band saw vs scroll saw - why would someone buy

[stymie]

ok silly question time. For some reason - I just cant seem to get down the differences between a band saw and a scroll saw. I'm not a total newbie - I have a few tools - table saw, drill press, router and table - and they have served me well to date. I am self taught - never took and classes - never had a "teacher" to guide me - it has been trial and error from day one. And since that is the case, every once in a while I there are things that I just can't figure out on my own - and that's where you guys come in. I would like to purchase a few more tools this fall and greatly expand my woodworking abilities and projects over this winter (when I'm cooped up inside and do most of my work).

One of the tools I am looking at adding would be a bandsaw. Until recently, I thought that a band saw was basically only used for ripping (or cutting) thicker wood to dimension. I did not think that you could cut curves on band saw - and thought that is what a scroll saw did. But I have read several threads and done some research on it - and now I am confused. Several of you fellas have talked about cutting curves on a band saw and even a few have mentioned that their wives have used their band saw for crafts. Is this the case? And if it is - what real purpose does a scroll saw serve - cutting tighter radius curves?

Any help you guys can offer is much appreciated. Before I go - let me throw this out there also - but I do not want to overshadow my original question - Given the tools that I have (listed above) what do you feel would be the most useful next 2 power tools I should buy? I suppose whatever tools will allow me to work with rough stock is one way to look at it. But please let me know what you guys think.

I'm off to the HF sidewalk sale!!

stymie

[gmack5]

You might think seriously about a Dust Collector. [:p]
If you're going to be spending a lot of time cooped up in the shop, it would be a healthy thing to have, especially if you value your LUNGS. [}:)]

[Black wallnut]

A scroll saw does a few things very well that no other power tool can do, i.e. fine cuts within your workpiece. A Bandsaw is one of those almost necessary major tools IMHO. You can cut curves the radii depending on the size of the blade, rips, cross cuts and even resaw lumber. Kerf cuts like what are used to form the fingers on a finger board are easy. Many cuts can be performed free hand on either saw safely that just can not be done with a table saw.

I'd get a good 14" BS and riser kit if you plan on ever resawing lumber wider than 6" and maybe a planer. That said Gmack makes a very good piont about thinking about a DC system.

[JR]

I'm headed to HF for my DC this morning. Of course I already have a bandsaw, jointer, and planer.

When faced with the same problem as you, Stymie, I chose to get those three tools. The jointer is new and I haven't used it yet. I have used the planer and bandsaw, and they have proven very useful. The bandsaw is used a lot more than I thought it would. Any complex or awkward cut gets done there.

I don't have scroll saw, but I imagine you are right about where it would be used. More detailed, finer work than a bandsaw can do. Also the blade can be installed through a hole in your project material, so you can do cuts that you just couldn't do with BS.

I think the choice of BS or SS depends on the kinds of projects you intend to do. If you'll be doing smaller, crafts-style projects, the SS would probably be better. If you tend to larger, furniture-type projects, the BS would be better.

JR

[LCHIEN]

I have both.

The basic difference beytween the saws is:
BS has long continuously moving blade
SS has short reciprocating blade.

That give rise to several facts:
SS cut distance is only 2" or so given that the blades ar 5" long.
BS thickness of cut is more a function of BS size, being 6" standard and up to 12" for hobbiest size saws of 14" with riser.

Because the blades are long and expensive (relatively) for a BS, they have to be thick enough to last a while, most of the blade is moving and not cutting at any given time.

Because blades are short the SS can use finer blades but they wear and break sooner -

When talking about blades its confusing - I'll use the terms kerf and thickness for the two cross section dimensions. Kerf applies the thickness of the resulting cut and Thickness applying to the back to front blade distance.

The Bandsaw cuts faster due to the continuous linear motion and the SS cuts slower because most blades only cut mostly on the downstroke and it physically stops and reverses direction every stroke.
Bandsaws usually can be equipped with miter gages and rip fences. SS are generally not. It takes a steady hand to cut smooth stright or curved lines with a scroll saw.


That said, here's how I use the saws:
BS with 1/2" thick blades can saw in a straight line for ripping and resawing items. Like making a 2x6 into two 1 x 6 boards.

BS with 1/4" blades can cut very broad curves and do all forms of notches, tensons in thin or thick materials.

BS with 1/8 and smaller blades can do moderate to small curves in thin and even in thick materials.

SS can do moderate to very fine curves in thin materials. Can also do very intricate work with blades that cut in all directions. Can do inside cuts by feeding the blade through a very small hole (like 3/32") and fastening to the saw. The amount of detail depends on the kerf and thickness of the blade.

SS work:
http://users2.ev1.net/~lchien/woodworking/nameplacque/nameplates.jpg

as for crafts there's big crafts and little crafts.
If you're cutting out plywood santa claus figures for the front lawn then a bandsaw would be the weapon of choice. But making a lacework item could only be done on a scrollsaw.

The good news: Both these saws, the blade is well contained and only exposed for a small distance. you can do fine/close work on these without the scary feelings you should have whem working with a table saw.

[stymie]

Thanks for all the info guys. I appreciate it. Sounds like I was on the right track in terms of the differences of the two machines.

Dust collection is a good point, and something that I did not think of when I was writing the original post. This will be the second year for my "shop" (also known as my garage) and by the end of last year -I had one **** of a mess. I happened to be working with 1/8" tempered masonite (hardboard) and was ripping sheets of that down to size with my table saw. Well, as you veterans can imagine - the dust was literally flying and ended up on everything in the shop. I"m still picking up seldom used items and seeing them covered in the dust.

Which brings me to a dilemma - dust collector vs. air scrubber / filter. I see the value in both but to be honest - till I buy both - I will have spent a bunch of the money that I would have used to buy a band saw, planer, etc. My plans for this year are to expand my skills more into the furniture line, but I will undoubtedly be making a bunch of toy chests again this year with hardboard inserts - and therefore be creating that fine dust from the hardboard. I suppose I could move my table saw outside for those cuts - but I always think that if you are outside and cold - then you will be likely to hurry or not concentrate on safety first - which I am very conscious of.

[leehljp]

Large pieces of wood cut much better on the band saw than scroll saw. Cutting the outline of rockers for a chair or rocking horse will be much easier on the band saw, and probably smoother line cuts too.

[Whaler]

As others have commented, I feel that dust collection should be the first priority.

I bought a scroll saw several years ago and found that I used it as a miniature band saw. I added a 14" Jet band saw to the shop and never used the scroll saw again. Another member of the forum is now the owner of the scroll saw.

Band saw or scroll saw is going to depend on the type of woodworking you plan on doing.

You might think about buying a good saber saw {Bosch 1587AVS} and use it untill you decide if you are going to need a band saw, scroll saw or both.

[monte]

quote:Originally posted by Whaler

As others have commented, I feel that dust collection should be the first priority.

You might think about buying a good saber saw {Bosch 1587AVS} and use it untill you decide if you are going to need a band saw, scroll saw or both.



For several years I used a saber saw only until I fanally came across a band saw a friend was selling due to an impending divorce he was going through. Don't over look the the saber saw. It can be useful for fine work as well as general cutting including curves etc. I have since also added a scroll saw to my shop and use it mostly for fine detail work. I guess you could consider the difference between a band saw and a scroll saw to be similar to the difference between a shovel and a spoon. :D