I was telling a friend that I intended to purchase a scroll saw (Dewalt
788) and a band saw (still deciding between Jet 710115K, Powermatic
1791216K, and the Grizzly G0513).

He said, "Heck, just get the band saw and use that for scrolling.

Okay, I realize that the scroll saw can scroll both exterior AND
interior designs whereas the bandsaw can only cut exterior.

But ... other than that one limitation, how does a high quality band saw
(like the Powermatic or the Grizzly) compare to a nice scroll saw?

Jack

mywebaccts (at) PLUGcomcast.net wrote:
I was telling a friend that I intended to purchase a scroll saw (Dewalt
788) and a band saw (still deciding between Jet 710115K, Powermatic
1791216K, and the Grizzly G0513).

He said, "Heck, just get the band saw and use that for scrolling.

Okay, I realize that the scroll saw can scroll both exterior AND
interior designs whereas the bandsaw can only cut exterior.

But ... other than that one limitation, how does a high quality band saw
(like the Powermatic or the Grizzly) compare to a nice scroll saw?


For one thing there are spiral scroll saw blades that will
cut in any direction. You can cut tighter radii with
those than with any bandsaw blade.

A scroll saw lets you do finer work than with a bandsaw.

Scroll saw blades are cheaper and easier to replace, but
(I think) wear out faster.

A bandsaw will cut stock of appreciable thickness much
faster because it sweeps the sawdust out of the kerf
no matter how thick the piece is. A reciprocating blade
loses effectiveness when the thickness of the material
approaches or exceeds the stroke length.

--

FF

You can cut interior holes with a bandsaw, if you're willing to
cut and reweld the blade. There are small blade welders for the
purpose.

mywebaccts (at) PLUGcomcast.net wrote:
I was telling a friend that I intended to purchase a scroll saw (Dewalt
788) and a band saw (still deciding between Jet 710115K, Powermatic
1791216K, and the Grizzly G0513).

He said, "Heck, just get the band saw and use that for scrolling.

Okay, I realize that the scroll saw can scroll both exterior AND
interior designs whereas the bandsaw can only cut exterior.

But ... other than that one limitation, how does a high quality band saw
(like the Powermatic or the Grizzly) compare to a nice scroll saw?

Jack

"mywebaccts (at) PLUGcomcast.net" "mywebaccts (at) PLUGcomcast.net" wrote
in message

He said, "Heck, just get the band saw and use that for scrolling.


Yep, he's right. Did he also tell you that you don't need any screwdrivers
since you have butter knives? Different tools, different functions.

On Thu 22 Sep 2005 03:23:11p, "mywebaccts (at) PLUGcomcast.net"
"mywebaccts (at) PLUGcomcast.net" wrote in news:_fydnfK03-0sj67eRVn-
:

I was telling a friend that I intended to purchase a scroll saw (Dewalt
788) and a band saw (still deciding between Jet 710115K, Powermatic
1791216K, and the Grizzly G0513).

He said, "Heck, just get the band saw and use that for scrolling.

Okay, I realize that the scroll saw can scroll both exterior AND
interior designs whereas the bandsaw can only cut exterior.

But ... other than that one limitation, how does a high quality band saw
(like the Powermatic or the Grizzly) compare to a nice scroll saw?

Jack

The band saw's great for larger work, and with something like a Carter
Stabilizer and a small blade, you can do some really fine work with it. But
snipping the blade and rewelding it isn't my idea of a great way to do
intricate scrollwork. I'm sure it's possible and I'm sure you could get to
the point where you could do that with a bandsaw blade as fast as you could
change the blade with a scroll saw.

But if'n I had the wherewithal to get both, I would most certainly get
both.

If I had to have just one for a while, it's the bandsaw. I'm probably only
saying that because I don't have a working scrollsaw yet but I sure have
found plenty of uses for the bandsaw, and so far no times when I had to go
borrow somebody else's scroll saw.

