desmobob

Thinking about buying a small saw for the shop.

What type saw do you prefer, and why?

Thanks for any advice,
desmobob

kdheath

If you're only going to have one, the bandsaw is probably the most versatile. But you can't cut inside holes with a bandsaw the way you can with a jigsaw.

I really enjoyed my Dremel 580 table saw. Wore it out to find they aren't made any more. A 4 inch table saw, it would cut 1/4 inch plywood. It would also crosscut 1/32 balsa, no splinters. I ripped strips, cut bulkheads and other square parts, cut off dowels and CF tubes, the list goes on. I'd love to find another one.

I have a jig saw and a bandsaw and rarely use the jig saw.

CCRC1

My Feedback: (13)

Ooooh, this will start a big debate. If you do a search you will find a lot of prior discussion.
I will give you my opinion if you wish.
I have been building (kits and from plans) for more than 30 years and I have almost all the shop tools you can get. The problem is that each tool has its place and no one tool will do it all. I can tell you that I use my band saw more than any other saw in the shop. If you are going to build from plans, you are going to need to cut out parts from balsa stock. I have found nothing works better than a good band saw with a scroll cutting blade. A table top scroll saw is OK but I get much better cuts with much better control with my band saw. The one thing that a table top scroll saw will do better is to cut out a section of stock with just a hole drilled for a starting point, because you can insert the blade into the hole and begin cutting.
On the other hand the band saw can cleanly and accurately rip balsa stock so you can make stringers and true up edges. You can make a rip fence for the scroll saw but it does not cut nearly as smooth and clean as the band saw.
I my shop, I use my powered tools in the following order:
Band Saw
Table top belt/disc sander
Drill Press
Scroll Saw
Micro Table Saw
Full size table saw
The last time this question came up most of the folks who posted recommended the scroll saw, to each his own!
But, I can cut almost every part I need to scratch build an airplane with my band saw and have far less work sanding and cleaning up the parts afterwards then if I had used the scroll saw. If you watch the sales at Sears you can get a nice table top band saw and belt sander for around $200 for both. Good luck with your choice

SST

My Feedback: (2)

If you can only have one, go for the jigsaw. It won't make as pretty a cut as a bandsaw (that's why they make sandpaper), but you can't make interior cuts with a bandsaw, either. I have a Ryobi from Home Depot with variable speed, built in worklight & dust blower for about $100.00, and really like it. I used to have a Dremel years ago, and it left a bad taste in my mouth about Dremel.

CCRC1

My Feedback: (13)

Kdheath,
This is what I asked santa to bring me this year. You should look at this as a replacement for your Dremel saw. I have a Micro Lux micro table saw now, but its a kids toy compared to the quality of this one.
http://www.byrnesmodelmachines.com/i...m=1014MM998971

sscherin

My Feedback: (1)

Minicraft sells a couple small tabelsaws.

This one is the cheepest.
http://www.minicrafttools.com/mb410.html

I think the one most people have is a scroll saw.. After that I'd get a bandsaw..

Get a 2 wheel Bandsaw.. The Ryobi 10" is a good one for $200 as it comes with a good rip fence and bearing blade guides.
http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/rybibndsawrvu.html

The 3 wheelers can be a pain to get the wheels aligned.

CCRC1

My Feedback: (13)

Just to clear up any confusion.
The saw on the left is a Jig saw, generally not used in modeling.
The saw on the right is a scroll saw, this is what we are refering to. It has been nicknamed a jig saw by some folks.

goatboy

I use the following. band saw, Scroll saw,small hand held saw with Miter box, small table router, Drill press, 9 inch belt/disk sander, Fordom, and finally a Dremel and the old sanding bar. I have a table saw but feel its too much trouble and just use the band saw if needed. A jig saw (for me just seems to create more work(sanding) or recutting because of the lack of precision in cutting.
just my two cents.

Gringo Flyer

My Feedback: (18)

The first must have tool has to be a dremel.

