Thread: Scale stock too thick

I have split wood with a scroll saw and it wasn't all that fun. I used a straight block of wood and some C-clamps to make a fence and even then the cuts weren't all that straight since how the blade moves doesn't give you alot of control when trying to split something so thin and tall. More hassle than anything. That is when I decided to get a bandsaw. Never tried to split horn so not sure how it would cut on a scroll saw with how it is layered. Wanting to see what others say.

Even when you cut blanks down yourself it is usual to leave a little material to sand away any striations, etc from the cut and to gradually refine the grits to make it shiny.

I would treat it like that - double-sided tape holding the blanks side-by-side on a flat bit of wood passed over your belt sander. Coarse grit to start with of course, and a face mask - it's going to get dusty and smelly!

Ideally, a decent rasp to even out the sanding and making sure the blanks were square from end to end would be nice.

Regards,
Neil

I managed it by making a jig and cutting the blank down using a fine Japanese pullsaw - it was fiddly but it worked in the end.

What Christel said.

Thanks guys, that helps. I think that, for me, using the belt sander will be the best option. There'll be horn dust everywhere.

I'm afraid I fried my scroll saw trying to cut the horn (not split it). The blade broke and now the saw is clacking away like made. I tried adjusting the tighten/loosen knob, but it doesn't help. Anyone else dealt with this?

Thanks again.

Originally Posted by Christel

I managed it by making a jig and cutting the blank down using a fine Japanese pullsaw - it was fiddly but it worked in the end.

A power tool is not always the answer. I'm as guilty as the next guy on this one.

Sometimes a hand tool is the right tool for the job. You are not making a thousand of these...

i have a bandsaw to use but i still prefer to rip scales by hand. i scribe or draw a line down the center all the way around, cut down about an inch at an angle and then flip the piece (still cutting from the same end) and keep doing this 'till done. this helps keep it accurate as well as making it a little easier since my saw isn't cutting the whole width of the piece all the way down.

I use the belt sander. What ever you do keep it cool or you will make a banana shaped object :<0)

Thanks for the help, guys. I will probably end up using the belt sander, too. However, it seems that it would take hours, and that the dust will be ridiculous.

I take the stock and put it in the middle of 2 thicker pieces of wood so it will stand square on the long end. I put a couple strong clamps on the wood holding the stock in the center and run it slowly through the scroll saw to "split" it. The scroll saw blade is very thin so there is not much waste, just be sure the tension on the blade is tight to keep it from wandering.
I have done this with horn and expensive hardwood.