On 16 Sep 2004 16:22:31 GMT, (JMartin957) wrote:


I am starting a clock project made almost entirely of brass plate.
Specifically I am building W.R. Smith's Lyre clock.
I need to saw out patterns in 3/16 brass for the main plates,
80 thou brass for the dial and 60 thou brass for the other parts
such as gear spokes.

I tried roughing out the main 3/16 plates with my 4x6 band saw in
vertical mode and quickly discovered the small throat really limits
the work envelope. It also does not allow me to do inside cuts.

Mr. Smith shows roughing out the plates with a table jig saw and
finishing up with a die filer and belt sander.

I believe a jig saw would not work well on thin stock but work work
well on the thick stock. I am wondering if a good scroll saw would
work on the 3/16 plate.

A bit of web research tells me the top of line scroll saws are
Hegner and Excaliber. Middle of the road in Dewalt and everything
else is lumped together.

So will a good scroll saw cut the 3/16 brass plate in a timely manner?
Do I need a jig saw and a scroll saw?

Looking for advise!!
thanks
chuck



Scroll saw would work fine. Pretty expensive purchase just for one clock,
though.

For larger internal cuts, you can always cut and silver solder the bandsaw
blade.

Think I'd go with a jeweler's saw, though.

John Martin
I would't hesitate to tackle this with my little 12" overarm jigsaw -
not counting the used lumber for the stand, I have at least three
dollars tied up in this machine. Use a fairly coarse toothed jewelers
blade with lots of tension on it.
Gerry :-)}
London, Canada