No, I've never cut any metal with any of my powered saws, including my jig saw. For brass sheet, like you, I use a jewellers saw and I have coping and fret saws. I prefer to keep my powered saws for timber only and all my tools are molly-coddled! Some of my DIY power tools are many years old, and whilst having had lots of use, still look like new! They are never put down on rough surfaces like concrete which some folks do. I did abuse one tool once, a small cordless drill, which I used for a job too big for it, and there was a smell of burning! It has since recovered and is still doing sterling service!
Blimey, cutting all those frames out was a labour of love and lovely paddle wheels.
Chris