Metal cutting?

[simplysilver]

I just found this website and forum. I need to know if you can use a scroll saw to cut metal; steel and aluminum? Thanks! Sue

[CanadianScroller]

I have cut aluminum and brass with not too many issues, although the aluminum was a much higher grade than I had thought.
The key is using the correct blade and not letting it get too hot.
I also think a slow cutting stroke would be beneficial.

[Mackem]

Hi Sue and welcome to the forum, as to your question i'm not sure about cutting steel, i suppose it depends on the thickness and you can cut aluminium, all you need are the right blades, i'm sure some-one with more experience than me will be along shortly to elaborate on your problem.

[simplysilver]

Thanks to both of you for the quick replies. The steel would be 1/8" to 1/4" thick. I'm taking a metal sculpture class at the local college and we use a pattern tracer and plasma cutter. No way I can afford that! Minimum cost is $7,000 USD. That's why I was looking into a scroll saw, so that I could work at home. I'm going to be making windspinners and wall hangings.

[Scott]

you can only cut non-ferous material with a scroll saw. I've never seen a blade for steel, I don't now if they could make one that would take the heat

[Gill]

It's not a common saw in your part of the world, Scott, but the Diamond Fretsaw can cut (and I quote from the Diamond website

[CanadianScroller]

I would suspect with a diamond encrusted blade and a drip coolant sytem you could cut almost anything you care to feed into the saw.
The coolant would obviously have to be kept away from bearings and motors but you could rig something simple up with an IV drip.

I wouls suggest that if the saw were used to cut metal that it would not be suitable for wood again. Too much clean up for me

[workin for wood]

hawk has a drip system for their saws ...an accessory item of course..for cutting glass, rock, steel, corian, or whatever floats your boat i guess.