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Hand Saws are an important part of a Mister Fix-Its workshop. Hand saws come in a variety of designs depending on whether they’re needed for metal working or wood working. A metal cutting saw includes coarse, thick teeth whereas wood cutting hand saws utilize softer teeth. There are four basic categories of hand saws that a handyman or woman will come across.
The four types of hand saws are hacksaws, sheetsaws, junior hacksaws, and padsaws. A hacksaw can cut a wide range of metals and is best used for cutting pipes and bars, but not large metal sheets. Sheetsaws, on the other hand, are ideal for cutting large metal sheets to any depth. Junior hacksaws are much smaller than a normal hacksaw and may contain multiple adjustable blades for complex work. Padsaws have a pad handle which fastens with a clamp over one end of the blade, and are mainly used for jobs in confined spaces.
There’s nothing more stressful than having to remodel your home. In fact, more than a few couples have cited a redone kitchen or a reconstructed bathroom as the reason for numerous fights, even divorces. Knowing how stressful these projects can be, it is to the benefit of all homeowners to enter into the project with as many helpful tools as possible. To that end, before you rip out that extra wall or dismantle that countertop, make sure you seek some sound advice and make a run to the hardware store.
Even if you’re not doing the bulk of the work yourself, that doesn’t mean all the work needs to be done by your hired contractors and construction workers. Cut down on costs by rolling up your sleeves and performing some of the smaller tasks yourself. Even if you’re not trained in construction, you can certainly handle cosmetic touchups such as painting and work that can be done with basic tools like a hammer, screwdriver and painted hand saw.
Cleaning a hand saw isn’t very difficult, although it is messy. Being prepared with the proper equipment and selecting a place with good ventilation will help make the job easier.
All and any of your power tools need care as well, let’s get started on hand saws for now.
Next, for cleaning your hand saw, gather the following materials:
o A thin-bladed screwdriver (only needed if you are removing the handle)
o Mineral spirits
o A razor blade with a safe razor blade holder
o Silicon carbide sandpaper
o Boiled linseed oil
o Steel wool
o Paper towels
o Rags
o Paste wax
o Protective gloves
CAUTION: This is a very important safety issue. Mineral spirits, boiled linseed oil, paper towels and rags make a dangerous combination that can spontaneously combust if left unattended in a pile. Proper precautions should be taken to dispose of these items after use. Rags soaked in linseed oil should be laid out flat outdoors away from any structures to dry. When completely dry, they may be put in the trash. Store rags soaked in mineral spirits in a plastic bag away from all structures until dry before disposing of them. Do not use mineral spirits near an open flame, as the vapor can catch fire. Even the pilot light on your furnace or hot water heater may be enough to ignite the vapors. Mineral spirits can also cause nerve damage if used for a prolonged period or in a confined space. Make sure you have good ventilation and that you are not using the mineral spirits for long periods of time. If you don’t feel comfortable working with these hazardous materials, you may want to hire this job out. Safety first!
Now we’re ready to begin.
If you need to remove the handle, use a proper-fitting screwdriver. Be sure to place the screws somewhere secure where they won’t get misplaced. If the saw is very rusty, it may take a bit of effort to pull off the handle.
Once you’ve removed the handle, place the saw blade on a board or other flat surface. Use the razor blade to scrape off rust, dirt, wax or other crud that has built up on the surface. Work from the handle end towards the tip of the saw. Repeat the process on the other side.
Now that any loose debris has been removed apply a small amount of mineral spirits to the saw blade. Take a small square of the silicon carbide sandpaper and apply it to the blade using the mineral spirits as a lubricant. Move the sandpaper along the length of the blade, not back and forth from the teeth to the back. When you’re done, wipe off any excess spirits with paper towels. Repeat on the other side then set the blade aside to dry.
Use the razor to scrape any build-up off of the handle. Finish with steel wool. If the handle looks dry, use a rag to apply a small amount of boiled linseed oil. Make sure all surfaces are well-coated. Remove any excess oil with a clean rag. The handle should be completely dry in a couple of days.
Wipe down the dry hand saw blade with a rag to remove any residue, and apply some paste wax with a clean rag to protect the blade from future rust. Let the wax dry for ten minutes, then buff off any excess. Reassemble the handle when it has fully dried.
In a prior post we hit on baseboards being removed as one of the first steps, true because the floor trim has to sit on top of the new materials being installed. The other trim that needs to be dealt with is the door casing and sometimes door jambs.
The new flooring must appear as if it is under the molding everywhere. The cuts at the bottom of the trim are difficult to execute, unless the right carpentry tool is on site. This awesome little gadget has been called a pullsaw. A smaller hand saw that cuts as it’s pulled through the material in reference. To get this cut accurate only requires, to lay the new flooring flat in front the trim and cutting, now the flooring will slide underneath and give that professional look.