Hi All...

I wondered if there is anyone out there who uses an electric saw (jig saw, scroll saw, etc.?) with very thin blades to cut designs in silver.  I know how therapeutic it can be (for the mind) sawing by hand for a lot of people, but from a physical therapy point of view, not so much...I've been in physical therapy for my right (and I'm right handed-of course!) shoulder.  I know there are a lot of cool saws out there...Dremel, Proxxon, etc., and thought some of you might have some experience with one.

Thanks! 

Betsy

Hi All...Me Again!

Just bumping to see if anyone has any experience with this...Maybe not, since there are lots of viewers but no replies yet.  I'd love to bring in a piece of silver to a store to see if I could demo one.  Maybe they'd let me if I brought my own blades.

Betsy

Hi,

I've been thinking the same thing, as I have a scroll saw and have made many wood projects. There are blades on the market for scroll saws for cutting metal that would cut silver, copper, and brass and many scroll saw artists make Christmas ornaments from brass using them.

You would have to cut very slowly of course and use a blade lubricant, just as for a jewelers saw cutting my hand. If you buy a saw be sure you get one with variable speeds. Do not try blades intended for wood, check the internet for metal cutting blades. Sorry but I can't remember the names of places I have seen that sell them right now.

Good luck with it.

Zayris

 I have researched this and found that the only kind of "electronic" cutting devices for small scale (1.5mm and thinner) sterling or gold is either laser or water cutters.  These machines are very, very costly.

Saw these on the interent - don't have any experience using an electric saw, but would certainly be convenient - would be interested in any other comments:

http://www.olsonsaw.com/mc.html

 http://www.mytoolstore.com/dremel/sawblade.html

Thanks for the replies, you guys...I knew there were more jewelers out there interested in this than just myself.  Thanks for the heads-up with those links, friedlanders.  I'm checking them out.  I also just looked some up in the Rio tools catalog, and on page 251 there are a couple of interesting-looking Proxxon saws.  Not cheap, but would save a lot of time in the long run.  I'll have to get on the phone with them.  But first, I'd better sell some more jewelry!

Betsy

Hi,

I didn't reply earlier because I am unable to tell you the brand name or where to buy it, but I know for a fact that a small scroll saw, table style not hand held, exists that can be used for cutting thin sheet metal as for jewelry. One of my students who did a lot of sawing owns one. She has a shoulder problem and could not saw more than a small amount without pain. I am pretty sure she paid less than $150 for it and was very happy with the job it did. Her designs have changed and now she only uses a small bench shear (only straight cuts, no curves) and offered to loan the skill saw to me (not sell it).  I happen to enjoy sawing by hand and don't really need it.... and there isn't a space for it in my small studio. She says it uses a regular jeweler's saw blade, accepting various sizes including the fine ones for thin sheet. I don't know anything about the Proxon tools Rio is selling. Is it a table scroll saw?

 Carol

Hi Carol...

Yes, the Proxxon is a table saw.  I'd love to get the name of the saw that your student uses...I can figure out where to get it once I get the name of it.  If you find out, I'll just keep checking this thread.

Thanks!

Betsy

 As far as I can figure out you can use any scroll saw that is speed adjustable and holds it's blades by friction rather than pin, of course that limits you greatly. 

Lee Marshall has designed a saw that is available from Rio Grande - Item number 115-062, but it is a little pricy at 1895.00. 

-Duane

Thanks Duane...

Thanks for the heads-up....However, at that price, I think I'll take my chances with my shoulder!

Betsy

I emailed my student who owns the saw I wrote about. This is her reply: 

 "I bot the variable speed scroll saw at Peninsula Power Tool  at 828 Lighthouse, Monterey.  At the time some years ago, it cost $139.  The offer still stands for you or the class to borrow mine and see if you like it.  It's only drawback is the way it is designed to hook in the saw blade (it does use our jewelry saw blades).  It is under the flat plate where the material to be cut lays, and you have to use this long-armed gizmo to tighten the screw to hold the blade in place.  But other than that, I thot it was dandy! The variable speed feature is really important because then it goes slow enough to not over heat the material and the blade."

 I wrote her again to ask if it has a brand name on it as Peninsula Power Tool is simply the place where she purchased it some years ago. I'll post her answer here if and when she replies. I think it a worthwhile tool that is relatively cheap if it saves you from pain.

Carol

 Carol ..Did this student just cut out shapes or do filigree type work?  I do real nitty gritty detail work and if this would save me TIME in cutting - that would be a bonus!  I just can't see NOT snapping a million blades :)

Kazoom,

I doubt this would be a good tool for filigree (multiple piercing of sheet metal) given the difficulty of attaching the blade below the table as mentioned in the note from my student. Also, I expect the number of blades broken (or not) might depend on the skill of the operator as well as the nature of the tool. Since I have never used the tool myself, I can't say more than that about it.

The original post asked if such a tool exists at an affordable price, and yes it does... although it may not be ideal for all designs and techniques.

Carol

I heard back from my student regarding the saw. It is a Delta 16" Variable Speed Scroll Saw

I found a review of it here:  http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/reviews/deltass250.htm

 Carol

Some years ago I bought the MicroLux Multi-saw from Micro Mark (www.micromark.com).

It looks a lot like the scroll saw mentioned before and indeed it is a pain to replace the saw blade. Besides that, I do not like it to saw into silver.

I visited a workshop from Rio Grande and used their new age electric saw for silver (the expensive one!!!). It is a great saw but the price is crazy!

So now I'm looking into buying an electric bandsaw. I think you need at least 24 tpi for the saw blade. Micromark has one for $139.95 (Delta) and one for $308.95 (variable speed band saw).  I'm also looking at the Diamond Laser Speedster XL bandsaw from Delphi Glass for $249.95(www.delphiglass.com). Is there anyone out there who has experience with these three saws for sawing silver and copper sheet?

Ingrid@doubleeyedesign.com / www.doubleeyedesign.com

In the late 70's I knew two Navajo jewelers that used sewing machines for doing pierced work. One, the father, used an old treadle Singer for his work and the other, the son, use an electric White for his work. I tried the son's machine and caught on using it fairly quickly. There are plans available for DIY treadle jig saws. I suppose that one could build and modify one of these for use with a jeweler's saw blade. Used sewing machines are cheap at Goodwill. I have seen them for as little as $5 on half price days and conversion should be easy to accomplish with a little thought.