Piercing saw and blade size question

[Heidi]

Hi, could someone please explain why the fixed frame piercing saws say they accept blades 150mm long and all the piercing saw blades say they are 130mm long. They obviously fit each other but why do the measurements imply the blades are too short for the saw frames?

Thanks.

[Dennis]

Hi, Heidi,
I suppose because people who write catalogues arent paid to ask questions. I rushed straight to my Cook Book and note that Cookies did not fall into that trap. I think you will find that although the frames measure 150mm, their jaws are closer together. Also jewellers have permanently deformed chests from pressing the frames together. It's pelting with rain here in London, so we have all the time in the world to consider these conundrums. Kind regards, Dennis.

[bustagasket]

i've never even thought about their length as i have one of those adjustable saws. Sometimes my thickness just baffles me lol

[crestes]

I have a Hegna machine which is a very accurate metal working and piercing saw. Do jewellers here prefer hand saws? I suppose that the dust is lost but I use mostly copper and brass so do I care. If it was gold I bet I would use a hand saw too!

[caroleallen]

I've never heard of a Hegna machine. How does it work?

[mizgeorge]

Perhaps a Hegner fret (or scroll) saw?

[crestes]

It's a horizontal fret machine. Drill a hole through the work, pass a blade through and fix the blade. Foot controls the speed of the cut so both hands can lead the work. I don't know the url but google hegna. It's a German made thing and very good. Very precise vertical cut if you don't hurry the blade.

[PureGold]

Better results from googling hegnER as george spelt it

[caroleallen]

Those Hegners look good. Do they cut steel?

[mizgeorge]

Those Hegners look good. Do they cut steel?

With the right blade, no problem Carole :)

[Petal]

Wow, that's a serious bit of kit, at an incredibly low price IMO. I wonder how it compares to the stuff you can get at Rio Grande?

[wheely]

Also jewellers have permanently deformed chests from pressing the frames together

Thats why I likew mine with a tension screw, no hard hard squashing needed.

[caroleallen]

OMG, I just bought a second hand Hegner on e-bay. My heart's still thumping as I got into a bit of a bidding war at the end. I'm hoping it'll mean I won't have to grip the sheet so hard with my left hand as I've been getting a bit of repetitive strain recently.

[klevellcaine]

Yes, I know this is a rather old post, but I was wondering how you got on with the Hegner scroll saw. My saw work is a wee bit wonky and I'm wondering if a scroll saw might be the answer as I really need to cut down sawing and filing times. Plus, I'm also having to cut up some large sheets of aluminium and I'm hoping it would help with that too. I did look at the Dremel Moto Saw, but can't seem to find much about using it for cutting metal...

[Wallace]

just catching up on some posts. I have been working (at a slower pace than usual - damned virus won't go away and I am tired of being so tired!)

I have been trying to sort out saw blades as my frustration with Vellorbe has hit new heights. Snagging and blunting so quickly now, I have been going through a variety of types. I like D'Arte, they don't snag, or go wandering - but do wear out quite quickly, Anchor - very nice, but seem to stretch - is that even possible?? And, a variety of 'own makes' from various companies - some were okay, others were brittle - but out of all of them, Anchor was the closest to not needing to put as many coffers in my swear box

But, then I found some 'Relentless' - well, I feel it wasn't my technique after all. Given I do have a bad neck and am always careful to keep the blade upright and put very little pressure on the frame. I also have one of those GreenLion frames (GL). It is very well balanced and feels good to use. Still have my KC, but for the majority, I now use the GL . I know the saying a bad works-person blames their tools - but is that always so?


I have rekindled my love of using the saw frame, even to the point of now cutting wires with it, rather than reaching for my clippers!


So then, where does one get 'Relentless' Blades? Good question. My stockist has run out and I am not sure when the next lot will be in. So, another visit to the land of Google may be in order!

:D

[CJ57]

That's interesting you should have bought that saw Wallace, I noticed someone else had taken possession of one on FB several months ago and forgot to ask how it was going. It's tempting as neither my KC or even my eclipse is doing the job for me but then it may be cookies vallorbe blades or it could just be me!

Have found these if they are any good http://www.alchemyandice.com/saw-blades-relentless-jewellers-tools-x12-bundle.html

[Wallace]

thanks Caroline,

They are now bookmarked, but out of the sizes that I often use. Have found an Amazon potential too :)

[mizgeorge]

Haha Wallace - perhaps you missed this from last year
http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5907

I'm glad it wasn't just me though!

I've yet to try a Green Lion frame, but have been tempted several times - I might just give in now :)

[Wallace]

Haha Wallace - perhaps you missed this from last year
http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5907

I'm glad it wasn't just me though!

