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What's the best way to go about sawing tiny items like flowers abt 3mm in diameter(for decorating rings etc.) I found drawing your design on a label was not a good idea, using a pen is too inaccurate, going to try a scribe next possible blacking out with sharpie first. I struggle with the saw dust falling on the line making it very difficult to see what I'm doing. Found using a size 4/0 saw blade is much better than a 2/0 one. Any hints and tips?
For that size I'd scribe. Might be worth making up a template in thin brass - given the size, with a long handle (don't scribe round the handle, obviously :) ). If you can angle your main light source to show up the scribe line better that might help; I'd also be using a 4/0 for that. Blow or brush the dust off as soon as it starts to obscure; I suppose you could rig a small aquarium pump to blow the line free but that's probably more of a faff than it's worth.
Thanks Peter that gives me some useful ideas. I'm going to try using a brush to remove the dust. How is a metal template used to saw shapes? I've heard it mentioned but I've never seen it done or described.Quote:
Originally Posted by ps_bond
May I say that before I mark out my flower piercing shapes I always polish the surface of the metal so tht the scribed lines stand out clear. As Peter says I always use metal templates to mark out my flower shapes, especially when making multiples of the same shape flower.
These photos may give you an idea of what I am saying, they show some of my flower patterns and shapes, I make them in copper before committing my shape ideas to precious metals.
Attachment 12714 Attachment 12715 Attachment 12716 Attachment 12717
James
Maybe hold them in a small mitre jig vice to cut
It's just a scribing template - you cut one out, finalise edges than scribe around it on the final metal for multiples. 0.75-1mm brass is what I usually use.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheen
If you make it with some rotational symmetry that'll help with the handle being in the way - scribe, pick it up & rotate it e.g. one petal and finish the scribing.
For brushes, a cheap shaving brush is useful (or a paintbrush, or the traditional hares foot... I might have a rabbit foot around, but no hare).
Peter, ah I see now. I have on occasion used stencil plastic (from the art shop) to make a quick stencil for matching earrings. Metal is definitely a more resilient long lasting way to go. I've never tried a hares foot! But have used make up powder brushes in the past when I made dolls house miniatures. James your templates are beautiful! I love how you shape your patterns after. Metal is so transfixing the way it bends, compresses and stretches. I love sticking something in a depression and hammering it to shape�� I'm going to try polishing my metal before I scribe and see if i get on better.
I regularly saw tiny things and use a hoover tube suspended above what I'm sawing, which removes the 'dust', so I can see where I'm sawing. If the hoover tube isn't suitable for the situation, use my oh's old badger brush. I also use finer blades than you should. It works for me.
Do you have the hoover running the whole time or stop sawing to clear the debris? ;)
If Dust doesn't blow away easily, I keep an air duster on the bench. It's an aerosol can intended for keyboards and electrical items. You can find cheapish ones on line and they last for ages.
All it takes is a quick puff.
https://www.google.com/search?client...+duster+for+pc Dennis.
I have a couple of pure bristle painters brushes on my workbench, they are about half an inch wide, and if I need to clean away any dust from a piercing job's surface, I use one of these, I also saw at right angles to my eyeline most of the time and the piercing dust mostly goes down into my bench skin. Some of my piercing jobs have required me to be piercing for many hours, sometimes all day for many days.
James
With the tiny things I was sawing i noticed that it was rather nice sawing at right angles seemed to be easier to see what I was doing. I'm left handed but do you prefer to saw clockwise or anticlockwise, does it make any difference?
I am right handed so I saw from right to left across my bench peg, also it is important to be seated at the correct height so that you can see clearly where you are piercing. I must admit that I love piercing and find it very satisfactory.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheen
This photo shows my bench peg and my favourite saw frame.
Attachment 12723
James
I'd like to do more sawing. I still find it quite tiring but I already prefer to saw over using snippers.