# Jeweler's saw and saw blades

> The jeweler's saw is an adjustable frame with very fine blades for cutting metal; blade numbering, tension and how to cut without breaking them.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelers-saw/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-07-15
- Updated: 2026-07-15
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/segueta-de-joyero/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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The jeweler's saw is a metal frame in which a fine saw blade is tensioned. It makes precision cuts in metal.

![Saw blades from 8/0 to 4 with the recommended sheet thickness](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/saw-blades.en.svg "Saw blade numbering: from 8/0 (finest) to 4 (coarse)")

## Frame and blades

The frame is adjustable to the blade length. Blades are numbered, from very fine (8/0) to coarse (8): the higher the number, the thicker.

## How to fit the blade

With the teeth facing the handle and downward, tension the blade with the piece resting, and fix the other end.

## How to cut

Lubricate with wax, saw with long vertical strokes, without forcing. See [sawing and piercing](https://www.711grados.com/en/sawing-and-piercing/).

## Tips

Change the blade when it dulls; having spares to hand avoids interruptions.

## How to fit the blade

1. Loosen the clamp on the handle and the one at the far end.
2. With the **teeth pointing down and toward the handle**, fix the blade in the handle.
3. Press the frame against the edge of the bench to shorten it slightly.
4. Fix the other end and release: the blade is taut. When plucked it should ring like a high note.

## How it is cut

Lubricate the blade with wax. Hold the piece on the bench pin, saw with long vertical strokes and **let the blade do the work** without pushing. Turn the piece —not the saw— to follow a curve, and do not force tight turns: saw up and down in place while you turn.

## Why blades break

- Too much pressure or hurry.
- Slack or badly fitted blade.
- Blade too fine for the thickness of the metal.
- Twisting the frame in the cut.
Having spare blades at hand avoids interruptions.

## What saws exist

The standard jeweler's saw serves for nearly everything. **Deep-throat** frames allow piercing large pieces far from the edge; **adjustable** frames fit shorter, broken blades.

## See also

- [Sawing and piercing: cutting and hollowing metal](https://www.711grados.com/en/sawing-and-piercing/)
- [Jeweler's bench and bench pin](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelers-bench/)
- [Jeweler's files: shapes and cuts](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelers-files/)