Thread: Scroll saw or band saw ?

with timber that size you have to go slow and steady so as not to get a taper on the cut that is top looks fine bottom is smaller due to blade bending.However having said that it is possible on scroll saw and the finish is great whereas bandsaw leaves lots of work to achieve a reasonable finish, not good if finish is poor on toys.

Used a 14" Carbatec Bandsaw yesterday to cut out a car from laminated Meranti/Merbau timber, 50mm thick. Brand new blade.

The going was hard due to a 3/4 HP motor, and the finish will require a bit of sanding to get there. A scroll saw, even though slower, would give a better finish prior to sanding.

I'm not a toy maker, but watching the toymakers at the mens shed it looks to me like you need both.

They user a 14" BS with a 1/2" 6TPI blade to break the timber stock up and get it to more workable size, and then use a SS to cut the more intricate shapes.

My guess is the mens shed toy makers do 90% of their work on the BS so if you could only have one I would go a BS but get at least a 14" model.

as BobL suggests, a 14" band saw would be good, but if space and $$ are an issue, I think that a 10" bench top band saw is a much better option than an 8" (250 mm) model. Tear out can be managed to a large extent with the right blade in both TPI and width, and a zero clearance throat plate or sub-table.

as to choosing between a scroll saw and bandsaw.
A scroll saw can be used for pierced work, a bandsaw can not.
a scroll saw can cut much tighter curves than a bandsaw.
scroll saw blades are much easier to bend and break than are band saw blades.

The stroke length on most scroll saws is much less than 38mm, and the gullets in the upper range of the wood thickness won't clear. Not good. The band saw has ~infinite stroke length.

DiRob thanks for that info. I didn't know about taper from a scroll saw.
I usually make batches of 6-20 of the same toy so "time is of the essence" you might say (I am machine rich but time poor.)
With a belt/disk sander the finish from a band saw cut has not been a problem so far. However, I am about to try some more intricate designs in toys so a faster cut out in the rough will be better as I think sanding on the belt/disk will give an acceptable finish. I have access to New Guinea rosewood off cuts for the toys and this hardwood gives a very smooth finish with minimal sanding

If I were you, i'd go for the band saw. You have said it yourself, scroll saws take loads of time. I think a band saw is your best option on this one, as you'll find that it's a versatile tool for various projects too.

Depending on how intricate you plan on making your toys as mentioned above you'll need both. However having said that a 1/4" blade and some patience can get you a long way and would be where I'd start, any intricate work can also be done with a good quality coping saw.

G'Day KAJ, I have both a 17" bandsaw which I run 1/2" blades and a scrollsaw; the bandsaw is used heaps more than the scrollsaw.
I normally don't do more that a couple of the same toy at a time but when I've made a small batch the bandsaw allows for making a jig to help the repeat process.
The other machine I use a lot in my toymaking is a "bobbin sander" which is well worth considering as well as a 12" disk sander which along facilitates jig use.
Cheers, crowie

PS - Please show off your wooden toy creations in the toymaking section of the forum!!!

KAJ, I make wooden toys and models, like Crowie, and agree with what he says. I also predominately use my Bandsaw with 3/8 inch 6-8 TPI blades for cutting and shaping. A bobbin Sander is great for cleaning up curved cuts or just making curves and a Disk Sander / Linisher pretty much covers everything else.
I occasionally use my Scroll Saw for fiddly bits BUT at the end of the day, if your making a toy, then you really don't want fiddly bits. Toys have to be pretty rugged to handle being played with. There is nothing worse than the look on a kids face when a toy breaks the first time they play with it.
All the best,
Geoff

PS: I have 14 inch and 18 inch Bandsaws but predominately use the 14 inch for small stuff and the 18 inch for ripping large pieces of timber down. I have had 10 inch bandsaws in the past (Ryobi from Bunnings and Carbatec) and am glad I have ditched them in favour of the 14 inch. You may find you are too restricted as to blades with anything less than a 14 inch.