Hello Kevin. To answer your questions. The blades i use are UK sizes of 00.01 fine blade. I use a pushing motion to cut.The wood is not clamped at all, i hold the wood with my right hand and cut with my left.The B.B on those is 4mm thick. Depending on the Season i,e. hot or cold, hot i use maybe 2 blades,cold i use maybe 3 blades.From hole to hole transferring the blade is about 5 seconds.Sometimes i do remove the blade,sometimes i don,t depending on my mood. I hold the saw with one hand all the time. Thank you for your interest Kevin,and thank you all for your kind words. annandjohn.