Anyone used Trojans? I have this need for a good 9 inch size

[Bm101]

...of hacksaw blade.
That's why you clicked the link right. Right?
Does anyone know anywhere I can find some 9" blades online? I got a little charmed by this old saw on holiday and it was a couple of quid so I thought why not.
Because it turns out 9" blades haven't been sold since the early 20th century that's why not. Eeeiijit.
I can cut some down easy enough I suppose but it would be nice if I didn't have to. Anyone got a source? I can't find them.
Thanks as always.

 

[AndyT]

Well, I have the opposite problem - I bought a box of blades which included a couple of 9" ones, but I don't have such a charming old saw... Pm me your address and you can have two Firth Brown Speedicut blades. They measure 8 7/8" between centres on the holes, which is presumably what you need.

 

[Bm101]

Many Thanks Andy.

 

[Eric The Viking]

Aha! That would explain why there are (were) two sizes of Abrafiles, and my collapsible frame Eclipse has a notch to make it much shorter than normal. I thought it was to take Abrafiles, but then why make those shorter arbitrarily?

Is this the hacksaw equivalent of a "toolbox" saw, I wonder? It's a pretty looking thing, but I think it's in need of AndyT's (patent?) linseed oil treatment

 

[ED65]

Because it turns out 9" blades haven't been sold since the early 20th century that's why not. Eeeiijit.

I suspected they might be obsolete when I passed on an early Starrett hacksaw of this type earlier in the year. It was a nice old thing, rusty naturally but basically in good shape for its age.

But I didn't want a decorative wall piece and I've never seen a shorter hacksaw blade for sale that I recall. It is possible with an old hacksaw blade to snap it to length and then anneal so you can drill your own hole at the right distance but I didn't want the faff. If you want to go this route just be careful not to try that with an all-HSS blade or you might be drilling for a while....

 

[AndyT]

It's a pretty looking thing, but I think it's in need of AndyT's (patent?) linseed oil treatment

Credit where it's due - using slightly thinned boiled linseed oil on old iron or steel is not my idea. I first read about on here, in one of Jacob's posts.

 

[Bm101]

Aha! That would explain why there are (were) two sizes of Abrafiles, and my collapsible frame Eclipse has a notch to make it much shorter than normal. I thought it was to take Abrafiles, but then why make those shorter arbitrarily?

I might be wrong Eric (stop laughing at the back), but from an hour or so searching round the spiderwebs and lesser known dark alleyways of ebay I think the eclipse fits a 10" blade.

It will get a light scrub and a coat of someones thinned BLO.
From memory though, doesn't Jacob prefer more modern solutions with terms like 'molecular-micro-crystaline-de-ferrousationay-compound' in the product description? Some times I wish he'd take a more traditional approach to be honest.
*Runs like hell for cover....

 

[AndyT]

On a quick historical note, the 1935 Buck and Hickman catalogue lists these lengths for hand hacksaw blades:

8 inch
9 inch
10 inch
11 inch
12 inch

Power blades were from 10 inches up to 32.
You could even have double edged blades and curved blades.

Later, the accountants took over... the 1964 catalogue lists 9, 13 and 19 inch as "non-preferred" sizes, which would "eventually be eliminated" - you have been warned!

 

[Bm101]

Thanks Andy. Suppose its the same with all things really, tools included.
I have the grinder out at the moment trying not to mess up some brass. I'll try it on an old blade. Hmmm, wonder if I can punch the hole.

 

[Eric The Viking]

Clamp it between two blocks such as aluminium or hardwood, then drill through. with lubricant and a sharp drill.

 

[Vann]

I was intrigued by the name.

Probably not the same Trojan.

Cheers, Vann.

 

[Bod]

https://www.toolfastdirect.co.uk/acatal ... lades.html
After a bit of Googleing, these folk actually have 10 inch hacksaw blades in stock.

Bod
PS
Would a length of bandsaw blade be drill-able?

 

[Bm101]

I was intrigued by the name.


Probably not the same Trojan.

Cheers, Vann.

Probably not... I just did a quick search and there seem to have been multiple tool manufacturers called Trojan. Still are. I spose it that sort of name. Big Aussie company also. But you probably already knew that I'm guessing.

 

[Bm101]

https://www.toolfastdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Eclipse_Bahco_Starrett_Hand_Hacksaw_Blades.html
After a bit of Googleing, these folk actually have 10 inch hacksaw blades in stock.

Bod
PS
Would a length of bandsaw blade be drill-able?

Cheers Bod they have a good selection.
I don't know anything about bandsaw blades. It might be worth a pop. Apparently at one time hacksaw blades sometimes came as a big roll. The shop cut you off a bit and you had to make the holes yourself. Might have a look into the bandsaw blades if the price works out.

 

[Bm101]

Andy, your blades arrived today! Many thanks again. You're a true Gent. They fit like Cinder's slippers.