zimmerstutzen Posted September 21, 2020 Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 I have an idea for cutting a clam/mollusk shell to look like a sail boat. Does any one have any experience trying to cut shell? what blades? slow or fast? any suggestions?, OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted September 21, 2020 Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 I for one have never given that a thought before. Will be interested in hearing and seeing what you do with this. It could end up being a learning lesson for many here, who knows? Dick heppnerguy danny and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jollyred Posted September 22, 2020 Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 Jewelers must be able to cut it, since mother of pearl is used in jewelry, also pen making and used to be made into buttons. I would try to research how those guys do it. I would think a jeweler's blade would cut it. Tom OCtoolguy, danny and MarieC 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneMahler Posted September 22, 2020 Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 I also have never tried or thought about it. Using a jewelers blade does make sense though. I would also be careful about blade speed with it .. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolf Posted September 22, 2020 Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 Diamond impregnated wire, but it will require cooling. The grit will get into everything and I would not do it on my scroll saw. MarieC, OCtoolguy and amazingkevin 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted September 22, 2020 Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 This is interesting!!! OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zimmerstutzen Posted September 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2020 Yeah, thought about that and remembered the old delta scroll saw I paid $2 for at a yard sale. It still works. OCtoolguy and MarieC 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puzzleguy Posted September 27, 2020 Report Share Posted September 27, 2020 (edited) I have cut shell - but not with a scroll saw - they make a small hand fret saw and yes you use very fine jewelers ( and yes with a scrollsaw -but as slow as you can get - expect the blades to break easily ), design tacked down with adhesive spray . Pearl can burn very easy with a powered saw . cutting them by hand is not a difficult task in fact it was allot of fun ( have inlayed a few guitars in my time ) BUT THE DUST CAN BE VERY HARMFUL TO YOUR LUNGS - WEAR A MASK A GOOD MASK LIKE A N95 ( I always wear a mask when I scroll saw ) Edited September 27, 2020 by Puzzleguy spelling OCtoolguy, danny and MarieC 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zimmerstutzen Posted October 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2020 (edited) Just an update. My first attempt with a ribbed molusk shell turned out terrible. Where the shell was ribbed thick, it was prone to chip. Where it was ribbed thin it sort of went ok. I attempted a piece of oyster shell, but it was far too brittle and flakey and disintegrated along the cut. Gonna try a piece of plain Quahog clam shell next. Edited October 5, 2020 by zimmerstutzen OCtoolguy, MarieC and Gene Howe 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zimmerstutzen Posted July 16, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2023 An update a long time coming. I tried cutting shell several different ways, and my best luck was with a dremel and diamond bit, but still not great. I have been able to shape shell with a sanding disc. that hooks to the flex shaft on my old scroll saw. This is a refrigerator magnet made from yellow pine, turned on the lathe, burned with a propane torch and then scrubbed with a wire brush, and bits of broken sea sell collected at the beach. The shell was shaped with the sanding disc. I have since made some full size fish as wall decorations. preprius, Gene Howe, jollyred and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puzzleguy Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 My suggestion : The powder from Shell -is extemely harmfull - my suggestion -DONT CUT SHELL I use to use a N95 - but no way in hockey sticks would i ever do it again - life is short ! JTTHECLOCKMAN 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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