Fence on a scroll saw? - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

PuzzledMoose · 10-20-2006, 04:00 PM

I vaguely remember reading somewhere about someone using a fence on a scrollsaw - but can't for the life of me remember where.

It struck me that it would make it very easy for making jigsaw puzzle blanks... if it worked!

Anyone got any ideas?

Ian

CanadianScroller · 10-20-2006, 04:18 PM

This is a hot topic, most people will say a fence will not work due to the bias of the blade.
I think it would work if it were set to the blade bias, Diamond Scrollsaws in England sell a fence for their saw and it works.

If you were to use a spiral blade then the fence should work since there is no bias.

I think I saw a picture in one of the recent issues of the magazine where someone used a framing square taped to the table as a fence.

PeteB · 10-20-2006, 05:10 PM

I saw a pic of a lady cutting a puzzle edge with a straightedge (might have been a piece of scrap) on top of the wood to help hold the line. I haven't tried this myself, but just use a regular #2 blade (not a puzzle blade) and it goes OK.

Just realized that I'm addressing cutting out the picture and not the cutting of the blank. For the blanks, I rip with a REAL jigsaw, which used to be called a saber saw but that name has been taken over by reciprocating saws. I use what's called a plywood blade, but it's a little rough on the cross cuts so I do those on the scroll saw.

If I had a lot of same-sized blanks to cut, I'd use a table saw.

Pete

Gill · 10-20-2006, 05:23 PM

Diamond saws are capable of taking blades other than scrollsaw blades. You can fit a section of bandsaw blade and and use that, thus avoiding any bias problems.

I've actually got a fence for my Diamonds but I've never used it; if I need to cut a straight line, I can cut straight enough on a fretsaw without using one

. Added to which, when it comes to cutting in straight lines there are better tools for the job which can cut thicker stock much more accurately. Bandsaws don't take up much space in the workshop

.

Gill

CJoZ · 10-20-2006, 06:20 PM

It makes sense that it would work, but it seems to me that there are other ways that are easier to make a straight cut. ie, tablesaw, router, bandsaw

Capt Weasel · 10-21-2006, 12:09 AM

Good question! I've been pondering something like this myself but with a twist. I'm looking for a fence idea to use when cutting long stretches on the inside of a portrait. I can get it close with a straight blade but invariably have to go back and spend time sanding the humps out and getting it square again. That eats up time especially if really have a hiccup. Anybody ever tried something this? A framing square laid on top of piece is the only thing I can think of but then I might have clamping issue.

Minnesota scroller · 10-21-2006, 12:41 AM

Capt. Weasel, I know what you mean by an occasional hump on a long straight stretch. To aid in the sanding of these humps, I use scroll saw files. I bought a 2 pack from Sloan's Woodshop and they fit in the saw just like a blade. It much easier and more effective than doing it by hand.

Capt Weasel · 10-21-2006, 04:43 PM

I've used them but my 788 won't take them due to the table slot and that they flex to much. I've been using files but I'm looking for a 1 cut and done solution. Time is money.

Carter-Johnson · 10-21-2006, 06:24 PM

Can I ask a really dumb question? I don't really know what a "fence" is, but I assume through its context that it is something straight to follow to cut a straight line.

My question is simply: Why would you need to cut a straight line for a jigsaw puzzle?,,,and what in the world is a "jigsaw puzzle blank"?

Sorry.........Carter

GrayBeard Phil · 10-22-2006, 12:31 AM

Ian: (AKA PuzzledMoose)

When I tried to take normal business cards and make puzzles our of them, I had a problem of making my woodbacking exactly the size of the standard business card. Then I ran into getting the card to glue exactly to the dimension of the wood backing.

Resolved the problem by making the plywood 1/16 or so oversized in both dimensions, and once the top and bottom were glued togeather I used a shooting board to square up and make the whole thing the correct size.

A shooting board, also spelled as shuteing board:
http://www.amgron.clara.net/planingp...teingindex.htm

But takes a very sharp plane blade. I use a block plane which has the lower angle of the blade for plywood use.

Be aware, that few puzzle makers use the backer board technique with puzzles, but I felt that with the very small size of the pieces from a business card, a backer was needed. Both the puzzle back and the backer board are from 1/8 inch BB plywood.

