Thread: Scroll saw or band saw?

As you guys said, horn has a bit of a stench when cutting it! Burnt hair sounds about right.

Band saw it is then. Now I just need to decide if I get the smaller bench top model or a bigger floor version.

The horn scales turned out pretty well! Took me three tries, and they still have some minor scratches from sanding. We'll see how they fit with the razor, knowing my luck they're probably warped. I got dumb lucky with the streak of white perfectly lining up on both sides.

Originally Posted by AirColorado

Richard, this sounds like a great idea but I can't seem to picture what you're describing - what I'm picturing couldn't possibly work, then again I may have a bit of dirt in my mind's eye. Next time you have a camera in your shop would you snap a picture please?

Just a sheet of thin plywood or tempered Masonite about the size of your saw table that you cut to the center of. It sits on the table and is so close to the blade on all sides that there is very little gap for the material that you are sawing to be unsupported.
Camera upstairs at this time.
~Richard

Thanks Richard - that I can picture. No need for photo (unless you just really want to show it off)

I'm with the Bandsaw crowd - with caution.

If you are new to them, take a class or find an expericened wood worker to show you the ropes.

Need motivation? My Shop teacher had us look through the window at the meat counter as the butcher sliced off bone-in pork chops as a way to illustrate the efficiency of this very versatile tool.

Object you are cutting hard to hold? I've had good luck glueing the subject to a piece of scrap plywood using scrap wedges & blocks to keep it stable. This lets you hold the wood, not the difficult to hold horn, bone, thing that is not square. This will also help you get even slices and waste less material.

And the next thing you know you have a shop full of tools and you are building a Chippendale Highboy with Cabriole legs...

I use to glue the object to a piece of scrap wood to, works fine.
Then you also get a nice straight edge when cutting it.

Also remember horn and bone can shatter and then you can have very nasty things flying in the air!

Originally Posted by Geezer

Just a sheet of thin plywood or tempered Masonite about the size of your saw table that you cut to the center of. It sits on the table and is so close to the blade on all sides that there is very little gap for the material that you are sawing to be unsupported.
Camera upstairs at this time.
~Richard

Oh I understand now. That's a good idea.

Originally Posted by MJC

I'm with the Bandsaw crowd - with caution.
If you are new to them, take a class or find an expericened wood worker to show you the ropes.
Need motivation? My Shop teacher had us look through the window at the meat counter as the butcher sliced off bone-in pork chops as a way to illustrate the efficiency of this very versatile tool.
Object you are cutting hard to hold? I've had good luck glueing the subject to a piece of scrap plywood using scrap wedges & blocks to keep it stable. This lets you hold the wood, not the difficult to hold horn, bone, thing that is not square. This will also help you get even slices and waste less material.
And the next thing you know you have a shop full of tools and you are building a Chippendale Highboy with Cabriole legs...

I took wood shop in high school, so I thought I understood all the safety precautions. I did watch a guy slice his finger open on a bandsaw. But then I sanded off my finger tips the first day I bought my belt sander. So maybe some lessons wouldn't be so bad...

I look at that set of drawers and all I can see is hours and hours of sanding!! Beauty though, I love high quality furniture like that.

Originally Posted by Lemur

I use to glue the object to a piece of scrap wood to, works fine.
Then you also get a nice straight edge when cutting it.
Also remember horn and bone can shatter and then you can have very nasty things flying in the air!

Always wear safety glasses in the shop!

Couple bandsaw tips.Micarta destroys blades as do's Carbon Fiber.I use timber wolf blades,are the best of the best IMO. I just took out a $37 blade cutting Carbon fiber am really pissed,blade was brand new.