What to cut with?

[NickD]

Hi folks,
I've been making boxes as a whole unit then cutting the top third or so off to form the lid.
When it comes to the second stage it's pretty difficult (unachievable so far) to maintain a straight line throughout the whole cut.
Should I be using a back saw?
Thanks,
Nick

[CJ57]

It might be worth scribing or filing along the line to give you a start. My boxes were always round so it was more difficult to do that so I’d either go round it with the saw blade marking along the line or with a needle file so that I didn’t veer off line. It seemed to work well enough with just a wee bit of tidying up

[Dennis]

What you do, as Caroline says, is to scribe the line using dividers and then, using an appropriate saw blade for the thickness of metal, cut through all the corners next. Then it will be reasonably easy to follow the lines, bit by bit as more space becomes available for the saw.

The last time I made a copper box I decided to simplify things by making an overlapping lid instead. Dennis.

[NickD]

What you do, as Caroline says, is to scribe the line using dividers and then, using an appropriate saw blade for the thickness of metal, cut through all the corners next. Then it will be reasonably easy to follow the lines, bit by bit as more space becomes available for the saw.

The last time I made a copper box I decided to simplify things by making an overlapping lid instead. Dennis.

Thanks Dennis,I see what you're saying . My boxes are actually without corners but I am angling the blade to indicate the line.
Having done a little woodwork though I just thought a solid blade would be more even as when I turn the box as I cut it increases the chance of going off kilter.Wouldn't a back saw give a more even approach ? I have seen them advertised- not by Cookies-and I wondered if this was the silversmiths preferred method.
Praps I'll just buy one and see.

[NickD]

It might be worth scribing or filing along the line to give you a start. My boxes were always round so it was more difficult to do that so I’d either go round it with the saw blade marking along the line or with a needle file so that I didn’t veer off line. It seemed to work well enough with just a wee bit of tidying up

I haven't actually tried a file though that's a good idea. My boxes are also roundish.It's just looking at the finished item, the join is uneven.
Tidying up. Yep.I need to work on that.
Thanks

[Dennis]

Well you can try a back saw, but in my experience they are not anything as sharpas a jewellers saw blade and more likely to slip and make a mess.

One thing that might help, as well as increasing the tension, is to reverse the blade and saw from far to near along your scribed line. That way you might see better to avoid accidental cuts below. Dennis.

[CJ57]

I haven't actually tried a file though that's a good idea. My boxes are also roundish.It's just looking at the finished item, the join is uneven.
Tidying up. Yep.I need to work on that.
Thanks
As long as the top of the box is flat , it’s still possible to scribe a line with dividers. I’ve only used a hacksaw on Perspex and I agree with Dennis they aren’t as sharp, the blade is quite wide and the cut not very clean and I wouldn’t think you’ll get the precision you need

[ps_bond]

FWIW, I'd use a scribing block to layout the cut.

https://www.warco.co.uk/marking-out-equipment-tools/337-surface-scribing-blocks.html

[NickD]

FWIW, I'd use a scribing block to layout the cut.

https://www.warco.co.uk/marking-out-equipment-tools/337-surface-scribing-blocks.html

Very useful and nifty tool .Not expensive on ebay either.

[china]

I have to ask Peter are you or have you been involved in engineering or fitting, it is just that over the years I have been on the forum, I have noticed that you seem to use items associated with that sort of profession

[ps_bond]

Aero eng turned software eng turned jeweller :)
Did a course as part of my degree learning machine tools, but I've long had an interest in first-principles tech, so fitting fits (argh) nicely.
I will nick any technique from any discipline if it seems appropriate - and after all, many of the tools we use are from dentistry.

[china]

Ah, that explains it, not many jewellers refer to the type of gear I have seen you mention, over time

[theresa]

What you do, as Caroline says, is to scribe the line using dividers and then, using an appropriate saw blade for the thickness of metal, cut through all the corners next. Then it will be reasonably easy to follow the lines, bit by bit as more space becomes available for the saw.

The last time I made a copper box I decided to simplify things by making an overlapping lid instead. Dennis.

That's a neat solution Dennis, it never occurred to me to overlap it! I have only made 2 boxes so far, 1 oval and the other round. But each time I made the lid and base separately. So many ways of achieving the 12252end product. I actually made it a bit tidier since this pic. and it has now gone for hallmarking. I love making boxes. Square one next....

[NickD]

Very nice Theresa. I like the base too, it's a nice feature.

[theresa]

Thank you Nick.

[CJ57]

I used to love making boxes. I lined them with fine leather and rosewood in the bottom.
These are mostly taken before I had a digital camera!

12269 12270 12271 12272
12273

[china]

Is that abalone shell ?

[CJ57]

When I bought it in the 70s Bob it was called awabi flake so yes it would seem so. It was sold in thin slices for inlay

[china]

I just bought a bag of them from the local Abalone supply company, currently letting the ants do the dirty work

[CJ57]

This stuff was lovely as it was about 1mm thick and just had to be polished. The 70s was a different time as you can’t buy it anymore in that form

[china]

Yes the bag I purchased is just the raw shell last time I bought some already cleaned shell and it was twice the price