Scrollsaw to cut inlay?

I'm not so good with a fretsaw so I'm wondering, before I ruin my inlay material, if anyone uses or recommends using a scrollsaw to cut out inlay?

-tommy

[Ben-Had]

I use a jewelers saw. Sand paper and files to do minor shaping.

[tippie53]

I tried it but never had much luck you can take a dremel tool with a router base and tape a piece of formica on the base , the bit punches through that and you can cut that way..

[johnnparchem]

I tried a scroll saw with no luck. Although I probably did not have fine enough blades. I find jewelers saws and a notched board works really well. There is a learning curve so buy dozens of blades (a gross might be a good buy) as the blades brake when you make any wrong move. Now I can cut and rarely break a blade. The cutting can move slow and rather controlled and you can naturally follow curves. Right angles take a bit of work . The trick is to place a bit of force on the back of the blade (still moving up and down while slowly turning the cutting edge to the direction you need to go. The back of the blade is basically carving a bit of shell giving you room to turn the blade. (this is one of the times you break blades).

[Kevin Waldron]

Scroll saw will work ..... the secret is to use a diamond blade..... it's more like a sanding belt with diamond grit..... they are available if you search some of the jewelry supply sites.

Blessings,

Kevin

[tippie53]

I think that may work. I always had an issue with the blade pulling the pearl up.

[johnnparchem]

Scroll saw will work ..... the secret is to use a diamond blade..... it's more like a sanding belt with diamond grit..... they are available if you search some of the jewelry supply sites.

Blessings,

Kevin

Kevin, do you use a water drip on the blade? or is the shell thin enough that the blade does not heat up? I have use them to cut ceramic but have a water drip.

I may give this a try, Woodcraft sell these.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/208306 ... lade-.aspx

[rienk]

I may give this a try, Woodcraft sell these.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/208306 ... lade-.aspx

That blade is 1/16" thick... is that too big for doing fine work?

[tippie53]

I use and sell jewelers saws and 000o blade. The 1/16 blade will catch the pearl and make it jump . This usually breaks the blade and the pearl
It you take the time to learn how , the Jewelers saw does the job well and to be honest , other than CNC most pearl artists do use them. The saw blade that Waldron spoke of apparently works for him so he has some experience there. 1/16 is pretty heavy , if there is a thinner option I would try it but the abrasive will work better than a toothed blade.
Those that use this , post some pics and techniques for the beginners.