How To Cut A Straight Line With A Piercing Saw - Making Your Own Jewellery At Home

Cutting a straight line with a piercing saw sounds easy, right? Yes it does but it takes a lot of practice and patience and good quality piercing saw blades.
This 20 minutes film shows Andrew giving over 30 years worth of experience with plenty of hints and tips that are not written or often talked about.
After watching this film you will be fillled with a wealth of experience to make your piercing a more pleasurable and accurate experience.
THE EQUIPMENT I USE TO VLOG
Canon 70D, Body; tinyurl.com/j89xw2h
Canon Lens 10-18mm; tinyurl.com/gncnrwz
Tripod for Canon; tinyurl.com/hdhuz6z
Memory Cards; tinyurl.com/z8mhuk4
Card Reader; tinyurl.com/z97tccx
Microphone, Cheap; tinyurl.com/hbxtthg
Microphone; tinyurl.com/zpjpoeq
Canon G7X Camera; tinyurl.com/jkvu4b4
Tripod for G7X; tinyurl.com/z27m9aj
Mini Tripod; tinyurl.com/he93omu
Mavic Drone; tinyurl.com/jfh9da4
360 Camera; tinyurl.com/jbmrugq
Andrew shows you many hints and tips that he has gained from his experience as a professional goldsmith.
Andrew Berry, a professional jeweller for 30 years, is the training director of www.AtTheBench.com, an award winning on line jewellery training website.

[@MakeupMobster]

This was the most comprehensive sawing video I’ve ever watched! Thank you!

[@maureenchandler4371]

one thing I love about your videos is that you dont rush us. you explain so well so we can understand and im a visual person. I learn best that way.

[@Alexkasai]

I swear all of his how to vids are gem n better than school or many courses

[@williamrosenberg9206]

Thank you Andrew Berry, this video started me on the path to loving sawing, rather than avoiding it.

[@tammygurl64]

Hi @Andrew Berry, I'm finally getting back to "attempting" to make bench jewelry... specifically your cage pendant. You gave ME this same advice regarding saw blades in one of your weekly Q&A sessions when I inquired about blades. I followed your advice and ordered 1 pkg of assorted Super Pike blades AND 1 pkg of 3/0 blades. I have 2 things to say about it... 1) THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SOME REALLY GOOD ADVICE! 2) I wish I had known to make this purchase sooner! Good quality blades do make a HUGE DIFFERENCE from using the cheap blades I initially bought. I've sawed more than I ever have without a single breakage. Thanks again for all the valuable lessons. I'll be subscribing once again to your ATB website as soon as I am able. Take care and say hi to @Louise Berry. Cheers! 🙂

[@76brat]

Andrew, I appreciate how thorough you are in your demos.

[@charlbeckjewellers7418]

Thank You. Amazing video, I'm sick of snapping saws all the time.

[@kristopherselvey8570]

For me I don't watch sports or movies. My famous heros are jewelers. You for one are on my top 3 in no particular order. Maybe the top cause you cover everything. When I watch your videos I'm left with little to no questions. When I first got into jewelry I was impatient to learn and I thought you talked too much. Lol but as I learned patience is key to this I found myself turning to your videos more and more because you're so thurough. You're truly a master of your craft. You do it all. I'm never short of impressed. Thank you for your teachings.

[@petrarose9741]

Simply put and to the point. Thank you.

[@johngonzalesiii1732]

I watch a lot of videos by Andrew Berry. He is absolutely wonderful. Teaches you step by step especially if you are new. I am an experienced jewelry maker and still think Andrew is very helpful and precise.

[@mohsinali660]

What a teacher you are i love you andrew what a methad loveeee you i am goldsmith work at pakistan love you.

[@Dharlanna]

Thank you! So glad I saw this one!

[@allanthompson9695]

Most important, along with soldering technique. Thanks Andrew, catch you on the next Q&A

[@happylocksmith]

Thanks for this tutorial it has helped me a lot. The tip in running your finger along the blade in order to get the correct direction is priceless..

[@judyirwig2835]

Fantastic tutorials Andrew. Your attention to detail is appreciated ... thank you so much . From Sydney Australia

[@maniemane1030]

Andy ur a very informative individual aswell as funny i enjoyed the lesson cheers💪💪💪

[@TottieWee]

Thank you so helpful. Very easy to understand, just need practice now.

[@suzysilk2092]

I think your tutorials are great! I learn so much.......thank you.

[@alizahirsh123]

Thank you Andrew-I love your videos, So glad & so grateful.

[@KatyKat422]

I absolutely LOVE your channel!!! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.🙏🏻

[@renestevenson8119]

You are a flippin' brilliant teacher Andrew--- and I am so grateful.Thank you!!

