Thread: What are you working on?

Originally Posted by MikeT

Hey guys I'm wondering about what the best way to slice scale blanks is.

In the past I've used a bandsaw. I'm just wondering if that is the thinnest kerf and straightest line. I know it may be a dumb question.
I want to minimize wood loss when cutting down blocks, and minimize the amount of sanding after that cut to produce a perfect scale surface.

Any suggestions or can you direct me to a thread that goes over the options pros and cons?

Didn't want to start new thread for possibly a quick answer.. Thanks a million!

I use a Rockwell, Blade Runner for cutting 1/8" blanks, but the block can't be any thicker than 1 1/2".

Gotta go slow, and wear ear plugs...SOB is loud.!!

And I use a scroll saw for cutting out the scales.

It was cheaper than a table and band saw.

Originally Posted by nipper

Hidestoart (Kevin) helped me fix a couple of strops I was going to throw away but became very usable after following his advice. I made some good bench strops with the refurbished leather. Is Hidestoart still active or around I haven't seen him on here at all.

Joe-He and I were doing some razor-related stuff together for awhile, and he made me a beautiful strop in exchange for a really nice minty WB chopper. And I recall you being at the Asheville meetup I helped him put on in '14. I guess like Richard says, he got busy and kind of disappeared off the radar.

Originally Posted by outback

I use a Rockwell, Blade Runner for cutting 1/8" blanks, but the block can't be any thicker than 1 1/2".

Gotta go slow, and wear ear plugs...SOB is loud.!!

And I use a scroll saw for cutting out the scales.

It was cheaper than a table and band saw.

Okay cool, that's along the lines of what I was thinking, I found a dewalt tablesaw for $20, and read that matsushita thin kerf blades are good.
I want to use a scroll saw to cut the scale shapes as I never liked the turning radius of bandsaws. But I'll have to shop around because I have a tiny budget.

I guess no matter how you slice it and dice it you will lose a bunch of wood cutting down blocks.
Maybe I was just hoping there was some kind of magical trick... hehehe

I use a tablesaw. Yes i loose a lot of wood but, how many of scales do you want of the same material? Nice a straight cuts. A bench beltsander works great for cleaning up blanks and shaping. Ive also got a scrollsaw. But i stay outside my lines and use the sander to sand to the line so its easier to get it right. Cutting them out exactly right with a scrollsaw it easier to make a mistake. Then your looking for a new blank or changing the shapes.

If you go with a bandsaw i recommend a quality one. The cheap ones wont cut very straight. I tried a couple of them and took them back. Used equipment from craigslist can keep the cost down. Just be sure to test them out.

Nice work on the razor Mike. Sometimes you just got to live with a few blemishes. I know that when making a SET you want them both perfect. But...

Thinnest kerf is likely a bandsaw. A well set up bandsaw is a great thing. Let me know if you need any tips on figuring out the blade drift.

Originally Posted by RezDog

Thinnest kerf is likely a bandsaw. A well set up bandsaw is a great thing. Let me know if you need any tips on figuring out the blade drift.

I read about the blade drift, also experienced it with my previous bandsaws. The higher quality bandsaw was worlds better. Some say the wavering of the cut ends up needing to get sanded down anyway so thickness equals out with table saw.
Thank you I probably will need help with tips on bandsaw adjustment. I plan on getting one at some point because they are so handy.

Working with that concept of working smarter as having kids has dramatically changed my hobby dynamic! I could spend hours before geeking out on the finest details..

Originally Posted by outback

I use a Rockwell, Blade Runner for cutting 1/8" blanks, but the block can't be any thicker than 1 1/2".

Gotta go slow, and wear ear plugs...SOB is loud.!!

And I use a scroll saw for cutting out the scales.

It was cheaper than a table and band saw.

Been thinking about getting a Rockwell BladeRunner, but see they now have a newer, lighter, more plasticky model, the X2. The ads claim it can also be used to make scroll cuts, but not so intricate as possible with a scroll saw. They aren’t that expensive, but if I have to choose between buying a BladeRunner or a scroll saw, what would you suggest? I do not own a table saw or any power saw, but do have a couple of Japanese pull saws and a fret saw.

There's been a few guys that use the pull saws for cutting blanks. I bought the blade runner because it was much cheaper than the table saw, I also have a 10" sliding compound miter saw, but its scary to use when cutting with the grain.

All done with the Reynolds. Came out a little better than the other.

















Pinned with original wedge, brass rod, and some of Austin's brass collars.

That blade is impressive!