All metals saw & Jump ringer blades

Hi all,

This is my first post here so let me introduce myself. I run a
small internet business making jump rings and chainmail rings. I
finally broke down and bought a long jump ringer and a foredom, but
what I really wanted was an all metals saw. I’ve gotten various
responses from suppliers about its availablity. I know Ray lurks here
so I was hoping he could answer this. What happened to the all-metals
saw?

Will I ever be able to buy one? Are you redesigning it, or is it
gone for good?

Oh, and I got my long jump ringer from Indian Jeweler’s Supply and
they sent me the old version with only one slot, but charged me the
new version price. I’ve been trying to get them to take it back and
replace it, but they won’t return my phonecalls. Ugh! I thought
they weren’t supposed to sell those anymore.

One more question,

I’ve been going through sawblades like mad. I expected them to last
a lot longer than they do. Even the Ray Grossman brand blades
shatter after less than one pound of material. Am I asking too much
of my blades or am I doing something wrong? Any tips? How long do
your blades last? I cut mostly aluminum but also silver and copper.

Thanks for your help,
Natalie Horvath
www.make-chainmail.com
Instructional kits and supplies

Dear Natalie:

    I know Ray lurks here so I was hoping he could answer this.
What happened to the all-metals saw?  Will I ever be able to buy
one? Are you redesigning it, or is it gone for good? 

Yes, I do check Orchid and send replies where appropriate. You bring
up some interesting issues which I would like to address one at a
time:

No it’s not gone for good. I recently moved from N.Y. to Mass. Which
caused a major disruption in production. Something had to give. I
decided to postpone the redesign of the All Metals Saw because of the
time required (which I don’t have at the moment). Major improvements
to the original design will be made but unfortunately I can’t predict
just when it will be ready for distribution.

Oh, and I got my long jump ringer from Indian Jeweler's Supply and
they sent me the old version with only one slot, but charged me
the new version price. I've been trying to get them to take it back
and replace it, but they won't return my phonecalls. Ugh! I thought
they weren't supposed to sell those anymore. 

I’m sure this is a result of poor communications. May I suggest that
you call them again and speak with Chris Caldes, the president of
Indian Jlrs. Supply. You can reach him at extension 101. Chris is an
extremely honorable and fair person and if the solution to this
problem requires my help, I will cooperate.

I've been going through sawblades like mad. I expected them to
last a lot longer than they do. Even the Ray Grossman brand blades
shatter after less than one pound of material. Am I asking too
much of my blades or am I doing something wrong? Any tips? How long
do your blades last? I cut mostly aluminum but also silver and
copper. 

Saw blades should wear out - not break. When they shatter, it’s
usually at the end of the cut when the coil is weak and collapses.
The collapsed coil twists the spinning blade and it breaks. The cure
for this problem is to support the coil on a wood dowel (or for tiny
rings on bamboo skewers) The insert need not be a tight fit. Just
select the largest size that will fit in your coil, insert it and
cut with the wood in place. Your blades should last much longer.
Cutting aluminum. copper and silver should be a piece of cake. For
cleaner cuts and stronger rings I suggest that you use half hard
wire if possible.

If you have any other questions please feel free to call me. My
phone number is in the Jump Ringer instructions and on the
Guard/Guide. I am sending a copy of this to Chris Caldes.

Best regards,
Ray Grossman