stainless scroll - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

big rigger · 01-21-2009, 03:35 AM

has anyone scrolled in stainless steel b4? any suggestions?

Tom J. · 01-21-2009, 04:23 AM

Stainless steel is very hard and even with metal cutting blades it would be very difficult and you would use a lot of blades. I, however, have never tried it and don't think I would.

Just my 2 cents Canadian or 1 cent US.

Tom

greatdane2 · 01-21-2009, 05:13 AM

What are you planning on cutting out? I make bling for trucks by cutting pieces out of alumium and buying chrome decal material to cover it with. The first stuff I did like this has lasted 5 years on our trucks.

Rolf · 01-21-2009, 01:13 PM

Not all ss is created equal some is easier to machine than others. I don't think any of it would be easy to cut on a scrollsaw. It needs to be lubricated while cutting, I wouldn't do it on my saw.

CanadianScroller · 01-21-2009, 02:05 PM

Just as all SS is not created equal all aluminum isnt either.
I went through dozens of blades while cutting an aluminum stop sign.
In the end I took some 6" jr hacksaw blades and cut an inch off them, They mounted in the saw fine but couldnt do the tight turns.
Once I cut the bulk away I switched to metal cutting scrollsaw blades.
I didnt use a lubricant I kn ow that would have helped.

If I cut aluminum again I will have a saw dedicated to that task, I wouldn't dream of doing it on my wood saws/

Kepy · 01-21-2009, 02:27 PM

I didn't but it on my saw but did letter a plaque using a high speed engraver with diamond bit. One plaque completely destroyed my diamond bit. I can't imagine cutting it on my saw.

KtownScroller · 01-21-2009, 10:16 PM

Good luck with cutting the stainless steel. As a machinist, we always use carbide cutting tools and coolant or oil. Even if you find carbide scroll saw blades I would think that the mess created by the coolant or oil would not be worth the effort.

Cutting aluminum appears to be the choice if you need a metal product. I would think brass might work well too. Let us know what you decide to do.

KtownScroller · 01-21-2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianScroller

Just as all SS is not created equal all aluminum isnt either.
I went through dozens of blades while cutting an aluminum stop sign.
In the end I took some 6" jr hacksaw blades and cut an inch off them, They mounted in the saw fine but couldnt do the tight turns.
Once I cut the bulk away I switched to metal cutting scrollsaw blades.
I didnt use a lubricant I kn ow that would have helped.

If I cut aluminum again I will have a saw dedicated to that task, I wouldn't dream of doing it on my wood saws/

Hi Carl - The next time you cut aluminum try lubricating the blade with a little kerosene. That is the lubricant of choice. It will not catch fire, but it smells pretty bad and takes forever to get off your hands. Maybe even a little water might help. You can make a poor man's coolant by mixing a few drops of liquid soap in with the water. Just squirt it on the aluminum once and awhile while cutting.

Rolf · 01-22-2009, 01:01 PM

If you can find a local machine shop maybe they could give you a few ounces of water soluable oil. no smell but you have to clean it up after you are done never leave it on on your saw. It really gums things up, but no smell.

Or better yet any oil would work just fine, Try mineral oil.

big rigger · 01-27-2009, 03:27 PM

thanks guys i think i'll c if i can just lasor cut the plates somewhere. Maybe i'll look for a used scroll saw just for doing that. thanks again

01-21-2009, 03:35 AM	#1
big rigger Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: dePere Posts: 26	stainless scroll has anyone scrolled in stainless steel b4? any suggestions?

01-21-2009, 05:13 AM	#3
greatdane2 Dumb Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver Island, BC. Canada Posts: 2,225	What are you planning on cutting out? I make bling for trucks by cutting pieces out of alumium and buying chrome decal material to cover it with. The first stuff I did like this has lasted 5 years on our trucks. __________________ Alan and Rafi. In our house, if you have to bend over to pet a dog it ain't a real dog! UNLESS its a puppy. And the puppy is getting huge. 8 months old and 32" at the shoulders.

01-21-2009, 01:13 PM	#4
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,808	Not all ss is created equal some is easier to machine than others. I don't think any of it would be easy to cut on a scrollsaw. It needs to be lubricated while cutting, I wouldn't do it on my saw. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

01-21-2009, 02:05 PM	#5
CanadianScroller Moderator CUT IT OUT Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chilliwack British Columbia, Canada Posts: 3,937 Blog Entries: 12	Just as all SS is not created equal all aluminum isnt either. I went through dozens of blades while cutting an aluminum stop sign. In the end I took some 6" jr hacksaw blades and cut an inch off them, They mounted in the saw fine but couldnt do the tight turns. Once I cut the bulk away I switched to metal cutting scrollsaw blades. I didnt use a lubricant I kn ow that would have helped. If I cut aluminum again I will have a saw dedicated to that task, I wouldn't dream of doing it on my wood saws/ __________________ CAЯL HIRD-RUTTEЯ "proud member of the best scroll sawing forum on the net." Ryobi SC180VS scroll saw EX21

01-21-2009, 10:16 PM	#7
KtownScroller So much better :) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: PA Posts: 2,662	Good luck with cutting the stainless steel. As a machinist, we always use carbide cutting tools and coolant or oil. Even if you find carbide scroll saw blades I would think that the mess created by the coolant or oil would not be worth the effort. Cutting aluminum appears to be the choice if you need a metal product. I would think brass might work well too. Let us know what you decide to do. __________________ - Rick

01-21-2009, 04:23 AM	#2
Tom J. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Montreal area, Quebec Posts: 67	Stainless steel is very hard and even with metal cutting blades it would be very difficult and you would use a lot of blades. I, however, have never tried it and don't think I would. Just my 2 cents Canadian or 1 cent US. Tom

01-21-2009, 02:27 PM	#6
Kepy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Elkland, MO Posts: 121	I didn't but it on my saw but did letter a plaque using a high speed engraver with diamond bit. One plaque completely destroyed my diamond bit. I can't imagine cutting it on my saw.

01-22-2009, 01:01 PM	#9
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,808	If you can find a local machine shop maybe they could give you a few ounces of water soluable oil. no smell but you have to clean it up after you are done never leave it on on your saw. It really gums things up, but no smell. Or better yet any oil would work just fine, Try mineral oil. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

01-27-2009, 03:27 PM	#10
big rigger Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: dePere Posts: 26	thanks guys i think i'll c if i can just lasor cut the plates somewhere. Maybe i'll look for a used scroll saw just for doing that. thanks again

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