ArdentAngler Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 Hi, I haven't used a scroll saw in years so I'm not sure how loud the new ones are. As the title says are scroll saws apartment friendly? Not sure if having one in a second floor apartment would be practical, noise is my main concern. If I recall it was a low vibration so it may travel through walls and it only rattled when a piece wasn't firmly held down. Basically cutting any woods up to and 1" thick shouldn't be a problem for the blades unless it's a really hard wood, I'm guessing scrolling Lexan is fine too as long as you don't go fast. Looking in the near future for something that can allow me versatility and precision, which is still quiet enough to use in an apartment and won't burrow through my wallet...is the scroll saw worthy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleriver Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 I found I get way more use out of my band saw. Scroll saws are about as noisy as sewing machine. Not sure how noisy a small tabletop band saw would be but i know I use mine more than the scroll saw by far. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt M Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 . I have the $60 Harbor Freight special. It has a variable speed control that at lower speeds is very quiet. I would think it would be okay as long as your not running it at 2:00am. I would also speak to the neighbors and ask them to let you know if you are making to much noise before they call the law on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 I think both a scroll and band saw are pretty quiet. I use a scroll saw exclusively and I'll say a couple of things about it: I lay the saw on a foam pad to stop any vibration getting to the table or wall. It will cut a finer line than band saws but it is much slower on hardwoods. I tried cutting Lexan and it was a pain, the blade wants to grab the material and lift it off the table because the upward stroke is non-cutting. Bottom line: if you want to cut hardwood, a band saw will do it much quicker. If all you cut is balsa or other soft woods, a scroll saw works just as well. As far as cutting lip materials, I use neither saw opting instead for cutting them out with metal snips followed by exact trimming with a Dremel sanding cylinder - it's just faster and more exact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt_ncbassman Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 Don't have a scroll saw, but I find myself using my dremel motosaw for almost everything now. The last time I used my band saw was because I ran out of sawzall blades, and I needed to cut a 2" pipe of black iron pipe. If you're not cutting cast or black iron, you might want to look at the Motosaw. They just put out a little "whine" noise, not enough vibration to travel through floor joists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdentAngler Posted August 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 So for the most part they are quiet? Not really sure how loud a sowing machine is sorry. Guess I could ask them about the noise...really hate seeing my neighbors if I don't have too hahaha. @BOBP: I think you can get reverse blades which cut on the up stroke, that would be my only worry is the loud knocking. @JT_NCBASSMAN:Never seen the moto-saw before, read that it lacks the power of a traditional scroller. The compact feature is nice though might look into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-Mac Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 My band saw is quieter than my scroll saw. However, my scroll saw is borderline antique and would probably vibrate a house off its foundation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 I'm with Littleriver...get a table top band saw..they are a lot faster.Stick your vacuum hose in the dust port and turn the vacuum on...it will be louder than the saw and will keep sawdust from blowing every where...Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdentAngler Posted August 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 Definitely thinking about getting one, might be a while though. Just for giggles I did some looking and it seems most of the scroll saws have bad reviews??? Even the more expensive models are being checked in after light use...something about motors dying and electrical issues. I thought nowadays they would be made better, guess technology is slow in this area. Can you get 90% cuts with a band saw? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleriver Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 (edited) ArdentAngler After handtools, my first saw was a scroll. I used it for a while to cut body shapes and bills. The machine did great for detail cuts but like Bob, I had a problem with it lifting the material from the table. This was very annoying to me. Also, i had to set up machine everytime I would switch from wood to bibs. Then, I had the opportunity to use a friends band saw. After cutting out a few shapes and bibs, I quickly realized which machine I liked better. Every builder will have his or her preference but a band saw is more versatile and can be used for a wide array of tasks with the right blade. From lexan, wood and even metal with the right blade, this saw will meet most of your needs . My scroll saw has set silent since purchasing the band saw. Edited August 30, 2013 by littleriver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 There's much better chance of vibration noise with a scroll saw since it has a reciprocating action. My variable speed Makita has done yeoman service for 12 yrs, so I have no complaints on that score. It cuts any thickness balsa just fine but it's slow going to cut 1/2" or thicker basswood or paulownia compared to a band saw. If I had it to do over, I'd most probably buy a band saw. But either will get the job done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdentAngler Posted August 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 I haven't much experience with a band saw or just don't remember using one. Maybe what I remember was a big hulking machine?? Besides preference I would probably get more use out of the scroll saw, at least for other projects. One aspect is being able to work inside pieces by removing the blade and re-attaching it inside. The speed at cutting pieces doesn't bother me too much, for me it's about precision...after cutting a few crooked lip slots anything would be better than using a hand tools. Wouldn't changing to different blades allow you more versatility when cutting different materials? Just a thought but if it was as easy as cutting the lure and bib out wouldn't everyone be making lures??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 Just a thought but if it was as easy as cutting the lure and bib out wouldn't everyone be making lures??? There's a little more to building lures than just cutting out profiles and bibs and not everyone wants to put in the effort of learning how to do this. