When I taught my statement earrings class on Creative Live, one of the questions that I got (repeatedly) while demonstrating how to use a jeweler’s saw was, “Isn’t there something else we can use to cut out our metal faster?”
And while cutting with a jeweler’s saw can seem painfully slow (at least when you’re first starting out or demoing it in front of a room full of students and cameras), in reality, it’s actually a pretty quick process that’s hard to beat for it’s low cost and infinite range of shapes and patterns it allows you to create.
Still, I thought it would be helpful to compare using your jeweler’s saw to another tool that you might be tempted to use instead: tin snips. (Also called metal snips or metal shears.) Snips are pretty ubiquitous when it comes to DIY and home projects involving metal, but once you get the hang of your jeweler’s saw, you’ll be inclined to keep your snips in your tool box from here on out.
Why? Because a jeweler’s saw is just better for so many things! Here are just three of the reasons why:
1. You’ll get a better edge.
Sure, when it comes to speed in cutting out a shape, snips will almost always beat a jeweler’s saw. But snips leave your edge a janky mess, which means much more time with the file if you want your project to look good. Not only do snips leave a distinctive edge texture (not to mention an edge that’s sharp to the touch), but they bend your metal as you’re cutting. A jeweler’s saw keeps your sheet metal nice and flat, and gives you an edge that requires far less file cleanup!
2. You can cut out more detailed shapes.
Snips work just fine if you’re trying to cut out basic shapes out of a large sheet of metal, but they don’t do well with anything beyond basic curves. But with a jeweler’s saw, you are only limited by your imagination. (Ok, and the depth of the jeweler’s saw. But you can get some pretty deep saw frames, and by getting creative with the direction you cut, you can cut even big sheets of metal.) With a jeweler’s saw, you can cut out tiny little details and super tight corners, something you’ll struggle to do with even a small pair of snips.
3. It’s more relaxing.
I know this one sounds crazy, but hear me out. Once you get the hang of your jeweler’s saw, you’ll actually be surprised to find that the process can be quite zen.
And that’s one of the biggest benefits of learning to use your jeweler’s saw properly, and one of my goals here on Modern Metalsmithing. Sure, I want you to create projects you’re proud of, and I don’t want it to be an epic struggle. But I also want you to develop a hobby that you can go to when you’ve had a stressful day. And like sewing or embroidery, sawing can be super relaxing once you’ve got the hang of it!
So ditch those snips and embrace that jeweler’s saw! Your final product (and your sense of calm) will thank you for it!
Wondering where to buy a jeweler’s saw? (And what else you’ll need?) Check out my list of inexpensive tools to get you started in metalsmithing at home!
Need help mastering your jeweler’s saw? Check out these five tips!
Want to get started cutting your own designs out of metal? Check out my online statement earrings class!
