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Scroll saws

This topic has 14 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 2 March 2015 at 13:31 by Michael Gilligan.

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7 February 2015 at 11:00 #178823
Peter Bond
Participant
@peterbond14804
Mention has been made of Hegners for cutting sheet copper, and I'm wondering if I have a need for something similar.

This would be for cutting sheet non-ferrous up to 2mm thick into straight sections and discs. On the face of it, a bandsaw might seem more sensible but some of the resulting dust might be quite expensive, so I'd prefer something where I stand a chance of a thin kerf and recovering the lemel for recycling.

Another use would be for cutting plastics (Delrin/acetal and Perspex mostly) into relatively intricate shapes for tooling use; I'd probably go for spiral blades for that.

I'd be unlikely to use pinned blades (as I have rather a lot of piercing saw blades I know the behaviour of), so the ability to use pinless is essential – as is, I presume, variable speed (the slower the better). If it'll be happy with up to 3mm steel sheet that'd be nice but not a definite req.

Other than the supremely spendy Hegners, are there less expensive machines that'll do the job? I see Axminster have a trade one that might do, they also have Excalibur machines.
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7 February 2015 at 11:00 #17615
Peter Bond
Participant
@peterbond14804
For metal cutting?
7 February 2015 at 12:01 #178831
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Peter,

There was a long discussion about such matters a while ago.

… I will try to locate the thread for reference.

I don't own a Hegner, but I have used them [and had them very impressively demonstrated]. At present I don't have sufficient need to justify the space that one would occupy … so I have never needed to make the decision that you are contemplating.

MichaelG.

.

Edit: here is one thread

Edit: and another

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 07/02/2015 12:03:50

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 07/02/2015 12:06:14

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 07/02/2015 12:08:06
7 February 2015 at 13:11 #178838
michael m
Participant
@michaelm
Although I have no experience of the Hegner scroll saws I would caution against the cheap Chinese ones that are readily available. Ignore the the badging, they're all pretty much the same.

I posted at length on my experience with such, (see Michael G's second link) . Since then I've made further endeavours with it and resolved the problem of excessive side float on the upper arm bearing which has improved it's ability to cut accurately to a marked line. I still feel the speed is excessive, even with my 4:1 reduction ratio, and this requires further consideration. As I used the largest readily available timing pulley on the arm drive (and the smallest practicable on the motor) I will need to machine a larger one myself when I find a suitable size aluminium blank. Another option would be a countershaft but ideally I want to keep everything within the constraints of the original machine's footprint.

Until that's done the jury's still out for me but you may well find it possible to make a silk purse by investing some time and a little money into one of the cheap versions.

Michael M
7 February 2015 at 18:21 #178862
IanT
Participant
@iant
I needed to cut up some 1.5mm sheet steel into lengths recently and used my jigsaw with a fine metal cutting blade and a simple wooden guide clamped to my (folding) work bench. For occasional needs this seems to be a good solution and I was happy with the end results.

I've not tried it on copper but I think it would be Ok. My Bosch jigsaw does have a variable speed btw and I can run it fairly slowly which I'm sure helps. Certainly cheaper than a Hegner too.

Regards,

IanT..
7 February 2015 at 18:56 #178867
Peter Bond
Participant
@peterbond14804
Part of the fun I've had cutting copper with the jigsaw involves the blade catching slightly and bouncing the saw upwards. It's fine for cutting down old water cylinders (mostly), but the uses I have in mind need to be more accurate (and better surface finish) and in the case of the plastics, I need to cut radii in the order of 3mm which is outwith the capabilities of any of the blades I've got for mine (also, I can't see much of the cut area).

Even with the industrial Bosch jigsaws, getting cuts square through thicker material can be a bit hit & miss.

Always looking for better (usually faster) ways of doing things – the line's a bit blurred as to whether it's hobby or work.

Edited By Peter Bond on 07/02/2015 18:57:44
7 February 2015 at 20:53 #178881
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Peter Bond on 07/02/2015 18:56:22:

… I need to cut radii in the order of 3mm

… Always looking for better (usually faster) ways of doing things –

.

Peter,

I don't want this to sound like a Hegner advert, but …

Have a look down this page, and start saving your pennies.

MichaelG.
7 February 2015 at 22:25 #178896
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Quite an interesting DIY page, here.

MichaelG.
8 February 2015 at 09:02 #178919
Peter Bond
Participant
@peterbond14804
That's rather impressive (cf "the ocean can be a bit deep" ). I like the use of the scope on the saw too. I must now resist the desire to build an orrery.

Reading around on UK home workshop, there do seem to be some strongly-held opinions on anything that isn't a Hegner. The Axminster trade clone *might* do the job, but that would be a gamble. Only other question then is which model – the 2 is the biggest I can reasonably accommodate at the moment; why would I need a PG table?

Edited By Peter Bond on 08/02/2015 09:09:51
8 February 2015 at 11:17 #178931
Ian S C
Participant
@iansc
DREMMEL make a nice little scroll saw, I think the one I saw a week or so ago was a new product. A bit better than the home made one I inherited, well bought home from the church fair white elephant stall. One thing it does have, the driven pulley is made of wood, it takes a A size V belt, and driven from a 1/4hp 1ph 4 pole induction motor, probably ex washing machine. It goes quite well on wood, and there's plenty of room with an 18" throat. Must find some room to set it up.

Ian S C
8 February 2015 at 11:33 #178933
Cornish Jack
Participant
@cornishjack
Have had a Hegner for over 20 years – excellent machine but not used much because it's a bit 'specialist'. This machine joined a number of others in succumbing to the dreaded 'surge'. The first major purchase to restock the intended workshop was … a Hegner!! I subsequently came across a variable speed version and bought that, so there is a single speed machine spare. PM me if interested or I shall advertise it properly here once I get one of those circular 'tuits'

Rgds

Bill
2 March 2015 at 10:32 #181832
Peter Bond
Participant
@peterbond14804
Ah. I see why they get raved about. A shiny new Hegner (and 2 gross of spiral blades) arrived on Thursday; Friday I put it to the test profiling a load of Delrin sheets. Normally I'd rough cut the profiles with the jigsaw and refine the shape with a belt grinder & files; by being able to cut the profile far more accurately than before I saved myself about 5 hours labour on that batch. Also started using some structured carbide cutters with a Dremel for shaping; as there's little heat buildup (and the plastic is flung clear pretty much before it can melt), they also help.

Ran the saw at fill tilt on the plastic with no issues – the spiral blades clear a fairly wide kerf, but they're excellent on hard plastics such as Delrin and acrylic (it's what I use manually on them too).
2 March 2015 at 10:44 #181834
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Peter Bond on 02/03/2015 10:32:22:

Ah. I see why they get raved about. A shiny new Hegner (and 2 gross of spiral blades) arrived on Thursday;

.

Great news, Peter

May I ask which model you bought ?

MichaelG.
2 March 2015 at 13:14 #181852
Peter Bond
Participant
@peterbond14804
It's the Multicut 2 variable speed. Didn't feel a precision ground table added enough and the 1 was probably going to be a bit small at times. Delivered the day after ordering, which is always nice.
2 March 2015 at 13:31 #181853
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Thanks, Peter

I really must try to make room for one !!

MichaelG.
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