get a groove started I push to make the cut faster.

 

[johnnyradiant]

I will do a push or pull cut depending on what the scenario is, but I don't do both like some guys seem to think when sawing or filing.

 

[Fretters]

You've never seen an electric hack saw? You gotta get out more.

And yes it does cut on the pull stroke by design.

lg
no neat sig line

Ours work on the forward stroke, same as hand hacksaws.

 

[Fretters]

I will do a push or pull cut depending on what the scenario is, but I don't do both like some guys seem to think when sawing or filing.

Puts my teeth on edge when you hear someone keeping pressure on, on the backstroke of sawing or filing.

 

[larry_g]

Ours work on the forward stroke, same as hand hacksaws.

Most do cut on the push, but the Sawmaster is an odd one that is backwards. I do have the manual and know it is as it should be.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[lis2323]

Ours work on the forward stroke, same as hand hacksaws.

Mine does too but apparently it varies with manufacturers.

 

[dutchgray]

My power hacksaw cuts on the pull stroke, 8" Wicksteed. The blade is on a slight incline relative to the motion and it uses its hydraulics to provide the cutting resistance, supposedly it can put 800 lb on the blade.
Hand hacksaw, I push, I like the old fashioned type over the more modern ergonomic handle types, I find I can cut much more accurately with them but they are less comfortable.

 

[frank001]

So last year I bought a Japanese style folding saw that cuts on the pull. It is SO MUCH easier to work with for someone who only has a casual need for saw. It works on everything except metal.

So does anyone here turn there hacksaw blade around so the it cuts on the pull, or do hacksaw blades require more downward pressure (easier on the push than on the pull)

Hacksaw - definitely on the 'Push'

 

[larry4406]

I’ve always set mine on the forward push. Seems more natural to guide the blade while watching. It’s what I was taught and learned.

 

[Fretters]

My power hacksaw cuts on the pull stroke, 8" Wicksteed.

Didn't know they cut on the backstroke. I stand corrected. How's that doing, btw?

 

[HanShotFirst]

So last year I bought a Japanese style folding saw that cuts on the pull. It is SO MUCH easier to work with for someone who only has a casual need for saw. It works on everything except metal.

So does anyone here turn there hacksaw blade around so the it cuts on the pull, or do hacksaw blades require more downward pressure (easier on the push than on the pull)

Understand, the Japanese saws are designed specifically for a pull cut. The way the blade is positioned maximizes the cut for a pull motion. A hack saw isn't really that way. Although the blade can be mounted either way, you clearly get more force both in direction and downward force with a push action with most hack saws.

Now with the old English style hack saws, you could do a pull action, and position your hand on top for downward force; I'll bet they would work as a pull cutter better than the US style with a backward blade.

Anyhow, I have no complaints about using a hack saw with a push motion. Just make sure it's a decent hack saw, and the blade says Starrett on the side.

 

[HanShotFirst]

You've never seen an electric hack saw? You gotta get out more.

And yes it does cut on the pull stroke by design.

lg
no neat sig line

I have always wanted a powered hack saw...always thought they were uber cool. They're vastly inferior to a band saw...but far more cool points. And honestly, I think they work just fine.

 

[Fretters]

They're vastly inferior to a band saw...

A can of worms statement, is that.

 

[3jakes]

While standing on a ladder pruning a limb with a folding arborist saw, I can see an advantage to cutting on the pull.
I've seen too many 3 Stooges movies.

 

[ryan20021982]

Fine cutting I turn it around and cut on the pull, push all other times

 

[2oolhound]

Chainsaws cut best on the pull. The chain ripples when you back blade. Fortunately by the time I started falling they had replaced the 7' and longer 2 man cross cut saws but I've used them in loggers sports. You have to cut on the pull or the blade starts to flex and bind and you tire out fast. When your partner on the other end starts to pull you can push a little bit and you should if you want to win, but it takes a lot of practice to get it right and not bind the saw.