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleriver Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 Ardent Angler The bibs were the straw that broke the camel back for me. I thought I couldn't make the cuts I wanted with a band saw. I was wrong. Here is what I was after Doable precise and easy. The 10 in bands are not too bad but a the bigger models are beasts. Yes you may change the blade on the scroll but the thickness of material and density of that material really effects what you can cut effectively. A pine 2x4 is too much for a scroll but a 10 inch band it is butter. Without it your back to using that hand saw. Same with metal sheet for homemade spinners or spoons. Things come up; given to you or seen on here and you want to try it . Without the right tool to cut it; your back to hand tools or just out of luck. Something about a big motor and a blade going one direction is magic for cutting things well. Yes it is really as easy as carving out a shape slapping some hooks on it to make a lure. When I was first on the fence about making lures, I remember a video a child made of himself making a fishing lure with a piece of a 2x4 and kitchen knife and some super glue. He made the lure in what seemed minutes and was fishing it before the video was over. That inspired me to give it a go. The baits aren't always pretty or work the way their intended but if you like this sort of work you'll stay on the path to better things. If not , you'll at least have the satisfaction of knowing and a saw. For myself, I'm keeping the band saw. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdentAngler Posted August 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 hmm? I always thought the band saw was good for only trimming and not for precision. Most lures I am interested in making are 1/2" thick and most scroll saw should be able to handle an inch in thickness. Aren't band saws a bit more pricey? I dig that craw lure, for some reason I have a penchant for all things crayfish...countless fish taken on my rebel craws. Figured there was more to it than that, because everyone would be making lures instead of buying them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleriver Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 Craigslist might score you a good machine in your price range. That is how all my power equipment was aquired. But do your homework and look for like new condition lightly used. Most power tools have parts that wear and your not wanting to rebuild your new used saw. It is easy to buy and hard to get started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleriver Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 Yeah, there is more to it but that is part of the journey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedyarb Posted August 31, 2013 Report Share Posted August 31, 2013 Get a band saw, I started with a scroll saw. Switched to a band saw and was shocked how much easier and better everything was! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted August 31, 2013 Report Share Posted August 31, 2013 There are many different blades for scroll saws but the only one I use for lures is the standard 12 tpi blade because it is stronger and less prone to break or bend while cutting hardwood. I use it cranked to maximum tension. By happenstance, it's kerf is also perfect for cutting the lip slot for a 1/32" thick circuit board lip in one pass. Scroll saws excel at cutting intricate ornamental patterns in 1/8" thick wood. If you are planning other projects that can use that, a scroll saw is best. I only use mine to cut the basic lure outlines and lip slots on lures. It takes patience but does a nice job. A smaller table top band saw would do that faster and just as well and would be more useful for other cutting chores. I hardly ever make more than 6 lures at a time and it's a hobby, not a business, so I'm content to stick with my scroll saw. If that sucker ever breaks down, I'll certainly replace it with a band saw though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdentAngler Posted November 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 Ok well I'm reconsidering a band saw after purchasing a porter cable cable scroller. I spent months researching a bunch of scroll saws and found that if you don't have $600 you probably wont get a decent machine. So can a good tabletop band saw be purchased for under $200? I was told to stay away from any with three guide wheels to save myself the trouble of broken blades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedyarb Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 I have a three wheeled craftsman, and yes I have replaced the blade a couple times. But they only cost 8$. I bought the saw on Craigslist for 30$ two years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 I hope you realize how much very fine dust you'll generate, no matter which saw you choose. In short order, you'll have a coating of it over everything in the apartment, and I do mean everything. The truly fine dust, the stuff you can's see until it lands, goes airborne and floats everywhere. Opening and closing the front door acts like a bellows, pulling air in and out, and moving the dust all around. Nathan told you to hook it up to a vacuum. He's right. You'll need a good hepa vac, and a good dust collection system. I'd go a step farther, and suggest you make some kind of a dedicated work space that has some kind of ventilation to the outside. I know you don't have as much flexibility when you live in an apartment, but investing in wood working machinery that you wind up not being able to use is going to make you angry, and frustrated. If you can find an alternative to machining in your apartment, you'd be better off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 (edited) In my opinion no comparison... band saw all the way. I use my scroll saw off and on and poor comparison to a properly set up band saw. I never had an issue with cutting lexan on the scroll saw but end up using tin snips most often. As far as dust a vacuum or shop vac then a box fan with a filter next to the saw will take care of most fines. I have used a similar set up many times when trapped inside my house doing things during winter. If buying either I would really look at buying a quality over saving a buck if not then better off just buying a good solid fret saw or coping saw. Edited November 10, 2013 by Travis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdentAngler Posted November 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 Well a move may be on the horizon so the apartment hopefully won't be an issue anymore. I will definitely take the advice on the shop vacuum and maybe a dust mask. I vividly remember the headaches associated with the dust. Any suggestion on machines? I read the craftsman is the same as Rikon is this true? if so the craftsman can be picked up fairly cheap at a yard sale or craigslist like nedyarb said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted November 12, 2013 Report Share Posted November 12, 2013 Rikon comes with a better warranty. Like many tools they may be very similar some reportedly made on the same line in the Taiwan or Chinese assembly plant but reportedly can use much different specks with regards to quality, components, etc.... Craftsman really has taken a hit over the years in quality and standing behind their product but still some good to be had in their line. I am using the Craftsman 14 inch model currently and have been satisfied but would not get another one. Nothing negative yet but in the 6 months I have been using hasn't "won me over". Many reviews from magazines look at nearly "identical" tools but yet come to different end points with regards to overall quality. Several of the wood working sites do a good job at identifying areas to look at. A lot depend on what you want the machine to do. I have a cheap Delta table top I picked up and used for years. No issues with just cutting out basswood crank bodies and have kept it just to mess around with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
