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Help! Buying a saw.

Posted by carlos contreras on April 4, 2011 at 10:00pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Hello this is my first post but I've been coming to this forum for a long time. Always loved looking at all of your creations while hoping to one day build my own. So about a month ago I finally did and I was surprised by the results. So were a couple other people because now I've gotten requests to build a couple more cbg's. So having fallen in love with the process I've decided to invest in buying a couple of tools. 

So I was just about to buy a jigsaw at the home depot thinking it would be the best tool (at a modest price) to turn planks into necks, but knowing nothing about tools I was overwhelmed by all the differences: rpm, watts, amps, and prices.

In the end I decided not to buy anything without reading up on the subject first. So i've seen all sorts of different opinions, jigsaw, hand saw, band saw, table saw, even a guy (not on this site) who made some sort of table where he fixed his jigsaw upside down.   

So after reading THIS POST I've come to the conclusion that a band saw would be the most versatile tool, specially after  JUJU AKA SOUNDSSOGOOD posted on the second page that he can even cut really thin veneers.

So what do you guys think, I'm currently trying to decide between a few different 16 inch scroll saws, I live in Mexico most imported tools are twice as expensive. I'm currently looking at this one, only I'd be paying double plus shipping on mexican ebay, or a similar Delta brand 16 inch for half the price and no shipping since it's nearby. If anyone is interested here is the link, it's in spanish but the specs are 16" Delta blade, up to 2 inch cuts and 1750 rpm. Would that do the trick? From looking at both of these I'm assuming I would have to rig some sort of support to make straight cuts, is that right? 

So what do you guys think about these two? Am I better off buying a more expensive and used Makita? I've even seen one with a laser.

As you can see I know practically nothing about woodworking (learned quite a bit making my first cbg) so your help is greatly appreciated, I've already bought some really nice exotic woods and I'm planning on building some really good looking cbg's, I'll post pics if anyone is interested. Thanks in advance, and I apologize for my english, but it's not first language.

Edit: I now see the difference between bandsaw and scroll saw, is a scroll saw no good? Should i be looking at band saws exclusively?

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Tags: band, bandsaw, jig, jigsaw, saw, table, tablesaw
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Replies

  • Mark Bliss April 11, 2011 at 12:55pm
    Good advise there Jim, I have read a lot of the material there and agree its a great resource.
  • Jim Mitchell April 11, 2011 at 12:11pm
    Good discussion TOOL SAFETY SHOULD BE A MAJOR CONCERN!!! I am in the camp of having collected tools for all of my adult life. I own some really nice machines as well as some really nice hand tools. Along the way I have become a big fan of Fine Woodworking (Taunton Press) In the early days they were a slick black and white publication that focused on woodwork that I could only dream about. Over the years they have expanded to include videos and now have  a very robust web presence as well. They feature the who's who in woodworking and have a very good track record on educating the public on woodworking.  Interestingly enough in the June edition of the magazine I noticed that on their web site www.finewoodworking.com/extras there is a video on mastering the bandsaw presented by Michael Fortune.  I have long been a fan of Mr. Fortune and strongly suggest anyone with an interest in blending hand and machine work check this site out. (I believe they have a free trial offer)  Often times with machines the real trick is in setting them up properly.  I own 2 really nice bandsaws and thanks to a recent find at a thrift store 2 scroll saws. Unlike a lot of folks here I don't really use the scroll saws. I would not want to be without my bandsaws. I would strongly urge anyone with an interest in wood working consider checking out this valuable resource particularly if you are going to use machines.  You don't have to go to grad school to be a wood worker but a little information will go a long way to help you get over the learning curve safely. (Okay now I will get down off my soap box)...
  • Mark Bliss April 10, 2011 at 11:07pm

    Similar thinking Sam.

    Hope all is going well with you.......

  • Wichita Sam April 10, 2011 at 8:47pm

    Mark and Wyndham,

     

    Thanks for posting about the blade runner.  With retirement it looks like some serious downsizing the the shop/tool department.  This might just be the jack-of-all-trades saw for me for the time being......

     

    the best,

     

    Wichita Sam

     

     

     

  • Mark Bliss April 10, 2011 at 12:23pm

    I have been looking at that myself, referenced it above somewhere.

    I think it might make a good comprimise, and would like to demo it. I would guess more powerful and robust than a scroll saw, but unable to do the fine detail, more controllable and accurate than a hand held jigsaw. Takes up a lot less space and more portable than a bandsaw, but of course it would never do the work of a big bandsaw.

    Looking at the video demos, I like that it hangs on the wall and can be left there for some basic small cross cut and light work, take it down and place it on a workbench for longer rips and bigger work.

    I might just have to get me one for an "in between" tool. If I do I will keep you posted!

    Wyndham Dennison said:

    I've been looking at the Rockwell Bladerunner and was wondering what others thought of this jigsaw.

    blade runner

    It looks that it gives a lot of room to move wood around, just don't know how powerful.

    Wyndham

  • Wyndham Dennison April 10, 2011 at 11:56am

    I've been looking at the Rockwell Bladerunner and was wondering what others thought of this jigsaw.

    blade runner

    It looks that it gives a lot of room to move wood around, just don't know how powerful.

    Wyndham

  • Wichita Sam April 9, 2011 at 10:12pm

    Carlos,  I would take a scroll saw 9 times out of 10 over a jig saw.  By it's nature, with the blade anchored only on one end, there is a lot of sidewise vibration in the blade.  For me, that is just too unstable for fine work.

