Easy made scroll saw for cutting pearl.

**Luthier** · Jul-02-2004, 12:05pm

I just finished making a variable speed scroll saw for cutting MOP. It works like a charm and I just wanted to show you folks a pic.

Don

**Scotti Adams** · Jul-02-2004, 1:13pm

..magnifico.....it sure does pay to be resourceful....

**sunburst** · Jul-02-2004, 1:16pm

Don, I see scroll saws for sale at good prices pretty often. What does your's do that commercial ones don't?

I've sometimes thought of getting one and converting it to a "treddle" saw by attaching a foot pedal and a return spring.
I don't really cut enough pearl to need one, and don't really mind cutting by hand, but I'm apparently unable to hold the saw perfectly plum to the work, so stacking pearl and cutting multiple identical pieces is the big advanage that I see to the scroll saw.

**Luthier** · Jul-02-2004, 2:38pm

The neat thing is it is variable speed. From 0 to real fast. A loooong time ago I bought the motor and a rheostat to go along with it for $5 from a flea market. It only took a day to make and I mainly did it because I had to listen to the darn voice inside that never seems to stop talking to me. You could probably hook a light dimmer switch up instead of the rheostat. Here is another view of it. I also have an antique one that I have hooked to a treadle sewing machine.

**Skip Kelley** · Jul-02-2004, 3:24pm

Thats cool! Excellent work!!!

**Michael Lewis** · Jul-02-2004, 11:31pm

Don, how is it for cutting intricate lines? So far as I know scroll saws aren't held in high regard for cutting inlays because of the arc the blade travels insread of going just up and down. The proof is in the pudding they say, so I'm waiting to hear of your results. I hope it works well.

**Luthier** · Jul-03-2004, 4:45am

I have a 3/0 blade on there now and it seems to do real well. #I think it is a little slower going but the nice thing is I can use my hands to hold the work down. #I simply turn the pearl as I go. The only other saw I have used that came close to having a slow enough stroke was the older 18" rocker arm Delta that went from 0 to 2000 spm, but that thing cost big bucks. Even the new ones have a starting speed of about 400spm and that is too much for such a fine blade. #The two blade holders pivot so the blade remains straight as it cuts.

Don

**Michael Lewis** · Jul-03-2004, 11:15pm

Years ago I made a treadle operated saw following an article in Fine Woodworking. At the time it was a big improvement over a hand held jwewler's saw, but as time passed I became more proficient with the jewelwr's saw. I no longer use the treadle saw because I now have more control with the hand held model. The main benefit with the treadle saw is the blade goes straight up and down without traveling an arc, and both hands were free to control the pearl.

Apparently the fact that the blade travels in an arc is not of consequence to cutting intricate designs. Is that so Don?

**John Bertotti** · Jul-03-2004, 11:23pm

I think I see what Michael is saying. The blades although they stay straight are subject to an arc the swing equivalent to the distance from the pivot point to the blade. So the blade wont remain in contact with the shell at all times. Right? John

**Luthier** · Jul-04-2004, 4:10am

Both methods work fine and there is indeed a very slight arc with the scroll saw method, again, due to the nature of the beast. There is also a limited amount of travel with the blade of the scroll saw so I guess it boils down to what you are most proficient at doing and getting that quality end result.

(I had gotten every issue of Fine Woodworking since the first one was published, but stopped them about two years ago. They awere getting to expensive for me.)
#
#As luthiers, (going out on a "limb" here) I know we have those "lil" voices and are always thinking of different ways to do things. #For me, that is half the fun of building.

Don