Foot Powered Scroll Saw Help Needed - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

MikeDingas · 11-01-2007, 02:22 AM

I've only done one craft show. But I already wish I could have demonstrated my craft to draw people in. I don't want to break down my only motorized saw and so have decided to try and make a foot powered saw. I've got a nice plan from a Spielman book for a very simple saw.

This saw connects a cord to the lower arm which has a loop for your foot at the other end. I doubt I could maintain much speed for any length of time and so am looking at a different power method.

My initial idea uses a bicycle wheel and pulley, perhaps the three layered pulley like you see on drill presses to get three speeds. Here's where I need input.

First, my powered saw is rated in "spm", strokes per minute. What constitutes a stroke. Is a stroke a complete traversal in one direction or does it mean a complete cycle of both up and down motion?

Now for the bicycle question. Is there a formula/method for me to determine the spm? For example, if I use a 21" bike wheel and a 5" pully, what spm might I get for a 'cruising' speed? I'm also toying with using a 3-speed hub to achieve a more consistent speed.

Bruce-P · 11-01-2007, 03:18 AM

Mike,

Instead of engineering your own design (which could be fun, but could also be a bit frustrating), you might want to look at the following sites. They have plans for saws which appear to be easier to operate than the one you have described.

http://www.pctradingpost.net/footpower/
http://www.wildwooddesigns.com/prodi...580&variation=

Bruce P.

Jim8Mad · 11-01-2007, 03:23 AM

Check out Rick's site. He has plans for a treadle style and a pedal style saw. http://www.scrollsaws.com/ForSalePages/PlanFPS.html

CanadianScroller · 11-01-2007, 03:37 AM

The simple saw you describe is one to one.
The ration between a larger wheel and a lower whell will increase your strokes proportionally.
The threespeed hub will be a bonus. Just remember that as you increase your speed the ability for your saw to cut will be reduced....or you will have to increase the energy you are applying to the pedals or treadles.
I made a one to one saw for a show several years ago and although it was cute, it took far more effort than it was worth.

I did come across some plans over the years
http://www3.telus.net/public/scroller/page11.html
I have a treadle from an old sewing machine that I picke up for $20 I still havent put a saw on it yet but the design from Mother Earth News looks very promising.

The link on my wbpage needs updating so here is the new one http://www.motherearthnews.com/DIY/1...le-Jigsaw.aspx

Ricks plans look really good too, I know he must have spent hours working out the kinks.
I am not sure what the benfits of the treadle verses the pedal are. I bet if you drop him a line he will let you know.

JohnB · 11-01-2007, 04:12 AM

G'day Carl and Mike,
I actually made a scroll saw from an electric sewing machine many years ago, It worked great on jigsaw puzzles.

As for a saw made from a treadle sewing machine, I think it would work a treat, but trying to lug that lump of cast iron around to different shows, markets etc is another story completely

If power is available at most of the venues Mike, have a good look at some of the cheapy saws and get one that is usable. It only has to be used during the shows and if you only demo on thin timber it should do the trick.

Just my thoughts and 2 bob's worth.

GrayBeard Phil · 11-01-2007, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeDingas

... my powered saw is rated in "spm", strokes per minute. What constitutes a stroke. Is a stroke a complete traversal in one direction or does it mean a complete cycle of both up and down motion?.

Yes, one spm is a complete cycle of the arms and blade.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeDingas

... Now for the bicycle question. Is there a formula/method for me to determine the spm? For example, if I use a 21" bike wheel and a 5" pulley, what spm might I get for a 'cruising' speed? I'm also toying with using a 3-speed hub to achieve a more consistent speed.

I don't know the design of your foot powered saw, but one revolution of the upper pulley should relate to a full stroke of your saw. The rest is basic pulley and gear math. The bicycle wheel also acts as a flywheel; momentum to overcome the slight irregularities of the foot forces.

You need to know the ratio of revolutions between the drive pulley and the idler pulley.

You may not want to exceed 100 spm. Your homemade saw is going to vibrate like nothing you have ever seen. And don't forget, if your gear reduction is 1:10, or your flywheel is spinning 1 revolution for every 10 spm of your saw, that means it also takes 10 times the force to drive the flywheel as it would if you were at a 1:1 ratio of drive to spm. Your legs will get real sore after a while with a 1:10 ratio.

Phil

Wood Dog · 11-01-2007, 02:09 PM

MikeDingas how about going to a pawn shop or cash converter type of shop to see if you could pick up a "cheapo type" scroll saw? Just a thought unless your heart is set on making your own.
WD

MikeDingas · 11-02-2007, 02:47 AM

Thanks for the input. I really want to pursue constructing a handmade saw. We have a large craft fair here twice a year. What draws a crowd is watching someone use unconventional means to make something. So I think it's worth a try.

I'll approach this in two phases. Phase one will be to construct the saw as presented by Spielman. I will, however, use the blade holders as used on my Craftsman saw. Phase two will add the pully drive. I'm not sure how much time I'll devote to this but will post pics as I complete things.

JohnB · 11-02-2007, 11:53 PM

G'day Mike,
I think you have a great project on your hands. I have seen a number of nice foot powered machines on the net.

