On Thu, 04 Sep 2003 20:07:49 +0100, Joe McElvenney hath writ:
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

I usually clamp a thick, "sacrificial" straight-edge along the line
to be cut. Use another "straight edge" on the back side -- but a wee
bit back from the scribed line. Clamp at as many points as practical.
Cut on the "outside" edge -- of course. Go slow , and , as another
poster mentioned: Cut at a 45-30 degree angle. "90 degrees == bad."

HTH es 73
Jonesy
--
| Marvin L Jones | jonz | W3DHJ | OS/2
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