In order to answer the question “Can a scroll saw cut thin metal?” We need to take a closer look at what makes this machine unique and useful. When you’re looking to join the ranks of craftsmen with a shop in your home, it’s almost always assumed that you’re using an electric saw to do the job. And while scroll saws have certainly been used as cutting tools for centuries, they’re really nothing more than a miter saw in modern terms. While this is true, their history has been significantly altered by the advent of scroll saw patterns and cuts.
The scroll saw is unique because it has a distinctive “S” shaped blade. On its center “S” is a cross-shaped contour, which when raised will slice through thicker materials much more quickly and with more accuracy. In fact, these same laws are often used for precision surface leveling in woodworking shops as well. The basic design was designed around an original Canadian invention: the corian wood chip saw. This saw is basically just a flat blade corian with a diamond cross section.
Corian wood chips were used all over North America by Native American Indians as a source of easily available raw materials. As time progressed, the Indians learned that grinders could cut these chips into useful strips. Over time, these “chips” would start to be referred to as “sawdust” and “rods.” Today, this term describes the finished product: scroll sawdust.
One can easily see that these early American Indians knew their crafts and their needs. That is why we have seen scroll saw patterns continue to evolve into cutting equipment that cuts anything from wood to metal and more. It wasn’t until the 19th century that commercial scroll saw woodworking began to become popular in the United States.
These early American made saws were nothing more than simple grinders that using abrasive wheels to “chop” the wood. A metal plate slid up and down on the abrasive wheels and pressed the wood down into the grinding wheel. Because of this simple design, these early saws couldn’t last very long. In order to make them last, they needed to have thick cushioning material between the cutting surface and the wood; a thick layer of plywood or fiberglass would do the trick. Today’s scroll saw patterns are made using a combination of plywood along with an epoxy resin.
Polywood is often mixed with either graphite or fiberglass to create a hard wearing blade. The combination of plywood and resins gives the metal a high quality of cut and wear resistance. Resins can be sprayed onto cut metal pieces to give the blade enough strength to cut through even the most extreme conditions. The resins can also be used to bond the metal together in order to form a strong bond between the metal and the wood.
scroll saws can still be powered by steam or electricity, if you want to conserve your saw’s energy. Two of the main things to consider when using your saw would be whether you want to use a cordless model or a corded one and what kind of cutting metals you plan on cutting. If you only plan on cutting softer metals like aluminum then a cordless saw would probably be better for you. On the other hand, if you are looking to cut harder metals then a corded saw would be better suited to your needs. There are two main types of scroll saw blades, hollow metal or solid steel and round or flat blades.
Another thing to keep in mind when using a scroll saw is proper safety precautions. Many scroll saws can generate a lot of heat, so it is important that you wear appropriate safety equipment such as thick gloves and safety glasses when using your saw at high speeds. Make sure that you use the right blade size for the thickness of your material and make sure that you follow all the safety precautions listed above to avoid any accidents. The best thing to do if you accidentally cut yourself on a saw is to quickly find the nearest emergency room and let them take care of you. Most of the time, these types of accidents can be avoided if you take the time to learn how to use a scroll saw in the correct manner. You can easily learn how to safely use a saw and start doing work around your home without any worries.