Have fun and keep us in the loop

11-01-2007, 02:22 AM	#1
MikeDingas Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 803	Foot Powered Scroll Saw Help Needed I've only done one craft show. But I already wish I could have demonstrated my craft to draw people in. I don't want to break down my only motorized saw and so have decided to try and make a foot powered saw. I've got a nice plan from a Spielman book for a very simple saw. This saw connects a cord to the lower arm which has a loop for your foot at the other end. I doubt I could maintain much speed for any length of time and so am looking at a different power method. My initial idea uses a bicycle wheel and pulley, perhaps the three layered pulley like you see on drill presses to get three speeds. Here's where I need input. First, my powered saw is rated in "spm", strokes per minute. What constitutes a stroke. Is a stroke a complete traversal in one direction or does it mean a complete cycle of both up and down motion? Now for the bicycle question. Is there a formula/method for me to determine the spm? For example, if I use a 21" bike wheel and a 5" pully, what spm might I get for a 'cruising' speed? I'm also toying with using a 3-speed hub to achieve a more consistent speed. __________________ Mike Craftsman 16" VS, Puros Indios and Sam Adams! Scrollin' since Jun/2006 My Gallery http://scrollcrafters.com (reciprocal links welcomed) Last edited by MikeDingas; 11-01-2007 at 02:54 AM.

11-01-2007, 03:23 AM	#3
Jim8Mad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hemet, CA Posts: 333	Check out Rick's site. He has plans for a treadle style and a pedal style saw. http://www.scrollsaws.com/ForSalePages/PlanFPS.html __________________ Jim DeWalt DW788 & Dremel 1680

11-01-2007, 03:37 AM	#4
CanadianScroller Moderator CUT IT OUT Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chilliwack British Columbia, Canada Posts: 3,904 Blog Entries: 12	The simple saw you describe is one to one. The ration between a larger wheel and a lower whell will increase your strokes proportionally. The threespeed hub will be a bonus. Just remember that as you increase your speed the ability for your saw to cut will be reduced....or you will have to increase the energy you are applying to the pedals or treadles. I made a one to one saw for a show several years ago and although it was cute, it took far more effort than it was worth. I did come across some plans over the years http://www3.telus.net/public/scroller/page11.html I have a treadle from an old sewing machine that I picke up for $20 I still havent put a saw on it yet but the design from Mother Earth News looks very promising. The link on my wbpage needs updating so here is the new one http://www.motherearthnews.com/DIY/1...le-Jigsaw.aspx Ricks plans look really good too, I know he must have spent hours working out the kinks. I am not sure what the benfits of the treadle verses the pedal are. I bet if you drop him a line he will let you know. __________________ CAЯL HIRD-RUTTEЯ "proud member of the best scroll sawing forum on the net." Ryobi SC180VS scroll saw EX21

11-01-2007, 04:12 AM	#5
JohnB 1 Tin Soldier Rides Away Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Posts: 5,187	G'day Carl and Mike, I actually made a scroll saw from an electric sewing machine many years ago, It worked great on jigsaw puzzles. As for a saw made from a treadle sewing machine, I think it would work a treat, but trying to lug that lump of cast iron around to different shows, markets etc is another story completely If power is available at most of the venues Mike, have a good look at some of the cheapy saws and get one that is usable. It only has to be used during the shows and if you only demo on thin timber it should do the trick. Just my thoughts and 2 bob's worth. __________________ Regards John "The Golden Mile" Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, here I am, Stuck in the middle with you. Some of my Stuff Retired Medically Unfit WA Police Officers

11-02-2007, 02:47 AM	#8
MikeDingas Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 803	Thanks for the input. I really want to pursue constructing a handmade saw. We have a large craft fair here twice a year. What draws a crowd is watching someone use unconventional means to make something. So I think it's worth a try. I'll approach this in two phases. Phase one will be to construct the saw as presented by Spielman. I will, however, use the blade holders as used on my Craftsman saw. Phase two will add the pully drive. I'm not sure how much time I'll devote to this but will post pics as I complete things. __________________ Mike Craftsman 16" VS, Puros Indios and Sam Adams! Scrollin' since Jun/2006 My Gallery http://scrollcrafters.com (reciprocal links welcomed)

11-01-2007, 03:18 AM	#2
Bruce-P Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 113	Mike, Instead of engineering your own design (which could be fun, but could also be a bit frustrating), you might want to look at the following sites. They have plans for saws which appear to be easier to operate than the one you have described. http://www.pctradingpost.net/footpower/ http://www.wildwooddesigns.com/prodi...580&variation= Bruce P.

11-01-2007, 02:09 PM	#7
Wood Dog Senior member--Absolutely Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: MA USA Posts: 3,923	MikeDingas how about going to a pawn shop or cash converter type of shop to see if you could pick up a "cheapo type" scroll saw? Just a thought unless your heart is set on making your own. WD

11-02-2007, 11:53 PM	#9
JohnB 1 Tin Soldier Rides Away Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Posts: 5,187	G'day Mike, I think you have a great project on your hands. I have seen a number of nice foot powered machines on the net. Have fun and keep us in the loop __________________ Regards John "The Golden Mile" Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, here I am, Stuck in the middle with you. Some of my Stuff Retired Medically Unfit WA Police Officers

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