Old Keller 80 power hacksaw

[Loren]

Hello, newbie here. I just picked this Keller power hacksaw up from a old fella for $90. My first question is, was that a decent deal? 2nd question is does anyone know how old this machine might be? The gentleman that I got it from did not know, just said that he has owned it for many years. The saw seems to run very well, however, the blade was shot. Any idea where I can find blades at a reasonable price? Thank you in advance.

 

[cvairwerks]

Can't tell you how old it is, but for blades, it probably takes anything between 10-12" blades. Yours appears to be a #1 Floor model.

Last page here: http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/2114/4456.pdf

 

[Scootertrash60]

I bought blades for my Craftsman power hacksaw straight from Starrett:

https://www.starrett.com/category/saws/power-hacksaw-blades/2414

 

[Loren]

Ok, thanks for the replies. Ill check with Starrett.

Thanks again

 

[tool_scrounge]

These folks also sell power hacksaw blades

https://www.victornet.com/subdepartments/Power-Hacksaw-Blades/1705.html

Ebay is another good source

Also consider getting a good oil can. They do like oil. 30 weight NON DETERGENT oil is usually a good choice

 

[lafester]

Looks like a nice little upgrade to the Jefferson.

I think anything under $100 is a good deal for these little ones. That said, I just paid a lot more for a Craftsman because I wanted it and it was available.

My Jefferson and Pratt saws were considerably less so it all evens out.

Oh and Walmart sells 30wt ND for cheap.



Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[johninct]

How could you go wrong for $90? I would be all over that!!!! GOOD DEAL!!!! I have a chop saw and the sparks it makes...

 

[Roberts210]

What a great little saw. I'd have paid $90 for it easily. You got a good deal.

 

[Loren]

Thanks everyone for the replies. The oil you are referring to, is that to be put into the little oil cups in various places on the machine, or to oil the blade while cutting? Im really new to this whole power hacksaw thing. HaHa

 

[lilredex]

I bought blades for my Craftsman power hacksaw straight from Starrett:

https://www.starrett.com/category/saws/power-hacksaw-blades/2414

Thanks for that Starrett link, am also looking for blades for my CeeMan saw.

Looking at Starrett BS 1214-5 and RS 1214-5 blades at $14.65 and $12.09 resp. for 5 of ea. What are you using? Those prices LTGTBT in my book.

Kitts also sell power Hacksaw blades.

https://www.kittstools.com/power_hacksaw_blades_h_._s_.html

 

[lilredex]

Thanks everyone for the replies. The oil you are referring to, is that to be put into the little oil cups in various places on the machine, or to oil the blade while cutting? Im really new to this whole power hacksaw thing. HaHa

Both, but cutting oil is better for the blade. Lots out there, this is the one I have.

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/masters-cuttin-oil-500ml-spray-bottle/1000723450

 

[Loren]

Hey lilredex, thanks for that link. Those are some pretty good deals on blades!! I found some Starrett red stripe on Ebay, a pack of 3 RS300-10 for $19.99 + $15.00 shipping. A little more than I wanted to spend, but 3 blades should last me a LONG time, as I don't do a ton of cutting

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I have a both a 4x6 bandsaw and a 6x6 power hacksaw, much like yours. When went to buy new blades I asked what tooth count on a machine tool forum. 10 tooth for everything. Yeah, I know the rules for how many teeth in the cut. The power hacksaw cuts much squarer than the bandsaw on bigger stuff.

 

[Loren]

Hey Downwindtracker, that is the tooth count that I was looking for. Found package of 3 Starrett red stripe 10 tooth on Ebay for $19.99 + $15.00 shipping. As I mentioned earlier, 3 blades should last me quite a while, as I don't do a ton of cutting.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

The other thing they said was that the blades seem to last forever.

 

[Loren]

Thank you sir!!

 

[Loren]

Thank you for the link cvairwerks. I believe you are correct. Number 1 floor model. Man, that sucker is heavy for its size!!!

 

[lafester]

After playing with the craftsman I really appreciate how nice the Keller vise is, even on my tiny Jefferson saw. Nice, large removable (replaceable) locking teeth and bigger jaws that really hold the work. I'm cutting through some 3 inch round and it keeps working itself loose on the craftsman. The craftsman has little tiny teeth cast into the base of the saw. Break one and toss the whole thing.

I do like the weight setup and how it lifts the blade so I can live with a weaker vise I suppose.

 

[Loren]

Ok gents, just got my new Starrett blades. No, dumb question, do the teeth of the blade face forward or to the rear of the saw?
Thanks a lot

 

[ZRX61]

I'm hoping to talk the owner out of this one....


https://scontent-lax3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/76967066_10218122791854073_531958070708797440_o.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_eui2=AeEmFWtXDXBXTJAeqnUmbi6WyCTos8e2oeww_4eoMAdFB_Aidg9pQsXW3sOI1yimCnhZxv94jQlq8ytq9g-s7oBldJTO2LJxwq6X3KA46DtVEQ&_nc_ohc=dnCNZlM2m5EAQkRZqjdPKM-2T4qqcIR4GoaIfC2wRefgL581IW1SxxzHQ&_nc_pt=1&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.**&oh=633a7a6dfd6e56c88ac3ffbb01617fb7&oe=5E488E1D

 

[lilredex]

Ok gents, just got my new Starrett blades. No, dumb question, do the teeth of the blade face forward or to the rear of the saw?
Thanks a lot

If that crank arm wheel turns CW, I'd put it on with the teeth facing to the rear. That is, if there is no provision for lifting the arm on the return stroke (forward).

