Band saw question

[Dave Monk]

I am currently cutting my backers with a scroll saw. Would I be able to cut them on a band saw? Would there be much chipping on the back side? I am looking for a faster way than my scroll saw.

[Sycamore67]

How big are these, what material is the backer and how thick?

 

[kmmcrafts]

I have limited knowledge with bandsaws since I've only had mine a couple years and I just don't use it as I thought I would..  I tried doing some stuff like this with mine and the edges of the wood come out much rougher than that of the scroll saw.. I think a couple of those sharp curves you have would be kinda tight even with the smaller blades.. I was able to achieve my project with the bandsaw but that said.. not really sure it saved me any time because I had plenty of sanding and shaping to do.. and in the end.. I think it actually took slightly longer to do it...

What you need is a CNC to cut the backer while you cut the fretwork, LOL.. 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

That is about a 5 minute cut on a scrollsaw (backer) If you are making the same backer all the time stack cut a couple easy to do. You will not get the accuracy with a bandsaw that you do with a scrollsaw because it cuts too fast. 

Very nice clean sharp lines cutting.

Edited November 27, 2018 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[Dave Monk]

5 hours ago, Sycamore67 said:

How big are these, what material is the backer and how thick?

 

They are 1/2" Baltic Birch.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

2 hours ago, Dave Monk said:

They are 1/2" Baltic Birch.

stack 2 but I would not even do that. As I said 5 minute cut at best. 

[Bill WIlson]

While the actual cutting time might be shorter with a bandsaw, I think the resulting cut would require far more clean-up than if it were cut on a scroll saw.  You can put a pretty small, fine tooth blade on a bandsaw, which may minimize the tearout, but I still think the edge will be rougher than using a scroll saw and would require sanding.

If  you have a bandsaw, give it a try, if not on a finished piece, then on some scrap.

If you were really doing high volume, production work and needed good consistency, I would suggest roughing them out on a bandsaw, then cleaning them up with a router and a template.  Probably wouldn't be faster, but might yield the best results.

[Woodmaster1]

If you use the bandsaw make zero clearance plate to minimize tear out.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

scrollsaw no sanding. no tearout. Use a reverse tooth blade. Use of a router require a reference point and that would more than likely require a hole or doublesided tape to a master. No time saved there and only as accurate as the master cut. But as mentioned give it a try and see what you think. 

[OCtoolguy]

I'm sort of confused. Aren't we all here because of our love for scrolling? What difference does it make if it takes a bit of time when that is the whole idea behind our hobby? I can understand it if you are in a high volume situation but this is supposed to be a hobby and a hobby is a "pass time". Relax, slow down, enjoy yourself. I enjoy the sawing much more than the sanding and finishing. Partly because of my ignorance on finishes.