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