Fig. 15
You will need the following materials:
One hacksaw blade which can be of either of the two types shown in the diagram. The length can be 25 or 30 cm.
Fig. 16
One small tree branch
A branch which divides into two
branches of about equal thicknesses should be found. The blade can be used to
cut it from the tree.
Fig. 17
The thinnest part of this piece of wood should be measured to make sure it is thick enough. It should be at least 8 cm around. The wood must be strong enough so that the hacksaw blade remains tight. If the wood is too thin, it will bend when the saw is being used, and the blade will also bend. The blade will last longer the less it bends.
You will also need:
One straight piece of wood, about 18 cm long
Four Nails
For most pieces of wood, it is best to use three
nails that have a length of 4 cm and one nail that has a length of 2 to 3 cm.
For pieces of wood that are much thicker than the measurements shown above,
nails that have a length of 5 cm are needed.
Hammer
Drill
Making the Saw
If necessary, cut off the two bottom ends of the piece of wood so that the distance between the two ends is the same as the length of the hacksaw blade.
Fig. 18
The hacksaw blade is used to make a cut in each end of the piece of wood. These cuts should be aligned with each other so that the blade can be placed into the cuts without becoming bent. The cuts should be about as deep as the width of the blade.
Before putting the blade into the cuts, use the drill to make a hole at each end where the nails will be placed. Now the blade can be put into each slot and a 4 cm nail put through each hole in the wood and each hole in the blade. The nails are then bent over with a hammer. The straight piece of wood should now be cut so that it fits into the saw as shown in the diagram.
Fig. 19
Next, hammer a 4 cm nail through one side of the piece of wood and into the end of the straight piece of wood as shown in the diagram at A. Pull the short piece of wood upwards to tighten the blade and hammer the smaller nail (2 or 3 cm) Just below the end of the short piece as shown in the diagram at B.
The saw is now ready to use. Caution the pupils not to bend the blade while sawing for if it is bent at too much of an angle, it may break.
You should check the tightness of the blade in this kind of saw every few weeks. If you find a saw with a loose blade, ask the pupil who owns the saw to puII the movable end of the short piece upwards and hammer the short nail in a new place. By repositioning the brace in this way, the blade will be tightened. Have the pupil ask a friend to help since one person must usually hold the short piece while another hammers.
Fig.
20