I would go for the scroll saw first. It seems to be the most versatile. Dremel makes a scrolll saw that has a place on the side where you can attach a dremel extension. If you go that route you will have a scroll saw and a dremel tool.

Next on the list of tools would have to be a drill press. They come in handy for lots of stuff.

redfox435cat

micromark has alot of percision tools as wel

I recommend getting a 4" tablesaw then the micro hand jigsaw

[link=http://www.micromark.com]micromark[/link]

asmithnc

I have a dremel scroll saw and it sucks at making stright cuts (so do all scroll saws). I tend to use the scroll for lightening holes and to rough cut. The table saw is needed I wish I had a 4 inch. Drill press is a must so is a cordless. I cannot say enough about a block of wood (cut buy the scroll saw) 150 grit sand paper and good ol elbow grease.

1) Band saw
2) table saw 10 inch or 4 inch
3) drill press
4) Dove tail hand saw
5) TV.. with Cable






10) scroll saw

desmobob

I figured the scroll saw would have been the most popular.

I was guessing that in scratch building, the most time-consuming thing to cut would be plywood formers, which would require a scroll saw. But it must be wing ribs that make the band saw most-used by most modelers?

Delta has a 9" two-wheel bandsaw for $139. I haven't looked at Sears yet. I'm not really ready to buy one right now. After the holidays, maybe.

Thanks for your responses.

Good flying,
desmobob

CCRC1

My Feedback: (13)

Watch the holiday sales. I was just in Sears tonight and saw their benchtop bandsaws at $99.00.
Asmithnc was correct about the scroll saw not making decent staight cuts.
Look at all the parts you will need to cut out if you are scratch building an airplane. 5% or less are inside cuts like fuselage formers. For those parts, you can drill a 1/2" hole in ply parts or cut a section out of balsa with an X-acto knife and open the area up as required with a Dremel Tool.
For every other cut and every other piece you need to make, the band saw will do a superior job compaired to a scroll saw.

desmobob

Thanks for the tips. I'll keep an eye on the Sears prices. I know when I was looking for a drill press years ago, I was about ready to buy an inexpensive (made in China) Delta model. Turns out a Sears model was identical, included a free drill press vice (invaluble) and was cheaper, on sale.

Good flying,
desmobob

d_bodary

My Feedback: (85)

Well first let me start out by saying i have alot of craftsman power and hand tools. And generally like them alot. I happen to own a craftsman two wheel tabletop bandsaw. And let me voice my opinion. it is the biggest P.O.S. i have ever owned. I would have to vote for either the dremel or the craftsman scroll saw. you can get the variable speed scroll saw for between 120.00 to 140.00 dollars. Might be slightly less with the sales going on. The two wheel band saw that sears has spins at a gazillion feet per second. and cutting a straight line is impossible.

Let me put it this way buy the bandsaw regret it for the rest of your life.
Buy the scroll saw and love life.

The small table saws that someguys had pictures of look really interesting though. And i may have to check into one later on.

Dennis

kdc

For model aircraft in the up to 60 inch span sizes I build , the scroll saw is most useful. At the moment in Britain they are an absolute bargain at about 35 to 40 pounds ( 60 to 70 US dollars ) for the Far East brands. I am sure this will not last so buy one now if you are going to need one.
The main point no one mentioned is that scroll saws are safer - that is they do not cut flesh so your fingers are safe! However they will cut solid material such as your finger nails. They will easily cut three eighths birch ply and maybe more with the right blade. Blade tension is important and practice is needed to cut straight. They are perfect for cutting ply formers with intricate slots and curved bits.

If a band saw will not cut straight check out the tips in specialist books- adjust blade guides, remove build up of sawdust from wheels and adjust tracking, correct blade for the job etc. But generally I find they are of little use in model aircraft work.

piper_chuck

My Feedback: (12)

I've got a bandsaw and scroll saw. I use the bandsaw more often than the scroll saw. However, if I could only have one, and it had to be a small benchtop type tool, I would choose a scroll saw. The smaller bandsaws tend to be more challenging to get running right, and has been mentioned, the scroll saw lets you do inside cuts.

