Cutting shells - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

shoj · 10-29-2009, 11:42 PM

Hi I'm new to scrolling and this site. I've just ordered my saw but I wanted to know if you can cut conch shell pieces with the scroll saw. If yes what type blade do I use?

Thanks for your help.

Shoj

KTravis · 10-30-2009, 01:57 AM

Welcome to the forum! I tried cutting sea shells with regular wood blades and didn't have much success. I ordered some jewelers and polar flying dutchman blades, but have yet to try them. I found the shells to sensitive and broke easily. I collected some thicker shells to cut but other things have been occupying my time. So much to cut... so little time

Let us know how things go. Also be advised...we LOVE PICTURES!!!

Lord Bless!

ubgoofy2003 · 10-30-2009, 02:10 AM

Hi, Shoj. I think the jewelers blade would be the best for those shells. The Flying Dutchman blades are exceptional for just about everything. I just got some jeweler blades & they are so very small. You may have to look twice to see them , HA. They also have a metal blade called the Iron Man, but it may not be right for that brittle material. Good Luck -- Perk

marshall · 10-30-2009, 03:03 AM

Welcome Shoj , wish I knew about the shells but don't . But stick with the Flying Duchman blades > the only one's I use ............

shoj · 10-30-2009, 05:31 AM

Thanks everyone for your suggestions....will give those blades a try

sappy · 10-30-2009, 07:15 PM

Shoj, after 30 years of rock cutting, I just have to add my two cents. I wouldn't attempt to cut shell with a scroll saw. Shell dust is very abrasive and is like breathing little sharp knives. Some shells are very toxic to boot. To cut shell, most rock hounds use rock saws that have a water drip system to contain dust. If you must cut shell, then along with the jewelers blades get a jewelers saw and hand cut the shell spraying it often with water.

sappy · 10-30-2009, 08:08 PM

Oh, and wear a HEPA mask! Please keep the kids and pets out of the dust as well.

Scrolling Days · 10-30-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoj

Hi I'm new to scrolling and this site. I've just ordered my saw but I wanted to know if you can cut conch shell pieces with the scroll saw. If yes what type blade do I use?

Thanks for your help.

Shoj

As they say, there's only one way to find out!

I've seen so many diversified things cut here, from wood to acrylic to metal coins. I'm sure there's a way to do shells, also. You'll just have to experiment with different blades and speeds, I'm guessing.

Good luck!

Scrolling Days · 10-30-2009, 11:18 PM

PS: Sappy's advise about the dust sounds pretty sound as well. I pobably wouldn't want to be breathing that in either!

shoj · 11-04-2009, 01:42 AM

thanks for the advice everyone

10-29-2009, 11:42 PM	#1
shoj Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3	Cutting shells Hi I'm new to scrolling and this site. I've just ordered my saw but I wanted to know if you can cut conch shell pieces with the scroll saw. If yes what type blade do I use? Thanks for your help. Shoj

10-30-2009, 01:57 AM	#2
KTravis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Carolina coast Posts: 150	Welcome to the forum! I tried cutting sea shells with regular wood blades and didn't have much success. I ordered some jewelers and polar flying dutchman blades, but have yet to try them. I found the shells to sensitive and broke easily. I collected some thicker shells to cut but other things have been occupying my time. So much to cut... so little time Let us know how things go. Also be advised...we LOVE PICTURES!!! Lord Bless! __________________ Kip Scrollin' with an Ex-21 http://tidewater-creations.com I WAITED patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:1-3

10-30-2009, 03:03 AM	#4
marshall Just love Being Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Jonesboro AR Posts: 2,106	Welcome Shoj , wish I knew about the shells but don't . But stick with the Flying Duchman blades > the only one's I use ............ __________________ Usually busier than a cat in a sandbox !!!!!!!!!!! { Dewalt 788 only }

10-30-2009, 05:31 AM	#5
shoj Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3	cutting shells Thanks everyone for your suggestions....will give those blades a try

10-30-2009, 07:15 PM	#6
sappy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 128	Shoj, after 30 years of rock cutting, I just have to add my two cents. I wouldn't attempt to cut shell with a scroll saw. Shell dust is very abrasive and is like breathing little sharp knives. Some shells are very toxic to boot. To cut shell, most rock hounds use rock saws that have a water drip system to contain dust. If you must cut shell, then along with the jewelers blades get a jewelers saw and hand cut the shell spraying it often with water. __________________ "OU-AHH. That's how it all starts, then later there's running and screaming.." Jeff Goldblum

10-30-2009, 02:10 AM	#3
ubgoofy2003 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 486	Hi, Shoj. I think the jewelers blade would be the best for those shells. The Flying Dutchman blades are exceptional for just about everything. I just got some jeweler blades & they are so very small. You may have to look twice to see them , HA. They also have a metal blade called the Iron Man, but it may not be right for that brittle material. Good Luck -- Perk

10-30-2009, 08:08 PM	#7
sappy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 128	Oh, and wear a HEPA mask! Please keep the kids and pets out of the dust as well. __________________ "OU-AHH. That's how it all starts, then later there's running and screaming.." Jeff Goldblum

10-30-2009, 11:18 PM	#9
Scrolling Days Jigsaw Puzzle Maker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Along the Lower Niagara River Posts: 1,214 Blog Entries: 5	PS: Sappy's advise about the dust sounds pretty sound as well. I pobably wouldn't want to be breathing that in either! __________________ Shawn Ferguson Come visit at The Ferguson Puzzle Company !

11-04-2009, 01:42 AM	#10
shoj Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3	cutting shells thanks for the advice everyone

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