"Saw advice sought" Topic
8 Posts
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JAFD26 | 16 Oct 2017 6:10 p.m. PST |
Salutations, gentlefolk ! Have some 3/16" (~5mm) basswood to cut up into model bases. Razor saw a bit 'lightweight' for the job. Wondering if you could recommend 'the next step bigger and better' for general-purpose wood cutting, both rip and crosscut ? thanks very much for your help with this. |
Neroon | 16 Oct 2017 7:39 p.m. PST |
Japanese razor saw. Google it. I've cut everything from mdf to hi density plastic to tree branches with it. Still sharp as the day I bought it. Makes very fine and accurate cuts. cheers
PS Definately NOT the same as the dinky razor saws sold in hobby shops. Mine has a 10 inch blade and a 12 inch handle. |
Walking Sailor | 16 Oct 2017 8:06 p.m. PST |
1. Coping Saw w/ spare saw blades, and a couple of C-clamps to hold down your work piece. You can try holding it down with your free hand but it will slip. Use a piece of scrap lumber between the clamps and your plywood to prevent marring the surface. Check underneath to be sure that you are not cutting your table. Measure your table thickness plus the thickness of the work piece (3/16") plus the scrap piece to know what size C-clamps to buy before you go. P5 (Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance) 2. Jig Saw. This is the most versatile power saw. It will not turn a tight enough corner to cut a square base, so plan on making one long cut of base width or depth and several short cuts across that strip. Get a heavy extension cord. You can free hand this one by sitting with the jig saw upside down clamped between your knees if you need both hands. You didn't hear that from me, and I deny all liability. Really, take frequent breaks to rest your legs. Dropping the saw could damage a valuable tool or anything nearby e.g. feet, ankles, legs, etc. NEVER TRY TO CATCH A FALLING BLADE ! If you need a piece of scrap wood, Home Depot has off cuts in the back and also look where customers can hand cut their trim. see also: several threads about flooring samples, but don't try to walk out with the whole store. It looks bad. Harbor Freight is your "proof of concept" store. If you're not sure if you need it, go there and buy a cheap one to try. If it does the job, that's all that you needed and you saved a bunch of money. If you needed something more, now you know, and you have a better idea of what you need. And be prepared to spend a lot more. |
Balin Shortstuff | 16 Oct 2017 9:40 p.m. PST |
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redmist1122 | 17 Oct 2017 2:05 p.m. PST |
Every modeler who makes terrain should own or have access to a band saw. BIG TIME! Sears has a Craftsman small band saw for less than $100 USD…around Christmas time or on other big holiday sales. Been using mine for over ten years cutting everything from wood, plastic to lead figures of the sort. link Hope this helps.
P. |
FABET01 | 17 Oct 2017 2:50 p.m. PST |
If you can find something here in hobby tools, it probably hasn'r been invented yet: micromark.com |
JAFD26 | 18 Oct 2017 7:23 p.m. PST |
Salutations again, gentlefolk ! Thanks for the advice, but some comments. Agree with MicroMark recommendation, have ordered from them before. 'Twould be nice to have power tools, but am living in one-room apartment at senior citizens' home, bed on one side of room and workbench on other, space lacking, also limited tolerance for sawdust in nostrils. Was at the immense Home Despot in Vauxhall, website said 14 1" C-clamps in stock at that store, employees could only find 2 ;-( |
Sgt Slag | 31 Oct 2017 9:58 a.m. PST |
A chop/miter saw is your friend. Harbor Freight has a 10-inch miter saw for around $80 USD, with a coupon. You will want to stack as many pieces as possible, then clamp them in place, and bring the saw blade down, cutting a stack of them with each cut. It has a small bag to catch the sawdust, but it will still be noisy. Will make precision cuts, with ease. They come in smaller models, but the smaller bladed models are strictly hobby tools, they cannot be used for anything bigger; the 10" model is a more versatile unit, can be used for other, non-gaming related projects… A bandsaw will work, but for accurate cuts, you need to tension the blade to around 25,000 PSI -- otherwise the blade will flex, and you will get curvy cuts. The inexpensive models cannot handle this much blade tension, as they are made of aluminum, not iron. An iron bandsaw is what you need, and used, they typically sell for north of $700 USD! Big, heavy, bulky. Overkill for what you want. Cheers! |
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