Purpose of piercing. Piercing is a technique used to cut basic shape/form from a metal sheet to create a design.

Piercing saw and blade. There are two types of saw frames 1. Adjustable saw frame 2. Fixed saw frame

Types of blades used. Jewelers saw blade sizes are codified, 8/0 being the finest and 14 the coarsest. Blade used for cutting wax. Spiral saw blades are used for cutting wax. How to control losses during piercing. During piercing, use a leather lap apron or filing tray to collect the lemel or filings. Turn off any fan and close windows to prevent the filings from being blown away. During piercing, cut the metal as close as possible to the traced lines to minimize filings. After piercing, brush the jewellers piercing saw, bench-pin, workbench and hands to collect the filings. Precautions to be observed. Ensure that the saw blade is well fitted to the saw frame; it should not be too tight or too loose. Hold the metal tight on the bench pin to prevent vibration and breaking of the blade during piercing. Avoid exerting too much pressure forward or downward on the blade. Avoid sharp change in sawing direction. Maintain a vertical position of the saw frame and blade during piercing. A saw blade too loosely clamped in the saw frame jaws will tend to bend and the blade will break as there is insufficient tension on the blade. Avoid excessive speed in sawing as the blade will heat up.

Lubricate the blade occasionally.