Scrollsaw vs Bandsaw...

[goldeneyedmonkey]

Hello all,

I was wondering what are the advantages of either of these models?
Scheppach Deco Flex Scroll Saw vs. Jet JWBS-9 Bench Top Bandsaw

They are about the same price, I have never used either of them, or any bandsaw/ scrollsaw for that matter. So would like some advice on what they are best suited to.

I'll only be using them for cutting out 3D lettering and shapes in 1-2" pine and ash, and making tenons.

Any help is greatly appreciated, if I had the space & money I would definitely go for a decent sized floor-standing bandsaw. So for now this will be a decent step in the right direction.

Cheers_Dan Smile

 

[RogerS]

Scroll saw : good for tight curves but much much slower cutting speed that a bandsaw.

Do you mean 1" to 2" or 1/2"? If the former then I think the scroll saw will take forever. I'd go for the bandsaw and buy a decent blade for it - 1/4" or less to get tight curves...Ian can advise you....from tuffsaws.

 

[goldeneyedmonkey]

Cheers RogerS, yeah I meant 1" to 2", so bandsaw it is then. I assume with a fine blade, say 1/4" I'll still be able to manage cutting out the diameter of a small tea-cuppish size. (Sorry about the description, couldn't think of anything more concise!)

Cheers_Dan.

 

[big soft moose]

Only thing about a bandsaw for lettering is it doesnt do pierced work - ie you will either have to cut out the inside of R O P A D & B by hand, or you'll have to cut through the letter to cut it out

with a scroll saw you can drill a hole and insert the blade through it to cut out peircings

I would say ideally you need both - the bandsaw for bulk removal and the scroll saw for fine work - but if you can only buy one get the scroll saw and take it easy in thicker wood.

 

[goldeneyedmonkey]

Cheers BSM, I had considered this. Just thought I would jigsaw it out, with enough support for the material all around it shouldn't be a problem.

The bandsaw seems to be a better option for me so far. Advice welcomed though.

 

[StevieB]

For timber of 1" and greater then go for a bandsaw everytime

Steve

 

[jimi43]

I have both and I use them for completely different reasons.

The scrollsaw gets used about once a year for jobs you just can't do with anything else...mostly with thin stock.

The bandsaw on the other hand gets used every day for almost every job I need to do with great results but the one thing they can't do (as others have said including you) is cut internal shapes out.

Cutting letters out is a classic job involving both...but given the thickness of the stock, a scrollsaw simply won't cut it (pun intended!)

Get a bandsaw...you will never look back!

Jim

 

[Steve Maskery]

If you are canny you can cut out the insides of Ps and Bs etc.

If you use a thin-kerf blade you can cut with the grain into the centre, then glue the kerf up again afterwards. It will be just about invisible, especially on larger letters.

Ask Ian about a thin-kerf blade. I'm sure he will have something suitable.

Cheers
Steve

 

[dickm]

Don't think I'd be quite so ready to abandon the scrollsaw solution. OK, it's slower than a bandsaw, but with the right blade(as ever!), my Hegner will happily tackle 1.5" stock. If you are doing a lot of internal cuts, the scroll saw could still win.
But that said, it has to be a good scrollsaw, and the Hegner is not cheap

 

[9fingers]

Remember that once a bandsaw blade has been used for curved cutting, it should be kept for just that, as it will be difficult to keep it from veering off when you are straight cutting.

Also it can be helpful to touch a stone on the back edges of the blade for a tighter radius and smoother finish.

hth

Bob

 

[pren]

One thing to consider is the 'throat' clearance on a scrollsaw. I used mine to cut some 1.5" pine and it only just cleared under the blade holder when it was at the bottom of its down stroke.

 

[Dominik Pierog]

Check this
http://books.google.pl/books?id=YL4uLA5 ... &q&f=false