Things You'll Need:
- Jewelry saw
- Blades
- Sheet metal
- Bench block
-
Step 1
Prepare.Gather your tools and materials.
-
Step 2
Load the blade.Begin by loading the saw. There are three screws on the saw. One adjusts the height of the blade. The other two allow you to insert the blade and then draw it tight. Loosen the wing nuts parallel to the handle (as seen in the picture below) and insert the blade with the teeth facing away from the frame and down toward the handle. Tighten the screws.
-
Step 3
Test the blade.Test the blade to be sure it is securely in place. The blade should “twang” when it is properly tightened.
-
Step 4
Coat the blade.Coat the saw blade with paraffin, beeswax or burr life to protect saw blades and reduce friction when sawing.
-
Step 5
Let the teeth do the work.Begin with a small cut on the edge of the sheet. Follow your pattern. When sawing, let the teeth of the saw do the work. Do not push the saw. Let the blade cut itself as you move the saw frame up and down slowly.
-
Step 6
As you progress when making your cut, it is important to move the metal to be cut when sawing and not the saw frame.
-
Step 7
To remove the blade, simply loosen the screws and pull the blade out gently or wiggle the saw blade back out (reversing direction).
-
Step 8
Use a bench pin when sawing.Most jewelers use a “bench pin” to support the work (here shown with an anvil) when sawing.
-
Step 9
To saw a corner, saw in place and then begin to turn the metal.
