HOW TO USE A JEWELERS SAW TUTORIAL

HOW TO USE A JEWELERS SAW

Blade Insertion

Begin by inserting saw blade into frame and drawing it tight.

To do this, loosen both wing nuts parallel to the handle. Insert blade into nut next to handle (teeth are angled down towards the handle) and tighten.

Adjust length of saw frame as necessary to accommodate blade and tighten.

Insert blade into second wing nut. Make sure blade is taut before tightening this nut. To do this, press end of frame against a hard surface so saw frame bends inward slightly, tighten nut. When you release the saw you will have a tighter blade. You will be able to test the blade by strumming the dull side with your thumb. If it is tight and has a slight ping sound to it you will know that you have a good tight fit.

How to Use Saw

Lubricate blade with beeswax to protect it and reduce friction when sawing.

A bench pin or piece of wood with a “V” cut out of it and attached to your table is what most jewelers use. It allows for the metal to sit on top and the blade to work inside the V. It also helps to ensure safety.

Holding the metal with one hand, begin with a small cut on the edge of the sheet. Continue cutting along your pattern turning the metal rather than your saw as the direction changes. Allow the teeth of your blade to do the work by keeping only a minimal amount of pressure on your saw. Blade. When you get to a corner, back off the blade a bit, keep sawing and you slowly turn the metal and then continue to follow your pattern.

HINTS: (From Experience) It is common to break blades. It is usually caused by twisting when sawing or applying too much pressure. Keep your work to your left (if left handed) or to your right (if right handed) and saw straight up and down. If you try to use the saw in front of you and between your knees, you will break more blades as you will naturally twist the blade.

Tutorial for Plain Metal Soldered Ring Bands

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SOLDERED RING BAND

Materials Needed

Metal

Pliers

Jewelers saw

Bench Pin (optional)

Ring Mandrel

Nylon or Rawhide Mallet

Soldering Supplies

Files

1.   Using a strip of paper, measure around your finger.

2.   Mark where the edge of the paper overlaps with a pen/pencil.

3.   Add the depth (thickness) of the metal you are using to your calculations and make your final mark.

4.   Measure your paper pattern and transfer calculations to your metal. Mark a line on your metal to the exact length needed.

5.   Using a jewelers saw, cut on the waste side of the line.

6.   Bend your metal into a circle.

7.   Holding the ring tightly against the edge of your bench pin, saw through the joint a few times to straighten out the edges. This helps ensure a tight fit.

8.   Prepare and solder your joint.

9.   Clean your ring in pickle to remove any firescale.

10.     File off any excess solder from both the inside and outside of your band.

11.     Put your ring back on your mandrel and shape it into a perfect circle by tapping it with a nylon or rawhide mallet. This will also work harden

the metal.

12.     Move your ring to a flat surface and with your mallet, tap it a few times to make sure your ring is flat.

13.     You can finish your ring by filing, sanding and polishing or by giving it a textured finish.

 

Tutorial for Charms Made from Recycled Metal Scraps

STUDIO ON THE HILL INC.

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 TUTORIAL FOR RECYCLED METAL CHARMS

Materials Needed

Metal Scraps

Torch

Firebrick

Hammer

Anvil or steel bench block

File

Sand Paper

Punch

Instructions

1.   Collect all your metal scraps. I usually do this with my fine and sterling silvers.

2.   Melt a pile of metal scraps with your torch until they form into a single ball.

3.   Let cool or quench in cold water.

4.   Hammer cooled metal on an anvil until it flattens out. This will work harden it. If it is too thick for your desired charm, simply anneal it with the torch, heating it again until it is a dull red. This will soften the metal. Be careful not to completely melt it again or you will have to start over.

5.   Repeat this process until the metal is the desired thickness of the charm you wish to make.

6.   Using a jewelers file, remove any rough edges and shape nicely.

7.   Sand your metal with various grits of sandpaper to smooth or tumble.

8.   If you wish to stamp an initial or picture in it at this point, you may need to anneal it again. This will allow for a deeper impression.

9.   Punch a hole and add a jump ring.

Happy Recycling!