So you are looking for a proper metal saw on your powerlock

jzmtl · **on:** February 20, 2012, 01:25:41 AM

Good news, a modified hacksaw blade can be added in ten minutes as a fully locking component. Next to a full length component there's just enough room to fit one and clear the pliers head. The saw is also a lot softer than I expected, a cheap HSS bit went through it easily ad oppose to necessity for carbide bit on reciprocating saw blades.

Syph007 · **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2012, 02:15:21 AM

Darn good idea there. The only thing I added to my powerlock was a robertson driver, but I have room for a thing saw blade like that for sure. I must try. Thanks!

tattoosteve99 · **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2012, 04:01:16 AM

The bit went right through because....only the teeth are hardened on hack saw blades. Just a little info on why. Great idea btw.

jzmtl · **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2012, 04:40:24 AM

Quote from: Syph007 on February 20, 2012, 02:15:21 AM

The only thing I added to my powerlock was a robertson driver

Ha, that's almost mandatory for canadian sog owners.

Quote from: tattoosteve99 on February 20, 2012, 04:01:16 AM

The bit went right through because....only the teeth are hardened on hack saw blades. Just a little info on why. Great idea btw.

Yeah that's what I figured, was (pleasantly) surprised consider how much I struggled to get through reciprocating saw blades.

tattoosteve99 · **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2012, 07:33:22 AM

No problem. I used to work where they made blades (jigsaw, hacksaw, recip) so that's how I know.

J-sews · **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2012, 02:47:31 AM

Looks like a handy (and quick) mod idea Jie!

So what did you use to cut the locking notch in it?

jzmtl · **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2012, 08:32:34 AM

Thanks Bob, I used a rotary tool with non-reinforced cutoff disk (so I can use its sides to widen the cut).

J-sews · **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2012, 02:55:16 AM

Personally, when it comes to saw blades, I like every bit of length I can get.

So Jie, what do you think about making the blade about a half inch longer? (you would have to pop the flapper off in order to use it, but it would be worth it IMO)

jzmtl · **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2012, 03:10:08 AM

Agree on the longer saw part, the one I made is already a bit longer than the file next to it. I just eyeballed when I made it though so it could be 1/4" or 3/8" longer till it hit the plier heat pivot (for a total of 3/4" more than file).

You actually wouldn't need to remove the handle cover, that's the beauty of it. Because of the offset by file it barely clears the handle flap.

J-sews · **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2012, 03:29:06 AM

Sweet! I hadn't realized it would clear the handle flapper.

Okay, now my mind is really racing....would there be any advantage to mounting the blade upside down? So the teeth would be facing downwards when the pliers were closed?

jzmtl · **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2012, 04:13:46 AM

That would definitely make it easier to use, since SOG handle can't be just folded out of the way like LM does. Usually I'd be concerned about how the lock take the stress when blade is pushed down in reversed position, but in this case the hacksaw blade isn't wide enough to create the taller ramp that push against lock tab while open like other parts does, so I guess it doesn't really matter either way.