First Day of School

Hi, Trudy: It may seem trivial, but I believe that starting out
to master Sawing is very important. It requires a great deal of
patience and attention. Make sure that you listen carefully to
your instructions for setting a blade properly into the
sawframe. When this is done, don’t be distracted, put all your
focus on moving into the task in a relaxed and gracious manner,
even using some meditation techniques. Do not try to force the
blade to work fast or to push it ahead. You will find that
breaking blades is common, but that if you can relax you will
not break as many as others do. Good luck, Frances Visit me or
“beam me up” at:
http://www.toast.net/~frangro/index.html

Hi Trudy - for me, sawing was the most frustrating thing to
learn. One day I found myself humming a song I liked that seemed
to be just the right rhythm for the sawblade. Lo and behold,
sawing was a breeze. I was in a class at the time; I think I
drove everyone nuts with this singing, but it really worked for
me. Even now when I’m tense, I resurrect the same tune, though
I’ve long forgotten the words. I call it my Sawing Chant.

Rene
Calif No coast, where we finally have power again.

Hi Trudy:

There are 2 key secrets to sawing: buy good quality blands and
relax your grip. I prefer the LaserGold blades from Rio Grande.
When using blades, at least 2 teeth must touch the edge that
you’re sawing for the blade to grip. #2 and #3 blades usually
work for almost all sheet and wire that I saw. Occasinally, I
need a 3/0 or 4/0 if I’m sawing something wide like a sprue on a
casting.

Remember to have a really loose hand grip. Let the blade do the
work. Turn the metal into the blade not the blade around the
metal.

Some people like to wax the blade with a lubricant like bur-life
or plain wax. I don’t usually use a lubricant, as it is messy.

Draw your design on paper and then paste the paper to the metal.
Saw just outside the lines and then file back evenly to the
lines.

Cheers

Virginia Lyons
Metalsmith

   There are 2 key secrets to sawing: buy good quality blands
and relax your grip. 

And relax my grip I shall. I know my tendency will be to dive
in there and strangle the poor thing trying with intensity to
make it work . Well, thanks to you and to the advice of others
on the list, I will be much more careful and easier on my saw and
my piece.

I will also be cognizant of the quality of the blades (and other
materials) I use. Usually, I do like to use higher quality
equipment and materials.

Thanks for your response. I feel I have a good head start now.

Trudy