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I'm going to be buying a jigsaw this week to take care of a home improvement project. Just so happens that I'd love to have one for making scales, too, but that's not the real reason I'm buying it... :D
Any recommendations on what I should get? I'd like to stay under $100 if possible. Do any of these things have attachments you can buy that will make them function more like a scroll saw?
Thanks,
Josh
I bought a Motomaster variable speed for $30 and it was good for a bunch of home improvement projects, but I could not use it for making scales. I'll try it out on brass tubing, though.
My suggestion would be to get the best quality one you can possibly afford.
Go for a "name brand" and check the warranty conditions, ease of servicing, availability of spare parts and cost of consumables.
I know it sounds like a lot of work (and it can be) but it pays off down the track when you're still using it in 10 years ;)
So Ilija, are you saying you weren't able to use it for scales after trying, or that you just haven't thought it was the best tool for the job?
I'm hoping to get double duty out of it--a scroll saw wouldn't be much use for other stuff, I'm afraid.
Josh
Actually, I can think of a way of making scales with it, which I'll have to try, probably with a fine toothed metal saw. Just getting the ends will be tricky.
I'm thinking it might be easier to cut some of the thin materials used in scale making by sandwiching them between a protective material. Like maybe I could cut my plexiglass scales by sandwiching the plexiglass between strips of 1/4 plywood. Then I could secure it with double sided tape.... That would give the saw more like 3/4" to work with rather than 1/8", and it might prevent the plexiglass from chipping. :shrug:
Any thoughts?
Josh
Josh - the Bosch line of jigsaws is generally considered to be the best on the market. :tu
They run from $135-$160 depending on model and accessories. You can sometimes find a factory reconditioned one for less than $100 and that's probably the best buy out there.
What would their advantage over a $30 var. speed model be when it comes to scale-making?
in a word? "quality"
Understanding that there is no such thing as a stupid question, there are, however, an untold number of stupid people out here and a lot of us have questions.....I'll leave it to you to do the math.
That being said, what's the difference between a scroll saw and a jig saw? And, how about the Dremel Scroll Station- would this be good for scale making?
-whatever
-Lou
Lou,
From what I understand, a jigsaw is handheld and the blade is only attached to the saw at the butt end. You push the saw into the wood to use it. (It's close to a mechanized version of a regular hand saw.)
A scroll saw has a thin blade that's attached at both ends to a larger stand; it's a table saw. The blade moves up and down, and you push the wood into the blade. The thin blade and the fact that you're feeding the wood into a fixed blade allows you to rotate the wood around and cut all kinds of shapes with a lot of control.
Not sure on the Dremel thing; I'm inclined to say that if I want a saw, I might as well get a saw rather than trying to make my poor Dremel carry the load. :)
Josh
I'd also be inclined to get a scroll saw for this application.
This is a jig saw. Very different from a scroll saw.
Jig saws are for carpentry, fine detail copeing and such-(making the ends of the base board/crown molding meet seamlessly) quick cuts and more detailed than a circular saw.
Scroll saws are litterly for scroll work, which is intricate delicate patterns cut in wood.
Scroll would work better for finer things like scales but have very limited applications outside of craft use- they are of no use in home improvement situations.
Seriously, Bosch is the best. Dewalt is pretty good, but the blade clamp is iffy and the balence is off. Makita has a couple good ones at the top end.
Unfortunatly, unless you spend $100-ish you're in the homeowner tool bracket and you really don't get anywhere near the quality, features or design of the better tools.
I used to run a power tool retail store.....Bosch makes a top handle version and a barrel (body) grip version- the advantage is simply personal preference. They outsold everything else by 4 to 1.
Also- FWIW you can get refurbished tools from their outlets, usually as good as new and with a great warranty at a much better price.
Check their websites for service centers/factory outlets... might be one near you.
Oh, forget the Dremel scroll saw. I have the original version of it- it's too light weight for anything but real crafty stuff. Even scroll work. It's great for model making, balsa wood, etc.
Thanks for the response, Josh.Quote:
Originally Posted by JoshEarl
Regarding the Dremel Scroll Station, my understanding is that it is a stand alone unit - it doesn't require a Dremel Moto-tool (in fact, if I read the description correctly, it has a power take off for connecting a Dremel flex-shaft).
-whatever
-Lou