Bandsaw or Scrollsaw?

[thundergun]

Hi, I want to be able to cut out "roughouts" so I can get to my carving a bit quicker and not have to take all the time to get rid of all the excess wood.

Question: Should I get a Bandsaw or a Scrollsaw? I was on my way to buy a Scrollsaw, but then I thought I'd better ask the experts!


Note: I can only afford to buy one of these tools. My carvings are on the smaller side, but I'd like the tool that would do the most.


Thanks! I apologize if this has been answered before, I have tried to search for the answer on the board already.

[mark yundt]

A Band saw I would say. A scroll will work for as you say,,small carvings. I think they would have to be very small. A band saw will cut the same pieces..especially if you use fine blades. But,,if you ever decide to do anything just a bit bigger the band saw can keep going,,up to the point of ripping boards either length or width wise as well as re-sawing to make more usable stock. It'll give you many more options.
In my opinion,,scroll saws ( I have them too) are very limited to relatively thin,,flat stock and are not intended for roughing out carvings. The tend to be one dimensional in their use.Also in marginally thicker stock,,the nature of their very thin blades tend to flex quite a bit and loose their accuracy and become difficult to control to make decent cuts.

[Simplyme]

I have been trying to get a bandsaw for a few month now for the same reason. But could not justify putting it in the kitchen(eye soar). So I went out and bought me a scroll saw from sears(14'').

Now I actually did manage to do the cutout of 2'' basswood.

Let me tell you it was not easy at all, i'm not sure if it was because it is the first time using a scroll saw or just because it is not meant to do 2'' stock. So your are able to do cutouts(small) with a scroll saw but I would imagine using a bandsaw will make the process so much easier.


P.S. One good thing that came out of buying the scroll saw, I happen to check out this sister site for scroll sawing and decided to try out a scroll sawing project, now I am really in trouble because now I love to carve and scroll........just ordered a few boards to try a few projects. If only I did not work i would be doing both 24 7...............

[Ron T]

Hi John, I can tell you first hand, bandsaw.

I was in the same situatiuon as you. I went to craigslist and found a "like new" scroll saw for $45. I jumped at it. I found out right away it wouldn't work for me because I like to carve harder woods. I found a 9" tabkletop Craftsman bandsaw for $50 and bought it.

Look9ing back, I should have posted the question first.

[thundergun]

Thanks to everyone, I knew I was doing the right thing to ask first!

I'm looking at CraigsList for a bandsaw right now! Thank You

[Thomp]

I have both a 10" bandsaw and 2 scrollsaws,

With my usage and better skills with the scrollsaw i find no problem with cutting out any cutout with in the 2x2" limit of the scrollsaws throat,
the trick is understanding how,
first you need a blade with all the teeth pulling downward so it gets rid of the saw dust, reverse teeth are fine for thin work as their designed to leave smooth cuts in thin materials but in thick solid wood the reverse tooth by directional blades just trap
sawdust in the kerf and turn it into scorched charcoal..
such as flying Dutchman polar 5 will preform great..
i have made hundreds of 3d cut outs with my scroll saws and prefur its safety over a bandsaw,,

using the bandsaw, i get more miscuts, i pull the blades out of the guides and screwed up several cutouts when i use it,.

but like i said i have less experience with the bandsaw.. i find the scrollsaw more safe, you wont loose a finger on a scrollsaw, as you will on a bandsaw.

[thundergun]

So not knowing much about scroll saws, sounds like anything beyond 2" is pretty tough to deal with?

True?

What do most people do with no bandsaw or scrollsaw? A jigsaw, coping saw or ???

As always, thanks.

[Thomp]

lots of folks deal with stock removal in different ways
Herold Enlow in one of his early books showed how to use a hand saw and mallet driven full size chisels to remove bulk stock, then start his project with knife and palm chisels.. or take your time with a coping saw, if yer good with it... or just chip away...

you might check out carving clubs in your area, to find someone with a bandsaw that will help ya, boys clubs and ymca might be another possibility,

i took a large carving 3x3x12" to a local cabinet shop and gave the guy $5.00 to cut out the pattern..

i recycled all the scraps and made santas.. or support items for the carvings... keep a scrap box..!

waste is waste, dont matter if you take off waste in chips or chunks you will get to the carving eventualy, this year or next...HA!

[vacation212]

SmileHi,I use a Jet 14" band saw,which I find very effective.

[Jim-Iowa]

Most scroll saws as has been said will not cut beyond 2" thick wood.
Nothing will cut intricate piercing work like a scrollsaw will.
It can almost be a curse to have a scrollsaw, getting involved in intricate fretworks can be addictive.
If you can work within the limits a scrollsaw is a good choice and does not have to be expensive. But I am also sure you will find it's limitations and want a bandsaw too. So either is a good choice, but it;'s your choice.