Hemingway Compact Powered Hacksaw

Having got the mill and lathe set up, I think the next tool that would be useful is some kind of powered saw, either a bandsaw or a powered hacksaw. The latter is attractive as I think it will have a smaller footprint in the workshop but the only small one that seems to be commercially available is the Axminster at over £600.

The Hemingway kit is a bit more affordable at under £400, but it is hard to tell from the website how much of a job it is to machine and assemble the kit. Does anyone on the forum have any experience of building one? Is it fairly straightforward, or are there lots of complex machining operations needed?

Thanks in advance for any help that you can give.

Small bandsaws are cheaper, but they do eat space like nothing else - that's why I put mine on wheels.

Neil

As a cheaper alternative you might want to google "Myfordboy Hacksaw". £10 for plans then its made from stock materials.

Only ever seen the youtube video for it though.

I made one of the Myfordboy saws from plans. Cuts very accurately using a normal metal blade, and the vice holds short pieces well.

Mine uses 17mm hex for the main saw frame, and stock metal for the rest.

Probably the hardest part to locate, for me, was the motor.

Must have cost about £120 plus a fair bit of time.

Jonathan you have a PM, Martin

I made one of these many years ago and it was a total waste of time for me. The one I made from a Hemmingway kit used shortened hacksaw blades (only about 6" long ) and never got a lot of use since it took ages to saw through even small sections.

I later bought a 6 by 4 metal bandsaw and never ever wanted to go back to a powered hacksaw. I too put my bandsaw on wheels and made a more rigid lower base so that it fits neatly under a bench when not in use.

Doug

There were plans for a powered hacksaw in one of the first editions of MEW. I made one and it has done me well. Its a bit slow but if you plan ahead and set it going while you do something else its fine. I'm getting too old to cut stuff up by hand.

Keith.

I bought a Rapidor Manchester for 25 quid in A1 condition, the only problem is I can't resist watching it work instead of getting on with something else. It is very pleasurable to watch though.

Mike

I have a Femi bandsaw, made in Italy it has a very small footprint easy to move if you need to stow away. Had mine for maybe 10 years and no problems. Worth shopping around for the best deal. You can also buy a table to use it as a vertical bandsaw but very easy to make one as well. pic of mine if you wish anyone.

John

PS no connection with either Femi or the suppliers just a satisfied customer

**LINK**

I have a Hemingway powered hacksaw kit sitting on the shelf waiting to be started this coming winter. I have considered it THE answer after my experiences with a Chinese band saw. Mind you I have hankered after a Rapidor saw but I do recognize they were always the most ignored and neglected machine tool in all workshops I worked in or visited.

JA

Did I miss something in the video on the Myfordboy blog site?

It shows the saw cutting through a block of steel 3.5" x 4" with a 12" hacksaw blade. It looks like it's cutting through butter but it seems to be a time-lapse. On the video it took maybe a minute. Nowhere, that I noticed, did it tell you how long it actually took. It would be interesting (and informative) to know. Also whether a single hacksaw blade stood up to it.

Edited By Bandersnatch on 22/07/2016 23:04:13

A power hacksaw is a manual hacksaw that never gets tired but It can take quite a while to get through stock bigger than 2 inches.

On a big job I did, 5 inches diameter, it took 2 to 3 weeks doing it for a couple of hours each morning

Edit: eclipse blades performed well, two blades a slice, both of which survived for more minor work (if they didn't jam and snap when being retrieved from the cut)

Bandsaws are popular because they are a lot faster

Best and "simplest" for round stock is parting off on the lathe

Edited By Ady1 on 22/07/2016 23:55:55

Mine is a pre-war Denbeigh power hacksaw, flat belt and all. Had it since the late 80's. Weighs a ton, done a LOT of work, never ever had a problem with it. Bit like a shaper, it drinks oil. Pick 'em up in decent nick for a couple of hundred quid, and will outlast you.

The trick to getting them to cut well, is

a) correct tpi blade for the material

b) make sure the hydraulics are working well, so the blade is lifting on it's return stroke.

Then get on with something else or go make your cup of tea...

Me being a luddite, i love 'em.

I'm surprised that no one has picked up on the Kennedy style hexagon bar guides for a Home Shop made power hacksaw. Effective and looks to be much less work than the usual felt bar'n bits methods. OK hex bar is more expensive per unit length than flat sections but probably comes out similar overall as you don't need so much metal.

Clive.

I have a small bandsaw which I bought 3 years ago for $350. One of the best investments that I have made for my workshop. It will cut 125mm dia steel and will cut thru 25mm in no time at all and only weighs 23kg. The support stand for the saw is an old milk crate which will be replaced by a proper stand when I get round to it. (still looking for a round tuit). I would recommend using a bi-metal blade. They cost a bit more but last for much longer. The one in my saw is over a year old and gets used regularly. The round white object is a tube of wax, used for lubricating the blade. 

Bought mine on line but now sold by Hare and Forbes in Australia. (should also be an agent in UK) https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/B004

Paul.

Edited By Paul Lousick on 23/07/2016 08:48:50

Every powered hacksaw I have used has cut more than just over a half inch square in an hour! (see Ady 1's post above) Or maybe he cut several slices off in that time?

I'm surprised nobody has suggested the blade must have been put in back to front or upside down! Maybe using a slitting saw in a horizontal mill might be an option?

Hi

Hate them or love them with power hacksaws. Being the latter then I can give a monocled view on power hacksaws and the use of.

A couple of Hacksaws I have worked on can be seen on Youtube search for "Wobbly Hacksaw" and
"Power Hacksaw Rebuilt and Testing"

Sure they are not as quick as a Bandsaw but will perform well if set up properly and up to 5 kgs weight on the blade.

Old "Wobbly" has now a DC motor with variable speed from 0 to 90 strokes a minute and copes with anything thrown at it.

A standard hacksaw blade is used with a mix of 50% kerosene dripped on the cut and gives many hours use on one blade.

Number Two tool is a Vertical Band Saw converted to cut steel Pics in my Albums.

Eric

Blackgates also do a set of hacksaw castings for about £200 don't know how it performs.

http://www.model-engineer.co.uk/albums/member_album.asp?a=9540

Should take you to some pictures of my own power hacksaw. Made to a design published in ME some years ago. The original designer was a Mr R J Cochrane. The drawings are available from the ME plans service WE54.

It will cut 2"x 2" steel in about 25mins and 1.25" round steel in 5 mins.

The design says you need to weld the frame but mine is made without welding. The cost was under £50 as much of the steel channel and angle was from a friendly "offcuts bin" at a local steel fabricators.

Edited By Bizibilder on 24/07/2016 10:40:54

When i bought a bandsaw some people told me it would be a waste of money getting a cheap one, sure the blade jumps off the wheels every now and again but it must be one of the most used pieces of workshop equipment i have, and not just for ME stuff so i'd take the plunge and get one.

I once hack sawed a piece of 3" square block of mild steel NEVER again, it was truly awful.

Michael W