On Thu, 22 Sep 2005 14:23:11 -0600, "mywebaccts (at) PLUGcomcast.net"
"mywebaccts (at) PLUGcomcast.net" wrote:

He said, "Heck, just get the band saw and use that for scrolling.

I can buy a decent scroll saw with what I've just spent on bandsaw
blades. They're pretty much entirely different tools, and the budget
for a usable machine differs by a factor of at least 4 or 5.

If you _can_ do it with a scroll saw, then a scroll saw is probably the
better tool for it. But there's a huge amount where only one or the
other can really achieve it.

On Thu, 22 Sep 2005 23:36:47 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski"
wrote:


"mywebaccts (at) PLUGcomcast.net" "mywebaccts (at) PLUGcomcast.net" wrote
in message

He said, "Heck, just get the band saw and use that for scrolling.


Yep, he's right. Did he also tell you that you don't need any screwdrivers
since you have butter knives? Different tools, different functions.




wait a minute... I thought it was "you don't need any butter knives
since you have screwdrivers", not "you don't need any screwdrivers
since you have butter knives"....

I had alsways heard it as " You don't need butter knives if you have
putty knives"


Scroll saw will do extremely detailed work in stock of moderate
thikness (1" or less)

Bandsaw is limited in the radius of the curve by the depth of the blade
but will cut much thicker stock.

You can back out a cut in a scoll saw, try the same thing with a
bandsaw and on mine the blade falls off the drive wheel.

The best thing about a scroll saw is that you can cut out little French
cleats for your tool drawers...that sounds kind of krude doesn't it?
NPI

Don

Did I write "krude" what I meant to write was c-r-u-d-e. k...c... same
thing right?

In article ,
at) PLUGcomcast.net" "mywebaccts (at "mywebaccts (at) PLUGcomcast.net" wrote:
I was telling a friend that I intended to purchase a scroll saw (Dewalt
788) and a band saw (still deciding between Jet 710115K, Powermatic
1791216K, and the Grizzly G0513).

He said, "Heck, just get the band saw and use that for scrolling.

Okay, I realize that the scroll saw can scroll both exterior AND
interior designs whereas the bandsaw can only cut exterior.

But ... other than that one limitation, how does a high quality band saw
(like the Powermatic or the Grizzly) compare to a nice scroll saw?

Jack


There is some overlap in what a bandsaw and a scroll saw will do but
they have different emphasis. As you pointed out, a scroll saw can do
interior cuts, and can easily make a smooth cut that reqires no
sanding. If you are going to do mostly fine, intricate cuts, fretwork,
toy making, etc. the scroll saw would be a good choice. If you are
making larger projects with "furniture sized" curves using thicker
stock the band saw would be best. If you choose to buy only one, a
good jig saw like the Bosch or Milwaukee will enable you to do much of
what the other saw can accomplish. Another option would be to purchase
a good bandsaw and a cheaper scroll saw, The smaller Delta and similar
models in the $150 range can do pretty good work at the cost of
increased vibration and discomfort of operation.


--

Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland

"rickluce" wrote in message
oups.com...
Did I write "krude" what I meant to write was c-r-u-d-e. k...c... same
thing right?


klose enough

There is some overlap in what a bandsaw and a scroll saw will do but
they have different emphasis. As you pointed out, a scroll saw can do
interior cuts, and can easily make a smooth cut that reqires no
sanding. If you are going to do mostly fine, intricate cuts, fretwork,
toy making, etc. the scroll saw would be a good choice. If you are
making larger projects with "furniture sized" curves using thicker
stock the band saw would be best. If you choose to buy only one, a
good jig saw like the Bosch or Milwaukee will enable you to do much of
what the other saw can accomplish. Another option would be to purchase
a good bandsaw and a cheaper scroll saw, The smaller Delta and similar
models in the $150 range can do pretty good work at the cost of
increased vibration and discomfort of operation.


What tyes of saws are we really taliking about comparing...

