Dremel Moto-Saw Scroll Saw

[tbevans]

Has anyone ever tried using a fine-toothed scroll saw (in particular the Dremel Moto-Saw Scroll Saw) to cut heavy leather?

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Tools/Pages/ToolDetail.aspx?pid=MS20#.VHToqsn4Js4

[retiredff]

I would be interested in this as well, but for thiner leather where the pattern has many curves.

[Tree Reaper]

I've used both a band saw and a scroll saw, they both work well.

That dremel doesn't appear to have a blower which keeps the cutting surface clean and allows you to see what you're cutting.

I paid $50 for a used scroll saw, the band saw is smoother because it's directional but they both work well.

[veedub3]

I have the Dremel scroll saw and it actually has a hook up under the unit for you to attach a shop vac to suck up the dust as you are cutting. I use it mainly for woodworking, but I did use it once to cut leather sometime ago and it was a piece of 10 oz which I was using for soles on a pair of sandals I was making and it cut it just fine with no issues.

Karina

[Oldtoolsniper]

Bear in mind there are a lot of scrollsaw blades out there. They make them for cutting about everything. I've not seen one for leather nor have I tried it on leather but since I make my leather forms with it I'll give it a shot on some leather. The blades are set up by material and thickness of that material. It has to do with the number of teeth doing the cutting and being able to clear the dust out of the cut.

What are you trying to gut out? I mean shape wise and I'll give it a shot and post pictures.

[GerryR]

For thinner leather, I would temporarily stick the leather to a piece of cardboard to stiffen it for cutting. I have a bench-mounted scroll saw and a band saw. Thinner materials always benefit from a stiffer backing, especially on the scroll saw, where the blade is reciprocating..

[Red Cent]

They used to have wire "blade" band saws. The use of a diamond studded wire like they use in glass craft should be better than a blade. Best of both worlds. Wife used to have one when she did glass craft. hmmmmmm................

[bullmoosepaddles]

I cut 9 to 15 oz veg tanned leather on a 14 inch Delta band saw all the time. I use a 10 tpi blade (its the finest tooth the local Lowe's sells). I clamp a piece of plywood to the table as a zero clearance backing plate.Simply cut to the center of the plywood, shut off the machine and place clamps on one edge to hold the plywood in place. It gives you a bit more fuzz than a knife cut but is much quicker.

If you don't have dust collection, keep check on the dust in the bottom of the machine.