The japanese saws are typically very thin blades and cut a very narrow kerf which is why they cut so fast, they don't remove a lot of wood.

I'd think any blade that is suspended and tensioned between 2 points would cut either way provided you put the blade on the right way. I learned in high school metal class to tension the blade on a hacksaw and push cut and I still do it that way because you can lean into it. When you think about it hacksaws have the main handle on the back but there is also a place on the front where you can wrap your thumb around the frame and use both hands so in effect you are also pulling from the front. I think we instinctually pull more if we feel them start to bind.

 

[theoldwizard1]

While standing on a ladder pruning a limb with a folding arborist saw, I can see an advantage to cutting on the pull.
I've seen too many 3 Stooges movies.

The mistake most people make when pruning moderate to large limbs is NOT putting a shallow UNDERCUT on the limb FIRST ! Then make the main cut from the top.

 

[B.Boru]

''''

 

[dutchgray]

Didn't know they cut on the backstroke. I stand corrected. How's that doing, btw?

The saw is good, fixed a couple issues, mainly tightening things up and got it home and in the garage this week, which isn't easy by yourself when it weighs 1/2 ton and you have an engine crane and a pallet jack for moving things, Got a VFD ready for it so thats next.

 

[crewchief888]

I have always been a pusher, not a puller, that is just the way I was taught.

yea.. me too and i'll NEVER forget it...

back in '76 i was a senior in HS, and ended up at the state VICA competition for machine trades. got through the cutoff test, which narrowed the competitors from 250 students to 12 or so.
i went through the hands on part of the competition, i missed one thing...set up for making a cut with a hacksaw.. i had the blade the wrong way..
i finished in 2nd place, lost by 2 points. that part of the test was worth 5 points.

 

[pepi]

I've always fitted the blade in a hacksaw to cut on the push.

But if I fit a hacksaw blade in a pad saw handle, I fit the blade to cut on the pull

Brian

Kind of the only choice .............

Hacksaw is a push cut, above configuration excluded. BTW using cutting oil goes a long way

 

[jonesg]

So last year I bought a Japanese style folding saw that cuts on the pull. It is SO MUCH easier to work with for someone who only has a casual need for saw. It works on everything except metal.

So does anyone here turn there hacksaw blade around so the it cuts on the pull, or do hacksaw blades require more downward pressure (easier on the push than on the pull)

I find more power , less accuracy pushing.
Less power but more accurate pulling.
These days I prefer the Milwaukee hackzall.

 

[lis2323]

My power hacksaw cuts on the pull stroke, 8" Wicksteed. The blade is on a slight incline relative to the motion and it uses its hydraulics to provide the cutting resistance, supposedly it can put 800 lb on the blade.
Hand hacksaw, I push, I like the old fashioned type over the more modern ergonomic handle types, I find I can cut much more accurately with them but they are less comfortable.

dutchgray, any chance of posting a pic of your power hacksaw? I for one would love to see it!

 

[jakemac]

For rough cuts I set the blade to push.
For fine cuts I set the blade to pull.

 

[Fretters]

dutchgray, any chance of posting a pic of your power hacksaw? I for one would love to see it!

A closet power hacksaw fan? You can have some Rapidor **** too, if you want.

 

[Fretters]

For rough cuts I set the blade to push.
For fine cuts I set the blade to pull.

I keep mine set on the forward stroke. Finesse I can achieve with the force applied. Like Dutch', I prefer the traditional style of hacksaw, specifically Eclipse hacksaws. They just have a balance & weight which suits me.

 

[outlawz2004]

You could go both ways

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FK5DH0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have some of those. They work pretty good in most cases. I keep one with one of these and one hacksaw with a regular blade in it, but I usually just bust out the cutoff wheel LOL

 

[Dingleburry]

I always push.
Hired a former electrician, converting to industrial mechanic.
I seen his hacksaw and laughed at him cause he had pull cutting.
He tried cutting conduit with push. He said its to hard to cut conduit on push.
Maybe he just dosent know how to use a hacksaw.
After all he is an electrician.