Good quality handy saw - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: akis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 09:29:23 am
content: I am looking for a good quality handy saw, it needs to have an open ended blade just like an ordinary hand saw, only much smaller in size. I have identified two as shown below but they have bad reviews on Amazon. Can you suggest something better? I am planning to cut wood, PCBs (inside openings for example), very thin aluminium (inside openings again) etcThe Draper one:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01194NJN0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLEAnd the Stanley one:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-020220-FatMax-Multi-Blades/dp/B002SHR5LK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 09:38:39 am
content: Wouldn't one of the many powered multi-tools like this befarmore useful ?http://www.bunnings.co.nz/bosch-multi-tool_p00239466

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 09:48:45 am
content: It sounds as if you're quite focused on internal holes. You might think about investing in a bench scroll saw (it's a shame, Lidl had a good one really cheap a few weeks back).Edit: This sort of thing, but go for a variable speed one:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rhyas-Scroll-Fret-Saw-Craft-Bandsaw-Table-90W-90-45-Mitre-10-FREE-Blades-/371135459851?hash=item566965b20b:g:iRsAAOSwpDdU22nA

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 10:40:33 am
content: The Draper one is crap - a plastic handle will never give enough clamping pressure to hold a piece of hacksaw blade reliably. The Stanley one appears to be let down by poor blades.U shank (with a hole) jigsaw blades used to be readily available and there were a few handles that let you use them as a hand saw. Unfortunately they've mostly been replaced by T shank blades or U shank with no hole and handles for them seem to be unobtanium. It would be worth looking for a dead jigsaw and mounting the blade holder to a nice wooden handle, or getting one machined out of Aluminum with a clamping screw either side of the blade tang.

author: mathsquid
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 03:36:43 pm
content: Funny, I just posted this in another thread, but get yourself a jeweler's saw. you can get a good one for $10 or so, or you can spend a LOT more if you like. Search for some videos on youtube and you'll see some good examples of what they can do.Here's the one I have.http://www.amazon.com/Jewelers-German-Adjustable-Assorted-Tension/dp/B00A8RFB5Y?ie=UTF8&keywords=jewelers%20saw&qid=1462116095&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

author: BurningTantalum
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2016, 02:19:24 am
content: It may also be worth looking at a tension file that fits in a standard hacksaw frame. This blade will cut in all directions, and with care can cut all manner of irregular shapes. One brand, many years ago, was Abrafile. The teeth were graded from very fine to coarse from the handle end which made starting each stroke very easy. Not sure if they are still available.I recall also a tool like a drill bit that fitted in a drill or Dremel. It had a helical form so cut as it rotated. The name escapes me at present.BT

author: BurningTantalum
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2016, 02:24:21 am
content: 'RotoZip' was the name I was grasping for.BT

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2016, 08:58:03 am
content: You can also get fretsaws with much deeper throats so you can get further from the edge of the workpiece. Basically the manual version of the electric scrollsaw I mentioned previously. For accurate cutting and getting into corners you really do need a saw that holds the blade under tension....http://www.axminster.co.uk/hand-tools/saws/fretsaws-piercing-saws

author: akis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2016, 05:45:15 pm
content: In the end I bought the Bahco and it has arrived it is very good, some sort of light metal alloy. looks some sort of cast aluminium or something, and a clever way to conceal and support the blade which goes into the handle and can extend/contract all you like. I presume if you turn it so that it cuts on the pull, you can have it as extended as you like.https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0002YVI7S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1Only problem it is larger than I would have liked, I need something for smaller jobs, like those little saws found on the Victorinox Swiss knives.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2016, 07:17:27 pm
content: QuoteI think we've probably been talking about different ideas of accuracy then.