A "nibler", a one-hand operated, very short-bladed shears is useful. You can
also guide this tool round curves in sheet metal similar to a pair of
sissors if needed.

--
=======================
Regards from Reg, G4FGQ
For Free Radio Design Software
go to http://www.g4fgq.com
=======================
"Joe McElvenney" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Whatever metal-working skills I acquired during my training as
a radar fitter in the Royal Air Force so many year ago have
evaporated it would seem (RAF Locking 1958). Just now I tried to
cut some short strips from a 3mm aluminium sheet using a hacksaw
and made the worst possible mess of it.

No matter how I tried, I couldn't stop the cut veering to the
right. In the end I just cut out the pieces larger than required
and filed them to shape. The end result was OK but what a waste
of material.

So, what is the technique for hacksawing a straight-ish line
by hand. I guess that as my cuts always went the same way it was
something to do with how I was standing and holding the hacksaw.
Any tips would be gratefully received.

All those years ago I passed the necessary trade tests so I
must have had it down pat then.


73 de Joe, G3LLV

Whatever metal-working skills I acquired during my training as
a radar fitter in the Royal Air Force so many year ago have
evaporated it would seem (RAF Locking 1958). Just now I tried to
cut some short strips from a 3mm aluminium sheet using a hacksaw
and made the worst possible mess of it.

No matter how I tried, I couldn't stop the cut veering to the
right. In the end I just cut out the pieces larger than required
and filed them to shape. The end result was OK but what a waste
of material.
==========
Joe , May I suggest you consider the following method :

--Take 2 pieces of angle iron ( say 75 x 75 mm , 3x3 inches ) ,or larger
with a length of at least the length of the cut to be made.

-- Place the 2 lengths flange to flange and drill 2 or more holes
(depending on overall length) and bolt them together with washers in between
; the total washer(s) thickness being a fraction more than that of the hack
saw blade thickness .

-- Place the bolted flanges in a vice ,such that the other (spaced )flanges
form a horizontal platform .

--- Clamp the sheet metal to be cut to the horizontal flanges and make your
cut, using the opening as a guide

Note : With a normal U-frame hack saw you would cut the washers and bolts
(depending on the blade operating angle), unless to move the clamped sheet
metal .
However it is better to use a knife type holder for the hack saw blade , a
low cost tool available from most DIY stores.
With this tool ,which only holds one end of the blade you avoid hitting the
washers (and bolts) while making a straight cut

Good Luck

Frank GM0CSZ / KN6WH

Whatever metal-working skills I acquired during my training as
a radar fitter in the Royal Air Force so many year ago have
evaporated it would seem (RAF Locking 1958). Just now I tried to
cut some short strips from a 3mm aluminium sheet using a hacksaw
and made the worst possible mess of it.

No matter how I tried, I couldn't stop the cut veering to the
right. In the end I just cut out the pieces larger than required
and filed them to shape. The end result was OK but what a waste
of material.
==========
Joe , May I suggest you consider the following method :

--Take 2 pieces of angle iron ( say 75 x 75 mm , 3x3 inches ) ,or larger
with a length of at least the length of the cut to be made.

-- Place the 2 lengths flange to flange and drill 2 or more holes
(depending on overall length) and bolt them together with washers in between
; the total washer(s) thickness being a fraction more than that of the hack
saw blade thickness .

-- Place the bolted flanges in a vice ,such that the other (spaced )flanges
form a horizontal platform .

--- Clamp the sheet metal to be cut to the horizontal flanges and make your
cut, using the opening as a guide

Note : With a normal U-frame hack saw you would cut the washers and bolts
(depending on the blade operating angle), unless to move the clamped sheet
metal .
However it is better to use a knife type holder for the hack saw blade , a
low cost tool available from most DIY stores.
With this tool ,which only holds one end of the blade you avoid hitting the
washers (and bolts) while making a straight cut

Good Luck

Frank GM0CSZ / KN6WH

In article ,
says...

So, what is the technique for hacksawing a straight-ish line
by hand. I guess that as my cuts always went the same way it was
something to do with how I was standing and holding the hacksaw.
Any tips would be gratefully received.

