DrDeath

My Feedback: (3)

I am finishing up my Workshop. I already have a Drill press, but I am looking to add an electric saw to help with my model building. For those of you who have a nice workshop, which of the following saws would be the best for model building. You can purchase all of these saws for about the same price if you look around.

Edwin

My Feedback: (2)

I use the scroll saw the most. Cant cut inside holes on formers and ribs with a band saw. But I also use the band saw quite a bit. It does a much better job of cutting stacked blanks for ribs and such. A scroll blade tends to wander a bit when cutting a pretty tall stack, BUT, it can be done. Of all the power tools I have I use the scroll saw and the 1" verticle belt sander (cheap Delta) the most.
Edwin

dr_wogz

My Feedback: (3)

I'm going to sway the results, and say band saw. I have both.

I beleive the band saw to be marginally better / more used than the scroll saw. Also, you'll find the band saw used more in projects aroudn the house.

They only real draw-back to the band saw, is that you cannot cut holes in parts; hollowing out formers & such.. (but that's what the drill press is for, or stick construction!!) Also, dependingont eh model, has a limited 'throat' (length of peice to be cut...)

Also think about the disk / belt sander, and a shop vac!!

DrDeath

My Feedback: (3)

Thanks Edwin,

I will post pictures of my finished workshop later on. Here are some before and after (Still work to do) pictures starting here

Before [:'(]
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.a...738&tostyle=tm
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.a...739&tostyle=tm

After ,
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.a...740&tostyle=tm
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.a...741&tostyle=tm
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.a...742&tostyle=tm

DrDeath

My Feedback: (3)

Here is a list of what I have so far

4 work tables
• Made up of a standard SOLID core wood door for building. (Weighs a frigging ton) I paid $20 because of water damage on one side. Oh well their loss, my gain
• Table for covering and other clean work, but still need to finish this table. Will have a peg board back and shelves to hang items and such
• Wood work bench (on sale at home depot $49). Perfect height for drill press and saws and stuff
• Cutting table. I will use this table for cutting and slicing and stuff. Who cares if I cut into it.

Equipment
• Drill press (with every size bit you can think off)
• Shop wet/dry vac
• Dremmel battery and corded
• Covering tools
• Saws, drills etc
• Florescent lights

To get
Electric saw (scroll, band or miter)

Tx_RcFlyer

My Feedback: (7)

DrDeath,

With all those ARFs, why would you need buliding tools anyway?

DrDeath

My Feedback: (3)

True, True,

But I am planning on building and unfortunately repairing some planes. Even the ARFs need some building too [sm=biggrin.gif]. I have a GP Shoestring that needs some work, plus I plan on building a scratch Cub (planes came in MA magazine).

Lee

Tx_RcFlyer

My Feedback: (7)

I know what you mean.. I too have the Shoe along with the HP Supercub. Currently building an Ikon N'West taper wing waco.

Maybe I'll snap a few pics of my shop and post them.


http://home.houston.rr.com/ltd17023/

Azcat59

I built many models using the old Dremel jig saw (scroll saw) and still use it for cutting holes. I now have a band saw (my second in 15 years or so) and a better scroll saw. For cuts with curves the scroll saw is better, but the band saw is better for long straight cuts. It also can cut light metal with a metal cutting blade, which incidentally works very well with balsa and thin plywood. I would vote for the scroll saw first, a belt/disc sander second, and a band saw third!

Clair

GrnBrt

My Feedback: (5)

I also vote the scroll saw a bit more then a band saw. Mine you can turn the blade sideways to make long cuts. I also use a solid dorr on a table and your right, damn heavy and have been using the same side now for 13 years! Here's a few shots of a very messy shop but it has been cleaned and now have a very early contender on the door. I have a total of 24' of work bench and no ARF'S!!!!!!

GrnBrt

My Feedback: (5)

OOPS, stand corrected, do have an Ultra Stick 40 there!!!!

Rodney

I have both, band and scroll saw as well as a 10" table saw. I use the bandsaw for 90% of my work. If you get the bandsaw, be sure to get the two wheeled version, NOT the three wheel job. The three wheel job is much more difficult to make track properly and is much harder on blades. Get as deep a throat as you can afford, at least 10 inch or more.

SDR-Hammer

I own all three listed. Never have used my miter saw for modeling. As for bandsaw and the scroll they both are major assets but if you made me absolutly choose between one or the other for modeling it's a tough choice, I would have to say the scroll saw.

Ditto Rodney... stay away from the three wheel band saws!

