I have several jewellery saws but they all seem to have drawbacks . One has thumb tightening nuts which are difficult to tighten enough . I have an adjustable frame which also has same tightening issues. I have to use pliers to tighten and loosen the screws.
I have knew concept saw the original which is ok but can be a bit unwieldy for smaller items .
My latest was one that has levers that flip to tighten blades in place but they soon work loose .
Does anyone have a favourite that is easy to tighten by hand .
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My personal favorite is a Green Lion Studios Saw Frame. It’s perfectly balanced and the handle is perfectly shaped. You can buy them from Rio Grande.
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I agree with Jo, Green Lion…Rob
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Green Lion…
A gift from my son.
Don
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I’ve sawed actual miles of steel with your basic German saw frame. I wear grooves in pads and strip threads in frames. For tightness I use socket head cap screws and a hex wrench.
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I never liked the German style one. But for inexpensive yet very functional, I like the Swiss style one a lot and use it. I just looked up the Green Lion Studios one. It may work really well but the best tools are usually all function and no flair. But hey, maybe it works the best? Very interesting. I have to admit, it’s not easy for me to tighten the Swiss style jeweler saw frame either. I have skinny hands. I’ve done a lot of hard labor in my life including recently so it’s not that I dont’ have the strength, I’m just skinny including my hands and really fell pain when I use the strength to tighten a blade. (I do it by hand, don’t like to use my sternum or anything). I probably should find a new way to tighten blades as my hands won’t be able to do this forever.
I love my 3" knew concepts mark IV. It’s well balanced and once you set the tension you don’t need to worry about rentensioning it as long as you are using the same number saw blades. Getting one with the 45° swivel is a game changer for cutting big stock.
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I have a green lion. No complaints.
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I have a green lion and a knew concepts frame- I tend to reach for my green lion more frequently. I’ve have them both for almost ten years and I’ve never had issues with either, but the green lion is just less fuss.
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I only have Knew Concept saw frames. I can get perfect tension repeatedly. I’m totally over pushing a frame against my chest to tighten the blade. The frame holds blades so well that you wear out the blade because the blade almost never breaks. Like any good tool, you have to learn how to use and maintain it. 20+ year with knew concept frames.
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I’m in love with my Green Lion saw frame. I think it’s easy to get the blade in and offers a nice weight or touch of heft when sawing.
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Yes yes Judy I whole heartedly concur! I have the Knew Concepts saw in three different sizes!
Jane Archer does an excellent review of four saws - Old school German saw frame,Green Lion, Haymaker and the Knew Concepts.
Cheers
Willie
i have used the Green Lion after using the Knew Concepts and I have been quite happy with it…haven’t had to search for another one since!
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I use the Green Lion frame as well, and find it the most balanced frame I’ve used. Knew concept is too fiddly to sort out for me, and i’m not happy with the balance when I’m sawing. However i do like that the consistent tension once it’s established. German saws just feel odd, unbalanced, for my hand as well.
Good luck finding your go to saw Trish!
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I have used the fixed frame, the adjustable frame and Knew Concepts. Then I switched the the Green Lion. Best saw frame I’ve ever worked with.
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