Saws

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

The sword saw appears to make a more ragged cut than a band saw when cutting cross grain. Did you notice the recoil on that tool when only one of the blades bit into the wood and got temporarily stuck? I suppose that would be acceptable if you absolutely need to cut something in a tight corner on the model, but cutting small delicate parts would have to be done very very slowly and carefully. I found that diamond impregnated rotary tool bits can eat wood and carve openings quickly in thin wood. However, if you try to cut too agressively, the wood good overheat and get singed. The diamond bits can easily be cleaned when they load up with wood flour and carbonized wood particles. The material can be flaked off the bit a lot easier than cleaning a file with a file card.

Dremel diamond bit and needle files used to make window openings.

 

[Y.T.]

Did you notice the recoil

To me this tool is not practical.

 

[Roger Pellett]

Keep in mind that all of these small MicroMake tools are driven by their own proprietary Power Supply. Of course amps and volts are not proprietary but these small tool companies each outfit their tools with their own plug. I have a MiniCraft power supply but the plug does not fit Proxxon tools. Years ago I was able to buy an adaptor from Amazon but I don’t think that it is still offered. Long story short, to use Micro Mark’s saw you need to buy or already have their power supply.

 

[Y.T.]

Example of small parts cutting on a cheap Chinese bandsaw: A wooden fence clamped to the table with a piece of wood glued to it as a depth stop. The steps in mass produced cannon carriages were cut in 1:100 scale after milling a channel in a long piece of oak. As you may know, this is delicate work because oak wood has such a large grain that it cracks easily when this thin. A sharp bandsaw blade made easy work of 35 carriages.

Hi, DARIVS ARCHITECTVS, Very impressive work! I would love having a desk top band saw. Unfortunately I am having limited room space living in condo. Could you please tell me how high this saw is?

 

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

Table top bandsaw from Harbor Freight is approximately 30" high, 16" long and 14" wide. I clamp a piece of wood to the table to act as a fence so that when I'm cutting think veneer into long planking strips, the veneer doesn't slide under the fence and make the cut go off is some crazy direction. Watch a YouTube video on how to set the blade position on the wheels and adjust the blade guides. A light duty saw like this would struggle cutting 4"x4"s, but once properly adjusted, these cheap little saws make great work horses for cutting model parts. If you are careful and use jigs like the one I posted earlier, you can cut small parts precisely. You don't always have to buy the costly top of the line precise German tools to get the job done.