[@janawagner9446]

Andrew, you are indeed a wonderful teacher! Very easy to understand, thank you so much to share your knowledge with us! I am going to make my first copper ring today after binging all of your videos :-)

[@raother527]

Thanks for the tips. I really really appreciate that.

[@kurtstory9466]

Excellent instruction--it's those little but important details shared from years of experience that are so helpful. Thanks--angling the blade when making straight cuts makes perfect sense--it helps keep the blade pointed along the cut line.

[@krzysztofmathews738]

This is very helpful and well presented. Thank you!

[@helenak.5760]

Thank you so much for a great video! I also appreciate your beautiful, clear English, which is especially nice for those of us who speak a different language (in my case Swedish). I definitely will watch more of your videos, this one was very helpful.

[@cynthiasnead1455]

I have learned so much from your videos. Your awesome!!

[@RAFIKFRANCOIS]

excellent every day I learn more thanks

[@snakewomangirl]

Brilliant teacher. Thanks Andrew.

[@CheekyMonkey1776]

Thank you for for this video! It helped tremendously.

[@debifowler]

You are marvelous! Thank you. Perfect teacher. Purchased my first saw today. This has helped tremendously!

[@emj3677]

Thank you. ❤ Very informative.

[@aliloucreations1817]

I’m not even a jewellery maker and I love your videos 😂 I think your teaching is brilliant thank you 😊

[@Paullebbon]

Thank you Andrew. I have been watching your videos and have learnt a lot. You are a fabulous teacher and so easy to follow. 👍

[@Atthebench]

You are very welcome

[@sjur2108]

These videoes are great! One thing is the techniques shown in detail, but most of all I love the explaining of why. Startet to get inspired by @scaffoal (recommend it) and his channel, but didn´t think it was in reach for me to try even the simpler rings. Now that I´ve discovered this channel, realizing I can start without too much initial toolcosts, I´m going to try a simple silver one . Even found a shop in the neighbour town here in Norway to provide the essentials for soldering and such. Thank you!

[@Anarasha]

I am halfway self-taught and have been dabbling for a bit under two years. Did some decent pieces. I learned most of my stuff from watching people make jewelry, reading and experimenting. But I never could cut proper straight and spent ages evening out simple straight cuts. Almost all of what you just showeed here was pretty much news to me, for instance I had no clue you had to lube your blade, and I just tried it out. I now cut almost perfectly straight lines already. Thank you so much!

[@Trid2bnrml1]

I was a carpenter by trade, so I just transferred my knowledge of handling tools, to a much smaller arena. A saw blade is a saw blade, regardless of size.

[@stephenkoraleski344]

Holy cow! finally found a demo that makes sense ,can't wait to practice THANKS !!!!!!!! Liz

[@pudgeallday1265]

youre the best. ive been binge watching. youre just the best

[@elisazulueta9535]

Andrew you are the best teacher, I watched a lot of your videos… very helpful tips that I need for my jewelry class, thank you so, so, much 😊

[@rb67mustang]

Great tips for a beginner and a very pleasant way of teaching.

[@shirleymason7697]

😻Even though I saw adequately, I still learned better ways here. Thank you.

[@TheOldDavidh]

thank you sir for what you share with the masses. . . . . you have been very helpful to many of us, im certain.

[@maudemccarthy1667]

Your videos always beg for a second viewing…so many tips, I don’t want to miss one! You are one heck of a teacher. Thank you!

[@AbsentWithoutLeaving]

Best tutorials around. Every time I watch one, I'm in love with the precise detail the instructor goes into. Some may think it's too much information, but I guarantee, if you watch one of these and follow thru with a physical practice session to internalize the technique, you will appreciate the detail and you will have a leg up on learning good technique from the start. Just as an example, I started in metalsmithing by taking some classes at a local studio. When teaching piercing, not a single instructor mentioned angling the saw when sawing a straight line. It was always "Hold the sawblade at a 90 degree angle to the metal!" no matter what you were doing. I eventually figured out the angle thing myself, but only after a lot of frustration and wasted time with straight lines never actually being straight.

[@catincj5162]

Thank you! Excellent!!

[@furdixon3789]

Darn good!! Your technique is superb.

[@Supmang]

Thank you Andrew! I just started a jeweler apprenticeship and this helped me understand cutting straight lines such a great video!

[@saramccracken5342]

thank you! I never thought of putting the wax on the piece rather than the blade!

[@dancarlidesign]

Magnificent. Thanks sir!

[@dawnweaver9386]

Thank you Andrew Berry

[@amymohanty1045]

I must say you are a great teacher...most of my doubts are answered by use even though i pay money at a Polytechnic school to learn silversmithing...i have improved in my skill but my doubts were not solved...really appreciated....thanks a trunk

[@inderbuenrostro9511]

Thank you so much for this info.

