Scroll saw question.

[Greenman]

I wanted to buy one of these anyway for other stuff but was wondering if it's capable of cutting a body profile from a blank.
I only cut about 1 a year and do not own a band saw yet. So will this cut thru a 1 3/4 walnut blank with the proper blade?
http://www.dremel.com/en-us/tools/tool-detail.htm?H=188277&G=66210&I=80473

 

[wilser]

I wanted to buy one of these anyway for other stuff but was wondering if it's capable of cutting a body profile from a blank.
I only cut about 1 a year and do not own a band saw yet. So will this cut thru a 1 3/4 walnut blank with the proper blade?
http://www.dremel.com/en-us/tools/tool-detail.htm?H=188277&G=66210&I=80473

Even a small delta 9" bandsaw is better for cutting bodies than a scroll saw. I use my 1/3 hp 10" bandsaw for cutting out bodies and it does a good job as long as you don't try to feed it to fast.

 

[erikbojerik]

I know a guy who swears by Delta scroll saws, he uses one to cut 1-3/4" mahogany. And he does more than one a year.

 

[Rodent]

bought one a year plus back before I had a bandsaw ... got it home all excited ... set it up ... attempted to cut a 1-3/4" piece of Alder ... 30 minutes and only a couple inches of cut later I decided to give it away ... bought a bandsaw and never looked back

YMMV

all the best,

R

 

[cricketfever32]

so...is that a no?

 

[kegbarnacle]

I've done it several times. It's not as good as a bandsaw, certainly not as fast, but it'll work. You'll need the meanest looking blades they sell. It won't take 30 minutes unless you're using some kind of intricate detail blade. I'd cut a bit farther outside the line than I otherwise would - depending on the body style, you can get to the middle or end of a cut, and have to take the wood off and reverse it because it may hit the back of the saw. Plus, there may be blade burn. It's not really designed for this, so leave a little wiggle room. But if you do one body a year, it's fine. Just flush it with a router later...

 

[Greenman]

Thanks for the replies. Like I said I would like to get one for other projects. I'll buy a couple of course blades and see how it goes. I've looked at the different brands and so far locally I choose the above.

 

[Greenman]

Well.. I bought the Dremel and it cut thru the walnut blank pretty good for a scroll saw. It would'nt replace a bandsaw but my wife said I needed it.

 

[dave-chaulk]

I use my scrollsaw to cut oak, maple and mahogany - among many other softer woods.
I can cut through 2.3 inch pine with no problem whatsoever, or (as I found out yesterday) 1 inch oak with .25" padauk glued on.

It's all about taking your time and having the right blade tension.
Don't get frustrated and you will be fine - all things take time.

 

[mikeyswood]

This thread was dead for two years. I do not think Greenman will benefit from that contribution.

 

[bassteban]

This thread was dead for two years. I do not think Greenman will benefit from that contribution.

Perhaps not, but I might get something out of it a couple years further on down the road.

 

[Floyd Eye]

Sure it will work. Is it ideal? No. I can cut a guitar body out of ANY wood with a battery operated sawzall.

 

[bassteban]

Yeah, there are 4 *scroll saw* threads- same Q(can it do bodies/etc), same answer(yes, but a bandsaw is far better, a jigsaw is passable and even a coping saw will be less frustrating).
I recently began tinkering w/an ancient Delta 40-440 & found this and the other threads. I also have a decent bandsaw, an iffy jigsaw and a coping saw. The 40-440 needs a blade- suggestions? Im guessing any home center will have them. Pinless, I think