Anyone out there have any information or photos of any hand forged hacksaw frames? I am beginning to think through one and would like to see some examples or read up on what others have done...

I think I am going to order the back issue of Blacksmiths Journal on it too...

Thanks.
Peyton

A quick search in the gallery showed that rthibeau did a couple. I'm sure, with the talent that is on this site, more will share.

Good luck! And remember to post your pics. There are others of us out here who want to try this also.

Mitch

Decide on what size blade or what blade material you're going to use, then design the size of the frame around that. Broken band saw blades can be cut to size or use store bought blades. I used small bolts to fasten the blade to the frame. Also, the tensioner can be just a bolt through the front end.

I've got an 18th century replica that I forged and use regularly.

If I can remember to take some pics, I'll post 'em tomorrow.

Don

Don.
That would be MOST helpful!!

Thanks to you too Richard...

Peyton

There is blueprint on this topic, I think provided by RThibeau, but the blueprints are down for upgrade right now. One for inspiration is here though: Hacksaw

the blacksmith journal has and article or two on making hacksaws...I cna't tellou which one from work .

We just had our blacksmithdays hammer-in in Westminster, MD. As a raffle item we made a tool box and member forged tools to go with it. One item was a hacksaw.

click here to see



Reb

Two more examples

Primetech, go check out anvilfire and click on "getting started in blacksmithing". Here you will see a fine example, I don't know who made it but it is a very nice piece of forging. Dan:)

Dan That is the same saw Matt posted.

hacksaw

Oops! Sorry, missed that one but it IS a nice saw.

Peyton / Glenn. I too have been thinking of forging a hacksaw. I read somewhere that a heavier frame like 3/4" made the saws work and feel better than the cheesy storebought ones you get nowdays. What about making it the June project? Maybe that would motivate me to quit thinking about making one, and actually making one. I would love to see what some of y'all come up with if you were to forge them.

well, if you are gonna forge one, make it like an old smith would have, make its lines flow into a thing of beauty as well as functionality, the extra effort is worth it when someone admires the lines of the tool.

Amen to that!

And no welding! Rivets look much better! Good luck.

Jr.
That is how I want to do it. I want it very simple but usable. Our guild has an upcoming trade item that is a forged tool...so I thought this would be a good lesson for me on a lot of different levels. I want to make as much of it as possible...except for the blade. I want it to be as few pieces as possible and nothing really ornate.

Simple and Usable is where I want to go with this. Maybe even based off of an antique??...??? Don't know. But I am determined to start on it this Saturday during the "Blacksmith Day" event thing going on at Mike's shop through Antracit...
http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f7/blacksmith-day-may-24-th-2008-a-5864/

Thanks for all the help so far guys..keep it coming. I need all the help I can get! LOL!

Peyton

Guys , don't let Peyton fool you, if you keep him from burning them he makes a really nice leaf.
Travis

I have heard Francis Whitaker quoted as once saying "Steal with your eyes."

That's why they have pictures on Ebay

Also, Google for antique tools. You can find some good examples on the various auction sites and such.

Forgot my picture... I'll post it tomorrow

Don

I have heard Francis Whitaker quoted as once saying "Steal with your eyes."


Don

EXACTLY!

Years ago, before the internet I used to look for blacksmiths when on vacation in the lower 48. I was frequently amused when a smith didn't want to show me how he made something because he didn't want me to steal HIS secret.

While s/he may have a better way of making something I can still make one of my own. Sure, there're a FEW genuine must know tricks out there but no real secrets.

I like to keep graph paper on hand to make sketches as well as a camera. Combine both a photo and a quick sketch for reference or to show hard to see details and you've captured the thing.

Frosty

Peyton, one of the saws I made was just a length of 3/4" rebar, tapered on the front end with a flat spot for a bolt to go through to hold and tension the blade, and twisted on the back end for the handle, one piece. And a heavier saw, to a limit, does cut better.

Here's the one I made a couple years ago:



I think I started with a piece of 1" x 3/16" flat. The hardest part of the whole job was filing the flat sided hole for the tension screw to go through.

I have been meaning to carve or turn a decent handle for it... I robbed that one from an old linoleum knife.

I simply modify new blades to fit with my Dremel tool. A little thinner or acetone to take the paint off, and the blade looks and works great.

Don

Don That is what I am looking for right there!

Awesome job. Very simple design that is well executed and able to function.

Thanks for posting it...

Peyton

Don,
That's a beautiful piece of forgework there. How do you like having the handle in-line with the blade as opposed to the more common perpendicular/angled to the blade? Again, that's a nice piece.
ML

ML,

How do you like having the handle in-line with the blade as opposed to the more common perpendicular/angled to the blade?

First of all, I was blantantly ripping off an original when I made this, so my handle is where it's at because that's where it was on the example.

That said, I commonly cut 1/2" stock, some bigger, mostly smaller, and it works as good as any modern short hacksaw I have used. It'll zip thru 1/4" one-handed with little effort. If I'm on something bigger, I will grip the front of the frame and cut two-handed.

I work in an 1756-60 historic shop, so this one was made to fit the period. It's one of those things that you didn't know you needed until you get it... then you can't do without it.

Thanks,

Don