{"id":6598,"date":"2017-01-16T09:30:28","date_gmt":"2017-01-16T09:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cooksongold.com\/blog\/?p=6598"},"modified":"2021-02-24T13:20:42","modified_gmt":"2021-02-24T13:20:42","slug":"tips-and-tools-for-sawing-sheet-metal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cooksongold.com\/blog\/learn\/tips-and-tools-for-sawing-sheet-metal\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips and Tools For Cutting Sheet Metal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Build out your workbench step by step\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this series of blogs for beginner jewellers, we\u2019ve been helping you piece together the tools you need to be fully equipped to become a professional, from basic workbench essentials\u00a0to filing tools\u00a0and polishing techniques. We hope you find this latest instalment useful \u2013 it\u2019s all about how to cut sheet metal for jewellery making, tools for cutting sheet metal and tips for using a\u00a0jeweller\u2019s saw frame<\/a>\u00a0to get the best results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"tools<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Cutting sheet metal: The basics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cutting sheet metal is an essential part of working with precious metal and is a skill that you will come across quite early on in your career as a jewellery maker. Although metal shears can cut through metal effectively, getting to grips with a jeweller\u2019s saw means that you will have the skill of cutting out intricate shapes from your sheet metal<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a beginner, it\u2019s good to know that your saw blades will break \u2013 it happens to the most experienced of jewellers. Mastering the technique can help you to prevent this from happening as frequently but remember to not let this ruin your concentration when cutting sheet metal. Even the most expensive of saw blades will break if too much tension or pressure is put on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice really does make perfect when learning how to cut sheet metal with a saw. Try to keep the piece you\u2019re cutting stable in a vice. If that\u2019s not possible, make sure it\u2019s secure by using your bench peg<\/a> for support, and loosen the grip of your saw. A tight grip will only put more pressure on as you\u2019re cutting, increasing the risk of snapping the blade. Work on a steady sawing motion that comes from your elbow and not your wrist \u2013 this will help you keep a steady hand and a straight cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to use sheet metal cutting tools: the jeweller\u2019s saw<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How to insert blades into a jeweller\u2019s saw frame<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Ensuring you\u2019ve inserted your blades into your jeweller’s saw frame properly will give you a much better starting point when it comes to cutting sheet metal.<\/li>
  2. Firstly, make sure that the teeth of the saw are pointing towards your handle, because each cut you make will be on the downward stroke of the saw. The upward stroke is merely a way of repositioning the saw for the next cutting stroke.<\/li>
  3. Now loosen the screws on the saw frame and insert the blade into the end of the frame closest to the handle. At this point you can place the top end of the saw frame against a stable surface so that it bows slightly, helping you to feed the other end of the saw blade into the frame, before tightening the screws.<\/li>
  4. How do you know if the saw blade is secure and ready to use? Once in place, carefully pluck the saw blade like a harp string. If you hear a high \u2018ping\u2019 your blade is tightly secured and your jewellery metal cutting saw is ready to use.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Our top metal cutting tips<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Before you get started trying out these new sheet metal cutting methods, read through our top tips below. They\u2019ll help you refine your technique and, with a little practice, perfect your cutting sheet metal technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n