Phil

10-20-2006, 04:00 PM	#1
PuzzledMoose Newly Customized Moose Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Truro, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,603	Fence on a scroll saw? I vaguely remember reading somewhere about someone using a fence on a scrollsaw - but can't for the life of me remember where. It struck me that it would make it very easy for making jigsaw puzzle blanks... if it worked! Anyone got any ideas? Ian __________________ Ian Scrolling with a Dewalt 788

10-20-2006, 05:23 PM	#4
Gill Fallen Angel Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,605	Diamond saws are capable of taking blades other than scrollsaw blades. You can fit a section of bandsaw blade and and use that, thus avoiding any bias problems. I've actually got a fence for my Diamonds but I've never used it; if I need to cut a straight line, I can cut straight enough on a fretsaw without using one . Added to which, when it comes to cutting in straight lines there are better tools for the job which can cut thicker stock much more accurately. Bandsaws don't take up much space in the workshop . Gill __________________ There is no opinion, however absurd, which men will not readily embrace as soon as they can be brought to the conviction that it is readily adopted. (Schopenhauer, Die Kunst Recht zu Behalten)

10-21-2006, 12:41 AM	#7
Minnesota scroller Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SW MN Posts: 1,698	Capt. Weasel, I know what you mean by an occasional hump on a long straight stretch. To aid in the sanding of these humps, I use scroll saw files. I bought a 2 pack from Sloan's Woodshop and they fit in the saw just like a blade. It much easier and more effective than doing it by hand. __________________ Mike Making sawdust with a Dremel 1680. www.picturetrail.com/naturephotos

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10-20-2006, 04:18 PM	#2
CanadianScroller Moderator CUT IT OUT Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chilliwack British Columbia, Canada Posts: 3,904 Blog Entries: 12	This is a hot topic, most people will say a fence will not work due to the bias of the blade. I think it would work if it were set to the blade bias, Diamond Scrollsaws in England sell a fence for their saw and it works. If you were to use a spiral blade then the fence should work since there is no bias. I think I saw a picture in one of the recent issues of the magazine where someone used a framing square taped to the table as a fence. __________________ CAЯL HIRD-RUTTEЯ "proud member of the best scroll sawing forum on the net." Ryobi SC180VS scroll saw EX21

10-20-2006, 05:10 PM	#3
PeteB Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 422	I saw a pic of a lady cutting a puzzle edge with a straightedge (might have been a piece of scrap) on top of the wood to help hold the line. I haven't tried this myself, but just use a regular #2 blade (not a puzzle blade) and it goes OK. Just realized that I'm addressing cutting out the picture and not the cutting of the blank. For the blanks, I rip with a REAL jigsaw, which used to be called a saber saw but that name has been taken over by reciprocating saws. I use what's called a plywood blade, but it's a little rough on the cross cuts so I do those on the scroll saw. If I had a lot of same-sized blanks to cut, I'd use a table saw. Pete

10-20-2006, 06:20 PM	#5
CJoZ Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lemoore, California Posts: 118	It makes sense that it would work, but it seems to me that there are other ways that are easier to make a straight cut. ie, tablesaw, router, bandsaw

10-21-2006, 12:09 AM	#6
Capt Weasel Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 249	Good question! I've been pondering something like this myself but with a twist. I'm looking for a fence idea to use when cutting long stretches on the inside of a portrait. I can get it close with a straight blade but invariably have to go back and spend time sanding the humps out and getting it square again. That eats up time especially if really have a hiccup. Anybody ever tried something this? A framing square laid on top of piece is the only thing I can think of but then I might have clamping issue.

10-21-2006, 04:43 PM	#8
Capt Weasel Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 249	I've used them but my 788 won't take them due to the table slot and that they flex to much. I've been using files but I'm looking for a 1 cut and done solution. Time is money.

10-21-2006, 06:24 PM	#9
Carter-Johnson Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 896	Can I ask a really dumb question? I don't really know what a "fence" is, but I assume through its context that it is something straight to follow to cut a straight line. My question is simply: Why would you need to cut a straight line for a jigsaw puzzle?,,,and what in the world is a "jigsaw puzzle blank"? Sorry.........Carter

10-22-2006, 12:31 AM	#10
GrayBeard Phil Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Near Detroit, Michigan Posts: 1,143	Ian: (AKA PuzzledMoose) When I tried to take normal business cards and make puzzles our of them, I had a problem of making my woodbacking exactly the size of the standard business card. Then I ran into getting the card to glue exactly to the dimension of the wood backing. Resolved the problem by making the plywood 1/16 or so oversized in both dimensions, and once the top and bottom were glued togeather I used a shooting board to square up and make the whole thing the correct size. A shooting board, also spelled as shuteing board: http://www.amgron.clara.net/planingp...teingindex.htm But takes a very sharp plane blade. I use a block plane which has the lower angle of the blade for plywood use. Be aware, that few puzzle makers use the backer board technique with puzzles, but I felt that with the very small size of the pieces from a business card, a backer was needed. Both the puzzle back and the backer board are from 1/8 inch BB plywood. Phil