Saw-piercing basics — blade tension, posture and turning

The jeweller's saw is the first tool that feels like aprofessional skill — and the
first one with a real learning curve. Three ideas carry you through it.

1. Tension is everything

Clamp the blade teeth-down, drum-tight — pluck it like a guitar string; a
dull thunk means retension. Loose blades wander and snap; tight blades sing
and turn.

2. Posture and stroke

Blade vertical, elbow in, stroke from the shoulder at arm's length, full
long strokes. The metal moves around the blade, not the blade around the
metal — especially on turns.

3. The three classic mistakes

• Pushing on the turn (snap)
• Hovering the work too high above the bench pin (no leverage)
• Racing (heat, wander, snap)

Practise on copper before silver. Inside
Foundation Metalwork
an instructor fixes your posture in the first hour — the single biggest
accelerator. Related: first pendant,
first ring.

Questions people actually ask

Why does my saw blade keep breaking?

Usually tension too loose (blade wanders and snaps), or turning the work while pushing forward. Release pressure on turns; let the teeth cut.

Which blade size for sheet silver?

2/0 or 3/0 for 0.5-0.9mm sheet; finer blades for finer lines. Rule: two teeth minimum in the metal at all times.

What students say

“I will use the skills learnt to develop a line of metalsmithed jewellery.”

— Clarie K. (Singapore) · published student feedback

“It is fun, interesting & educational!”

— Shahirah A. (Singapore) · published student feedback

Free ways to explore

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Short experience classes at JDMIS need no tools, no experience and no commitment — a single session gives you a real taste of the craft.

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