HELP SCROLL SAW vs BAND - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

JRC · 10-10-2005, 01:05 PM

I trying to decide between a scroll saw and a band saw. The scroll saw of choice is the Dewalt 788. Not sure on a band saw yet.

I would like to mostly cut plaque style pictures of animals out (maybe 12"wide x 8" height) but have an interest in more intraget(spelling??) work. Is the scroll saw equally as versatile as a band saw? Will I be okay cutting the mentioned type shapes out of 1/4-1/2 pine with the scroll saw?

My fiancée like the thought of the speed adjustment on the scroll saw and thought she would be more comfortable with it.

Jediscroller · 10-10-2005, 01:19 PM

You're talking about 2 very diffferent tools. A good bandsaw is far more versatile than even the very best scrollsaw. In addition to what you want to do, ripping, crosscutting and re-sawing are a few of the things that can be accomplished with a bandsaw. A scrollsaw on the other hand will do a couple of things that a bandsaw cannot including far more intricate cuts as well as inside (pierced) cuts. Your long range plans (i.e. do you enivision doing more general woodworking, furniture, tables, etc.) will determine your choice. If you're only planning on scroll-type work, then get the scroll saw. A scroll saw will do what you mentioned in your post.

Kevin

jttheclockman · 10-10-2005, 03:32 PM

As mentioned these are 2 different tools even though the bandsaw can do scroll work it can only cut designs on the outside and if you need interior fret work cuts than a scrollsaw is designed for that job. You can make interior cuts with a bandsaw but need to make a relief cut to get to the interior cut. Then that releif cut needs to be glued back together. Not the best choice to do this. As far as which to buy first depends on what type of cutting are you doing. If it is scrolling than by all means get the scrollsaw and by the way you are looking at a very good saw. I recomend it highly. You will eventually want to get a bandsaw so save the bucks.

Old Mooner · 10-10-2005, 04:22 PM

JRC--
I use both. As has been said, there is really no such thing as band vs scroll saw since they are so different. I used a band saw long before I purchased a scroll saw, but that was because I was making duck decoys and furniture. You can't really do fretwork, or anything delicate, with a bandsaw even with a 1/8" blade. I know choices have to be made, but I would feel lost without both.
Moon

3_M · 10-10-2005, 09:12 PM

All the replies are 100% correct.
I would buy both and if you can get a Dewalt what was made before 2003, go for it. Check out the Delta P-20.
Mike M

wwalker47 · 10-10-2005, 10:30 PM

I agree. I have both and use them in different ways form each other. Get both.

Mike- I'm looking at the DeWalt 788 for my next saw, but what's this about a DeWalkt before 2003? What's the story?

-Bill

jttheclockman · 10-10-2005, 11:01 PM

They were Canadian made. Now they are made in Taiwain

sheltiecarver · 10-11-2005, 06:04 PM

JRC,
Welcome to the group!
I totally agree with the previous posts. The Dewalt is a fine saw - I just got to try one at our local county fair - it isn't as good as my saw, but if I had gotten to try it sooner, I would have bought it. Excellent for the price. You and your honey will have a lot of fun scrolling - it is one of the safest of saws (you've still got to use common sense and pay attention) and the results are quickly enjoyable. I suggest getting John Nelson's book, Scroll Saw Workbook, and working through the lessons with your new saw - the results will be really cool.
When you are ready for a bandsaw, you will know more about what size you want, and what projects you'd like to use it for. It is more versatile for larger things, and you will want to have both saws, eventually. Now, lets see, what other tools could we recommend?...
Let us know what you decide, and how your projects are coming along.
Sandy

will8989 · 03-24-2006, 04:48 AM

Get both if you can afford them. You won't be sorry. I use the bandsaw for resawing my stock into thinner pieces, which saves me considerable money not having to buy presawn (is that a word?) thinner wood. It's amazing how the hobby of scrollsawing, thinking you JUST need a scroll saw, leads into bandsaws, tablesaws, planers, vacuums, drum sanders, palm sanders, drill press (I have 4 and use each one) and on and on and on. But the thing is, I use every single one of them!!! Sometimes all for just one project!!!

cmhadley · 03-24-2006, 01:19 PM

I can so relate to needing more than just a scroll saw. Thought that was all we needed, but now own a drum sander, a table saw, a router, blades, containers, wood, etc... Would love a band saw but am running out of room. But, I am having a good time and whatever you buy will be an investment, wont go to waste.
Have fun,
Carrie

10-10-2005, 01:05 PM	#1
JRC Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2	HELP SCROLL SAW vs BAND I trying to decide between a scroll saw and a band saw. The scroll saw of choice is the Dewalt 788. Not sure on a band saw yet. I would like to mostly cut plaque style pictures of animals out (maybe 12"wide x 8" height) but have an interest in more intraget(spelling??) work. Is the scroll saw equally as versatile as a band saw? Will I be okay cutting the mentioned type shapes out of 1/4-1/2 pine with the scroll saw? My fiancée like the thought of the speed adjustment on the scroll saw and thought she would be more comfortable with it.

