Stuart Z Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Hi I've seen various posts on band saws and scroll saws but if you can only have one, limited space or budget, which should you go for ? Welcome your thoughts, btw sorry if already covered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monz Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Bandsaw. I have a scroll saw and would rather have a bandsaw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Meade Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Other way round for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven S Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 I have a very small shop [5'-6" x 6'-6"] so a Dremel scroll saw and a Proxxon table saw for me. Actualy they call it a Moto saw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Dance 1 Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 I would choose a scroll saw first if you are a scratch builder. Reason, if you need to fret out a former where there is a hole surrounded by material easy with a scroll saw, simply unhook the blade pass through a hole drilled in the former, reconnect to saw and off you go. You can do this with a band saw, cut blade. pass through hole, re-weld blade. Unfortunately most of us don't have an in situ welder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Scroll saw! But it depends what you are doing - model planes need intricate formers and the scrollsaw is best. General carpentry might need a bandsaw instead. Note that cheap bandsaws seem not too satisfactory to most people , but most cheap scrollsaws sold now seem to work as well as any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 As a lucky man with all three, the scroll saw, a 40 year old dremel motoshop unit is king. If the table saw or band saw broke it would be a shame. If the scroll saw went west, it would be replaced, even if SWMBO's washing machine went west at the same time. I would disseminate, lie, as nescessary, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bert baker Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Band saw's don't cut rounded edges very well because of the depth of the blade. Horses for courses, it depends on what you need to make, if it was for outside edge cutting formers and ribs etc, I would go for a bandsaw with a rotary sanding disk on the side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 The band saw is next, if fitted with a saw guide to produce strip wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 If space, rather than money is the limitation, go for the bandsaw - as you should always be able to squeeze in the scroll saw when you find that you need both! If you really must choose, the scroll saw would be slightly better as a dedicated modelling tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 And bottom line, a band saw, or table saw, and a moments in attention, equals 7 fingers Don. A scroll saw is good.. I have seen detached body bits, small and large. I would prefer that I am not the donor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanN Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Coincidentally, I'm getting close to taking the plunge and had decided a scroll saw is the way to go After looking at several ebay items, and chickening out, I'm considering this **LINK** Screwfix's current budget offering. Any views from experienced users? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 The weight of that Screwfix one suggests its not the same as others which are heavier. More cast iron = less vibration. However if you need to move it around then lower weight might be better for you. I suggest considering the Axminster one here which is a later version of the one I have had for 20 years or more. One of the differences is some have cast iron tables, some alloy, some pressed steel. Obviously cast iron seems better although alloy would be non rusting if you work in a damp workshop. Pressed steel seems less desirable although no doubt it works. I would also consider the Record one which has built in light - very handy. Look out for special deals on Record as they often have sale prices on this machine. Check out the blade tension and whether it is quick release which would be very handy. (That Screwfix one looks different to most blade tensioners ) Also check if machine has adaptors for fretsaw blades as well as pin ended. Regarding safety - I dont think you could do any real harm with a scrollsaw although they can just draw blood. Different matter with a bandsaw or table saw -much more dangerous. Edited By kc on 24/01/2016 19:52:33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Fuller Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Based only on the pics shown the Axminster seems to me to be the best cost/value. To chime in on your query, the scroll saw is the better choice for models. I have both and use the scroll probably 25 to 1 over the band saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Z Posted January 24, 2016 Author Share Posted January 24, 2016 Hi Thanks guys, all very helpful points - I think the scroll saw is going to be the choice for me. I had a quick look at the Clarke ones in Machine Mart, any one use one of these? Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave parnham Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 go back to screwfix and have a look at the scheppach scroll saws, I got one for Christmas and love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Fisher Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 I have a bandsaw, jigsaw, and a bench circular saw as well as a hand held version.I have never liked the scroll saws I have seen and sometimes used. Instead I have an ancient Hobbies treadle fretsaw - does everything a scroll saw can and doesn't stop working if there's a power cut. Malcolm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Z Posted January 24, 2016 Author Share Posted January 24, 2016 Hi Dave Good call - the SD 1600 looks interesting and relatively light which is a factor as I will have to move off and on the bench due to space issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanN Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Posted by kc on 24/01/2016 19:47:45: The weight of that Screwfix one suggests its not the same as others which are heavier. More cast iron = less vibration. However if you need to move it around then lower weight might be better for you. I suggest considering the Axminster one here which is a later version of the one I have had for 20 years or more. One of the differences is some have cast iron tables, some alloy, some pressed steel. Obviously cast iron seems better although alloy would be non rusting if you work in a damp workshop. Pressed steel seems less desirable although no doubt it works. I would also consider the Record one which has built in light - very handy. Look out for special deals on Record as they often have sale prices on this machine. Check out the blade tension and whether it is quick release which would be very handy. (That Screwfix one looks different to most blade tensioners ) Also check if machine has adaptors for fretsaw blades as well as pin ended. Regarding safety - I dont think you could do any real harm with a scrollsaw although they can just draw blood. Different matter with a bandsaw or table saw -much more dangerous. Edited By kc on 24/01/2016 19:52:33 Thanks for that KC. Really useful, and giving it serious consideration. I'm certainly putting off diving in on the Screwfix cheapie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 I've got a a small Proxxon table saw (non tiltable), a scroll saw & a 3 wheel Burgess bandsaw with disc sander attachment. The Proxxon gets used regularly mainly for strip wood & long straight cuts etc. The scroll saw is rarely used for anything other than to cut epoxy board roughly to shape (the part is sanded or filed to final shape). Cutting epoxy board quickly ruins any blades & scroll saw blades are cheapest. I've had the bandsaw longest, about 20 years or so, even after getting the other two it is used by far the most. If I'm cutting formers I normaly stack two pieces of ply together & cut to half the size to be joined later with PVA, this gives a completly symetrical former & takes care of any having a hole in the centre. Before I had the Proxxon I used the bandsaw to produce stripwood etc. With care it's possible to cut acceptable triangular strip, which I still do when it's needed. IMO the bandsaw is the most versatile, it's the one I value most, the Proxxon gives the cleanest cut for stripwood etc, a bit limited otherwise but if I had to give any up I wouldn't really miss the scroll saw & I'd cut epoxy board with a junior hacksaw or hand fretsaw. Cheers, Pat o'10 Fingers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onetenor Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Scroll saw for me . Clarke . Got mine from a free cycle site FOC You cant cut out centres with a bandsaw. but you can notch formers with a scroll saw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daithi O Buitigh Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Just as an aside, I always called them 'fretsaws' - when (and why) did the name get changed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Z Posted January 25, 2016 Author Share Posted January 25, 2016 The weight of that Screwfix one suggests its not the same as others which are heavier. More cast iron = less vibration. Hi, I agree weight is an issue, lighter can mean less stable and more noise, I have an old Shapersaw which is very very loud, partly as it relies on oscillation / vibration to function. But it is very handy to lift on and off the workbench. So what I think I want is quieter, better cutting depth, ( the Shapersaw is painfully slow when even thin ply is involved). I guess it's all down to a balance of compromises as I read above that I really would benefit from having both, but just don't have the space or the budget. So thanks for all the input it has focussed my mind on what is key for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy48 Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 They ARE fretsaws! I've got a SIP fretsaw, just over 2 years old to replace an older one which vibrated terribly. Its a good saw and does not vibrate. A key part of my SIP broke. A new part cost 95p plus £6 postage, so I really couldn't advise that. I do have some Axminster stuff and usually the quality is good. If I was replacing the SIP it would be for an Axminster saw. I would always go for one with a speed controller. Edited By Andy48 on 25/01/2016 14:59:23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Yes they are fretsaws but the nowadays it seems to be that fretsaws refers to hand fretsaws whilst scrollsaws now means power fretsaws. Blame the Americans! I found a few videos linked to the Axminster site which might help you decide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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