# Sawing and piercing: cutting and hollowing metal

> Piercing cuts shapes and openings in metal with a jeweler's saw and a bench pin; blades, technique and decorative openwork.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/sawing-and-piercing/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-07-10
- Updated: 2026-07-10
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/calado-con-segueta/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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The jeweler's saw is a fine tool for cutting shapes out of sheet metal. With it you make profiles, openwork pieces (ajouré) and internal cutouts.

![Steps of the technique: Draw, Drill, Fit the blade, Saw, Turn the piece, File](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/calado-steps.en.svg "Summary of the steps")

## The saw and blades

A blade is tensioned in the frame with the teeth facing the handle and downward. Sizes run from very fine to coarse (for example 8/0 to 8): choose the blade by the thickness of the metal.

## How to cut

Rest the piece on the bench pin (with its V notch), lubricate the blade with wax and saw in long, even strokes without forcing. To hollow out an interior, drill a hole, thread the blade through and cut.

## Decorative openwork

Openwork (ajouré, fretwork) creates metal lace: from Roman jewelry to contemporary design. Finish with fine files and sandpaper.

## Tips

Change the blade when it dulls; a broken blade usually means too much pressure.

## Step by step

1. **Draw.** Mark the design on the metal with a marker or glued paper.
2. **Drill.** Make a hole in each area you will cut out.
3. **Fit the blade.** Thread it through the hole and tension the frame.
4. **Saw.** With wax and long, vertical strokes.
5. **Turn the piece.** Follow the curve by moving the metal, not the saw.
6. **File.** Tidy the edges with needle files.

## Tools and materials

- [Jeweler's saw](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelers-saw/) and blades of several sizes
- Drill or flex shaft and bits
- [Bench](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelers-bench/) pin
- Needle [files](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelers-files/)

## Common mistakes

- Forcing the cut: the blade breaks.
- Twisting the frame in a tight curve.
- Choosing a blade too coarse for the sheet.
- Not drilling before cutting out the interior.

## See also

- [Filing and sanding: shaping and smoothing](https://www.711grados.com/en/filing-and-sanding/)
- [Hand and laser engraving in jewelry](https://www.711grados.com/en/engraving-in-jewelry/)
- [Jewelry spatulas and chisels](https://www.711grados.com/en/spatulas-and-chisels/)