SST

My Feedback: (2)

Scroll saw...It will do most anything the bandsaw will do, though not quite as well or as fast, but it will also do things the bandsaw can't. It's the way to go if you can only afford one.

Jakeluke

The saw I use most in my modeling is my 4-inch Dremel table saw. My next most used saw in my 14 inch Craftsman bandsaw, and lastly, my Craftsman scroll saw. The latter I use solely for cutting holes.

J_R

Probably the most versitle tool is the drill press you already have. Get some RotoZip bits and you will be able to cut holes in bulkheads and fuse sides. A sanding drum works well for many chores, including sanding stacks of ribs. An x-y vise for the press allows precision drilling. A couple of long C ViseGrips should be on the list too.

I have an older scroll saw that will cut up to 3/16 steel with the correct blade and it is my saw of choice for almost everything involving modeling. The band saw and table saw are pretty much relegated to wood working projects.

JR

onewasp

Have them all, ---use them all ! HOWEVER, do not be discouraged, as I built for many years with only a scroll saw and Xacto knives.

For the start of a model shop (my opinion) #1. Scroll saw, #2. Band saw, #3. Drill press, #4. Table saw.

That is not the order in which I acquired them, but owning them all (plus one or three more) that is what I would recommend .

CafeenMan

Scroll saw without a doubt. They can do everything a band saw and a table saw can do. After the scroll saw I would say a table saw.

DrDeath

My Feedback: (3)

Thanks Everyone.

The reason the drill press was the first item purchased is because I needed to drill out props. I have a Great Planes Patty with a BME 50 on the front end. Props and Cones need to be drilled out to 7/16 of an inch to properly fit.

Lee

CafeenMan

You can't go wrong with a drill press. On my web site I recommend a drill press as a first power tool to kit builders and a scroll saw as a first power tool to folks who scratch build or build from plans. Both tools are definitely worth having.

http://www.airfieldmodels.com/inform...ools/power.htm

hilleyja

My Feedback: (3)

I'm a firm believer you can't have too many tools -- I did go a little crazy:

(1) Band Saw
(1) Scroll Saw
(1) Drill Press
(1) Bench disc/belt sander/grinder
(1) Bench Grinder
(1) Shop Vac
(2) Full-size routers
(1) Trim router
(1) Roto-cutter
(3) Corded Variable-speed Dremels
(1) Small battery-operated Dremel
(2) 9.6volt portable variable-speed Dremel
(1) 1/2"-chuck Hammer Drill
(2) (18.0 and 19.2 volt) Portable drills
(1) 19.2volt Portable Trim Circular Saw
(2) Full-size circular saws
(2) Reciprocating saws
(1) Jig Saw
(2) Vibrating sanders

KeithB

My Feedback: (1)

If you're only going to purchase one saw the answer is easy, get a scroll saw. If you have the $ and the room you'll enjoy having both a scroll saw and a band saw.

The band saw makes beautiful cuts and will go through some things very smoothly that the scroll saw will really rough up, however the band saw has limitation in the width of the items it can cut. This limitation is a complete show stopper for many items you'll need to cut. Also, the band saw is not able to cut out the inside of objects like the scroll saw can.

I held off getting a band saw and only had a scroll saw for a long time and I was able to do everything I needed to do. Then finally I gave in and got a band saw too. I have to say that I LOVE the band saw, but still use the scroll saw for items that the band saw can't accommodate.

As long as we're talking tools, if you can only have three power tools they should be 1) Scroll Saw, 2) Drill press, and 3) Drum Sander. If you don't have a drum sander you'll simply not believe how often you'll use it after you get one. They are a HUGE time saver.

Best of luck,
KeithB

KeithB

My Feedback: (1)

You know, they make hand held reaming tools that will do this job perfectly well. You can get a reamer from the hobby shop that has staggered widths that will ream several different sized holes. If you can't find one that is exactly 7/16" they also make progressive ones that will ream to any size. This is a good tool to keep in your flight box so you can ream props at the field if necessary.

KeithB

rajul

My Feedback: (58)

Looks like Santa's workshop !

DrDeath

My Feedback: (3)

Thanks Keith,

I have two step reamers, but the props I have are pretty thick and the reamers really don't do a good job on props larger than 18's for keeping the whole centered and true. I use 22x10's on my BME 50. As I plan on getting additional gas engines (RCS 140 and 180s, ZDZ's) that need to have additional holes drilled into the prop, so the drill press was the best choice.

I have decided on a scroll saw as my choice. I am looking into some reconditioned tools from ToolKing on line. A guy at my office has purchased some tools from them and has had very good luck.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Lee