I say this because the crank arm pushing forward, would tend to lift the blade going forward, and let it drag in reverse.

Try it and see how it works.

You could also look over at OWWM to see the manual.

 

[Loren]

Cool, thank you very much!!!

 

[Loren]

I just turned it on, and the crank arm spins counter clockwise. So should I have the teeth face forward?

 

[isb cornbinder]

I bought a KELLER a few years ago. I paid 3 times what you paid and I still think I got a good deal

 

[Loren]

Oh man, that make me feel good Sorry bud. Hey, do you have your teeth facin forward or backwards on the blade. The crank are spins counter clockwise

 

[lilredex]

If you go to #5 here, it sezs teeth to the back.

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/2114/3359.pdf


Have a look here too, they seem to rotate CCW.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Kel...e..69i57j33.7539j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

[isb cornbinder]

I do not think the tooth direction matters. The lift cog wheel can be adjusted for either.
I would face the teeth into the pull. (TOWARD THE BACK)
Do not buy low quality blades. Bi-Metal are the best choice.
I think my Keller is more novelty than the better saw. These saws need to be baby-sat. Be very carful on steel tube larger than3 inch. This type of saw likes to break the blades.

 

[Loren]

cool, thanks for the info. Yes, I bought a 3 pack of Starrett red stripe blades. They should last me a long time, as I dont cut a whole lot. So teeth facing rearward it is.

 

[JAYoung]

I always cry at the end of Old Keller.

 

[Loren]

Hahahaha

 

[isb cornbinder]

cool, thanks for the info. Yes, I bought a 3 pack of Starrett red stripe blades. They should last me a long time, as I dont cut a whole lot. So teeth facing rearward it is.

Where did you get your sawblades? I am going to FASTENAL tomorrow. The Fastenal SKU is 2125385. Their price is $13.80 each.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I got the last cheap ones at KBC, and a more pricey Starrett. Acklands and Thomas Skinner are also local choices.

 

[Loren]

3 pack on Ebay $19.99+$15 shipping. Starrett red stripe. Im finding that the blades cut better with teeth facing forward.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

I do not think the tooth direction matters. The lift cog wheel can be adjusted for either.
I would face the teeth into the pull. (TOWARD THE BACK)
Do not buy low quality blades. Bi-Metal are the best choice.
I think my Keller is more novelty than the better saw. These saws need to be baby-sat. Be very carful on steel tube larger than3 inch. This type of saw likes to break the blades.

Depends on the model. We have one of the more industrial versions, 6x6 with coolant, downfeed and blade lift. I run a 4 tooth blade because it chatters bad with higher tooth count. The biggest problem is that the vise system is garbage. You can clamp down tightly on air. I completely rebuilt ours to be a kurt style.
The only time ours has broken blades was cutting with too low of a tooth count blade, or when the material came loose. And outfeed material rest would help a lot, I intend to add one some day. It is our primary cutoff saw and I use it unattended for big stuff a lot.

 

[Loren]

Yea, your machine is substantially bigger than mine. I to broke one of my brand new blades because the metal piece I was cutting came loose Your right, the clamping system is not that great. I love the "set it and forget it" though for the big stuff. Just about enough time to down a cold one

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

As I drink my morning coffee, I'll write out a bit of a primer on power hacksaws. The old industrial ones were a precision machine tools. They had a variable feed, coolant that washed the chips from the teeth as well as lubricating and a lift return stroke. They had a rep for more accurate cuts than bandsaws, but were slower. Even mine, a gravity feed, dry cut does a square cut. On the larger diameter stock that's a big plus over a bandsaw.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

Yea, your machine is substantially bigger than mine. I to broke one of my brand new blades because the metal piece I was cutting came loose Your right, the clamping system is not that great. I love the "set it and forget it" though for the big stuff. Just about enough time to down a cold one

Build a new one. I got plans.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1cvefURJRtidJR07sH87pReUbrvPQ59QT

If I did it again I would do the swivel version with a flat bar. You may need to scale up or down depending on your saw size.

 

[Loren]

Yes, it does cut nice and square, not gonna win any speed cut races. haha But then again, Im not racing anyone

 

[On-Wheel]

Do you haul them in up right position with straps .Keller Floor model #1 ?
It doesn’t have the lift on back stroke but I never seen one for sale before

 

[cvairwerks]

I hauled all 3 of my power hack's upright, and still on their stands. Couple of straps over the base of the machines and one fore and one aft.

No photos on hand of any of the saws, but here is one of the little nibbler coming home. Same style tie downs. About 1800 lbs....