[@DiecastMediaNetwork]

I really wish I'd looked this video up before I started trying cutting body panels off diecast cars. It would've saved me so many broken blades and uneven cuts. This was very helpful. Thank you!

[@amymohanty1045]

Do u make vedios on gem identification and inspection ...how to use a loupe, what to hold a gemstone with a tweezers and all the basics ...really appreciative if you get a chance to do one....great teaching

[@omnamahshivaaay]

AMZINGLY explained

[@gerileewhite3590]

I have been teaching myself to silversmith. I thought I was getting better at sawing, but after watching this I can see what mistakes I have made! Thank you so very much! Looking forward to the rest of your video's.

[@ritamontalvo6195]

Bravo! Loved this. I am starting and you made me understand a few thing. ¡Gracias!

[@LukeCreates.]

Hello Andrew hope all is well . I’m going on my forth week of attending a jewelry trade school and I’m in heaven the best way to learn is starting from the basics from measuring cutting filing sanding and polishing without those simple techniques you will never master this art . But great videos and precise instructions in your teachings you make me feel like I’m in a class session stay safe God bless you and your family

[@ninibits]

Thanks! your are an amazing teacher, everything you recommend is super helpful!! I'm binge watching your videos :)

[@valerielevitt3016]

Thank you, that was really helpful.

[@klondyguerra]

Thank you Andrew - today I was teaching myself how to saw watching your video while doing it, stop and start :) and I totally understand now why you use 3 blade, its a great beginning, I need to practice a whole lot more how to be precise, my sheet was huge, so I only cut 2 inches by 1 inch and I understand now why the saw size matters :)

[@Robin-dn3km]

Piercing was a struggle for me in the beginning and although my overall skill has improved with time I still had trouble with sawing straight lines. I was trying to saw straight up and down even on straight lines and now this one tip of angling the frame has really helped me do a better job (less filing and sanding to try and even things up). Thanks Andrew!

[@dshu15]

The first time I used a saw I broke so many blades, they just kept snapping and I didn't understand what I was doing wrong. Your video is very informative and provides great tips, thanks!

[@paulslack8163]

Very helpful, thanks 👍

[@VirgoFx.]

LEGEND!

[@leighshell1784]

Thanks so much, Andrew. I SO suck at this. Shoulders tensed up, wrist sore (I was using wrong technique) so I shy away from it and just use a shear. I'm going to go back to the drawing board. :)

[@AlexisMartinez-yy4fq]

Are you able to cut straight lines with your shears? Up to what gauge if you don't mind me asking..

[@mary-annkieckhaben5026]

Mein Respekt und ihre Arbeit mit den tollen Videos uns das weiterzugeben vielen dank

[@Littlewutang]

Thank you!!

[@lindalowney1404]

You are a very good teacher. It is helpful to me to know WHY I should not do something.

[@stephend2662]

Makes it look so easy. You're a master. I'm just beginning but made every mistake so far. Cheap E-bay saw, unbranded blades, not knowing how to put them in. No idea of sizes of blades. Tried to use tool-box hacksaw, can't cut straight line but maybe now work on my technique...!

[@raquelkananis7687]

Helpful

[@annegapper2322]

At last I cut a straight line! Thank you!

[@CRESVEN1]

You are the Best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@flyingcheff]

BrillianT!

[@richardbett6275]

excellent ...learnt a bit there

[@maureenchandler4371]

i just watched your thermo paste as you made a silver ring with as sapphire Im almost finished with my bear claw necklace. Im going to use kool tool, because thats what I have had for a long time. hope it still works. I have used hard, medium, easy solder. your video helped me feel confident now. so now this silly old lady in Colorado might just get it .there are mistakes but for my first one im happy. thank you so very much for sharing your videos. they help alot. i appreciate it. Have a Happy Holiday both you and your lovely wife. and Happy New Year. Oh I also bought a borax cone and dish. and im ready to try it. Cheers. Maureen from Rockies in colorado

[@dorisrosa4042]

I read in an article that this guy was recommending that you can use the broken blades as glue sticks applicators, use them to apply black max to gold or chuck them up in a pin vice and use them as a mini file, they work great on wax if you carved.

[@wendyannh]

You can also buy mini handles into which broken pieces fit, and you can just keep sawing away like normal with them.

[@d.rennolds4159]

Regarding "Why Save Broken Saw Blades?" Some saw frames can be adjusted vertically which would allow you to use shorter and shorter pieces of saw blades in the frame. The was probably more common 'back in the day' when everything was reused to its full extent.

[@wendyannh]

"Back in the day"?? Why would you throw away perfectly good bits that can be readily reused for an assortment of uses even today? I mean, unless you have an unlimited supply of money...?

