Advice needed

[swirlyarts]

I'm thinking of making some little jigsaws as part of a present but they would only be 4cm by 3cm - that kind of size. What kind of wood would I need and what could I use to cut the pieces out?
Thanks in advance
Lynsey

[Seahorse]

Balsa wood?

[swirlyarts]

I was thinking Balsa wood too!

[kipper workshops]

Yep,

balsa would be your best bet. You could even try thick card. Most modern jigsaws are made of pulp card.

A more sturdy wood option is thin MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard). This is heavier that balsa and easy to cut. But always wear a mask when cutting, it is very dangerous to breathe in it's dust.

You could cut the wood with a hand fretsaw but it is quicker and easier with a powered scrollsaw. You can get these very cheaply now from B&Q or Machine Mart etc... Think they start at around £35.00. I dont know how good these' are though, but should be ok for very light work.

Hope that helps.
Steve

(By the way I can print wooden jigsaws for you if you ever needed them, you supply me with the image or photo and I do the rest. See my website for sizes etc...)

[swirlyarts]

Thanks Kipper!!
Scrollsaws - right - I will have a look next time I'm out and about. I wanted to make sure I was using the right tools. I'll show pics if I ever get round to making them!!

[countrygal]

Hi there...I agree with Steve..(kipper!) MDF is easier to cut but whatever you do don't try Ply as it splinters and you will be sanding it forever !!

[michelleC]

Hi Lynsey

A scholl saw would be good. I would say 4mm MDF a good option. Screw fix.com. or is .co.uk have a pretty basic but effective scroll saw on for about 35.00 at the mo. Has to be one of the cheapest ive seen around.
If it were a one off id be happy to cut it for you.
Leave it with you

[swirlyarts]

Thanks for the advice so far. As it would be for tiny jigsaw making would a scroll saw still be suitable? Not having looked yet at scroll saws it may be very obvious but I thought I'd ask!!

[kipper workshops]

You can cut small pieces with a scroll saw no problem.

They take a bit of getting used to, as you kind of have to be feeding your wood into the blade whilst looking at the upcoming curve etc...

You will make a horrible mess the first few times but you pick it up quite quickly.

It goes without saying you need to be very careful with smaller pieces that you don't feed your finger into the blade!! Make sure the saw has a clamp to hold the workpiece down, especially with small pieces as they will be pulled out of your hand by the blade, and it hurts, believe me!

Lastly, make sure you have the right blade.

For tight cuts you will need a blade with lots of teeth. This is also good if your wood is thin (18-24).

For thicker pieces of wood and less accurate cuts you can have a blade with less teeth (12-14).

Hope that helps.

Steve

[swirlyarts]

Fantastic thank you!! Best dig out the clamp that I know is in the cellar somewhere!

[kipper workshops]

Quick read this...before you go in the cellar!

Hi,

sorry I wasn't really clear about the clamp. The clamp is like a little 'L' shaped fitting that comes with the scroll saw, it is fixed to the saw near the blade and holds the workpiece flat to the table bed. It stops the wood flying up off the table bed and causing injury to you fingers!

Hope that makes sense.


Steve

[swirlyarts]

Aha - thanks!!

[Woody]

In another forum where I'm a member is a thread about cutting a jigsaw from a postage stamp - on plywood using a scroll saw. I can't post the address as I'm but a newbie here, but email or pm me and I can point you there.