cutting shell

[zimmerstutzen]

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?,

[heppnerguy]

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

[jollyred]

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

[WayneMahler]

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 .. 

[Rolf]

Diamond impregnated wire, but it will require cooling. The grit will get into everything and I would not do it on my scroll saw. 

 

[amazingkevin]

This is interesting!!!

[zimmerstutzen]

Yeah, thought about that and remembered the old delta scroll saw I paid $2 for at a yard sale.  It still works.

[Puzzleguy]

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

[zimmerstutzen]

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

[zimmerstutzen]

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.

[Puzzleguy]

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 !