Originally Posted by
Dennis
To add to what Peter has said above, you will need:
A basic jewellers saw frame and good quality blades for metal, either Vallorbe, or Bergeon, and a horizontal bench peg with a V shaped cut out, to rest your metal on.
The blades are inserted into the frame facing outwards, with the teeth pointing towards the handle. The tension obtained by pressing on the frame should give an inbetween note, not the highest, nor the lowest when the blade is plucked.
The biggest problem for beginners is frequently broken blades, so its best to start with the heavier blade 2/0 and apply candle wax or bees wax to the smooth side (the back) quite frequently.
The cutting stroke is downwards, with only just enough pressure to maintain contact. Blades break when you loose concentration from fatigue or boredom, and press too hard or lean the frame to one side, or tug at it when the blade sticks.
To mark out disks without damaging the surface use a circle template and a scriber. As Peter has indicated, cut close to, but outside the scribed mark, and file back to the scribed line accurately as possible with a hand file. Dennis.
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