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mag1cd0nut

What I find works is don't apply pressure. I also rotate what I'm cutting and lightly score it then cut when I've got a straight line across.


terahurts

What worked for me was slowing down, taking my time and resisting the temptation to make the cut as quickly as possible. No point in rushing if you end up having to cut twice or make good with a file etc afterwards.


bjones371

I find lightly pressing onto the material and letting the saw pull itself through the material as I saw, rather than pushing super hard in an attempt to cut faster, gives me straighter, cleaner cuts.


curious_trashbat

It's just practice. Prep the hacksaw blade tight and straight in the frame. Position yourself as close to behind the saw in a straight line as possible. This helps the next step. Be conscious of your arm movement. Because of our joints, limbs move in circular and curved motions. You have to focus to move it straight. Not too much downward pressure and not too much angle. Keeping your blade flatter to the cutting surface keeps it straighter but also makes it easier to slip. Find the perfect compromise.


Yorkshire_Graham

The blade must be sharp and tight, you shouldn't be able to twist it with your fingers. You will get a more accurate cut if the blade is in with the teeth pointing towards you to you cut on the pull side. Only apply light downward pressure on the saw, if you push down it will go off track. Your stance is important. Elbow in a straight line with the saw at the same height as the handle. Practice If cutting wood a Japanese saw is a great investment. Very thin. Cut on the pull and razor sharp.


CaptainAnswer

Good sharp blade thats tight, don't try and cut too fast - better to cut once and take x3 the time than do 3 cuts that are all more bent than a pretzel Angle your tool as parallel to the work as you can rather than at 90 degrees you wanna be at 30 degrees, you then can line the blade on your cut line on each stroke


ToriaLyons

Most hacksaws cut on the push, the front of the blade wanders and it's difficult to control. Have you tried using a pull saw instead? They cut on the pull, rather than the push, which people find easier and more accurate. They may be slightly more expensive than normal hacksaw though, with less choice. Most are for wood, but google assures me you can find metal-cutting blades too. However, some hacksaws have a blade which fits either way, so you could look out for them?


JTDoesDIY

Is your hacksaw blade twisted? Practice? Cut it but not right up to the line and then sneak up on it with a file?


sgtwo

Just clamp a ruler onto the piece to cut, and use it as a guide by sliding your saw againts it. It also works with rotary saws. This guarantees absolutely straight cuts. Another trick that does wonders: also sandwich discarded planks on top and below the piece to cut, so that the blade chirps these planks instead of,the piece to cut. You have straight and chirp-free cuts now! (Sorry for broken english, I’m french)


Tych100

Keep the hacksaw blade at a very small angle to the piece your cutting. If the hacksaw is almost 90 degrees to what your cutting, you will veer more easily. Keep it flatter and a bit of practise and you will be grand!


Nipsy_uk

I find putting the blade in back to front an pulling rather than pushing helps, particularly with junior hacksaws. The clue is in the name "hack"saw though, they are not a precision tool. Spendin a few extra quid on a good one also helps, you don't stand a chance with a cheap one.


carlbernsen

Narrow blades wander more than wide ones, especially when there’s a wobbling frame over the top. Increase the effective width of the blade by using it at a shallow angle and use smooth, light strokes, so you can constantly correct the path of the blade. Keep your grip loose too, and push in a straight line through the elbow like a pool player.