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

[AlanY]

14tpi was preferred, for bigger jobs (see link in Original post). Likely a typo. I have 18tpi on order.
See this piece (provided by another reader for rly line steel.

Now through the top 'bulk' of the rail.

I was interested to learn more about railroad tracks so went to the linked site. Somewhere in there the author says:

"Obviously, this is pretty hard stuff. You’re not going to get too far with a hack saw.

If you do, send me a video. I’m always up for a good laugh."

Looks like you are proving him wrong, Dave!

 

[Limey Lurker]

Two things that I was taught:

1 Never, ever, start a NEW blade in an OLD cut!

2 The blade cuts on the push; not on the pull! (I suspect that the teacher told the kids that so it would slow them down, and give him a breathing-space! OR; it made the blades last longer)

 

[pe2dave]

Another 40mm before I hit the ground plate. Run out of hacksaw depth! Need to figure out a way of aligning
two saw cuts now. Laser to the fore I think.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

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

So run a flap disc over it.

 

[pe2dave]

@Phil Pascoe - Far too much steel to waste a flap disk (disc).
A grinding disk, yes. Not much more.
Just need it fairly smooth

 

[Terrytpot]

This popped up in my inbox recently and would sorely tempt me if I had an urge to try similar..

 

[pe2dave]

"a maximum cutting capacity of 64mm, " Nice idea though..
I doubt I could keep it on line for 6".

 

[Ttrees]

Get one of these and stick a Bahco blade on it

 

[pe2dave]

Get one of these and stick a Bahco blade on it
View attachment 112541

Good idea - source please?

 

[Ttrees]

I thought it would have been in member AES treatise on hacksaws, but
I must have came across it from a tool seller in Co Waterford named John ONeill, I couldn't find it since, but maybe I've not used the correct term.
I'll have another wee look.
edit:
@pe2dave Eclipse no.55 sheet saw is what it looks like.

 

[pe2dave]

edit:
@pe2dave Eclipse no.55 sheet saw is what it looks like.

One on ebay - but (big but?) Seems to take 16" blades?

 

[profchris]

14 tpi blades are available:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hacksaw-Replacement-Blades-JatilEr-Cutting/dp/B08S751F8V
Whether they cut more than a couple of strokes, I can't say.

The product description is encouraging though. Not only are these blades light and portable, they are also "extremely multifunctional". Admittedly none of the pictures show railway lines being cut, but Amazon only allows limited space for pictures of the many functions ...

 

[pe2dave]

14 tpi blades are available:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hacksaw-Replacement-Blades-JatilEr-Cutting/dp/B08S751F8V
Whether they cut more than a couple of strokes, I can't say.

~From description, "

• 【Product Specifications】Contains 14tpi, 18tpi and 24tpi junior hacksaw blades,each measures approx. 12 inch in length, 0.025 inch in thickness, 0.6 inch in width, convenience for daily replacement." They are 12" long.

 

[AES]

I thought it would have been in member AES treatise on hacksaws, but
I must have came across it from a tool seller in Co Waterford named John ONeill, I couldn't find it since, but maybe I've not used the correct term.
I'll have another wee look.
edit:
@pe2dave Eclipse no.55 sheet saw is what it looks like.

Having written the piece, I can confirm that the saw shown is not included, sorry. Reason? A) I don't think I've ever used one; B) I don't own one; C) though I was (vaguely) aware of their existence, I'd forgotten all about them when writing the piece. Sorry.

P.S. I don't know what size blade they take - I THOUGHT the "standard" 12 inch but I could well be wrong.

 

[MorrisWoodman12]

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

Well done Dave. I'm not sure I'd have so much patience.
I believe the 14TPI blades were being phased out because there are so few people sawing through railway lines these days.

 

[julianf]

I have a tool that I rarely use, and it takes up quite a bit of space, but is just so good for what it does, that I keep hold of it.

You just set it going and go do something else. It's also quiet enough to use well past bed time in a built up area.

Cost me a £21 eBay bid, but, again, the real price is the space it takes up.

 

[pe2dave]

Having written the piece, I can confirm that the saw shown is not included, sorry. Reason? A) I don't think I've ever used one; B) I don't own one; C) though I was (vaguely) aware of their existence, I'd forgotten all about them when writing the piece. Sorry.

P.S. I don't know what size blade they take - I THOUGHT the "standard" 12 inch but I could well be wrong.

See this ebay seller ruler alongside implies 16" so it would be good for deeper stuff.

 

[pe2dave]

I have a tool that I rarely use, and it takes up quite a bit of space, but is just so good for what it does, that I keep hold of it.



You just set it going and go do something else. It's also quiet enough to use well past bed time in a built up area.

Cost me a £21 eBay bid, but, again, the real price is the space it takes up.

Perfect for the job, though (like you?) I just don't have the room for such a tool.
I recall something not dissimilar in metalwork classes, an 'old' school.

 

[Ttrees]

One on ebay - but (big but?) Seems to take 16" blades?

There's two of them, it's the no.56 which is the larger one, and the smaller one takes normal blades apparently.

It would be interesting to know how one would tension the blade, and if its a simple affair, then looks like it could be made in a pinch, if you had some suitable plate.
(say if it the frame bottoms out completely)

I doubt you'll mind me mention of them as I don't think you'll have much competition

 

[pe2dave]

There's two of them, it's the no.56 which is the larger one, and the smaller one takes normal blades apparently.

It would be interesting to know how one would tension the blade, and if its a simple affair, then looks like it could be made in a pinch, if you had some suitable plate.
(say if it the frame bottoms out completely)

I doubt you'll mind me mention of them as I don't think you'll have much competition

Good point about tensioning them! As pointed out, you want a straight line, you need a well tensioned saw!

I do wonder what the two upper ?rivets? are all about... though I can't see how they could be used to tension the blade.