Scroll saw
Bandsaw
Saber, or jig saw

When I read the original post I though of only stationary saws...

Oh well time to grab another cup of coffee and try to get my brain in
gear...

Bob G..

On 23 Sep 2005 05:08:56 -0700, "rickluce"
wrote:

The best thing about a scroll saw is that you can cut out little French
cleats for your tool drawers..

I've heard this called "French fitting" before, but IMHO, "French
cleats" are the battens with an angled ripped edge used on the back of a
cabinet, to hang it on the wall.

I thought it was "You don't need any chisels if you have putty knives".

--
Jeff P.

Check out my woodshop at: www.sawdustcentral.com

*After they make styrofoam, what do they ship it in?
*Do Lipton employees take coffee breaks?
*If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?
*If nothing ever sticks to TEFLON, how do they make TEFLON stick to the pan?
*If vegetarians love animals so much, why do they eat all their food?

wrote in message
oups.com...
I had alsways heard it as " You don't need butter knives if you have
putty knives"


Scroll saw will do extremely detailed work in stock of moderate
thikness (1" or less)

Bandsaw is limited in the radius of the curve by the depth of the blade
but will cut much thicker stock.

You can back out a cut in a scoll saw, try the same thing with a
bandsaw and on mine the blade falls off the drive wheel.

Bandsaw = powered Bow Saw.
Jig Saw = powered Key hole saw
Scroll Saw = powered Coping Saw / Fret Saw

(for about 90% of the time.. ) If you can't figure out how you would
do it with hand tools, a power tool will get you no-where
faster and with less effort.

Phil

In article ,
...snipped...

What tyes of saws are we really taliking about comparing...

Scroll saw
Bandsaw
Saber, or jig saw

When I read the original post I though of only stationary saws...

Oh well time to grab another cup of coffee and try to get my brain in
gear...

Bob G..

I believe the OP was talking only of stationary saws also. What I
meant was that if the OP had a good hand-held jigsaw, it could do much
of the work of either the scroll saw or the band saw, so a possible
alternative to having both stationary saws would be a jig saw and
whichever stationary saw would be most useful for the work he is
doing.




--

Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland

Phil wrote:
Bandsaw = powered Bow Saw.
Jig Saw = powered Key hole saw
Scroll Saw = powered Coping Saw / Fret Saw

(for about 90% of the time.. ) If you can't figure out how you would
do it with hand tools, a power tool will get you no-where
faster and with less effort.


and more noise.

--

FF

The scroll saw can make cuts that fit back together
perfectly. You can't do that with a bandsaw. I
wouldn't use a bandsaw to make a jigsaw puzzle.

mywebaccts (at) PLUGcomcast.net wrote:
I was telling a friend that I intended to purchase a scroll saw (Dewalt
788) and a band saw (still deciding between Jet 710115K, Powermatic
1791216K, and the Grizzly G0513).

He said, "Heck, just get the band saw and use that for scrolling.

Okay, I realize that the scroll saw can scroll both exterior AND
interior designs whereas the bandsaw can only cut exterior.

But ... other than that one limitation, how does a high quality band saw
(like the Powermatic or the Grizzly) compare to a nice scroll saw?

Jack

I'd use a jigsaw...to make a jigsaw puzzle...I'd use a scrollsaw to make a
scrollsaw puzzle..

John Emmons

"Mike Berger" wrote in message
...
The scroll saw can make cuts that fit back together
perfectly. You can't do that with a bandsaw. I
wouldn't use a bandsaw to make a jigsaw puzzle.

mywebaccts (at) PLUGcomcast.net wrote:
I was telling a friend that I intended to purchase a scroll saw (Dewalt
788) and a band saw (still deciding between Jet 710115K, Powermatic
1791216K, and the Grizzly G0513).

He said, "Heck, just get the band saw and use that for scrolling.

Okay, I realize that the scroll saw can scroll both exterior AND
interior designs whereas the bandsaw can only cut exterior.

