I find 'rosary pliers' the most practical for the money. Lighting should be full, but not glaring. Relax, let the saw cut. When making a sharp turn while sawing, 'jog' in place at the point of the angle to make space for the turn. Also blade size is generally determined by material thickness or gauge.
All metals interact with the oxygen in the atmosphere in some way.
Fine silver is laboratory gradable at .999 parts in 1,000. The remaining .001 part is considered inseparable elements. Sterling silver is an alloy of .925 part silver with .070 parts copper and .005 parts tin and antimony. Use solder pick to place pallions on work. The purpose of the sodium bisulfate solution is to remove 'borax glass' or fire scale left on metal during the heating process.