[modeleng] Re: Scroll saws

Hi Ron,

I have found that the speed should be as high as possible and the blades
need to have the smallest teeth possible for scroll saw metal work. Genuine
bimetal HSS blades are very helpful too. If you use the scroll saw vs a
nibbler, the nibbled edges may be easier to file up afterward. Can you rent
either tool anywhere nearby to try before buying?

One little trick that helps keep things neat, with a saw, is to cover the
foot of the machine with two layers of masking tape where it contacts the
work to keep scratches and tiny impact marks from the foot from being
applied to the work. (Particularly for brass and aluminum)

Nibblers I have used usually have a small nibbling punch running inside a
larger dia shoe. On one, I have tried placing a rubber washer on the shoe to
get the same effect of not marking the work, but it didn't work well.
Masking tape right over the line did keep shoe marks to a minimum but gummed
up the punch eventually. When I tried to use WD40 to keep the punch from
getting gummed up, the tape lifted. I went back to the scroll saw then, but
there might be a better way I don't know about.

Good luck with your cutting.

Cheers Jeff Dayman
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron Head" <ron.head@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 2:09 PM
Subject: [modeleng] Scroll saws


> Hi all
>
> Does anyone have any experience of using a scroll saw to cut sheet metal?
I
> need to cut some intricate shapes from 16SWG/18SWG brass and steel, and
> thought that a scroll saw might be the easiest way.  I notice that these
> come in three flavours - single speed, two speed and variable speed.  The
> first seem to run at around 1400 strokes per minute, the next at typically
> 900 and 1400spm, and the last can be anything from 400 to 1600spm.  The
> price of a variable speed machine is about three times the price of a
single
> speed machine, though.
>
> Is the cost of a variable speed machine justified, or can I get away with
> just a single speed?
>
> Regards
> Ron Head
> Oxford UK
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