     

    The way most scroll saws are built, they are unsuitable for "ripping" which is the cut down the length of the board.  If you have to cut blanks from thicker stock, recruit a friend.  But, most of your early work, you can do with dimensional lumber.  I still use such when I can.  A factory mill is more accurate than I can be on most days.

     

    the best,

     

    Wichita Sam

    carlos contreras said:

    Thanks Sam, now let me ask you this. Would you rather have a jigsaw or a scroll saw for cutting blanks?  And aside from cutting blanks, which one would you say is the most versatile tool between those two? I ask you this because I've gotten different responses from several people, so I guess it must be a matter of personal preference. A couple days ago I was pretty sure what I wanted was a scroll saw, but then comments like Bruce's a couple of posts up, where he says it isn't the right tool, discouraged me. I'll definately be cutting blanks from 1'' or 1.5" thick wood, so would you say its possible with the scroll saw  or should I just get a good jigsaw?


    Wichita Sam said:

    Carlos,

     

    Let me start the conversation.  If I could have only one power saw, and if I had dimensional lumber available, I would choose a band saw.  If I had to cut down blanks from wider/thicker lumber and could have only one power saw, it would be a table saw.  But, if I had no experience with power tools, I would never make the first one a table saw (too easy to lose fingers) and I'd probably settle for a scroll saw.  (A bandsaw in inexperienced hands can do a lot more damage than a scroll saw.)....

     

    BTW, I use a scroll saw on almost every build that I do.... it is my "go to" saw for quick and easy fretting, and I'll often use it from shaping headstocks.  If I didn't have a bandsaw, I could do a lot of the things I do on it on a scroll saw. 

     

    Maybe, others will disagree, but I would prefer to see a new builder "build up" their skills with simpler projects and safer equipment.

     

    the best,

     

    Wichita Sam

  • Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) April 9, 2011 at 3:19am
    Regarding safety, I'm with you there Sam.  My dad was terrified when I started using band saws (when I was a teenager).  He wouldn't let me use one without him being around in the shop.  Even as a grown man when I got my own, he still gave me all kinds of hell about being mindful about what I was doing.  And it was for a good damned reason!  A bandsaw will take your finger faster than you'll realize.  My dad instilled in me the same kind of respect for power tools that he did with firearms.  It's for that reason that I've never suffered more than minor cuts to my hands.  I can't stress this anymore: working with powered machinery requires discipline and constant vigilance.

    Wichita Sam said:

    Carlos,

     

    Let me start the conversation.  If I could have only one power saw, and if I had dimensional lumber available, I would choose a band saw.  If I had to cut down blanks from wider/thicker lumber and could have only one power saw, it would be a table saw.  But, if I had no experience with power tools, I would never make the first one a table saw (too easy to lose fingers) and I'd probably settle for a scroll saw.  (A bandsaw in inexperienced hands can do a lot more damage than a scroll saw.)....

     

    BTW, I use a scroll saw on almost every build that I do.... it is my "go to" saw for quick and easy fretting, and I'll often use it from shaping headstocks.  If I didn't have a bandsaw, I could do a lot of the things I do on it on a scroll saw. 

     

    Maybe, others will disagree, but I would prefer to see a new builder "build up" their skills with simpler projects and safer equipment.

     

    the best,

     

    Wichita Sam

  • carlos contreras April 8, 2011 at 11:35pm
    Thanks Sam, now let me ask you this. Would you rather have a jigsaw or a scroll saw for cutting blanks?  And aside from cutting blanks, which one would you say is the most versatile tool between those two? I ask you this because I've gotten different responses from several people, so I guess it must be a matter of personal preference. A couple days ago I was pretty sure what I wanted was a scroll saw, but then comments like Bruce's a couple of posts up, where he says it isn't the right tool, discouraged me. I'll definately be cutting blanks from 1'' or 1.5" thick wood, so would you say its possible with the scroll saw  or should I just get a good jigsaw?


    Wichita Sam said:

    Carlos,

     

    Let me start the conversation.  If I could have only one power saw, and if I had dimensional lumber available, I would choose a band saw.  If I had to cut down blanks from wider/thicker lumber and could have only one power saw, it would be a table saw.  But, if I had no experience with power tools, I would never make the first one a table saw (too easy to lose fingers) and I'd probably settle for a scroll saw.  (A bandsaw in inexperienced hands can do a lot more damage than a scroll saw.)....

     

    BTW, I use a scroll saw on almost every build that I do.... it is my "go to" saw for quick and easy fretting, and I'll often use it from shaping headstocks.  If I didn't have a bandsaw, I could do a lot of the things I do on it on a scroll saw. 

     

    Maybe, others will disagree, but I would prefer to see a new builder "build up" their skills with simpler projects and safer equipment.

     

    the best,

     

    Wichita Sam

  • Wichita Sam April 8, 2011 at 11:11pm

    Carlos,

     

    Let me start the conversation.  If I could have only one power saw, and if I had dimensional lumber available, I would choose a band saw.  If I had to cut down blanks from wider/thicker lumber and could have only one power saw, it would be a table saw.  But, if I had no experience with power tools, I would never make the first one a table saw (too easy to lose fingers) and I'd probably settle for a scroll saw.  (A bandsaw in inexperienced hands can do a lot more damage than a scroll saw.)....

     

    BTW, I use a scroll saw on almost every build that I do.... it is my "go to" saw for quick and easy fretting, and I'll often use it from shaping headstocks.  If I didn't have a bandsaw, I could do a lot of the things I do on it on a scroll saw. 

     

    Maybe, others will disagree, but I would prefer to see a new builder "build up" their skills with simpler projects and safer equipment.

     

    the best,

     

    Wichita Sam

This reply was deleted.