Comparing my old saw with modern ones.

[RogerP]

I've never been a scroll/fret enthusiast as such but over the years I have done some for small parts when required for incorporation in various items of furniture

I've always used this jigsaw Cowells 375 Jigsaw which I've had for longer than I can remember. It seems to work quite well and is particularly handy for inside cuts as, being a jigsaw, one end of the blade is not connected so it's very easy to slip the work off and on through pre-drilled holes.

I'm about to embark on a project which will require a great deal of fretwork so would I find a modern scroll/fret saw much better? Thanks.

 

[mac1012]

looks a very interesting machine , i not sure what blades you use or whether you can use the modern pinless blades that are around , as for comparison having never used your kind of saw i couldnt really comment all i can say is the pinless blades used nowadays allow for very fine work to be done

your machine looks very usefull though and i like the simplicity in its design

Mark

 

[RogerP]

Yes it takes pinless blades, even broken ones, a small stock of which I got from a teacher friend who's kids break their Hegner ones almost as soon as new ones are fitted!

 

[Gill]

If that saw is working well enough for you, then I don't see any reason to change it.

I wish I had a bit of engineering knowledge because I don't understand what a 'balanced Pitman arm' is and how it can drive the blade. However, the frame looks to have little support which you need to guarantee a consistent vertical blade motion. This also makes me wonder how the tension of the blade is maintained. You say you can even use broken saw blades in the machine; I don't see how this can be done without compromising blade tension. In any case, scroll saw blades are so flimsy that they really can't be used in the same way as jigsaw blades, being held only in one clamp. The machine is quite a puzzle to me.

If I was in your situation, Roger, I'd toddle off to my nearest Axminster showroom and ask for a demo of a modern scroll saw.

 

[RogerP]

If that saw is working well enough for you, then I don't see any reason to change it.

But I have nothing to compare it with so I don't know how much better (if any) other machines may be.

I wish I had a bit of engineering knowledge because I don't understand what a 'balanced Pitman arm' is and how it can drive the blade. However, the frame looks to have little support which you need to guarantee a consistent vertical blade motion. This also makes me wonder how the tension of the blade is maintained. You say you can even use broken saw blades in the machine; I don't see how this can be done without compromising blade tension. In any case, scroll saw blades are so flimsy that they really can't be used in the same way as jigsaw blades, being held only in one clamp. The machine is quite a puzzle to me.

Used as a jigsaw the blade runs in a grooved guide, used as a fretsaw it has an accessory spring tensioner to hold the top of the blade. It does appear to work well, but as I said, I've nothing with which to compare it. I was just wondering if anyone else had used a Cowell and could compare with other types of scroll/fretsaw they'd used.

If I was in your situation, Roger, I'd toddle off to my nearest Axminster showroom and ask for a demo of a modern scroll saw.

My nearest Axminster branch is 75 miles away - too far to toddle Gloucester is a black hole so far as woodworking supplies (tools or timber) are concerned.

 

[Gill]

My nearest Axminster branch is 75 miles away - too far to toddle Gloucester is a black hole so far as woodworking supplies (tools or timber) are concerned.

That certainly is a problem. It's ironic considering you're practically on the doorstep of the National Arboretum. My only suggestion is that you take a drive up the M5 and visit RS Paskins in Kidderminster when they have their open days on 9 and 10 November. Admittedly, that's also a trek but they usually have some scrolling along with other demonstrations. I've also got my eyes on the Axminster Nuneaton branch fretsaw demo on 3 November .