When you don't have a band saw

[Sam]

Many times there is a thread on what saw to use when you don't have a bandsaw. I always had a bandsaw, but recently moved, and rather than haul my bandsaw with me, I gave it to my son. What to do now? I found that the oscillating multi tool works great for cutting out a blank. I used the 3/4" wood blade. You can cut about 1 1/2" deep with it. Great for blocking out, and it will shave the wood to get some curves. Works better than a coping saw for me. And, you can get them for about the same price. Harbor freight has them for $15. Or you can spend around $100. I roughed out 4 figures in no time. I also held the blocks with one hand and the tool with the other - easy and fast.

[rickm]

Re: When you don't have a band saw

like this? maybe they have replaced the recip carver then?
Skil 1400-02 2 Amp Oscillating Multi-Tool

[Sam]

Re: When you don't have a band saw

Yep, that's it. I don't think it was meant to replace the reciprocating carver though. It sure does work for roughing out.

[rickm]

Re: When you don't have a band saw

hmm you got me thinking

[rickm]

Re: When you don't have a band saw

ok sam yr using this for roughing out instead of a bandsaw, what I am thinking that would be a godsend and save my recip carver. And my bandsaw is only a 10 inch so Im quite limited as to what I can cut on it, so I could whack a larger piece down so the band saw can handle it. What do you think you say its good for roughing out so that workable right? If a guy can knock off waste and then save the quite expensive recip carver for more finer work that would be a great deal. what brand do you have? I am wondering if the harbor freight one is good, is that what you have and perhaps do you have a link? I have the automach recip and don't want to stress it too much so if I could do a lions share of removal with a cheaper tool that would be fantastic.

[Brian T]

Re: When you don't have a band saw

Try a bow saw for the fret cuts and a 30oz mallet+1" carpenter's chisel to knock off the blocks. I'm uncertain of the value of trading off a little bandsaw for a bunch of recip carving tools. NOT that I wouldn't do it in a financial minute!
I add this only as it's an economical way to get around a bunch of really useful but costly power tools. For the 60" Raven, it is a fact that I only have to do it once.

[woodeneye]

Re: When you don't have a band saw

I second what Robson said. After being advised of his method earlier, I have employed it to great success. Went out and bought a Marples 1" chisel and had all the other stuff. Went to town! That's what I use when I don't have access to my bandsaw and I'm on the road.

[rickm]

Re: When you don't have a band saw

ok but in a word no im trying to avoid all the mallet stuff as much as I can remember me arthritis? I can do it but ill pay for it later if there is a easier way im up for that first.

[Sam]

Re: When you don't have a band saw

Here's a link to the HaborFreight Oscillating tools. Search results for: 'Oscillating Tools'

I have lots of chisels, some homemade that are 2" + in width. When I use a chisel, I can't handhold my carving blank - it must be in a vise or some other holding device. Using the oscillating tool, I can hold with one hand and cut with the other. Keep in mind the depth of cut is only 1.5" or so, so you may have to approach from 2 sides. I have been using mine to progressively cut off 3x3" butternut blocks outlining my Santas. Sometimes my cuts are just shaving cuts moving my cutoff to the pencil line. Works better than coping saws too. The power makes short work of getting to a good starting shape.

The brand I have is Dremel - 3amp, variable speed. The Harbor Freight model is good - I had several work people at my house using them. That is what gave me the idea. They said they liked the saw but not Harbor's blades. They said buy good blades at the big box stores - they last longer. I have a metal cutting blade that I have used to cut my knife making steel too. My local Harbor Freight is a new store having a Grand Opening - that's why their saw is $14.99, but $19 isn't bad either.

I'm just passing along an idea that works for me. It is so easy to plunge cut straight in for outlining arms, and taking off big corners to outline heads, etc.

[SlowMover]

Re: When you don't have a band saw

I had wondered about the utility of those oscillating tools in carving. Now I see a use for them, maybe I will pick one up when I find a super deal (maybe Black Friday?).

[rickm]

Re: When you don't have a band saw

well it seems that it would do a lot of the work that my recip does for me now. and the best part is the price \. think i will get one also and save the recip for finer work. thanks a bunch for passing this on

[jderijcke]

Re: When you don't have a band saw

this pictures (say more than words) show how I work, not having a bandsaw to create a blank. Once I have the blank I only use knifes and palmtools.

[rickm]

Re: When you don't have a band saw

first let me say yr carvings are quite well done. and that is a saw I think the Japanese saw and since im lazy that's entirely too much work for me, but if it works for you and it seems like it does daat is goet mijn vriend

[jderijcke]

Re: When you don't have a band saw

you're right. Everybody is looking for what works for him/herself. And I think there is also an evolution. We look for what is we think best, then someone makes you think in another way (like you with the use of thath machine) and we change our way of work (in the future).
Jos

[Brian T]

Re: When you don't have a band saw

Thanks, Jos. Nice to see someone who can do this with a little class. I've been using the fret-cut/blocks method for years. For big things, a bow saw, 4 teeth per inch. Even the flush-cut dowel saw (Veritas/Lee Valley) has its uses.

If the top and bottom don't match, like a turtle shell, and the wood is curved, a bandsaw at any price is useless.