Handling The Saw. The saw should be grasped firmly with the right hand, a better control of it being secured by extending the forefinger along the side of the handle. In starting a cut, the side of the saw should be pressed against the thumb of the left hand, which then acts as a guide, as shown by Fig. 151. The saw must not be crowded against the work, but, on the contrary, to prevent the teeth from penetrating too deeply, its forward movement should be accompanied by a lifting action of the wrist. The saw should always be moved with a long stroke, bringing as many teeth into action as possible. A short, jerky movement is at no time necessary or desirable. It is good practice for the beginner to keep up the proper motion of the saw, while maintaining a very light contact between it and the work. Success in this exercise is to be measured by uniformity of contact throughout all points of the stroke.

Fig. 150

There are two errors which are likely to be made in sawing: first, sawing off the line; and, secondly, sawing at a wrong angle.

Fig. 151

Fig. 152