need advise (scroll saw)

[jkristia]

This might sound like a weird question but here goes.

For Christmas I received a scroll saw from my wife. The reason she bought me one is because she remembered that one time some time ago while shopping at Home Depot, I mentioned that I could use one of those one day, so loving as she is, she bought me one for Christmas. See, now my dilemma is that, even though I love tools (power tools, yahhh!, and the more the better), I can't really think of any model train related use of the scroll saw, and I feel kind of guilty of having this tool just standing in the corner without being used.

So please please, how can I make use of this tool when working on my layout?


Jesper

 

[absnut]

I have a nice Sears scroll saw and, I have to admit, most of the work I've done with it is to help my wife with her "craft" work. Perhaps your wife had something else on her mind for you to do with it!

Dick

 

[Ben H]

Good tool for quick cut on piece of wood during bench construction.

Good tool for cutting out plywood road bed for track.

Good tool for making cut-out in the plywood for lake or river.

Good tool for making first rough cut on large piece of brass strip for scratch build project.

 

[absnut]

I've never used my scroll saw to cut metal, Ben. Do you use a "regular" blade?

Dick

 

[n-scaler-dude]

So far, in this new hobby for me, I've used my scroll saw for cutting scale strip wood from thin sheets, for scratchbuilding purposes. I've also used it for cutting a round base for my water tower project. Another thing I've experimented with is cutting small scale brackets, both N and HO, for mounting under the eaves of stations and depots. The possibilities are endless in that respect.

I believe a scroll saw can be a very valuable too, but as of yet seems to be largely under-experimented with. In the future I will be trying to incorporate mine in more and more projects.

Of course, the key to success in making fine cuts in such small scales is to use as small a blade as possible. The ones I use are .008" thick.

 

[n-scaler-dude]

Forgot to mention, I also used mine for cutting foam core profiles on my diorama.

 

[YakkoWarner]

The scroll saw is for cutting any sheet material in odd shapes. If you want any straight lines, use your table saw, but if you need curves or irregular shapes, the scroll saw is your tool.

 

[spitfire]

Originally posted by absnut
I've never used my scroll saw to cut metal, Ben. Do you use a "regular" blade?

Dick

You'll need a metal blade for metal and a wood blade for wood. They come with wood-cutting blades. Metal cutting blades have much finer teeth - think of the difference between a hacksaw and a regular saw.

Just wondering, is this a hand-held saw or the table-mounted kind?

cheers
Val

 

[jon-monon]

There was a thread on cutting your own scale lumber which included a post on how to make a fence for it (you just clamp some scrap wood to it.Somewhere in here is that info Don't forget the obviouse, cut out the wood to convert your mailbox to a steam engine!

 

[absnut]

My scroll saw is bench mounted.

Jon, A "caboose" or loco mailbox wouldn't last 24 hours in my area!!

Dick

 

[jon-monon]

Every other house here has a Purdue Boiler Steamer on it, so there's no point in taking one!

 

[absnut]

Maybe I should cut out a Maine Potato, instead?

Dick

 

[Vic]

I Must Have Missed A Turn?

Hi Folks, I have run out of meds and apparently senility is creeping in again Are we talking about a scrolling saber saw or a bench top scroll saw? ( some folks call 'em both a jigsaw)

Now maybe everybody is as confused as I am

I use the heck out of the sabre saw for bench work construction. Cutting road bed outta Homastoe, plywood etc.

The scroll saw is great for cutting out multiple parts but you have to be careful 'cause its hard to get really straight cuts with it...practice...practice....practice..!!! Works best on cutting out irregular shaped pieces....example..letters for a sign.

Jesper...to show your appreciation for such a nice gift get you some 1/8" plywood and cut the wife out some of those kitchen plaques that say stuff like..."Home Sweet Home" or whatever. She'll love it and you can practice with your saw

 

[n-scaler-dude]

Yes, practice, practice, practice. One of the first things you'll notice is that you can't push the wood in straight and expect to cut a straight line (like trying to follow a straight line drawn on a piece of wood). You'll need to push it in at a slight angle.

Also, if your saw is made to hold the blades with the pins at the ends, you might think about getting a set of chucks that will let you use the plain end blades. There is many more plain-end blades to choose from, including "round" blades that will allow cutting in different directions, without turning the wood.

 

[jkristia]

ok, I'm talking about a bench top scroll saw, here is a (small) picture of it, found in the internet.

Isn't the other kind of saw called a jigsaw?

I have a jig saw, circular saw and a miter saw, (told you, I love power tools) and I have used them all when building the benchwork.

I think I can use the scroll saw once I start working on all the scratch build structures I'm planning on putting on my layout, but that might be way out in the future, so maybe for now I should do as Vic suggested, practice with a "Home sweet home" sign


Jesper

 

[rockislandmike]

I had a shopvac on my xmas wishlist. Figured it would be handy for both the wife *AND* I. Sadly, nobody got me one. Only nine more months till my birthday !!!!

 

[aartwmich]

Many tools have few uses, but when you need THAT tool..no other will do near as good of a job.

Just play with it jkrista, you'll figure out what its good for. Have fun!!

 

[kettlestack]

Jesper,
Forget the "Home Sweet Home" thingy. I suspect your wife will hit you with the punchline any day now ... "Darling, can that power saw I bought you enable you to make an imitation Chippendale coffee table??"

Errol

 

[jon-monon]

How could I forget??? I used a circular saw, but your saw should work fine and be a lot safer (I still got all 11 fingers!) And, the number one use for a scroll saw is:

Wackin' rollin' stock in half!