Hacksaws are used to cut through a variety of materials, such as wood, PVC and metal. The saws are available in either handheld or power varieties. The mainframe of the hacksaw consist of a “U”-shaped metal bracket that holds a thin, steel serrated blade between 8 and 12 inches long. To achieve a clean cut through A2 steel using a hacksaw, you must use the appropriate hacksaw blade. If the suitable blade is not installed, the steel will dull the serrated teeth and you won’t succeed.
Step One
Unscrew the wing nut located at the top edge of the hacksaw. If a blade is already installed on the hacksaw, slip the end of the blade off of the small metal projection to detach.
Step Two
Purchase a fine-toothed hacksaw blade, such as 24 or 32, that is designed to cut metal. Wider-spaced blades that will cut through softer metal are not effective on A2 steel. The packaging for the hacksaw blade will specifically say that is will cut steel or hard metal.
Step Three
Install a new, fine-toothed blade onto the hacksaw by placing the small circular opening on the blade over the metal projection at the base of the saw. Locate the circular opening on the other end of the blade and insert it over the metal projection at the top of the saw. Hold the blade in place with one hand while tightening the wing nut with the other.
Step Four
Lay the steel on a flat surface and hold it steady with one hand. You can also secure the steel to the table using clamps if desired.
Step Five
Place the back edge of the hacksaw blade onto the steel and pull it backward to make a small cut. Lift up the hacksaw and return it to the starting position. Pull the blade back again to deepen the cut. Continue doing this until you see a groove start to develop in the A2 steel. This may take a while since A2 steel is stronger than other metals.
Step Six
Make long back-and-forth strokes along the entire length of the blade, applying pressure each time you push forward. Continue sawing back and forth until you cut all the way through the piece of A2 steel.