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Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

Started by LewZ
27 replies 76 likes Last activity: 10 months ago
#28

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

Since you mention drills luckyduck……I have found enough space to keep this small mill/drill on my work bench.

It is small enough to accommodate but heavy enough to be able to tackle small milling jobs too.

I find it really handy for drilling and have made a little hardwood holder for the small collets and three jaw chuck at the rear of the table.

This keeps them handy for when I need to use them - but mainly to stop me having to remember where I put them !
Never too old to learn
Liked by EdW
#27

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

Zooma - I use dremel style small drills and this saw for most of my fine work - the drills now come with flexi drives, so you can hold the drill bit end like a pen and get very accurate work. The saw is only one speed though, but not too fast and cuts beautifully - just get a load os spare blades as they are easy to break.
Liked by EdW and zooma
#26

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

That is a really nice little mini-saw that must be perfect for small work 👍

I have not seen one of those before.

Bob.
Never too old to learn
Liked by Commodore-H
#25

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

For finr work, and to save space in my tiny shed I use a Dremel MS20 Moto-Saw Scroll Saw. All sorts of blades, including metal if required. I used it to make the blocks for my gaff rigged pilot cutter.
Liked by zooma and EdW and
#24

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

For cutting out enclosed areas - such as windows, I use a Hegner jigsaw.

I have had this jigsaw for many years and it works as well as any jigsaw - but I much prefer to cut parts out on my bandsaws whenever possible, and only use the jigsaw when the bandsaw cannot be used!

Due to its limited use, the Hegner jigsaw is kept on its cast stand in the garage where it can be easily accessed when needed, but is not taking up valuable space in my crowded workshop (shed) where it would be in the way most of the time.
Never too old to learn
Liked by Commodore-H and EdW and
#23

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

My favourite power saw for cutting the parts for my classic model power boats is my Record BS250 bandsaw.

I also have a smaller Record BS9 bandsaw that I acquired several years ago that I have modified to make it into another good solid (but smaller) workhorse to run alongside its bigger BS250 brother.

Both have sold cast iron tables. The BS9 came with a lightweight pressed steel table that I changed for the heavy duty cast iron table that it has now.

Both bandsaws have a third party guide fitted to give greater accuracy than the standard one that comes on these machines.

The smaller BS9 bandsaw is very handy for cutting alloy (with the correct blade fitted) and is perfect for special purpose uses (such as cutting triangular wood strips) leaving my BS250 ready of normal cutting at all times.

I also use a Hegner jig saw for cutting out windows etc where a bandsaw would not be able to access the enclosed area that needs to be cut-out.
Never too old to learn
Liked by Commodore-H and EdW and
#22

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

You need to be very careful when cutting carbon fibre with a power tool Ed, as the dust can easily be inhaled and is very dangerous.
Never too old to learn
Liked by hermank
#21

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

Slightly off the subject, I find tile cutting blades in a jigsaw cut carbon fibre very well. Just remember to use a respirator and clean up well afterwards.
Ed
Liked by hermank and zooma and
#20

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

I use metal slitting blades on my minature saw, they come in a range of diameters, thicknesses and TPI.
Ed
Liked by hermank and zooma
#19

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

Yes on the bigger saws. However, these small saws have fine teeth and our hands can exert enough pressure that will minimize any kickback.
Lew
Lew
Florida, USA
Home page: https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by hermank and zooma and
#18

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

For those of you who have and use these mini table-saws, have you experienced the tendency of a kick-back? A bigger saw will make your life a misery if you experience it.
Liked by hermank
#17

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

EdW, I had a radial arm saw too many years ago. It was a good tool and could make about any straight cut, bevels, chambers, etc., plus it could rip sheets and trim. It would also do horizontal drilling.

Downside is radial arm saws are not that safe to use. They are rarely seen now. The sliding compound saw has basically replaced it. I replaced mine with a 10 inch portable table saw which take up a lot less space and is movable.

