Scroll saw recommendations?

I quite fancy having a bash at something like:

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However, I will need a decent scroll saw. Anyone got one they would recommend?

Reply to
John Rumm
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No you need a good laser cutter.

Reply to
The Natural Philosopher

Wrong. I don't have any woodworking tools. What is the minimum amount of tools required to build your clocks? Basically there are just four tools needed to build any of my mechanisms:

1) scrollsaw - I use mostly #5R blades, 2) drill press - and get some good Brad point bits. They really are more accurate and do a much cleaner job of drilling wood, 3) sander - I use mainly a 1"bench top belt sander, and 4) Dremel with metal cut-off disc

From:

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Reply to
Richard

with a laser cutter you could build that clock with nothing more than some needle files and a sanding block..

Reply to
The Natural Philosopher

Gee. Skip the laser cutter and just buy a kit. Heck. Just buy one ready made. I think you're missing the point of the exercise...

BTW, I don't have a recommendation for a scrollsaw and would like to get one eventually.

Reply to
Richard

I'm not a scroller myself but those who are on the woodwork forums I frequent swear by Hegner scroll saws.

Time for the saw jokes to start:-

Don't fret you will cope!

Reply to
Bob Minchin

or indeed a CNC router... probably different if I were doing a production run, but seems a tad excessive for a one off.

Reply to
John Rumm

ebay has some possibles...

Other than low vibration and smooth with a capital smo - what other qualities does a scroll saw want?

;-)

Reply to
John Rumm

I started fretting about 25 years ago. Not ever in a big way, more for my own creativity and enjoyment. My 8yo son enjoyed the saw as much as me. Perhaps more so. I still have some of his freehand pieces. Nice thing about fretsaws is that they are user friendly. Still cut your finger off mind, a little basic training is recommended. I went through various makes until I ended up with a Hegner. You won't go far wrong with one of these. Well made and balanced with that 'looks good, feels good' attitude. Also quiet and the processes can be most absorbing.

Desirables but non-essential:

1) Good focused work light (can be home brewed). 2) Little puffer thingy to blow away the dust (not so easy to home brew).

Essentials:

1) Variable speed with volume knob within easy reach. 2) Foot operated on/off switch. 3) Decent blades. A good selection and a good quantity.

Can't remember the name of the US firm that makes excellent blades but are not immediately available in UK. I used to get them from a German supplier. Really wonderful blades. Crap blades are obtainable very cheaply. Very frustrating to be constantly changing blades in the midst of an intricate piece. Can be done but it is an arse.

Good luck. Fretting can sometimes be rewarding.

Nick.

Reply to
Nick

I was hoping that its and area of woodwork that may appeal more to the rest of the family, so it may have a life after the initial projects I have planned.

2 seems to be built on the Hegner...

Alas the ones on ebay are fixed speed unless one wants to spend serious money.

Yup, that makes sense

Thanks for your comments.

Reply to
John Rumm

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John

The problem is how do you define 'decent' in that a 'decent' car could be a Rolls Royce ! A tool is very often as good as it's operator and a 'decent ' tool wouldn't make a poor operator any better - viz. golf clubs!!

Two websites are worth having a look at -

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- where ther e is a forum board on scroll sawing. In general the recommendation there i s for the Hegner, but I will come to that. Another good site for designs i s -
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The trouble with the Hegner is that it is expensive - ~£500+ - and the pr oblem then is should one shell that sort of money out on a tool that once y ou've got it, you may well find is not your cup o' tea ?

I've got the Axminster JSS 16 (actually it's badged with another name!) whi ch at just over £100 is nearer the pocket of a beginner IMO. I've not us ed a so called 'good' scroll saw so the only thing I know I'm missing is th e rapid blade change capability, but the 'JSS16' has given me a lot of plea sure in 3 months, cut my grandchildren a Noah's Ark's worth of animals and for Xmas presents this year a whole lot of tiny Nativity scenes. The speed variation is good, the vibration I'm not aware of on a good workbench and f or me it is light enough at 15kg to be packed away when not in use.

Good pinless blades are a must - the Axminster Pegas blades have done me we ll with only a handful wearing out and a couple breaking due totally to my lack of skill.

Rob

Reply to
robgraham

Indeed... I don't expect to use it in a professional capacity - for that that matter do huge amounts of work on it (my normal style of woodworking tends toward the more substatial). However I can see it being a useful addition to the workshop.

Yup found that the other night as it happens.

will go check, thanks.

I recon I can get the fixed speed one for under £250 second hand. The variable speed seems to command more (350+ typically second hand)

However I know what you mean, but am also wary of the times in the past I have opted for the cheap tool and ended up regretting it - while I don't think I have ever regretted any of my decent ones in the end - even when they cost more than I really would have liked.

ok will keep that in mind.

How "loud" is it? one of the attractions of the top end ones is they seem to be nearly silent.

Reply to
John Rumm

This guy does a very nice job with an upside down jigsaw:

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Reply to
pcb1962

There are a few approaches to the first purchase dilemma.

1) Buy a basic model, use that to decide whether you needed one after all and what you like/dislike about it to draw up a spec for a second purchase of what you really need. The first one should be re-saleable at 60-70% of current new price if you've kept it tidy. 2) Buy a used mid to top range model, refurbish with a few new parts if needed and again decide if you need one or not. If not, the chances are that you can sell for what you paid for as a quality machine will hold its second hand price. If it turns out to be what you want then it's a result in a single step.

Bereavement sales can be a good source to get extras thrown in and still buy at a sensible price from the executor. Often you need to know/recognise which extras belong to the machine so do homework first.

Lurking in related forums tends to work well as in most cases there are decent people there who would not sell on duff equipment to their peers or at least will be honest about their condition unlike dealing with some strangers on the 'bay.

Bob

Reply to
Bob Minchin

Thanks for all the comments guys.

Well, by fluke rather than anything else, a nice tidy looking variable speed Delta 40-570 16" saw came up on ebay from a seller about 4 miles away. Reviews I could find seemed favourable, so I thought it was worth a go. Spares may be an issue in the future, although I have used a US seller in the past for delta bits who is happy to post internationally.

I picked it up today (which at getting on for 30kg made me glad I only parked the car 40 yards away!) Not had much chance to play yet, but it seems quiet and smooth with little or no vibration...

Time to go raid Axminster's blade supplies ;-)

Reply to
John Rumm

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