Reciprocating saws

[BMac]

Hi folks,

I was thinking of buying a reciprocating saw to dress bowl blanks for mounting or trimming on the lathe. I don't have a bandsaw but I do have an electric chainsaw but the idea of using that at the lathe scares the life out of me.

That big chain store has saws starting at £46 with a 3 yr guarantee and I was wondering if they are any use. Here's the page.

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.j ... s&x=15&y=3

Thanks in anticipation.
Brendan

 

[PowerTool]

Hello Brendan,

I've got a reciprocating saw,but never used it for trimming blanks,as I have a chainsaw and a bandsaw (doesn't help much,does it? :lol: )
From the times I've used it,the same advice as using any other saw applies - get some good quality blades first;I got some Bosch ones from e-bay,made it much more useable.

Andrew

 

[Bodrighy]

I cut it to fit the lathe generally and then round it off with the roughing gouge or a large bowl gouge. Don't know whether that is wrong of me but it works.

Pete

 

[duncanh]

Most of my trimming is done with the bandsaw. If I have a piece that's particularly out of balance that won't go on the bandsaw (like a small log or burr) then I sometimes use an electric planer.
It's loud and messy but it does the job!

 

[CHJ]

My basic is as per Duncan, as you don't have a bandsaw Brendan I would stick to a small hand axe and a cheap power planner rather than a reciprocating saw for trueing up/rough balancing.

Check cheap power planner for size of chip outlet duct, some have pathetic clearance that clog all too readily.

 

[Vulthoom]

I have tried a reciprocating saw and quite frankly it was pants!
Probably serves me right for buying the cheap and cheerful model
but it didn't have the "umph" to cut up logs.

Wish I had room for a bandsaw...

 

[BMac]

Thank you guys,

The power planer is what I need. I can get blanks fairly symmetrical with the chainsaw but it's taking small cuts to balance it on the lathe that was my problem. I would normally just start slow and work my way in but now I'm finding that the medical situation is not tolerating that so well so I would prefer to spend more time truing the blank to reduce impact on me. I am well used to devising ways around problems to try to maintain work rate so this is not a new situation but I think it's time to look seriously at bandsaws ...woohoo, tool buying!

Again, thanks,
Brendan

 

[robo hippy]

I would not like to have an electric chainsaw at the lathe either. There are chainsaw type bits/wheels that can go on a hand held grinder, but it is more for rough carving. You can get your blank as round as possible before you put it on the lathe, then let the lathe do the work. If it is really out of balance, you may have to chase your lathe around the shop a bit, but that depends on what size of lathe you have, and if you have variable speed or not. If you are trimming your blanks from a lot, it helps a lot if you cut a flat on the round part of the log. This helps it stay still while you trim it up. I use a compas or dividers to scribe a circle, then trim to the line. A bandsaw does make it easier though.
robo hippy

 

[dickm]

FWIW, I'd second Vulthoon's comment. Had one of the original Elu recip saws for a short time, intending to use it for cutting up blanks and it was a complete waste of space.
But maybe more modern ones are better?