Make a scroll saw! (using only upcycled/free materials)

Make a scroll saw! (using only upcycled/free materials)

Check it out! A battery-powered scroll saw made entirely out of recycled bits and pieces around my garage! B)

For my entry in the woodworking contest I wanted to do try something poetically geeky. Something a little hardcore, yet still something that anybody could do with a little patience.  Most of all, something useful to have which would increase the overall coolness of the shop.

Also, this is my first Instructable EVER, and I've really appreciate your vote for me in the contest!  ;)


 

 
Remove these adsRemove these ads by Signing Up
 

Step 1So... what are we doing here?

So... what are we doing here?
So the first thing we need to do is figure out where we're headed.

After a little research, I found out that Roy Underhill (henceforth referred to as, "Da Man") has released some scroll saw plans online.

Of course, his was meant as an afterthought to his treadle lathe project.  Still it provided a good starting point for a more modernized / less difficult to fit on a workbench design.

(Also, if it helps, some nice person made a sketchup model of it.)

Now that we know where we're going, time to figure out a plan to get there.

The only thing left to do now is to erase the doodles off a sheet of graph paper and start designing!

Besides being a coping saw blade moved by oak arms, I soon found that my design was significantly different from his.  I guess that's part of the fun, though.


« Previous StepDownload PDFView All StepsNext Step »
20 comments
Jan 28, 2012. 10:35 AMmodon says:
A variation I thought of might be .... mount this to your lathe bed and use the eccentric chucked up in the spindle. This frame would mount easily to the average ways.
Ya got me thinkin! (which could be dangerous)
May 22, 2011. 5:25 PMalibabbarudolph says:
how about a way to angle the blade? would't be hard to do and would be quite useful :)
May 25, 2011. 7:04 AMalibabbarudolph says:
yeah table would probably be easier:)

I have project lined up after project, and i added this to my list. So wont be getting to it for some time, but this is definitely the place ill be coming for reference:)
Feb 13, 2011. 8:12 PMbloodyblahblah says:
Well, pine isn't hardwood but will it work?
Feb 13, 2011. 6:04 PMMadBricoleur says:
Wow, after looking endlessly outside of my favorite website (in false suspicions that no one would here would have built it) for an easy DIY scrollsaw, to find a few less well documented examples, this one was just waiting for me at my favorite website. AWESOME scrollsaw! i will be building one soon.
Nov 12, 2010. 4:05 PMMisterInnovation says:
HA! That's awesome!!! What made you decide to make a scroll saw?
Nov 12, 2010. 12:00 PMsamsao says:
good idea ! ... nice
and i'll try it
Oct 8, 2010. 5:33 PMpunkhead58 says:
I would love to see a video.
Oct 8, 2010. 7:44 AMjeff-o says:
I've seen "home made" scroll saws like this before, only they were foot operated. They were used by a few guys who were cutting veneers for intricate mosaics and inlays. They told me that they weren't able to use a powered scroll saw because it would tear apart the thin veneer sheets. So, they made their own!
Oct 6, 2010. 2:17 PMWo0kiE says:
now the only thing I can see here that you could have done differently, a small bearing assembly on the metal rod coming from the drill would probably reduce excess vibration and make for a smoother up/down transition...

but either way, still a very nice overall design!
Oct 6, 2010. 2:14 PMWo0kiE says:
this is SUPER tempting!

sweet work man!
Oct 5, 2010. 7:55 AMMr.Sanchez says:
I`ll try This...awesomeeee...
Oct 4, 2010. 2:42 PMDream Dragon says:
A really GOOD part of this is using the electric drill to power it. An idea I might have to pursue for a project I have in mind.
Oct 3, 2010. 11:13 PMCrLz says:
Good project.
Oct 3, 2010. 9:49 PMgreggspen says:
This is beyond awesome... Its what awesome things aspire to be. I have always wanted a scroll saw and this is a clever basis to work from A+++
Oct 3, 2010. 8:53 PMtechnosasquatch says:
I thought it was hand powered at first. This is pretty neat
Oct 3, 2010. 12:24 PMrimar2000 says:
Very good idea!

When I was a child I wanted to make something like this, but after some weeks of comings and goings I left the project. I used a little turntable motor, that does not have the strength even to move the contraption!

Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

All Steps Viewing
View all steps of an Instructable on the same page when you're a Pro Member.

Upgrade to Pro today!
8
Followers
3
Author:PS118