I've yet to try a Green Lion frame, but have been tempted several times - I might just give in now :)

I did miss that, I think I was away from the forum last year during that time-ish. I did type in saw blades in the search engine, but it didn't come up. Dang it. I would have gone there a lot sooner and would probably had fewer greys at the pfaffing about

I love the frame, it took some getting used to, as it was heavier than the KC (made from Cast Iron), but it helps on the down stroke (can I say that, I mean it in the cleanest way possible??) and the balance is just sooooo gooooooood! Tweaking the end nuts (gawd, I am going to get into trouble) was initially a pain, and then I realised they were set for a right hand - and that was so instantly changeable.

[metalsmith]

OMG, I just bought a second hand Hegner

Somehow I knew that was coming one way or another :)

[enigma]

SO glad you upped that thread!
I thought it was just me, I do a lot of piercing of quite thick silver and find the blades go blunt really quickly ( Vallorbe from Cooksons).
Suttons have them in the old style packaging so I may order some from there and see how they are.

[Goldsmith]

I get my Glardon Vallorbe blades here; http://www.eurofindings.com/Results?q=saw+blades ,they are the type I have used for years.

James

[enigma]

Thanks James!

[Wallace]

wouldn't be so bad with Euro findings if they didn't automatically add £8.50 postage, even small things.

[Moon Willow]

Hi Wallace,

There's hardly a working day goes by without my sawframe being used and I've been handed sawblades to try from various shops in "The Jewellery Quarter " personally I didn't like any of them, I've also noticed that the same blade performs differently when changing sawframes.

The blades I use are "Dart" round back manufactured in Germany purchased in Ipswich.

Carlton

[Wallace]

thank you Carlton,

I shall have a go with them. I am now finding everyday includes some sawing now. Relentless have been fantastic in each frame, but what a fab tip to know. :D

[Dennis]

The blades I use are "Dart" round back manufactured in Germany purchased in Ipswich.Carlton

I have searched for them, but only found these: http://www.alchemyandice.com/saw-blades-forme-dart-jewellers-tools-x1-gross_pack.html

[Moon Willow]

I will post details tonight when I come home from work of how to get your hands on these "Dart" sawblades.

Carlton

[FineJewelleryandArt]

Thanks Carlton. I have also tried to source dart blades and got nowhere.

[Moon Willow]

Thanks Carlton. I have also tried to source dart blades and got nowhere.

Okay "Dart" sawblades. .... I gave Mick & Nick a call today 01473657070 in Ipswich nick@asic-sa.com company name E.M.C
I told them I was going to put the information on this site and they said "no problem" I also asked about the post and packaging
they said it was free in the British Isles.

My heads on the block ! they work for me hopefully they will be good for you (don't forget to use beeswax for lubrication on your blade)

Carlton

[Dennis]

Thank you Carlton, I shall give them a go. I don't think your head's on the block at all, but different blades seem to suit different people.

At the moment I am breaking too many blades and that goes for the Vallorbes sold by Cookson and also the Laser Gold from Rio Grande, recommended here previously.

Of course it could mean that with age I am becoming too impatient and loosing concentration. When I have used these for a while and the novelty effect has worn off I shall report back. Regards, Dennis.

[Moon Willow]

Thank you Carlton, I shall give them a go. I don't think your head's on the block at all, but different blades seem to suit different people.

At the moment I am breaking too many blades and that goes for the Vallorbes sold by Cookson and also the Laser Gold from Rio Grande, recommended here previously.

Of course it could mean that with age I am becoming too impatient and loosing concentration. When I have used these for a while and the novelty effect has worn off I shall report back. Regards, Dennis.

I've tried all of those blades and I must say I found the "Laser Gold" as much use as a chocolate teapot, I actually broke the first blade within seconds, 3 blades later they were in the bin (they were gifted to me)

Carlton

[enigma]

Thanks Carlton :ta:

[art925]

I am currently having success with Bergeon blades.

[Moon Willow]

Thanks Carlton :ta:

You're welcome, it will be interesting to hear the feedback.
Carlton

[FineJewelleryandArt]

Thank you Carlton.

[ps_bond]

Yes, I know this is a rather old post, but I was wondering how you got on with the Hegner scroll saw. My saw work is a wee bit wonky and I'm wondering if a scroll saw might be the answer as I really need to cut down sawing and filing times. Plus, I'm also having to cut up some large sheets of aluminium and I'm hoping it would help with that too. I did look at the Dremel Moto Saw, but can't seem to find much about using it for cutting metal...

I've just gone down the Hegner route too - I've not gone for the foot control as it's just an on/off pedal rather than the proportional control of a micromotor et al. But... So far pretty much all I've cut is slabs of Delrin. Quite a lot of Delrin as it happens. Running flat-out with spiral blades, it enables me to profile curves far more accurately than I could with the jigsaw. Very impressed, it's saved a hell of a lot of time. I considered the cheaper Axminster clone, but the level of support & spares available suggested that with what I'm doing to it it would be a false economy.