Lew
https://images.app.goo.gl/YBpdr3HUZtUgZQpS6
Lew
Florida, USA
Home page: https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by SimpleSailor and EdW and
#15

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

The little SAZ saw is ingenious Lew, but is more of a toy than a seriously useful saw.

Something bigger - maybe about half the size of a regular chop saw with a sliding head and a 240 volt motor with enough power to cut hardwood easily would be perfect.

.......but I haven’t found one yet !
Never too old to learn
Liked by SimpleSailor and hermank
#14

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

That is an impressive looking machine Ed.

Hopefully, it will only be a matter of time before someone will make a smaller size saw that is as versatile and has the power to cut wood cleanly.

A small sized chop saw with a sliding head would be a versatile asset - I can only imagine how useful a half size version of my Makita chop saw with a sliding head would be - I think it would be in constant use!
Never too old to learn
Liked by hermank
#13

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

I think that a mini radial arm saw would be fantastic.
I see that there are people building 1/2 size 3D printed ones but they seem to be too fragile and inaccurate.

What I like about a radial arm saw is their versatility.You can cross cut, rip, cut angles and cut mitres and many more operations.

I had a DeWalt RAS years back and it was great.
Picture is of one like I had
Ed
Liked by SimpleSailor and zooma and
#12

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

Actually, when comparing the little 3D printed chop saw to the small table saw I see little advantage. However the chop saw is cute looking.

The mini chop saw does not have at least two advantages of its big brother: miter and bevel cutting.

For wider material, say sheet stock, the chop saw can't handle it.

As for making miter cuts, zip as well. I believe the chop saw's design can be improved to do this.

As for time supposed one has to make 100 pieces of small lumber about 30mm long. Table saw: setup the fence, place stock on the miter guide and zip away. Chop saw: clamp the stock in the vice, cut the stock, unclamp the stock, and repeat for next piece. (This is if you had a stop, fence, in place which is not in the saw's design).

But if you want something really small, check out the link. However, this motor is really small and they don't show it cutting anything. If I wanted anything like these I would design my own using these two designs as some ideas.

Lew

Lew
Florida, USA
Home page: https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by SimpleSailor and zooma and
#11

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

That little chop saw design looks superb Lew. 👍

If I had the ability to 3D print, I could certainly find a use and a home for one of those !

Hopefully something like it will be available to buy sometime in the near future.

What a super little tool !
Never too old to learn
Liked by hermank and SimpleSailor
#10

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

That looks much better than the one I made using the same motor. I have an open blade mini saw bench which runs off a Lipo battery. Works well but little dangerous. 😁 I have just down loaded the files. I will add it to my list of things to make.. Plus I think a mini sliding mitre saw would be handy..
Liked by hermank
#9

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

I "saw" this video for a 3D printed video using a 775 DC motor.
Lew
Lew
Florida, USA
Home page: https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by hermank and zooma and
#8

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

I will enter into the world of DIY Redneckery, as I had seen a U-Tube video of a guy who built a small Chop Saw using 4.5" Mini Grinder attached to a homemade Base and swing arm, which he was using with a cut-off wheel for cutting light pieces of steel.
This could be used for wood cutting, simply by swapping blades for a 4.5" wood cutting blade, now available for the small 'skil-saws'.
Cheers
**Couplevmembers wanted to see photos of my old 'Trim Tramp' small cast iron table saw i use for my model wood here are few.
Liked by hermank and SimpleSailor
#7

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

Does anyone know if a small size chop saw or slide saw exists?