10-10-2005, 03:32 PM	#3
jttheclockman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 743	As mentioned these are 2 different tools even though the bandsaw can do scroll work it can only cut designs on the outside and if you need interior fret work cuts than a scrollsaw is designed for that job. You can make interior cuts with a bandsaw but need to make a relief cut to get to the interior cut. Then that releif cut needs to be glued back together. Not the best choice to do this. As far as which to buy first depends on what type of cutting are you doing. If it is scrolling than by all means get the scrollsaw and by the way you are looking at a very good saw. I recomend it highly. You will eventually want to get a bandsaw so save the bucks. __________________ John T.

10-10-2005, 04:22 PM	#4
Old Mooner Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Sherman, Texas Posts: 284	JRC-- I use both. As has been said, there is really no such thing as band vs scroll saw since they are so different. I used a band saw long before I purchased a scroll saw, but that was because I was making duck decoys and furniture. You can't really do fretwork, or anything delicate, with a bandsaw even with a 1/8" blade. I know choices have to be made, but I would feel lost without both. Moon __________________ Old Mooner

10-10-2005, 09:12 PM	#5
3_M Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Brandon, SD Posts: 629	All the replies are 100% correct. I would buy both and if you can get a Dewalt what was made before 2003, go for it. Check out the Delta P-20. Mike M __________________ Home of the FD Blades

10-10-2005, 10:30 PM	#6
wwalker47 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seminole, Florida Posts: 705	I agree. I have both and use them in different ways form each other. Get both. Mike- I'm looking at the DeWalt 788 for my next saw, but what's this about a DeWalkt before 2003? What's the story? -Bill __________________ My saw is a DeWalt788 Measure twice; cut once; count fingers after cut

10-10-2005, 01:19 PM	#2
Jediscroller American Crafstman Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Galaxy far, far away Posts: 3,174 Blog Entries: 5	You're talking about 2 very diffferent tools. A good bandsaw is far more versatile than even the very best scrollsaw. In addition to what you want to do, ripping, crosscutting and re-sawing are a few of the things that can be accomplished with a bandsaw. A scrollsaw on the other hand will do a couple of things that a bandsaw cannot including far more intricate cuts as well as inside (pierced) cuts. Your long range plans (i.e. do you enivision doing more general woodworking, furniture, tables, etc.) will determine your choice. If you're only planning on scroll-type work, then get the scroll saw. A scroll saw will do what you mentioned in your post. Kevin

10-10-2005, 11:01 PM	#7
jttheclockman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 743	They were Canadian made. Now they are made in Taiwain __________________ John T.

10-11-2005, 06:04 PM	#8
sheltiecarver Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Rural Central California Foothills Posts: 570	JRC, Welcome to the group! I totally agree with the previous posts. The Dewalt is a fine saw - I just got to try one at our local county fair - it isn't as good as my saw, but if I had gotten to try it sooner, I would have bought it. Excellent for the price. You and your honey will have a lot of fun scrolling - it is one of the safest of saws (you've still got to use common sense and pay attention) and the results are quickly enjoyable. I suggest getting John Nelson's book, Scroll Saw Workbook, and working through the lessons with your new saw - the results will be really cool. When you are ready for a bandsaw, you will know more about what size you want, and what projects you'd like to use it for. It is more versatile for larger things, and you will want to have both saws, eventually. Now, lets see, what other tools could we recommend?... Let us know what you decide, and how your projects are coming along. Sandy

03-24-2006, 04:48 AM	#9
will8989 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Glen Burnie, MD Posts: 1,204	Get both if you can afford them. You won't be sorry. I use the bandsaw for resawing my stock into thinner pieces, which saves me considerable money not having to buy presawn (is that a word?) thinner wood. It's amazing how the hobby of scrollsawing, thinking you JUST need a scroll saw, leads into bandsaws, tablesaws, planers, vacuums, drum sanders, palm sanders, drill press (I have 4 and use each one) and on and on and on. But the thing is, I use every single one of them!!! Sometimes all for just one project!!! __________________ A woodworker never has too many clamps!!

03-24-2006, 01:19 PM	#10
cmhadley Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: wisconsin Posts: 33	I can so relate to needing more than just a scroll saw. Thought that was all we needed, but now own a drum sander, a table saw, a router, blades, containers, wood, etc... Would love a band saw but am running out of room. But, I am having a good time and whatever you buy will be an investment, wont go to waste. Have fun, Carrie

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