The FatMax 5-in-1 hacksaw is a full-size hacksaw with a few upgrades. It can operate as a normal hacksaw, with the blade straight. Sliding open the catch on the bottom of the hacksaw handle exposes the tensioning nut, allowing you to change the tension in the blade.
The blade can be removed and used at a 45-degree angle, useful for making cuts close to walls or other obstructions.
This is where the similarities to standard hacksaws end, and the FatMax hacksaw brings in some of its own innovations. Once you have removed the hacksaw blade, the rubbery corner of the hacksaw can be pulled away. You will find a drywall blade stored in the top of the hacksaw with a retaining screw. Removing this screw allows you to combine the drywall blade and the part of the hacksaw you just pulled away to create a drywall saw.
You can also take the hacksaw blade and feed it through where the drywall blade was held. This can be good for working in tight spaces, where you may not have enough space to get the hacksaw above of below the workpiece to cut it.
And finally, you can position the hacksaw blade like this for more fun.
I paid about £22 for this hacksaw I think, which isn't much more than a good 'normal' hacksaw. Bahco do a high quality hacksaw, with comfortable grips like the FatMax, for about £16. For a little more cash, you can get these extra functions all in one package.
Something you might worry about when looking at this is how stable the saw is while cutting. It's a hacksaw that splits into two pieces, and when stored under low blade tension, the part that makes the drywall saw handle is a bit loose. However, when the blade is fully tensioned for cutting, the whole frame is completely solid.
Not sure if it was DeWalt or Stanley that invented this design, because DeWalt sells what looks like the exact same saw in the States. I think FatMax is what Stanley Black and Decker brands DeWalt hand tools outside of the states.
I think this is a fantastic bit of kit at a reasonable price. Buying all of these saws separately, at good quality, will cost more than one of these. It's comfortable to use and very innovative. I'd recommend it as a buy to anyone.
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Stanley FatMax 5-in-1 Hacksaw Review
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Re: Stanley FatMax 5-in-1 Hacksaw Review
i love tools that cover several jobs with equally high standards rather than badly at all the functions
we are all ------------------still learning
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Re: Stanley FatMax 5-in-1 Hacksaw Review
Yeah, Stanley tools were always my dad's favorites and in recent years they have become very innovative again.
They are after all one of the world's largest manufacturer's of tools encompasing Mac Tools, Proto, Black and Decker, Dewalt, Ingersol Rand and many more.
They are after all one of the world's largest manufacturer's of tools encompasing Mac Tools, Proto, Black and Decker, Dewalt, Ingersol Rand and many more.
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Re: Stanley FatMax 5-in-1 Hacksaw Review
Me too. It's amazing how they came up with this design, they didn't cut any corners with quality.big-all wrote:i love tools that cover several jobs with equally high standards rather than badly at all the functions
And Rex, I think I would say that Stanley are my overall favorite hand tool manufacturer too, especially if I'm considering the tools from other companies they own.