Do you have a reciprocating saw that you don’t use very often? Why not convert it into a folding saw? Learn how to make a folding saw from a reciprocating saw! This is an easy project that can be completed in just a few minutes using a few simple tools. The finished product is an incredibly useful tool that can be used for a variety of tasks. With just a little bit of effort, you can create an incredibly useful tool that will help you get the job done quickly and easily. In this blog post, we will cover how to make a folding saw from a reciprocating saw.
What You Will Need For This Project
- A reciprocating saw with a blade lock and an adjustable shoe
- Two nuts and two bolts anywhere from 1/4″ to 3/8″ in size will work fine
- Cordless drill
- pair of needle-nose pliers
- measuring tape
- A ruler
- Cutting oil for your saw (optional)
- Sandpaper or file
The first step of this project is acquiring the necessary tools. Most hardware stores carry everything you will need to make your new folding saw. The most important thing to look for when buying bolts is finding ones that fit perfectly into the assembly where the blade attaches to the main part of the saw.
You want these bolts to stick out about an inch on either side of the assembly, but not stick out too far that they get in the way when using the saw. Another thing to consider is making sure that you have a set of bolts that are long enough so that they will stick out far enough to use as handles on your new folding saw.
You want these bolts to be fairly short, no more than an inch and a half, but should be at least 3/4″ if possible. A common mistake people make while trying this project for the first time is buying two nuts instead of two bolts.
Bolts are used because they are threaded all the way down their length, while screws only have threads at the very end. When you attach both ends of a screw together, it becomes difficult to tighten them because over time the metal will stretch under pressure exposing the screw.
When attaching nuts to bolts, the opposite happens. The threading at the end of the bolt will push against the soft metal of the nut and will actually pull the whole assembly tighter as you tighten it. This is why we use nuts and bolts instead of screws and nuts for this project.
Lastly, you will need a battery-operated drill to attach your new saw handles with. You can attach them using either a Philips head or a flathead screwdriver, but it is much easier to use a drill.
How To Make A Folding Saw From A Reciprocating Saw
Now let’s take a look at the assembly process for this saw. Let’s get started by attaching the blade assembly using one of your new bolts and its matching nut on either end. Make sure that when you attach it, the blade stays locked in place while tightening it down.
You will need to loosen the blade locking mechanism to attach the blade properly. Once it is attached, tighten everything down securely while making sure that everything stays in place.
Next, remove your saw’s adjustable shoe at this point by loosening the bolt on either side of the blade assembly using your drill. Now you need to decide how long you want your new handle to be and cut off the excess part of the bolt sticking out of the bottom of the shoe with a hacksaw or grinder (if you used bolts instead of screws).
After cutting off both bolts above your newly shortened handles, slide them into their respective holes in the blade attachment assembly. You will need to use two nuts for each handle since these are very small parts and can easily get lost when dropped on the floor.
Attach your new folding saw to a power tool of your choice, tighten it securely with a wrench, and you are done. If you have any excess shoe from cutting off the bolts, simply attach it back onto either end of the blade assembly using a bolt and washer so that you can use the saw normally if needed.
Tips For Making A Folding Saw From A Reciprocating Saw
Here are a few tips to help make your folding saw from a reciprocating saw easier:
- When cutting the bolts down to size for the new handles, make sure you leave enough space so that they will still be able to fold without hitting the blade assembly.
- If you are using a hacksaw to cut the bolts, take your time and go slow to avoid any accidents.
- Use a grinding wheel or file to clean up any rough edges on the newly shortened bolts.
- If you have any problems with the saw blade coming loose, use some thread locking compound on the screws to keep them in place.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a reciprocating saw can be turned into a folding saw with some basic tools and some common sense. When making your new handle, you want it to be sturdy enough to endure repetitive stress while also being comfortable for you to hold onto when cutting things. This means that if the bolt does not feel natural in your hands, then you should switch them out for something better suited to you.
FAQs
Q: How long should the handles of my folding saw be?
A: The length of the handles will vary greatly depending on how much torque your cordless tool has as well as the size of your hands. If reaching all six fingers around the handle doesn’t work for you, try making it shorter or longer so that the handle feels comfortable for you to hold onto.
Q: What if my bolt keeps coming loose?
A: Make sure that the blade assembly is tightly secured before attempting to tighten the bolts on the handles or else they will come off during use and could potentially cause injury. You can use thread locking compound to keep them from loosening up, but be sure not to get any in your eyes when applying it.
Q: Should I still use a regular saw if I don’t want a folding one?
A: Using a normal saw over this type of improvised folding saw will give you more torque and power when cutting through thick materials since there isn’t anything restricting its reach like with this design. However, it would make an excellent backup option.
Q: What can I do with a reciprocating saw?
A: Reciprocating saws can be used for a wide variety of household projects, such as cutting studs and joists for renovations or adding on to your house. They can also be used for pruning large trees around the yard, among other common tasks.
Q: What is a folding saw used for?
A: A folding saw is typically used for pruning trees or bushes, but it can also be used to cut up firewood into smaller pieces for easier storage. They are much smaller than normal handsaws and require less effort to use, making them ideal for people who have reduced motor skills or arthritis in their hands.
Q: Do I have to keep the blade locking mechanism on my regular reciprocating saw?
A: No, you do not have to keep the blade locking mechanism in place while using this folding saw since it doesn’t need to hold onto anything while being stored away. However, if you are clearing out some brush on your property with leaves that are less than an inch off the ground then you should attach them so that they will work normally when needed.
Q: What if my reciprocating saw has a cordless battery pack instead of an electric cord?
A: There should still be enough power behind it to do some light-duty cutting around the house. Keep in mind that the motor will not have as much torque as one with an electric cord attached due to its size, so only try this if you plan on using it for small projects that don’t require anything more intense than what you would use a kitchen knife for.
