Jigsaw? Bandsaw? or Scrollsaw?

[maquette]

I'm confused and looking for some guidance. I want a bench saw of some sort that is best for cutting primarily metal (1/8", or so) and wood from time to time. Mostly I would be cutting curves in metal to make brackets for various projects. One example is to make a bracket that allows me to install low mounted mufflers on one of my bikes instead of the upswept that is on there now. I'm posting here because I prefer vintage stuff, but if the collective tells me to buy newer, I would certainly consider it.

I see many various types on CL, Ebay, etc, but would like to buy the right one the first time.

Thanks in advance.

Tom

 

[Cruzan80]

None of the above isbest for cutting curves in metal. You can slow down a bandsaw easiest out of the three, as the blade is continually pushing the work into the table, vs the up/down of a scroll saw or jigsaw. However, out need to find a handsaw that can handle metal chips on the wheels or have a sweeper to clean the blade before getting to the wheels.

Best option is find a throatless shear, bench mount it and then use something else for wood. You may be able to get away with the HF knockoff of the Beverly B1.

 

[crguy]

Personally, I think a proper metal cutting bandsaw would be fine.

 

[Bill Ramsey]

For low volume, and if the curves aren't too tight, I've had perfectly good success with a good metal-cutting blade on an orbital-action jigsaw. Get as much workpiece support as possible, to reduce chatter. For steel thickness you mention, should work. And goes through aluminum plate like hot knife through butter.

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[Bill Ramsey]

And any one will do. I use a $20 Skil for this and it's still going strong.

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[maquette]

Thanks for the responses so far. One of the things I'm confused about is the difference between a scroll saw and a jig saw. I have a hand held jig saw, but what I'm looking for is a bench mount that will cut small pieces of metal. Something I would probably do only a few times a year. Is the size very important? I see them listed from 12" to 24" and direct drive, or belt drive?

Thanks,

Tom

 

[tombell572]

Tom, this may be a bit incorrect, but I believe the major difference is that scroll saw blades are clamped in the machine at both the top and bottom ends while a jig saw blade is more rigid and is only attached at one end. Also, I think hand held saws of this type are usually referred to as jig saws. I once rebuilt a large Walker Turner 24" scroll saw, a beautiful machine that did have metal cutting capability, but sold it because I rarely used it.

I now use a Racine band saw with a back gear similar to a lathe for both wood and metal. I think a band saw would give you most control and as Cruzan80 pointed out the band saw pressure is constantly downward, pushing against the table, eliminating any tendency for the work to ride upward on the blade.

Tom B.

 

[bczygan]

Jigsaw? Bandsaw? Scrollsaw?

YES!

YES!

YES!

Bill

 

[Ghost11]

Haha, all 3 would do you best. Seriously. I use a metal bandsaw and cut some oddball parts. Bandsaw has my vote.

 

[zkling]

A port a band in a stand would probably do ya. Having one saw for wood and one saw for metal, while in theory is a great idea, doesn't work out very well in reality.

The confusion with scroll saw and jig saws is that back in the day, what most people refer to as scroll saws were called jig saws. Where as today a jig saw typically refers to a hand held power tool.

 

[maquette]

The confusion with scroll saw and jig saws is that back in the day, what most people refer to as scroll saws were called jig saws. Where as today a jig saw typically refers to a hand held power tool.

So, are there scroll saws that will cut 1/8" flat stock with the right blade on them?

Tom

 

[crguy]

Having one saw for wood and one saw for metal, while in theory is a great idea, doesn't work out very well in reality.

I'm going to disagree with that. I use a Walker Turner 14" band saw with the optional slow speed transmission, and it works well for either wood or metal.

 

[code4pay]

I'm going to disagree with that. I use a Walker Turner 14" band saw with the optional slow speed transmission, and it works well for either wood or metal.

For metal do you use a bi metal blade? Is that what they are for?

 

[zkling]

So, are there scroll saws that will cut 1/8" flat stock with the right blade on them?

Tom

Yes, but... they are more for intricate work and internal cuts, not for general straight line cutting. Scroll saws excel at very tight intricate cuts and internal cuts. Otherwise a bandsaw with a selection of blades will be more useful to the average user.

I'm going to disagree with that. I use a Walker Turner 14" band saw with the optional slow speed transmission, and it works well for either wood or metal.

It's all cute and fine till you realize your nice wood projects end up with chips and oil embedded in them and your metal saw gets wood dust sludge in the bottom. Plus the whole shifting transmission and swapping blade thing becomes a PITA.

 

[cgrutt]

Believe a scroll saw is primarily intended to do intricate work in wood for inlays, small boxes, arts & crafts, etc. They can be used in very thin (light gauge sheet metal) but don't believe they can cut heavier metal. The blades are extremely thin, some as small as 1/16" etc. My vote would be for a small bandsaw with appropriate metal blade. You can probably get away with a jig saw though.

<--- BTW an artist cut my Avatar from Nickle and Copper on a scroll saw.

 

[crguy]

For metal do you use a bi metal blade? Is that what they are for?

Yes, but it also cuts wood fine if you don't want to take a few minutes to change to a wood cutting blade for a quick job.

 

[maquette]

Yes, but... they are more for intricate work and internal cuts, not for general straight line cutting. Scroll saws excel at very tight intricate cuts and internal cuts. Otherwise a bandsaw with a selection of blades will be more useful to the average user.

At best, I would be the average user. As long as the saw will make some curves for bracket fabrication and some relatively straight cuts on 1/8" or there abouts flat stock, or small pieces of sheet metal, I would be happy. After doing some searching I discovered that there are wood bandsaws and metal bandsaws, along with wood/metal bandsaws. I also discovered the bandsaws seem to be more expensive than scroll/jig saws.

Now, I have to be patient and see if I can find an affordable one that will do what I need. I really appreciate the responses from you guys cause it makes me stop and think, and do as much research as I can. Room in the garage is important to me also, since I don't have a lot of that.

If there are any particular brands/models someone would like to recommend, I'm all ears.

Thank you.

Tom

 

[theoldwizard1]

Thanks for the responses so far. One of the things I'm confused about is the difference between a scroll saw and a jig saw. I have a hand held jig saw, but what I'm looking for is a bench mount that will cut small pieces of metal. Something I would probably do only a few times a year.

Scroll saw have very fine blades and typically meant for cutting intricate patterns in thin wood.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Probably you best bet would be a "traditional" 12"-14" wood cutting band saw with at least a 1/2" hp motor and a gear reduction for cutting metal. The old Craftsman are good IF you can get the gear reduction adapter.

A portable metal cutting band saw (DeWalt, Milwaukee, etc) mounted in a SWAG "portaband" table may be a reasonable compromise. With proper guides it can cut straight in relatively thick metal. It can not do as tight a corner as a regular band saw. They are not designed for wood, but it will work.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Imo Milwaukee Portaband and the SWAG offroad table is the most tool/$

This guy is getting decent curves.