Dremel tool.

-- jm

------------------------------------------------------
http://www.qsl.net/ke5fx
Note: My E-mail address has been altered to avoid spam
------------------------------------------------------

In article ,
says...

So, what is the technique for hacksawing a straight-ish line
by hand. I guess that as my cuts always went the same way it was
something to do with how I was standing and holding the hacksaw.
Any tips would be gratefully received.

Dremel tool.

-- jm

------------------------------------------------------
http://www.qsl.net/ke5fx
Note: My E-mail address has been altered to avoid spam
------------------------------------------------------

Hi again,

Thanks everyone for your ideas, all of which are noted. The
sheet I sawed-up, to make some spacers for my garage door, was
scrap #10 gauge aluminium scavenged from old surplus gear. It was
just that I never seemed able to cut a straight line and wanted
to tap into the wealth of metal-working experience in the group
out there.

Hopefully I will do better next time by following your
suggestions.


73 de Joe, G3LLV

Hi again,

Thanks everyone for your ideas, all of which are noted. The
sheet I sawed-up, to make some spacers for my garage door, was
scrap #10 gauge aluminium scavenged from old surplus gear. It was
just that I never seemed able to cut a straight line and wanted
to tap into the wealth of metal-working experience in the group
out there.

Hopefully I will do better next time by following your
suggestions.


73 de Joe, G3LLV

Joe McElvenney wrote:
Hi again,

Thanks everyone for your ideas, all of which are noted. The
sheet I sawed-up, to make some spacers for my garage door, was
scrap #10 gauge aluminium scavenged from old surplus gear. It was
just that I never seemed able to cut a straight line and wanted
to tap into the wealth of metal-working experience in the group
out there.

Hopefully I will do better next time by following your
suggestions.


73 de Joe, G3LLV



Joe,
I've found a lot of the "Hack" saw's that are availble today are pieces
of crap and won't cut a straight line. You might want to check and see
if that's your problem. I bought a good one with a solid frame, I can't
remember the name right now and it's packed from moving. Alos get a good
blade like a Lenox or similar brand.
Bill Higdon

Joe McElvenney wrote:
Hi again,

Thanks everyone for your ideas, all of which are noted. The
sheet I sawed-up, to make some spacers for my garage door, was
scrap #10 gauge aluminium scavenged from old surplus gear. It was
just that I never seemed able to cut a straight line and wanted
to tap into the wealth of metal-working experience in the group
out there.

Hopefully I will do better next time by following your
suggestions.


73 de Joe, G3LLV



Joe,
I've found a lot of the "Hack" saw's that are availble today are pieces
of crap and won't cut a straight line. You might want to check and see
if that's your problem. I bought a good one with a solid frame, I can't
remember the name right now and it's packed from moving. Alos get a good
blade like a Lenox or similar brand.
Bill Higdon

the last time i had to do this, i used a saber saw with a hacksaw blade in
it. I clamped the metal between two pieces of scrap3/8 in plywood, then
clamped this to the edge of the bench, and sawed thru wood, metal, and all
at the same time. The wood prevents the metal from vibrating, and it just
cuts like a regular wood strip would. This works equally well on sheet
aluminum or steel sheet. You can even cut shapes out quite efficiently.

"Joe McElvenney" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Whatever metal-working skills I acquired during my training as
a radar fitter in the Royal Air Force so many year ago have
evaporated it would seem (RAF Locking 1958). Just now I tried to
cut some short strips from a 3mm aluminium sheet using a hacksaw
and made the worst possible mess of it.

No matter how I tried, I couldn't stop the cut veering to the
right. In the end I just cut out the pieces larger than required
and filed them to shape. The end result was OK but what a waste
of material.

So, what is the technique for hacksawing a straight-ish line
by hand. I guess that as my cuts always went the same way it was
something to do with how I was standing and holding the hacksaw.
Any tips would be gratefully received.

All those years ago I passed the necessary trade tests so I
must have had it down pat then.


73 de Joe, G3LLV