How Much Is A Hand Saw?
A hand saw is arguably the simplest cutting tool anyone could have for their DIY project. Taking this into consideration, do you have any idea how much is a hand saw? We all know that is a simple tool commonly used to cut through wood or metal, but how much does a hand saw cost exactly? If you’re just starting to learn about the basics of woodworking or trying to make your very first DIY project, here are some of the things about hand saws that you should know first.
What Is A Hand Saw?
Before we discuss how much is a hand saw, we first have to know what is a handsaw. It is a basic tool characterized by a handle and a metal saw plate with teeth used to roughly cut through a variety of materials such as wood, metal, and plastic. Today, a wide variety of hand saws are available in hardware stores depending on key specifications such as the length, material used, and the number of teeth.
Types Of Hand Saws
As mentioned earlier, a wide range of hand saws are available. It has different types in terms of design, construction, and purpose. Logically, the quality and style of tool will dictate how much is a hand saw. Here are some of the most common hand saw types used today:
Coping Saw
Widely considered the most versatile type of hand saw, a coping saw is suitable for cutting through hard and softwood, plastic, ceramic, and non -ferrous materials. A coping saw's key feature is characterized by a thin small blasé that is perfect in cutting clean curved edges and making intricate curved cuts that are practically impossible when using a different tool.
Bow Saw
Commonly used to cut through tree branches and logs, the Bow Saw is a fast and aggressive cutting saw that offers quick cuts but rough finished wood pieces. Like the shape of a bow, this type of saw features a steel frame and a saw blade with notably large teeth.
Regular Universal Hand Saw
The regular universal hand saw is arguably what people often see in hardware stores and their homes. It is considered to be the most versatile of all the kinds of hand saws. A regular universal hand saw is built with a comfortable handle and steel blade that often differ in the teeth' sizes and the length of the blade itself.
Things To Consider When Buying A Hand Saw
Aside from knowing how much is a hand saw, several other factors should be considered when choosing a one. Here are some more things to look out for when you are shopping for the best hand saw:
Hand Saw Tooth Shape
One of the key defining features of any hand saw is the shape of the blade's tooth. Generally, the principle behind is that the larger the teeth, the faster the cut, but the result would be a rugged and rough edge. On the flipside, hand saws with smaller teeth would produce a smoother and more precise cut but would notably take much longer and require more effort.
Hand Saw Tooth Count
Aside from the shape of the saw blade teeth, the number of teeth in the blade itself also affects the hand saw's performance. Measured by the number of saw teeth per inch or TPI, the same concept applies where the larger the teeth, the faster and rougher the cut, while hand saws with smaller teeth fill produce a finer and more accurate cut.
Hand Saw's Length
Hand saws vary in lengths reaching from 6" to 12," and 22" to 24" depending primarily on the type of hand saw it is. Logically, the idea is that the longer the blade, the larger the stroke, and less time required to cut through a material completely. Furthermore, having a relatively long hand saw allows you to use your arm's full range of motion for more extensive and more efficient strokes.
Hand Saw Care And Maintenance
Besides knowing how much is a hand saw, what is even more important when you're buying any woodworking tool or power tool is to learn how to care and maintain the quality of the hand saw properly. With that, here are some tips in caring for your hand saw:
- Keep the hand saw in a dry place that is far away from moisture to keep the metal blade from rusting.
- Remember to use the appropriate type of hand saw for a specific material. Never use a hand saw to cut metal items such as nails as it will easily get blunt and damage the blade and turn it into something unusable.
Conclusion
While it is essential to consider how much is a hand saw when you are shopping for tools, what is even important to remember is the proper use, care, and maintenance of the hand saw to make sure that it will last as long as it supposed to be. While hand saws are fairly cheap and straightforward, you should think of everything you buy as an investment, so choose nothing but the best when you buy your hand saw. Here's how to learn more about hand saws.
