Thread: Scroll saw or band saw?

Not to blaspheme in the presence of the power-tool addicts, but you can probably get away with a coping saw for making scales. Even G10, which is a tougher material, will be cut pretty easily with a coping saw. You can get one for $10, the blades come in 5 packs for about $3-$5 and you can work on this stuff at a slower pace while you learn. (By slower pace, I mean you can adjust your cuts every inch, if you want. It takes 10 minutes to cut scales from 1/8" stock slabs with a coping saw. You won't be able to rip stock, though.) Getting any tool will take a little time to become proficient, but with a powered bench tool those mistakes might be a big larger. Then there's the complete obvious: it's much harder to saw off your finger with a coping saw.

A properly adjusted bandsaw will do the job, and you can pick up an inexpensive one at Sears that will be just fine. (But will not be properly adjusted.)

If I may add, given my extensive experience at making one entire set of scales, a drum sander for your drill or drill press would be invaluable.

A band saw won't give you quite the tight turns you need to get around the pin end of the scales, but the sanding drum will make short work of the job.

A coping saw will also do the trick, but will need a bit more skill to make a straight cut. Of course, you can always smooth out the curves with the sanding drum.

Fred

Originally Posted by fpatton

A properly adjusted bandsaw will do the job, and you can pick up an inexpensive one at Sears that will be just fine. (But will not be properly adjusted.)

If I may add, given my extensive experience at making one entire set of scales, a drum sander for your drill or drill press would be invaluable.

A band saw won't give you quite the tight turns you need to get around the pin end of the scales, but the sanding drum will make short work of the job.

A coping saw will also do the trick, but will need a bit more skill to make a straight cut. Of course, you can always smooth out the curves with the sanding drum.

Fred

Well, you're definitely gonna be filing and sanding no matter what saw you use. The coping saw does take a little practice, but err on the side of generosity and spend the extra time sanding. Mock me if you want, but I don't cut on the line, just as close as possible. Once it's off, it's off for good.

I agree that a belt or drum sander would be very worthwhile for making scales. But again, it just does the same job at faster pace.

Bandsaw. Outside its obvious cutting and shaping abilities if you get a fence for it and a 3/4" blade you can use it to resaw your own blanks from larger stock... saves a bundle in the long run.

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

Bandsaw. Outside its obvious cutting and shaping abilities if you get a fence for it and a 3/4" blade you can use it to resaw your own blanks from larger stock... saves a bundle in the long run.

any good models or links?

Originally Posted by thewatermark

any good models or links?

Unfortunately I haven't been bandsaw shopping recently... and have no idea about what models in your price range would be good or bad. I use a relatively low-end contractor grade Delta, if that helps at all... you don't need a $10,000 German-engineered band saw to get good enough cuts (as pretty as those ones are...), just a saw with balanced, centered wheels and properly adjusted guides and such. You'll also find a great deal of value in keeping fresh sharp blades in your saw...

Wish I could help more.

I have both and used my band saw more...So much that I burned it out. I just saw another one at lowes for $114.00 (SKIL). So I will be buying that one. THe problem with a scoll is that hte blade is so small that it is easy to go off pattern....Just my opinion though.