Basic Jewelry Making Processes
Following are the basic processes for all jewelry making.
Cleaning and filing keep the metal in condition for sawing and soldering which are construction processes, and for wire working which is a decorative process. Polishing and lacquering are finishing processes which bring out the technique of construction, and if well done, enhance the beauty of the article.
Sawing
Sawing with a jeweler’s saw blade set in a jeweler’s saw frame is used for metals which are too heavy in gauge or too intricate in pattern to be cut with shears. This type of saw can be used for straight, curved or angular lines which often form the outline and shape of the design. The saw blade comes in several different sizes. The coarsest used in this book is # I and the finest #0.
The thickness of the metal must be greater than the distance between the teeth of the blade to prevent the metal from becoming wedged between the teeth, and the saws from bending and breaking. For example, saw 18 gauge metal with a # 1 saw blade.
Transferring the pattern to the metal
Transfer the traced pattern with carbon paper and a hard pencil. Scratch the traced design into the metal. Wipe the metal with a damp cloth to remove the carbon lines.
Setting the blade in the frame
The worker should be directly in front of the V in the bench pin with the shoulder about 3 inches above the bench top. With the frame in a horizontal position, place the upper arm of the frame in the V of the bench pin. Hold and press the handle against the body and clamp one end of the blade in the lower jaw. Press the frame, clamp the loose end in the upper jaw. Release the pressure. The blade must be taut.
Sawing the pattern
The right arm holding the saw frame vertically should be directly in front of the bench pin. Use the full length of the blade when sawing straight or curved lines. For angles use the center of the blade with short strokes in one place to make a space in which to turn the blade.
Place the blade in the lower jaw, teeth pointing down toward the handle and away from the frame. Press the arms of the frame toward each other while inserting the blade in the upper jaw.
Saw with a vertical stroke, the blade always perpendicular to the metal.
Check out our other posts for more information on jewelry making processes.
