A Better Way to Change a Saw Blade

by Judy Larson

As we age, our bodies may change. We consciously or unconsciously make changes and accommodations in the routine of how we do things.

Instructions

I recently struggled to open a jar of sauce.

Normally, I'd ask my husband, but he was fishing.

So, I jumped in the car, drove to our local hardware store, and bought a jar opener tool.

Now, I don't even try opening jars by hand it's second nature to grab the opener.

That got me thinking about how my jewelry-making habits have changed over the years.

I realized I no longer load a saw blade in my German-style saw frame the way I originally learned.

Originally, with both ends of the saw frame open, I'd insert the blade with the teeth facing downward for the cutting stroke.

I'd tighten one set screw until finger-tight to secure one end of the blade.

Then, I'd place the top of the frame against a stable surface like a tabletop or bench pin, with the handle resting against my breastbone.

By pushing my body forward to slightly shorten the frame's opening, I'd finger-tighten the other set screw.

Finally, I'd check that the blade was secure and tight with no sideways movement.

Judy Larson's A Better Way to Change a Saw Blade - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, change a saw blade

With waning strength, as well as not wanting an age-related black and blue mark on my breastbone from the saw handle pressure I changed just two things.

I lean my body over to press the frame top onto the work surface.

Soft-jaw flat-nose pliers are easier to use to tighten the set screws.

Judy Larson's A Better Way to Change a Saw Blade - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, I lean my body over to press the frame top onto the work surface

Judy Larson's A Better Way to Change a Saw Blade - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, Soft-jaw flat-nose pliers are easier to use to tighten the set screws

Materials

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Tools

Jewelers Saw with Adjustable Frame without Blade

G18-3

G18-3
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $12.97
Gold Club Price: $9.73

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Deluxe Sawframe, 4 Inches

SAW-314.00

SAW-314.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $18.95
Gold Club Price: $14.21

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Basic Sawing Kit

G15-7

G15-7
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $34.95
Gold Club Price: $26.21

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2/0 Relentless Sawblade - Sold by the Dozen

SAW-400.05D

SAW-400.05D
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $3.97
Gold Club Price: $2.98

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Flat Nose Wire Pliers

G2-506

G2-506
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Category: Tools
Technique(s): Tools

Reviews

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Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!

A Better Way to Change a Saw Blade

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