Keller power hacksaw

[isb cornbinder]

I have wanted to own a Keller for as long as I can remember. I have several bandsaws that work really well, but, the Keller drive is what I like. The combination of belts pulleys, gears, crank action and the simple back-stroke blade lift do it for me. I am happy to own this Keller and I may even use from time to time.
The person I bought this Keller from had owned it for four decades and he bought it used. His shop did not have the three phase power to run the saw, so the saw sat in an out-of-the-way corner and soon became buried under things. the seller was closing on 80 years and was turning some of his unused machines into cash. I am only a few years younger than the seller, but I did not get the memo suggesting it is time to slow down.
Because I have way too much stuff in my shop, I have had to build mobile bases for every machine, except the two lathes. This gives a drawer like action to the machines I want to use. pull the machine out, use it, then roll it back and out of the way. Wheels take the strain of wrestling some heavy iron around the shop.
Yesterday, I measured up the Keller saw base for a rolling base. The base should be finished this afternoon. I ordered a new US MOTOR last week and the motor should be here tomorrow.
I will not be doing a complete freshening/restoration on this saw in the hear future, but, I have said this before and a restoration happened anyway.

I prefer the multi-piece linked belts and the Keller was treated to one of these belts.

 

[MayerMR]

That's really cool! There is a guy selling one near me with a parts machine as well...the parts machine looks like it's all there too, actually. I have wanted to pick one up as well, but with my shop being as utterly stuffed as it is, I'm having hard time justifying it. Nice find though, glad you picked it up!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm trying to figure out how the blade is lifted on the back stroke. Is there some type of cam action on the wheel that ends up driving the blade?

 

[tool_scrounge]

Keller made some nice but simple hacksaws.

You should get an oiler for the main slide. Here is a link to the discussion of Keller saws and Oilers

https://www.practicalmachinist.com/...oiler-oil-advice-keller-power-hacksaw-344336/

 

[isb cornbinder]

I'm trying to figure out how the blade is lifted on the back stroke. Is there some type of cam action on the wheel that ends up driving the blade?

The cam action drives a pawl that pushes into the cogs on the 180 degree wheel at the back of the machine. The linkage lifts the blade by pulling down on the back of the saw frame.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Keller made some nice but simple hacksaws.

You should get an oiler for the main slide. Here is a link to the discussion of Keller saws and Oilers

https://www.practicalmachinist.com/...oiler-oil-advice-keller-power-hacksaw-344336/

I have a bunch of drip oilers from my antique engine collecting. There is no place to install a drip oiler on this saw, so I will not be using an oiler. This Keller has an opening in the saw frame for adding a few drops of oil.

 

[Bottlecapdigger]

They are a great machine. We had one in the pipe shop in the plant I once worked at. When they finally replaced it with a band saw the guys ( not the guy that used it for years) picked it up with the fork lift drove it outside and let it slide off the forks into an empty dumpster and broke the casting on it. What a bunch of idiots. What a waste. I would have loved to take it home. After I heard the plumber fished out of the dumpster took it home and got it welded. BCD.

 

[Brand X]

I don't have the saw anymore. (Ellis bandsaw now.) Still like the stand though.. It's very cool in it's own right..

 

[ReggieR]

Power hacksaws should have continued and ironically the blade makers(purposely) killed them. They're so superior to a bandsaw its incredible.
Keep in mind the blademaker owns part of the saw company and vice versa.
The same applies to drill bits and the basis for the lowest speeds of most presses being far too fast for steel.
Vertical bandsaws are yet another example.

 

[Brand X]

So people just want to get the job done without dicking around all day..

 

[isb cornbinder]

Power hacksaws should have continued and ironically the blade makers(purposely) killed them. They're so superior to a bandsaw its incredible.
Keep in mind the blademaker owns part of the saw company and vice versa.
The same applies to drill bits and the basis for the lowest speeds of most presses being far too fast for steel.
Vertical bandsaws are yet another example.

What are you talking about? There is no irony here.
My hacksaw is a vintage novelty machine only. I would never chose to use it over a modern bandsaw for speed and accuracy. The hacksaw works in one direction and does nothing on the return cycle. This hacksaw is my latest dust collector and little more than that.

 

[isb cornbinder]

The mobile base for this Keller power hacksaw should be painted and ready for service later today. I need to pick up a set of castiron wheels for the base. One of the local tool shops has magnetic switches on sale this week and I should pick one up for this project.

 

[isb cornbinder]

The base is finished except for the paint

 

[isb cornbinder]

My daughter stopped by for a visit and came up with this step-back design for a mag-switch bracket. I want a mag-switch on this KELLER power hacksaw for safety. Final fitting will be tomorrow followed by a couple of test runs.
A restoration with new paint will have to wait until this fall.
A quick Google search showed our local LOWES had the strain relief connectors I had been looking for.

https://www.lowes.ca/conduit-fittin...ded-strain-relief-connector-kit_g1592374.html

 

[cvairwerks]

Just an FYI, should you do any cutting with any type of liquid or near liquid coolant, you may end up with it slobbered all over the switch in that location. Might be worth doing a trial cut at it’s fastest rate before permanently mounting it.

