Traditionally, artists sculpted jade by using a file, saw, and drill. This technique demanded not just a bounty of patience, but skill and strength. The saw was employed for large cuts and was operated in much the same fashion as a hacksaw, while the file was used for sculpting fine details. The hand-cranked drill was used for making holes, such as those in buttons or gaps of a statue.
Because of its hardness, jade shares a lot in common with diamonds, and the same modern tools are often employed for cutting both. The most essential of these is the cabbing machine, which performs the same function as a traditional file. Its rapidly spinning wheel grinds down the jade, allowing you to quickly shape it to your needs. An ultrasonic drill can easily cut into jade, creating holes for jewelry and sculptures. Alternatively, a diamond-tip drill will work.
For detail work, a hand piece is ideal. While the cabbing machine's large surface can quickly wear down jade into the approximate shape of the finished product, it's challenging to use it for fine touches. The cabbing machine is also usually fixed in place, meaning you have to handle the jade itself while carving. In contrast, a hand piece is held in the hand, allowing you to employ it the way you would use a pencil or paintbrush. The hand piece also has a smaller grinding surface, giving you greater control as you etch in fine details.