When it comes to metalsmithing, there are few tools that will open up as many possibilities as the jeweler’s saw. It lets you create a world of infinite shapes, but at the same time, it’s super low tech and accessible enough to use at home!
Which is why mastering the jeweler’s saw should be a key goal for any aspiring metalsmith.
And while once you get the hang of it, sawing can be quite relaxing (some might even call it zen), in the beginning, it can be quite frustrating. (All those broken saw blades and janky edges!) So if you haven’t quite become best friends with your jeweler’s saw, these five tips will help smooth out that relationship!
And if you need even more help, plus visuals and video, be sure to check out my online class on statement earrings! It’s designed to save you the stress of learning on your own and help you become a sawing ninja!
1. Check the tightness.
In order for your saw to work properly, the saw blade needs to be tight in the frame. Once you’ve put the saw blade in (with teeth facing out and down) give it a quick pluck with your fingernail. A tight saw blade will make a high pitched ping. If you hear a dull thud instead, take the saw blade out and try again. If you can’t get the saw blade tight enough, open the throat of the saw frame just a little bit more. The saw frame should have some bend to it when the blade is tight. And if your saw blade keeps slipping out, you can rub a little sand paper on the inside of the plates of the saw frame so that it has more grip!
2. Get to the right height.
Your bench pin (you are using a bench pin, right? If not, get one immediately) should be mounted at chest height. This keeps your arm in the proper position for maximum efficiency. This often means using table/chair combo that feels a little awkward. Like mounting your bench pin at counter height then sitting on a regular height chair. (I once sawed in a hotel room by mounting my bench pin to the desk and then sitting on the overturned garbage can because the desk chair was too high!) If you’ve been trying to saw all hunched over, this one little change will make a big difference.
3. Ditch the death grip.
If you have tension in your body while you’re trying to saw, it will only make the process more frustrating. The key to making sawing a more relaxing activity is to relax your body – and that starts with your grip! Instead of clenching the handle of your saw frame with a tight fist, try loosening your grip. Someone I know once described is as imagining the handle of your saw frame is made of glass. You won’t to hold it firmly so you don’t drop it, but not so tightly that you smash it. And while you’re at it, don’t push forward while you’re sawing. Focus on easy, up and down strokes, and let the saw blade do the work of moving forward.
4. Spin the metal. (Not the saw.)
If you’re struggling with lots of broken saw blades, chances are it’s because (especially on tight corners) you’re trying to turn the saw blade instead of the metal. Think of the saw as a stationary object in your hand (it only moves up and down) while you spin the metal with your other hand. (This means that you also can’t hold the metal with the same death grip you were previously using on the saw frame.) This one is definitely the hardest to get the hang of – just constantly remind yourself to keep your saw pointed forward and it will get easier with practice.
5. Don’t forget to lube.
Anytime you’re sawing metal, you’re producing friction. And that friction makes it more difficult to saw. So if you want to cut through your metal like a hot knife through butter, you’ll need to cut down on that friction with lube. You can buy lube that’s specifically designed for sawing, but in a pinch, you can use a bar of soap (like the ones you steal from your hotel room) or even a candle. (I used to keep a Christmas candle on my bench for just such a purpose!) Just swipe your saw blade through the lube (after it’s loaded in the saw frame) and you’re good to go. And feel free to reapply throughout the sawing process. It will definitely keep things moving smoothly!
If you’ve been struggling with sawing, go through this list and see if there are ways to make the process more effortless. Eventually, they’ll become second nature, but as your learning, it may help to write a few of these on sticky notes and stick them in your work area as a reminder! And of course, the more you practice, the easier it gets! So load up that saw blade and just start cutting!
Looking for more help with your sawing skills? Want to learn how to saw in the first place? (So you can make your own unique metal jewelry!) Be sure to check out my online classes Foundations in Metalsmithing: Statement Earrings (which is all about getting friendly with your jeweler’s saw) and Foundations in Metalsmithing: Bracelets (which covers sawing and lots of other foundational metalsmithing skills!)