 

[isb cornbinder]

This is good advice. I may lay a shop towel over the switch for the very few time I will ever use this machine. I have two "go-to" bandsaws that I will continue to use for speed and accuracy.

 

[isb cornbinder]

The Keller is wired and tried. No smoke came out when I plugged the machine into the mains, so I took a chance on powering it up. The saw ran really well and the mag-switch works as expected.
I did ask for advice on another forum for ideas on which way I should install the cutting blade. While I cannot be sure of the meanings what some of the persons posted and I did not get an answer or two. So, I took on myself to time a cut through some 3/16" wall 1.5 inch square tube. What I discovered was there is not time difference from either setting. I thought the saw had less annoying harmonics with the teeth of the blade facing toward the front of the machine.
It is very unlikely that I will ever using coolant, so potentially harmful escaping coolant will not be a situation for me. I did try some JOKISCH cutting paste. The saw cut more quickly and the blade stayed cool.
Sometime in the not too distant future, this Keller saw will get a total freshening. For now I will enjoy the pleasant shape and the satisfying sound. I may design and sew a fitted dust cover for the Keller. I do have my own smallish upholstery shop.

 

[cvairwerks]

Just wait til you need to cut some hockey puck sized pieces out of solid stock.....Such a soothing background sound....

 

[isb cornbinder]

Hockey pucks!! Now you have my attention. It is a Canadian thing.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I was showing the KELLER saw to a visitor. That was a few days ago. He wanted to try the set-up and saw. He did not tighten the material vise-clamp enough and the material jumped and twisted causing my last new blade to break into four pieces. All is not lost, except for one piece of the blade. I finally get a chance to use my Walker Turner blade welder.

 

[jayrush13]

Just wait til you need to cut some hockey puck sized pieces out of solid stock.....Such a soothing background sound....

I had a power hacksaw for a while but it was in really rough shape ended up selling it off. I have heard they are still preferred over a band saw by some gunsmiths for their straight cuts

 

[isb cornbinder]

I find buying replacement sawblades very frustrating. I looked on AMAZON first. I can get two blades for $3.36. Other machine shop suppliers are asking up to $53.00 each for the same blade. Amazon call these saw blades "add-ons". I have to buy and additional $25 of qualified stuff I do not need to get the saw blades at their loss-leader price.
So, I was thinking that I should get a HUOT tap and drill index to get my invoice up to $25. The HUOT index I want is another add-on and does not compliment the original choice.
So, after doing some calculating I am going to buy a couple of saw blades locally. Canadian Tire has PLANO compartmented boxes that will work really well for drill and tap combinations. The PLANO box I need is under $10.
I have had 10 notifications from AMAZON since last Wednesday. I ordered two Wall Mounted Dispenser for Wypall and Kimtech Wipes (80579),Jumbo Rolls. The last notification suggests my order is out for delivery since yesterday. Maybe the delivery van's GPS is not working.
If no one is at the door to claim the packages, the delivery person leaves a note for a pick-up location. This is to beat the porch pirates.

 

[tombell572]

I believe that Keller was the last USA manufacturer of power hacksaws and die filers. Great American iron you have there. I've had a Covel machine for about 30 years--power hacksaws are good accurate machines--turn 'em on and let 'em go.

Tom B.

 

[dutchgray]

Ebay for blades, plenty of NOS from good brands.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I believe that Keller was the last USA manufacturer of power hacksaws and die filers. Great American iron you have there. I've had a Covel machine for about 30 years--power hacksaws are good accurate machines--turn 'em on and let 'em go.

Tom B.

The accuracy is not too bad, but, painfully slow. I did not buy this saw for high performance. I like the look and sound, only. These saws do not take very much "baby sitting." I will keep it for a few years then it will go back on Craigslist.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have had the fun of owning this KELLER saw and it is off my bucket list, now. I will put it on Craigslist soon. I found a nice BROWN BOGGS Made in Canada shear that will be in the space taken by the Keller.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Power hacksaws should have continued and ironically the blade makers(purposely) killed them. They're so superior to a bandsaw its incredible.
Keep in mind the blade maker owns part of the saw company and vice versa.
The same applies to drill bits and the basis for the lowest speeds of most presses being far too fast for steel.
Vertical bandsaws are yet another example.

I do not believe this.

 

[oldmachinenut]

This is the one I rescued. I ended up with 2 identical saws.

 

[isb cornbinder]

That's really cool! There is a guy selling one near me with a parts machine as well...the parts machine looks like it's all there too, actually. I have wanted to pick one up as well, but with my shop being as utterly stuffed as it is, I'm having hard time justifying it. Nice find though, glad you picked it up!

Go ahead and park your Rolls Royse outside and make room for more important things. LOL

 

[isb cornbinder]

That's really cool! There is a guy selling one near me with a parts machine as well...the parts machine looks like it's all there too, actually. I have wanted to pick one up as well, but with my shop being as utterly stuffed as it is, I'm having hard time justifying it. Nice find though, glad you picked it up!

Justifying? Where did you find that word. I vaguely remember the word and and I try to leave it out of my day to day. I do understand too much stuff from other's POV.