Thread: Scroll saw recomendations?

I started with a hand fretsaw, got a second hand scroll saw, then a thin blade table top bandsaw. The bandsaw wins hands down. Once you have thicknessed the material, a bit of double sided tape or similar keeps the two scales together while you cut them to shape. Leave them stuck together, then finish of on a small bench sander.

Regards,
Neil

Scroll saws are useless JMO

I feel like I'm in a trash bag comparison commercial...you know...hefty hefty hefty..wimpy wimpy wimpy. Scrolls vs Bands.

Originally Posted by razorbarber38

I feel like I'm in a trash bag comparison commercial...you know...hefty hefty hefty..wimpy wimpy wimpy. Scrolls vs Bands.

For the occasional light job, they work,but they have alot of limitations,JMO

Originally Posted by razorbarber38

I feel like I'm in a trash bag comparison commercial...you know...hefty hefty hefty..wimpy wimpy wimpy. Scrolls vs Bands.

That's the trouble - we all have different opinions/expectations. To be brutally honest, if you buy a decent tool and get used to using it then you can get the best out of it, whether its a hand saw, a scroll saw, a bandsaw or whatever. Its the skill of the person using it that really counts. The limitations of each tool are quite well known, but you can get over them and then get the best out of them.

Just remember that spending too little is a sure-fire recipe for disaster....

Regards,
Neil

The scroll saw is for lighter duty work and you have much more finesse, greater detail, and you can saw in all directions while moving the work. Not to mention you can start from a drilled hole in the work.

A band saw is a big step up the duty ladder. You can cut much thicker pieces faster and still do much the same thing. Except for starting from a drilled hole and cutting in all directions.

I was in the same boat as you for several weeks until I found this baby for 40 bucks on CL. Was in a family for 50 years according to the original owner.



I put it on a temp stand to see if it ran and WoW. The more I played with it the more I liked it. It uses all the blades (3" to 6 1/2" ) ever made and is smooth as can be while running. I haven't tried yet but I bet it would take a piece of band saw blade up to 1/4" . They don't make em like they used to and after a little restore work I am proud of the purchase.

Kind of like the razors we love so much. Bought an old one cleaned it up and use it.

So I would say it all depends on what all you ever want to do with it. A good shop should have both but not everybody has the room or need for that. A scroll saw will do more than some would think but you have to let the tool do the work. It may take 4 times as long to cut a brass plate 1/8" thick but this particular scroll saw it will do it. Maybe thicker if the band saw blade works out.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

The scroll saw is for lighter duty work and you have much more finesse, greater detail, and you can saw in all directions while moving the work. Not to mention you can start from a drilled hole in the work.

A band saw is a big step up the duty ladder. You can cut much thicker pieces faster and still do much the same thing. Except for starting from a drilled hole and cutting in all directions.

I was in the same boat as you for several weeks until I found this baby for 40 bucks on CL. Was in a family for 50 years according to the original owner.



I put it on a temp stand to see if it ran and WoW. The more I played with it the more I liked it. It uses all the blades (3" to 6 1/2" ) ever made and is smooth as can be while running. I haven't tried yet but I bet it would take a piece of band saw blade up to 1/4" . They don't make em like they used to and after a little restore work I am proud of the purchase.

Kind of like the razors we love so much. Bought an old one cleaned it up and use it.

So I would say it all depends on what all you ever want to do with it. A good shop should have both but not everybody has the room or need for that. A scroll saw will do more than some would think but you have to let the tool do the work. It may take 4 times as long to cut a brass plate 1/8" thick but this particular scroll saw it will do it. Maybe thicker if the band saw blade works out.

that is a nice machine,all cast iron,the new stuff from china is crap.JMO

i recently acquired a bansaw , i was thinking scroll or ban like you and ended up with the ban and couldnt be more happier .. i think im running a bi/metal 18 or 20ppi blade now and it has performed well for me .. ive only cut 1/8 wood , 1" acrylic , and some antler that was about 1-1 1/4" thick x 5"-6"'s long and it has performed well .. i have the 9" benchtop .... i should have some micarta/g10 showing up soon so that will be the next test ...

Good timing on this tread, I was just trying to decide which saw I should get. I think I'll give the band saw a go first.

Originally Posted by jc50

Good timing on this tread, I was just trying to decide which saw I should get. I think I'll give the band saw a go first.

Good choice,Try to locate an old 14 in. american made Rockwell (see them on C.L all the time)as long as the motor and trunnions are intact they can be tottally rebuilt for 35 bux.If you want to do fine fret type work you can always run an 1/8th in. blade.
Mines 40 yrs old and will far outlive me.