Justin Topp

Haha thanks Frosty! I’m also concerned about that so I was thinking on the next one I could forge weld the end together than split to form the tines. So it’s nice and solid and food can’t get trapped as easily. 

Thanks. 
Made a bbq fork. Didn’t turn out perfect but it’s not too horrible I don’t think. Next time I think I need to use smaller stock. Maybe 1/4”

forge welded the end  braided than flattened it 

Thank you. I still need to get it handled haha 

Yep I know that. The fan is to suck any smoke out and do far I haven’t had any build up as it pretty much all goes straight out. I open it up on one side at least to deal with the other fumes. 
 

I will be eventually adding a hood but I cannot for the time being so I have to make do with it as is. 

For ventilation I theres a big opening behind me and the blue tarp is usually off But it was up to block snow. I can also open up any side that I want for ventilation. 
 

I burn anthracite so not much smoke really and there is a fan I mounted at the roof to suck smoke out of the place 

Yup. Tarps aren’t ideal but it’s far better than being buried in snow haha. Also holds/ reflects the heat nicely despite the large opening. Yes my parents are happy with it too. Probably because I can make them things all year now haha 

Have this picture that shows my blacksmith shop pretty well. I’m in the process of cleaning so it’s a kinda messy but you can see the basics of what I work with. I will be installing power to keep my wiring out of the way of being a tripping Hazzard 

Thanks. My research would point me to this being a machine shop production saw and not likely a home shop saw. But I’m not gonna complain  

I’ll get some Video soon of it.

features-

 Yes it has an adjustable 6 speed hydraulic down feed, auto raises the saw at the end of the cut which is nice because it’s not the lightest thing ever haha. There’s a lever to push down manually if you need to quickly stop and raise the saw, also allows you to adjust when it lifts ip after the cut. It lifts on the push and lowers to cut on the pull. So only wearing the blade when it needs to. And there is liquid coolant. Although I’ve just been using oil for now as I haven’t had a chance to replace the belt on the coolant pump and clean it all out. And probably one of my favorite parts is  it has a clutch so once it’s done it stops the saw and raises but the motor stays on so you can get your next cut going easier and faster  unlike some that stop by shutting the motor off  

Pros and cons

pros- 

Cuts super square. Faster than my cheap bandsaw when cutting a thing larger than about 1/2” stock. It’s fun to watch. It’s fairly quiet. Can cut anything up to 6” square solid stock. Cuts up to a 45 degree angle. Very solid cast iron construction. No risk of damaging it. It’s just a neat piece of history. Cost per cut is very cheap. Great for heavy stock or a lot of stock tied together. Blade swaps take ~30 seconds unlike bandsaws that take much longer usually. 
 

cons- it’s only good for Cutting off stock, it’s large and heavy (750 lbs approx 2’x4’ base) it prefers cutting large stock although it will cut thin stuff just not as happily as a bandsaw.  Slower than a quality bandsaw would be. Kerf can be somewhat large especially when using a 3 tpi blade. 

Overall I like it and I think it was well worth the cost. And if you see one cheap (as long as it doesn’t use normal hand hacksaw blades) I would recommend buying a power hacksaw. But if you only cut small stock I might not buy one. I cut a lot of fairly heavy steel so it is a great tool for that. Fastest tool in the shop to cut things like forklift tines.

My power hacksaw cuts hardened steel without too much trouble.  I’m sure the blades aren’t too happy with it but they seem just as sharp as before I cut leaf springs and files. For thick very hard steel I can’t say yet but for thinner stuff it works if I let it go slowly.

a useful but not necessary tool. 
 

apologies if that didn’t make sense or if I got rambling. I’ll clarify anything if need be

Good idea haha. Anyways after using it for a week I’ve gotta say the hacksaw is wonderful. Haven’t used my bandsaw once because honestly the hacksaw is as fast as my cheap 4x6 bandsaw haha. It cuts everything from 3/16” square wrought iron to hardened forklift tines without a single complaint. All while being a perfect cut. I’m thinking I may just get rid of my bandsaw. And just use this hacksaw 

I’ll just move the oil can holder onto the moving arm!

Yep. I cut a bunch of billets from a forklift tine with one blade and Other than the lack of paint in some places I would have no idea it’s used. Feels and looks perfectly sharp

I was using 3 tpi blades! 1.75” forklift tine.
 
Going to get it off the casters and onto a couple chunks of railroad ties so it’s more stable and doesn’t roll around. 
 

I have no regrets on this purchase. Especially with the price of 300$ compared to a bandsaw with similar capabilities 

Well this is quite the saw! Cuts forklift tines in half the time it takes my bandsaw to cut through them. It’s a great machine!  Just needs to be cleaned and some coolant 

Thanks! 
 

I’m super excited. Not sure if I can mention them or not but Yes msc industrial supply carries starrett blades from I believe 2 - 14 tpi. In several lengths. The saw works perfectly. Just needs a small motor for the coolant pump to function but that’s easy enough. And a cleaning. But it runs great and cuts nicely and very straight. Puts my little China special 4x6 bandsaw to shame. In the limited tests I saw before bringing it home it preforms about as well as my Bandsaw in speed. Maybe even a bit faster. But also leaves a far better cut. I will do more testing 
 

hammer will get a bit more rounding once I clean true face up before I fit the handle on. 

Look what followed me home today. 14” Racine power hacksaw. It’s a wet saw rated for up to 6” square stock. All the bells and whistles. At 750lbs according to a manual it’s no fun to move haha. I’ll be taking it off the casters once I figure out where I want it came with 20 replacement blades. 

That’s what I’m thinking. I see people with similar saws saying $500 is a good deal. So I can hardly go wrong paying just over half that 

From my research this one should have all those features. Along with a coolant pump. I have a small iron mike power hacksaw that is great but lacks the power to cut much above 3/4” square steel. Great for pvc and metal pipes though. 
 

I think I’m gonna have to pick it up for 300$ they are asking. For the cool factor if nothing else 

I’m looking into potentially purchasing a 14 “ Racine power hacksaw and I was wondering what everyone’s opinion on the saw is?

This is a 6”. Very surprising how well it worked 

Un marked hand powered bench grinder. Near perfect condition. Spins super easily and grinds well. Very pleased to find It for my blacksmith shop as I’ve been wanting one for ages 

Bought some new vises. A 4” columbian. 604 m2 and a 5” 1750 wilton bullet vise. The bullet i bought for my stepdad to replace the harbor freight vise he uses now both move smoothly 

Thanks! That would be sweet. Hmm

The roof is great during about 11-4 but needs a “lip” around the edge going about a foot down for when it’s earlier and later to block sun. Maybe it’s the fact the sun is so low in the sky right now. In summer it would work better I think. 
 

also I tried making a cat and it is pretty bad haha. I’ll use a better sized angle iron next time and make some better tools