Metal cuting?

[24 hours? NE!]

That's "Cutting" not "cuting"

Has anyone done any metal cutting with their scroll saw?

I'm wondering about sources for copper or aluminum (and other metals) that are suitable for scrolling.

Any tips or internet sites to look at?


Thanks!

[greatdane2]

I cut 1/32 aluminium quite a bit, You can get the blades at the same place you get wood blades. Here I go to an outfit that does sheet metal work as in furnace ducting etc. You just have to be more carefull holding the metal down. You should also put a sheet of something under the metal so you don't scratch your table.
If you are doing fine cutting I would sandwich it between thin plywood as the metal will bend up quite easy.
What are you going to cut?

Alan.


Alan.

[workin for wood]

Thin is good, thick is not so good. I cut a small arrow head of 3/4 thick aluminum and it took 3 blades and a few hrs to do, the length of travel under 2". The half inch was better, but not waaaay better! With hollow brass tubes though, any blade cuts with ease.

[24 hours? NE!]

I'm going to try to do some ornaments this year. I've got the blades, just need to find a source for the metal.

[greatdane2]

Most hardware stores sell sheet metal in smaller pieces but it ain't cheap to buy from them. As I said go to a metal fabrication shop, they probably have a scrap bin that would have what you need. Look them up in your yellow pages.

Alan.

[Plaquerd]

I've cut quite a few State Quarters. Here is a link to one thread which has a link to another thread, both concerning metal cutting. This is a picture of the jig I use for cutting the quarters and three of the quarters that have been cut. The jig and info for cutting came from "the other " magazine I think it was an article by John Polhemus. The jig is made from 3/4" white oak and is about 2" X2" square. Drill a 1/16" hole through the block on center, drill a 15/16" hole using the first hole as a guide 1/8" deep, flip it over drill a 15/16" hole 1/2" deep again using the 1/16" hole as a guide, chuck a 7/8" bit in and drill all the way through using the first 1/16" hole as a guide, doing this creates a ledge for the coin to rest on during cutting, now make a relief cut in the jig so it expands and holds the coin tightly. You should have something that looks like the picture. I use FDPS #2/0 blades mostly and FD 3/0 metal cutting blades in the really tight spots.
Hope this is of some help.

Metal cutting

[GrayBeard Phil]

Originally Posted by 24 hours? NE!

I'm going to try to do some ornaments this year. I've got the blades, just need to find a source for the metal.

Don't overlook "hobby shops" that specialize in model railroad. Model railroad enthusiast use all sorts of brass and metal sheets and thickness in building structures to be placed alongside their railroad lines.

Aside: never mention you're a scroll sawyer in a hobby shop while mode RR buffs are around. You have been warned.

Phil

[greatdane2]

Jeez Phil where does that leave me? I do both!

Alan.

[Jim McDonald]

I got some sheets of "hobby" copper and brass at Hobby Lobby. At the time, they were pretty inexpensive. Here's a link to their on line store for some brass. Might look around for copper or others.

Link for copper.

[24 hours? NE!]

Great links. Thanks for the suggestions. I picked up some flashing at Home Depot and Lowes and going to see how they work for cutting. I'll report back.