TPI for cutting strut channel

[Blackwolfe]

Have a situation which will require the use of a hacksaw to make a few field cuts in strut channel. No power or generator on sight to power equipment or a battery powered tool to use. For the few cuts that needed to be made (2-4) I've elected to use a hacksaw. Looking for recommendations for how many TPI blade should I use to cut the strut. Not sure if the strut is 12 or 14 gauge.

I know there are better options to cut strut, but a hacksaw will be the only option I can think of for this situation.

 

[sparky 1971]

I've cut strut with a hacksaw using a 32 tpi blade more than once. Fewer tpi would've been better, but the 32's were all I ever used back when I actually used a hacksaw.

 

[RTM]

The mfg recommends lower TPI

https://www.kwikstrut.com/media/files/Channel-Cutting-Guide.pdf

 

[housewolf]

If I had the choice I’d use 24. 18 is my preference on PVC pipe and would probably be fine with a well worn blade. A fresh 18TPI blade takes a pretty aggressive bite. Even on plastic.

 

[dnschmidt]

This is Garage Journal. No battery powered M12 Portaband, No cordless Sawzall, No cordless Hackzall? This tread should be closed immediately.

 

[larry_g]

A lot of assumptions have to be made here; Strut comes in many different forms and materials. So just what are you asking about?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[ez-duzit]

Hacksaw blades are very cheap. Pickup an assortment so you'll have what you need, whatever the task.

 

[Blackwolfe]

Thank you everyone for the insight. Will have both 18 and 24 TPI hacksaw blades on hand.

The mfg recommends lower TPI

https://www.kwikstrut.com/media/files/Channel-Cutting-Guide.pdf

Good link. I hadn't seen that before.

This is Garage Journal. No battery powered M12 Portaband, No cordless Sawzall, No cordless Hackzall? This tread should be closed immediately.

Please don't ban me from GJ.

I do have a corded portable band saw, but that would not be helpful in this situation with out power available. I also have a very early M12 Hacksall, but I've yet to cut anything successfully with it. I think it is defective. It acts as if it has a bad thermal cutoff. It shuts off after a few seconds. Wouldn't even cut through a 1/4 inch screw with a new Lenox metal cutting blade. My most disappointing power tool of all time.

A lot of assumptions have to be made here; Strut comes in many different forms and materials. So just what are you asking about?

lg
no neat sig line

Just basic steel 1 and 5/8 inch square strut channel.

 

[mike93lx]

. I also have a very early M12 Hacksall, but I've yet to cut anything successfully with it. I think it is defective.

You're not missing much. It *****

 

[dnschmidt]

I also have a very early M12 Hacksall, but I've yet to cut anything successfully with it. I think it is defective. It acts as if it has a bad thermal cutoff. It shuts off after a few seconds. Wouldn't even cut through a 1/4 inch screw with a new Lenox metal cutting blade. My most disappointing power of all time.

This opinion is shared by everybody that every bought the original "Brushed" version of the M12 Hacksall. It's all been fixed in the FUEL version but the original was truly a stinker. I'm a Milwaukee man but I will admit that sometimes they do **** the bed with the most recent example being the aborted cheapening of the High Torque FUEL impact. There does at times seem to be a lack of testing in real world conditions. How else would these garbage tools make it into production?