Using a hacksaw cutting big(gish) stuff. Or how to saw a railway line.

[Inspector]

We can get 14tpi blades here so I don't see why you can't get them there. This was the first place I looked on line. I know I can get them locally at the machiningl tooling suppliers.
https://www.amazon.ca/Tools-Hacksaw-12-inch-10-Pack-20143V214HE/dp/B004J11DHU
Pete

Adding that there are metal cutting blades made for reciprocating/sawsall saws but I have never tried mine on anything bigger than 3" pipe. If you have one or can borrow one it might be worth a shot.

 

[clogs]

I heard a while ago the Chinese bought huge amounts of used UK rail line and turned into decent scissors.....(after going private)..
rail line is very high quality steel.....
confermation....?

 

[AES]

Thanks Dave for the link to what rlwy line really is. I note that in that piece the writer says something along the lines of "this is not the sort of steel to try and cut with a hacksaw, but if you do have a go send me a pic 'cos I'm always up for a laugh". So you really ARE doing well there mate!

@clogs - look above at the link pe2dave answered me with when I asked the same question (above).

@Inspector: It may only be in my locality, but I have 3 professional tools stores within reasonable distance (+ 3 x DIY places). Without exception, all 6 only have 24 tpi on the shelf, 18 and 32 can be ordered. I've got a couple of 14s still left but last time I asked (in one of the professional's places) they told me "not available".

I'm not dying for any 14s at the moment (and I'm certainly NOT cutting any railway track!) but just for my info, who makes your 14s please, and are they stocked in a "common" store or do you have to go looking (not that I'm likely to go walking down any Canadian High Streets in the near future).

 

[TFrench]

I'm near Leicester Dave, bring it over and I'll stick it in the bandsaw for you!

 

[pe2dave]

I'm near Leicester Dave, bring it over and I'll stick it in the bandsaw for you!

Many thanks for the kind offer - I've sawn through the first 2" now, may as well finish it.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I think I'd have found a man with acetylene.

 

[Ttrees]

Good work, I would have thought that wouldn't cut with the hacksaw.
And with a cheaper blade at that.
Those Eclipse ones never seem to last for me, although that maybe due to my blade breaker ball vices.


I read before those tracks have manganese in them, don't know if this is the reason, but apparently tracks are quite valuable on the scrap market.

Many a backyard blacksmith has sought the stuff out, so it must be getting a bit rare.
You did well to get some.

 

[Inspector]

The Amazon link I posted has Lenox as does an industrial supplier here of all manner of tools and supplies. https://www.grainger.ca/en/product/BLADE-HACK-TUFF-TOOTH-12X14T-10-PK/p/LNX20143
Another has Nickolson
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/2161269Another with TTC (?) brand blades.
https://www.traverscanada.com/ttc-h...hacksaw blade&lite=true&pricelistname=CANSITEThey are not a common thing for hobby hacks to buy so local hardware stores and Borg stores are hit and miss.
Starrett make and sell them but not inexpensively.
https://www.starrett.com/metrology/product-detail/BS1214-3
They are out there but need a little searching before you need them.

Pete

 

[mikej460]

There are folks on eBay selling anvils made out of railway track and there's this bloke who obviously started off hacksawing then said sod it - it's a letter rack
2.75 Inch, Staggered Cut, anvil rail track, Railway Track, Letter Holder Etc | eBay

 

[Yorkieguy]

I'd love to own one of these, but I think I'd have to be in prison, with a condition of my early release being that I'd have to make one, before I'd attempt to do it. A lovely end result, but hard won, the the video does rather give the impression that it was done in a jiffy:

 

[RobinBHM]

I know I'd get hacked off err, well you know um, hacksawing it

 

[Trainee neophyte]

On what material/s and size/s do you use Lidl recip saw?

Thus far it has mostly been m8 or m10 threaded bar. The idea of cutting through train track never occurred to me, although I have many miles of abandoned track next door to me, so perhaps...

If I was serous about cutting track, I would try to make thermite. I've always wanted to have a go with thermite. Looks like fun.

 

[TFrench]

I'd love to own one of these, but I think I'd have to be in prison, with a condition of my early release being that I'd have to make one, before I'd attempt to do it. A lovely end result, but hard won, the the video does rather give the impression that it was done in a jiffy:

When I get my metal shaper running, this will be an ideal project for it!

 

[Filament]

In terms of using rail as an anvil, when I researched for doing mine, those that know seemed to agree that for anything other than tiny jobs it’s far more effective to use the rail stood vertically, rather than horizontally as it gives you a lot more meat under the blows of the hammer.

 

[pe2dave]

I think I'd have found a man with acetylene.

So messy though? The 'cut' end is ... shoddy, cut with gas.

 

[Owd Jockey]

Well done Dave, always good to see someone taking a different approach

 

[novocaine]

1084 medium carbon steel. Hot rolled and work hardened if its been used. Doing this with a hacksaw is unimaginable to me. I might used a reciprocating saw, or a grinder. By preference abrasive cutting here.

 

[pe2dave]

It's an exercise in sawing... and patience @novocaine

 

[novocaine]

Shame you are to far south else id have run it under the big abrasive chop saw for you. Im sgill keeping 1 eye open for a chunk, but it's getting harder and harder to get your fingers on without paying through the nose (nearly cheaper to buy a real anvil )

 

[ian_in_the_midlands]

I made this mechanical hacksaw last year for cutting larger lumps:
Even so, I think I would pull out the angle grinder for something like a railway line.