[@ma1900bi1900]

Gut zu wissen danke

[@swaminathan1959]

Thank you Andrew Berry, You are an awesome teacher. This is first video where I have clicked the subscribe button promptly. Just too good.

[@videodoreen]

Great video. Thank you. Why did you say to never throw out broken saw blades? What do you do with the snapped ones?

[@Mr.BenjAmazingBoracay]

Hi, Andrew thanks for your videos. What do you call that kind of blade and do you have link where to order online? Thanks

[@mandyluo6635]

You are my favorite jeweler on KZbin! Also, why never throw the broken saw blades away?

[@Atthebench]

Cause all those tiny teeth hold precious metals. Sake them up with your emery paper etc and when you have enough you send them to a precious metal reclamation specialist to recover the metals and they give you the money it’s worth

[@BeeKisses]

I'm gonna be honest with you these videos (films? 😜) are making want to sign up to your online courses

[@dianepepinbeaulieu7769]

Very helpful...newbie. I tried to saw with all blades and wire wrapped around the blades not realizing that was packaging. Obviously it was not working very well lol

[@klcwarchitect]

I love your videos and have watched every one of them. Question: Why not throw out the broken blades? What good are they?

[@Atthebench]

Because the blades have tiny bits of gold or silver stuck in them. Over time those little bits amount to big money when sent to a refiner with all your other pieces of emery paper etc

[@elladuhon1401]

Do you use a different size blade ,teeth, stroke for things like making the bezels for settings?

[@korenanygard6957]

Thank you ! Why should we save the broken blades?

[@kittyhurt8216]

Great video with lots of help . Just wondering you said never throw out broken saw blades, what do you do with the broken blades?

[@Atthebench]

Keep them and put them with your sweeps and worn out emery paper. When you get a bag full, send them to the refiners to get the money for all the bits of precious metals

[@apprendrelabijouterieenaut869]

Hi Andrew what is the model of saw frame you are using in this video ? thanks.

[@TheLoopyOrangeLady]

I didn't realise the saw blades were splayed, that explains why it's difficult to start cutting again after replacing a broken blade. Great video, thank you.

[@TheAndreArtus]

That pattern is called the "set". For most general purpose blades the set has teeth alternating in the fashion indicated in the video, but you also get patterns like 0-set, flush-cut set, and other asymmetric sets. A 0-set blade, where the kerf (width of the cut) is the same width as the blade body leaves very small burrs, but invariably catches or overheats on deep cuts (thus requiring extra attention to lubrication).

[@dawnleece9761]

Thank you for this video. I am new to using a jeweler's saw and have found this very informative. One question I have is why would you not throw a broken blade away? Can they still be used somehow?

[@Atthebench]

Hi. No. They contain small amounts of precious metals if you have been sawing silver or gold. When you get a big bag full of them you can reclaim the precious metals back

[@dawnleece9761]

Thank you for your response. Keep making your videos. Thay are very helpful to a novice such myself.👍@@Atthebench

[@siamaklighvani3951]

Thank you very much Mr. Andrew berry for your teaching , do you think to clamp your metal is a good idea ? Or with holding by fingers it is more control ?

[@Atthebench]

Clamping could mark the metal. I have always used my hand to hold the metal.

[@christinaleung7531]

A bit of a tangent .. will a piercing saw/saw blade be adequate for cutting through copper piping (from hardware store) ? Thanks in advance ! 🙏🏽🤠

[@rizendell]

thanks, I thought my blades were just crap but now I realize that I just didn't tension them well.

[@marknarouz4337]

Hi Andrew How can I get the books

[@JustME-ft4di]

Thank you? Any tips on sawing silver tubing? The saw keeps getting caught and it is hard to hold the tube still. I tried a clamp but it gets squashed…

[@heloisabittar5834]

How do I learn what thickness of blade to cut different metals sizes?

[@sam111880]

curious what is the difference from a piercing saw vs a construction coping saw if one used say scroll saw or band saw blades in it. I believe scroll saw blade size go as far down as jewlery blades so are they the same thing? Do you prefer using the piercing saw vs a scroll saw it seems scroll saw is just easier to uses to me if you got the equipment.

[@TheAndreArtus]

Coping, fret, and piercing/jewellers saws are all examples of one-handed bow saws. They can, for the most part, and with some effort and limitations, be used interchangeably. An important factor of a bow saw is the stiffness of the frame relative to the hardness of the material you wish to cut. Piercing saws are designed for cutting relatively hard material (soft metals) with fine blades (allowing intricate work and minimal waste). Coping and fretsaws can be used (with suitable blades) for relatively course metal work, but they are primarily designed for wood.

[@randalwiggins9137]

Andrew berry ecthing silver