CCRC1

My Feedback: (13)

A scroll saw won't cut flesh and your fingers are safer ???????????
What do you have a rubber blade in yours?

[sm=tired.gif] Thats is the most ridiculous statement I have ever seen here on RCU!!!!

If it cuts wood stock it will cut flesh and bone!!!!! Jeeez!

Weasel Keeper

My Feedback: (16)

Just bought a Craftsman scroll saw for which I have read favorable reviews. A great bargain, today is the last day for the sale that has it priced at $100. I have never owned a scroll saw before, but it seems like a nice piece of equipment. If you are in the market, the model # is 21610

d_bodary

My Feedback: (85)

After putting my thumb in a four tooth per inch band saw blade i can see the statement. I have to ask have you ever cut yourself on a scroll saw? I did'nt think so. The bandsaw tends to pull you into the blade whereas the scroll saw every other way tries to release you from it. So while not cutting bone and flesh could be considered as a mis statement. It is far truer than you could imagine.
As far as the blade tracking goes that someone suggested. i tried it all and i just don't like the craftsmen band saw that i have. Later on i will probably get a bigger floor mounted one for about 250.00. But right now the scroll saw is the most used tool for me.
Dennis

CCRC1

My Feedback: (13)

The answer for me is no, I have not. But thats because I exercise good shop safety. Not because the saw won't or can't cause the injury. The rational that the band saw can cause a more severe injury, does not make the scroll saw "Safer".
I tell you what, you come by my shop and and I will start up my scroll saw. I will let you bump you finger into the moving blade and we will see what happens![sm=eek.gif]

Folks come to these sites looking for good advice. Here we have a guy looking for information about buying a saw for his shop and someone tells him that scroll saws don't cut flesh so they are safer. Regardless of whether you prefer one or the other (to each his own) why tell folks looking for help, nonsense like that![:@]

mscic-RCU

My Feedback: (6)

Band Saw, Scroll Saw (jig saw), drill press, table top belt\disc sander. Lowe's has the Chinese band saw and drill press with laser sighting, both for about 150 bucks.

kdc

Obviously it might depend on the stroke of a particular scroll saw, but the Far Eastern types avail in Britain do not cut your flesh they merely vibrate it up and down harmlessly but cut wood etc.

The previous distributor of the expensive Hegner saw actually used to demonstrate safety by putting his fingers on the blade at exhibitions. (After his demo I told him children were watching and they might not realise the danger with other saws and at later exhibitions he did not do this! )

Obviously safety is paramount so do not try this out with your fingers in case your saw has a much greater stroke. But try it with something expendable like a piece of chicken!

I will measure the stroke of the saw and count blade teeth for reference.

rt3232

My Feedback: (6)

Well all I have to add my two sense worth

Being a geeser (old) I have over the years purchased cheap tools, only to sell them and buy a better quality and at amuch higher price.
Every brand has some drawbacks, But having been in tool sales for a few years and after watching reading consummers report, I would rate and buy as followes and this is just my opinon and experiance..

The dremel roto tool #1 the rest of there tools suck

Any of the Ryobi bench tools are on the low end of the price range.. they are not precision tools.

Any of the higher price delta, craftsman, ridged, bench type would be the next choice

but if you are a new tool buyer I always say go for the best tool you can aford plus 50% as these tools will last 50 or more years, these are the tool you will get your money back ten fold from..

Cheers Bob T

dicknadine

Got news for you!!! the tool on the left is a recent invention. the one the right is just a modern version of the old time JIG saws. we had jig saws way back in the 1930's, powered by a dicarded electric washing machine motor, long before the hand held version was ever thought of. you couldn't beat it for cutting out puzzles, ie thats where the name came from. also most where made in the basement by the owner. words vs words. dick stamm