Darryl Keil Last Activity 2025-02-12 2:48 PM
5 replies, 7254 viewings
 
back
Navigate threads:
< Previous Thread :: Next Thread >
 
^ Top
texasthunderwoodwork

Posts: 25

Joined: 2007-10-31
Location: Central Texas

User Profile 
Subject : Scroll saw for marquetry
Posted : 2008-07-30 11:50 AM
Post #34794
I am looking for opinions, pluses and minuses for a decent quality scroll saw to be used for marquetry. I really dont want to go high end for a Hegner, but I am guessing that the Dremel is probally on the other end of the scale.
I will most likely be looking for something used.
Not sure if I am going to like the marquetry process but I do enjoy inlay, so I am keeping an open mind. I have watched Paul Schurch video a couple of times, and altho I am not going that deep, I would like to accent my furniture with something the big stores dont sell.

Thanks
Dave



 
^ Top
Brian Gray

Posts: 339

Joined: 2004-01-21
Location: Sandusky, OH

User Profile 
Subject : RE: Scroll saw for marquetry
Posted : 2008-07-30 8:39 PM
Post #34795 - In reply to #34794
The best scroll saws have a sewing-machine mechanism.

This means that the blade does straight up and down...no deflection at all.

The Hegner, Dewalt, Dremel, etc, all have articulating arms, which make the blade deflect slightly.

Now this is not a HUGE deal. I use the Dewalt, and it's a great saw.

But for real precision, a saw with a sewing machine mechanism is best.

I haven't been shopping around in the scroll saw market for a couple of years, but when I was, the best saw hands down was the Eclipse.

http://www.eclipsesaw.com/

However, this is by no means a cheap saw, at $1,700.

The only other option for a sewing machine mechanism when I was in the market was a old Rockwell.

If you search eBay for "Rockwell Scroll Saw", you will see a lot.

And you can find lots of parts on eBay, as well.

Here's a good looking listing...

http://cgi.ebay.com/DELTA-ROCKWELL-SCROLL-SAW-24-THROAT-PATTERNS-CABINETS_W0QQitemZ270088059294QQihZ017QQcategoryZ57124QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

Now all this being said...is there any real appreciable difference in my marquetry with the Dewalt?

No, not really. It's a great saw. I've used the Eclipse, as well as an old Rockwell. For my purposes, the Eclipse is probably not worth the money. If I were a pro, and my saw was running a lot every day, then perhaps.

But if I were doing it all over again, I'd probably try to find an old Rockwell. You might be taking a chance on buying an old machine, but you can always get it's worth on eBay if you need to sell it.

My 2 cents.


 
^ Top
texasthunderwoodwork

Posts: 25

Joined: 2007-10-31
Location: Central Texas

User Profile 
Subject : RE: Scroll saw for marquetry
Posted : 2008-08-15 9:29 PM
Post #34848 - In reply to #34795
Brian-
Since you were so helpful and led me down the Festool path, I come to you with more questions oh great and wise one.

I ended up getting a Dewalt, great deal on it.
Now as I understand I need 2/0 blades for marquetry, right? Are there any other blades I should concider??
Also- Are Olsen and Flying Dutchmen good brands???
I was told to stay away from the "spiral" blades, they are too hard to keep in them pattern because of they way they cut.

Thanks
Dave



 
^ Top
Brian Gray

Posts: 339

Joined: 2004-01-21
Location: Sandusky, OH

User Profile 
Subject : RE: Scroll saw for marquetry
Posted : 2008-08-15 10:12 PM
Post #34849 - In reply to #34848
//Brian-
Since you were so helpful and led me down the Festool path, I come to you with more questions oh great and wise one.

I ended up getting a Dewalt, great deal on it.
Now as I understand I need 2/0 blades for marquetry, right? Are there any other blades I should concider??
Also- Are Olsen and Flying Dutchmen good brands???
I was told to stay away from the "spiral" blades, they are too hard to keep in them pattern because of they way they cut.

Thanks
Dave//

Hey Dave.

I have always bought my blades from Paul Schurch. I really have no idea what brand they are. They are the only blades that I've ever used and ever needed. Paul's a great guy, and I like to support him.

http://www.schurchwoodwork.com/tools/index.html

By the way...I saw this verbiage regarding blades and saws on Paul's site...perhaps helpful.

#2/0 - .010" thick - 26 to 30 tpi skip tooth German scroll saw blades (12 per pack) are the most durable, finest kerf, for the precise cutting of veneers in packet, or contour cutting of marquetry. They can be used to cut up to 16 layers of veneer at once in a good quality scroll saw such as an older model Powermatic or Delta Milwaukee 'spring top' scroll saw (my favorite). The Eclipse (a new type of vertical travel saw), Hegner, Excalabur, Dewalt or Delta scroll saw are my second choices. The reason that I like the older spring top saws is that the blade has a perfectly vertical travel. This allows one to precisely cut thick packets of veneer of up to 16 layers with a minimum of saw kerf width, and be assured that you can take all the interchangeable pieces of the veneer puzzle and assemble them back together again for a perfect fit. The double arm or pivoting arm system that most scrollsaws possess have the blade moving front to back in a slightly orbital fashion and usually have no blade backing guides for precise cutting, but are still quite good for marquetry if properly used. A momentary 'on/off' foot switch is very useful when using this saw for intricate cutting, changing directions of the cut, and stopping the noise when the blade brakes.


 
^ Top
Larry Ciesla

Posts: 3

Joined: 2008-07-31
Location: Yorkville, Illinois

User Profile 
Subject : RE: Scroll saw for marquetry
Posted : 2008-07-31 1:17 PM
Post #34796 - In reply to #34794
I have been very pleased with my De Walt. I reasoned that if I ever got good enough I would pay the big bucks for a high end saw. So far, the De Walt has been just fine, so I guess I'm admitting that I'm still not good enough to justify the incremental improvement a high end saw might offer.

Good Luck


 
^ Top
Don Stephan

Posts: 825

Joined: 2003-07-18
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

User Profile 
Subject : RE: Scroll saw for marquetry
Posted : 2008-07-31 8:32 PM
Post #34800 - In reply to #34794
Don't know if its in your target price range, but I purchased a Hawk G4 several years ago and have been quie pleased with it. Customer support was very responsive and helpful the couple times I needed to call; otherwise it has been trouble-free and satisfying. One caution - it's the only scroll saw I've ever used so I have no basis for comparison.

Don
back
Navigate threads:
< Previous Thread :: Next Thread >
Legend      Notification  
Administrator
Forum Moderator
Registered User
Unregistered User
 Toggle e-mail notification


Logo by MAZY
Running MegaBBS ASP Forum Software v1.5.14b public beta