Scroll Saws

[the artfull-codger]

Using a tool for its designed purpose is one thing, but using a file when you have no control over pressure on the backstroke is just plain wrong. That's a quick way to knack a file.

Knack the file?? not at all, that's what a die filing machine is for, I have a home made on I've used for 40 odd yrs for precision filing shapes,more of an accurate finishing tool, not to whack a 12" bastard file in for roughing out, I have a hegner & an american delta both parallel motion saws both cut metal when I use metal piercing saw [good quality] blades they cut through 3mm steel easily & thicker slower of course, I also use metal coping saw blades in them as well, but the best scroll/fret saw for metals is the meddings I have & I use lengths of bandsaw blades in this[cheap from autojumbles] & regularly use it for steel & alloys & brass etc but as the design is such that the blade holder upper is spring return as opposed to parallel motion it's not too good for thin fretsaw type blades, that's where the parallel motion saws do best.
Hope this info helps.

 

[MattF]

Knack the file?? not at all, that's what a die filing machine is for,

A die filer is for dulling blades? Die filer files and standard files aren't the same thing. Even now, I believe the standard procedure with files is pressure on the forward stroke only? I've always been taught that pressure on the back stroke dulls the file, and the same method is mentioned in any old tomes on the subject. Pressure on forward stroke, relieve pressure on the return stroke. Even back in school, heaving on a file both ways would have led to a crack on the knuckles. Work it may, correct it's not.

I have a home made on I've used for 40 odd yrs for precision filing shapes,more of an accurate finishing tool, not to whack a 12" bastard file in for roughing out

What files do you use for it. Needle files? Any photo's of the machine? Been considering making a die filer for a while. Only thing which has put me off as such is the lack of proper files being available nowadays.

I have a hegner & an american delta both parallel motion saws both cut metal when I use metal piercing saw [good quality] blades they cut through 3mm steel easily & thicker slower of course, I also use metal coping saw blades in them as well, but the best scroll/fret saw for metals is the meddings I have & I use lengths of bandsaw blades in this[cheap from autojumbles] & regularly use it for steel & alloys & brass etc but as the design is such that the blade holder upper is spring return as opposed to parallel motion it's not too good for thin fretsaw type blades, that's where the parallel motion saws do best.

Any photo's of the blade clamps you have on the Meddings? I assume you've changed them over from the pin style holder to a clamp style one?

 

[the artfull-codger]

A die filer is for dulling blades? Die filer files and standard files aren't the same thing. Even now, I believe the standard procedure with files is pressure on the forward stroke only? I've always been taught that pressure on the back stroke dulls the file, and the same method is mentioned in any old tomes on the subject. Pressure on forward stroke, relieve pressure on the return stroke. Even back in school, heaving on a file both ways would have led to a crack on the knuckles. Work it may, correct it's not.




What files do you use for it. Needle files? Any photo's of the machine? Been considering making a die filer for a while. Only thing which has put me off as such is the lack of proper files being available nowadays.




Any photo's of the blade clamps you have on the Meddings? I assume you've changed them over from the pin style holder to a clamp style one?

Hi, I know you're not ''supposed'' to keep the file in contact on the return stroke but I can assure you that it works ok, I wasn't being cocky or clever just stating what I've been doing for years, I use mainly 6-8" files with the tangs ground off, [so you don't poke your eye out!!] they cut on the downward stroke of course & I grind the bottom bit off so they fit into a clamp type holder,it has a tilting table for angular work, I made it from an old lawn mower engine for the reciprocating movement pully & belt driven by the old favourite 1/4 hp washing machine motor when they were a quid a time from the scrapyards alas no more & turned a large bronze bush for the spindle, the spindle has a flange welded on to it,turned up on the lathe & it's bolted directly on to the top of the piston,the piston having an amount of radial play of course hence the large bronze bush to guide the spindle & a ring of thick sponge soaked with oil beneath a metal collar to keep out all the filings & keep it lubricated[it's been renewed a few times [the sponge] as I think the oil perishes it].
The Meddings,a super tool much underrated, yes I removed the original pin type holders & turned up 2 circular pieces of steel & a split insert to go in them rather like a 2 piece collet, with an allen screw clamp a bit like some hand jig saws. Allthough it will take up to 1/2" wide blades I only use them for wood, I ''dropped across'' 2x 100ft rolls of 1/4" bandsaw blades cheap & use them most of the time on metals, I also make my own bandsaw blades for my machine mart heavy duty saw by silver soldering a scarfed join, again allways look for 100 ft rolls ar the right price.
I'm not sure about doing photo's I'll see if my son will when he's next up.

 

[MattF]

Hi, I know you're not ''supposed'' to keep the file in contact on the return stroke but I can assure you that it works ok, I wasn't being cocky or clever just stating what I've been doing for years,

No worries. I hadn't taken it the wrong way. How do the standard files cope in a die filer setup, longevity wise? A die filer has been on my to-do list for ages, but it's just the lack of proper files for them which has made me never get round to sorting one. Always thought standard files probably wouldnt last five minutes, (a bit of exaggeration there, obviously ), but if they last a fair while, I'll seriously shunt that idea up my list. There's many a time I could do with a die filer.

& a ring of thick sponge soaked with oil beneath a metal collar to keep out all the filings & keep it lubricated[it's been renewed a few times [the sponge] as I think the oil perishes it].

If you can get hold of any, thick, coarse felt is good for that task, or felt rings if they'll fit. Oil doesn't seem to bother it one jot, and it's a method which has been used for donkeys without detriment.

The Meddings,a super tool much underrated, yes I removed the original pin type holders & turned up 2 circular pieces of steel & a split insert to go in them rather like a 2 piece collet, with an allen screw clamp a bit like some hand jig saws.

That's something I'm intending to do with mine. It's currently dismantled. Got tired of trying to compensate for the shockingly aligned standard clamps, so just popped it to one side for the time being and went back to using the coping saw. Thought that if I was going to make new clamps, I might as well change over to the pinless style blades whilst I was at it. A lot more variation in tooth count and style in those over coping saw blades.

I'm not sure about doing photo's I'll see if my son will when he's next up.

Cheers. That'd be appreciated.