which way for the blade?

David bonner · 31 Mar 2021

Hi there just to tell you most saw blades cut on the forward stroke except wood saw blades they run on both ways. Yep set the teeth to the front of the saw ok it cuts on the forwards strike ok.

xy mosian · 31 Mar 2021

Personally I use whichever direction forces the material against some fixed stop or other. In wood a pull stroke draws material away from a bench hook. In metal the same applies. Push or Pull I use either according to need.
xy

Echo-Star · 31 Mar 2021

Our metalwork teacher told us at school, that a hacksaw blade should be mounted with the teeth pointing towards the handle, and that it cuts on the pull stroke, so I have always done so without any issues. Works very well.

chrisdt · 31 Mar 2021

My metalwork teacher told me to find some elbow grease......I'm still looking

owen · 31 Mar 2021

I normally only use my coping saw for cutting scribes on skirting, for this I have the skirting facing me and have the coping saw blade cutting on the push stroke, if I had it cutting on the pull stroke I would either have to work from the back of skirting or risk it tearing out when working from the front. All depends what you're doing though I guess

Woody2Shoes · 1 Apr 2021

chrisdt said:
My metalwork teacher told me to find some elbow grease......I'm still looking

Did he send you off to the store room for a long weight as well?!
Personally, I find that all my saws work best with a stroke that combines pushing and pulling

I have been told that I use an angle grinder the wrong way round though....

kinverkid · 1 Apr 2021

My understanding is that the arrow on a hacksaw blade points in the direction of the cut and not the direction it should be fitted. Personally, I think you should fit it in your preferred direction or in the direction the situation requires.