Either would be an ideal tool to have when making wooden model boats, and for myself it would complement my band saw and fret saw better than a table saw.
Never too old to learn
Liked by hermank and SimpleSailor
#6

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

Greg i wud appreciate pix of your TrimTramp as i do recall the Beaver brand & that model name but i cant recall what it looked like.....cheers, Rod
VA3ROD
Liked by hermank
#5

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

Having built wood models for 50 years and using many different table saws, especially for ripping planking strips and deck beams, for my model boats, and also supplying fellow model builders,
20 years ago, I acquired an old, cast iron small table saw from Beaver, which apparently was known as a 'Trim Tramp.
What makes this little saw different, is the table itself tilts to 45deg for bevel cuts.
I made a new blade plate from 1/8" aluminum and use a thin-kerf fine 7.5" blade.
It works great for making thin planking strips down to 1/16" thick, if needed.
I usually use clear kiln dried White Pine, or White Cedar.
I can post photos, if anyone wants to see it.
Liked by SimpleSailor and hermank
#4

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

I bought this one 5 years ago the saw guide doesn't have the thumb screws it has knurled knobs they dn't get in the way when feeding wood for a straight cut. I use it for hobby grade plywood up to 3/16" it does fine.
Issues: The blades that come with it are not very good. I use the finer toothed blade the most Carbide is to Course.
The finer blade has no Curf on it, so it does bind up if you feed it too fast. and constantly stops when cutting.
Safety issue is: when blade stops and you pull back the wood it takes about 10-15 sec for the overload protection to come back on, so it is very possible for you to think it is shut off and you need to turn switch back on. but it starts back up by itself as you are pulling the wood out. Wish they made so on off switch would have to be reset.
Would like to find better blades for it.
Hate using my 10" table saw and chop saw for a 1"- 4" piece of wood.
https://www.amazon.com/NovelLife-Handmade-Woodworking-Adjustable-Circular/dp/B093ST1TJL?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1
This saw does a good job otherwise for an $80 saw.
Liked by SimpleSailor and hermank and
#3

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

Hi Lee, like yourself I already have power saws that I use when making model boats (two different size bandsaws and a really good jig saw), but i do like the idea of having a miniature chop saw for quickly cutting off wood accurately.

My full size Makita chop saws and Slide Chop saws have performed brilliantly for many years, but a smaller size version to use on my workshop (shed) bench could be really useful.

Sadly, I have never seen a small size chop saw or slide saw and is why I have recently shown some interest in the smaller sized/miniature table saws, but a small chop saw (or better still a small slide saw) would be even more useful to me.

I will have to look more carefully to see if can find an example of either type, but failing that I may consider a miniature table saw (if I can find one that cuts well) or just continue to use my hand saws (or sometimes the bandsaw!).
Never too old to learn
Liked by hermank and zooma
#2

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

I bought one recently off ebay. I agree the blades are a bit spendy but fortunately mine came with 4 new ones. So far it has worked great.
Liked by hermank and zooma and
#1

Power Saws for Cutting Wood for Models

Hello everyone. One of the recent threads mentioned powered saws for cutting wood. Here I would like to give you my opinion on a miniature table saw that was given to me in "like new" condition.

Like many of you, I have a variety of power saws including a 10 inch table, reciprocating, jig, circular, band, cut off, and oscillating saws. For my model boat hobby the most frequently used one is the band saw. I also have one of those small vertical table jig saws which is great for cutting odd shaped holes in the middle of wood sheets.

Now for tat miniature table saw. It is a Micro-Mark 87775. The current price is $US 140.00, above the price of a lower end full size (10 inch) table saw. Nice quality made the aluminum surfaced table is about 6-1/4 W by 6-1/4 D. It come with two hold down c-clamps, a fence, miter guide, hose adapter, some hold down (to work bench top) screws and two Allen wrenches.

The blade is 57mm diameter by .050mm thick (not including teeth offset). Replacement blade is $US 30, quite expensive!

So how does it work?

To be honest I did not run heave wood through it. (See their site for more details.) However, what I did cut was somewhere commonly used density wood 1/8 inch thick. Feeding it slowly, it was OK. Too fast and the motor slows down. It is not a power saw but rather a powered saw.

If you notice in one of the photos, I 3D printed a new vacuum adaptor as my vacuum hose would not fit it.

Would I buy one? Only if I was doing a lot of wood models. Otherwise I would divert back to my hand tools.

Lew
Lew
Florida, USA
Home page: https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by Rookysailor and DuncanP and

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