But ... other than that one limitation, how does a high quality band saw
(like the Powermatic or the Grizzly) compare to a nice scroll saw?

Jack

John Emmons wrote:

I'd use a jigsaw...to make a jigsaw puzzle...I'd use a scrollsaw to make a
scrollsaw puzzle..

Ergo, a bandsaw to make a bandsaw puzzle!

On Wed, 28 Sep 2005 16:50:04 -0500, Duane Bozarth
wrote:

John Emmons wrote:

I'd use a jigsaw...to make a jigsaw puzzle...I'd use a scrollsaw to make a
scrollsaw puzzle..

a good example of nomenclature drift. what we call today a scroll saw
was called a jigsaw by my grandfather. what we call a jigsaw he called
a saber saw.






Ergo, a bandsaw to make a bandsaw puzzle!


certainly a bandsaw box- a sort of jigsaw puzzle.

In article , s wrote:
On Wed, 28 Sep 2005 16:50:04 -0500, Duane Bozarth
wrote:

John Emmons wrote:

I'd use a jigsaw...to make a jigsaw puzzle...I'd use a scrollsaw to make a
scrollsaw puzzle..

a good example of nomenclature drift. what we call today a scroll saw
was called a jigsaw by my grandfather. what we call a jigsaw he called
a saber saw.

I *still* call it a saber saw...

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

On Thu, 29 Sep 2005 01:52:15 GMT, (Doug Miller)
wrote:

In article , s wrote:
On Wed, 28 Sep 2005 16:50:04 -0500, Duane Bozarth
wrote:

John Emmons wrote:

I'd use a jigsaw...to make a jigsaw puzzle...I'd use a scrollsaw to make a
scrollsaw puzzle..

a good example of nomenclature drift. what we call today a scroll saw
was called a jigsaw by my grandfather. what we call a jigsaw he called
a saber saw.

I *still* call it a saber saw...

I have a table jigsaw. It differs from my definition of a scrollsaw
because it is only powered on the down cut - the upcut being spring
drawn. if you take the sideways U shaped arm off and put in a nice
stiff saber saw blade it becomes a table based saber saw. I like my
Bosch handheld jigsaw but I very seldom use my Craftsman scrollsaw.
Damn, I have them all ;-)

Dave Hall

On Thu, 29 Sep 2005 01:52:15 GMT, (Doug Miller)
wrote:

In article , s wrote:
On Wed, 28 Sep 2005 16:50:04 -0500, Duane Bozarth
wrote:

John Emmons wrote:

I'd use a jigsaw...to make a jigsaw puzzle...I'd use a scrollsaw to make a
scrollsaw puzzle..

a good example of nomenclature drift. what we call today a scroll saw
was called a jigsaw by my grandfather. what we call a jigsaw he called
a saber saw.

I *still* call it a saber saw...


on the side of my saber saw some joker at bosch wrote "jig saw"

Your grandfather? I'm not that old and those were the names used when I was
a kid.

wrote in message
...
a good example of nomenclature drift. what we call today a scroll saw
was called a jigsaw by my grandfather. what we call a jigsaw he called
a saber saw.






Ergo, a bandsaw to make a bandsaw puzzle!


certainly a bandsaw box- a sort of jigsaw puzzle.

wrote in message
.. .
a good example of nomenclature drift. what we call today a scroll saw
was called a jigsaw by my grandfather. what we call a jigsaw he called
a saber saw.






Ergo, a bandsaw to make a bandsaw puzzle!


certainly a bandsaw box- a sort of jigsaw puzzle.




On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 18:40:41 GMT, "CW" wrote:

Your grandfather? I'm not that old and those were the names used when I was
a kid.


when I was a kid both names were in use. grampa called it a saber saw,
other people called it a jig saw...

Grampa's gone now- I can't ask him what it was called when he was a
kid... probably nothing... not too many hand held power tools in the
1910's.