How to: Sawing
Published: November 5, 2007
To thread a saw blade, insert the blade, with the teeth of the blade facing down and away from the handle, into the top wing nut of the saw frame, and tighten the wing nut. Place the handle in the hollow of your shoulder, and apply pressure to the saw frame against your bench pin. Maintaining pressure, insert the bottom of the saw blade into the wing nut closest to the handle, and tighten the wing nut.
The blade should be taut and should make a high-pitched "ping" when plucked with your thumbnail. If you get a dull sound, reinstall your blade while putting pressure on the saw frame. Lubricate the blade with beeswax.
When sawing, sit in an erect posture with the top of your workbench at upper-chest level. Slouching or having your work too low causes back and wrist strain and leads to broken saw blades.
To saw, grip the saw frame loosely in your hand. Use long, smooth motions, using as much of the blade as possible. The blade will work best when it's perpendicular to the metal. Putting excessive pressure on the saw frame will make you work harder. Turn corners by sawing in place while turning the metal; trying to turn the saw will break the blade. |