Power fret saw/scroll saw?

[allyclaret]

Hi there all. I'm in the process of trying to step up production of my jewellery from it being a spare time hobby to being in a position where I can sell it on a small scale basis (small craft fairs etc).

I'm currently cutting many rectangles/squares by hand and wondered if there was an easier and more accurate way of doing this. I was pondering buying a power fret saw. Is this something that silversmiths use or is there another easier way of doing this?

Any advice is appreciated! Thanks :)

[caroleallen]

I'd recommend bench shears for cutting straight lines.

[Dennis]

I'll second that, Carole. My Proxxon scoll saw lives on a very top shelf, because it is no better with metal than sawing by hand, and fixing the lower end of a blade with an Allen key in a dark space is a complete pain.

It only comes into its own with wood or MDF if they are 6-10 mm thick and I want to keep the cut perfectly vertical. For perspex the blades tend to seize up, requiring a lengthy rescue operation.

Kind regards to both of you, Dennis.

[allyclaret]

Cheers Carole & Dennis - bench shears look just the job. I'll put a set on my wish list!

Thanks again, Ally x

[gemheaven]

When you say bench shears do you mean guillotine? I need something else for cutting out ~ sometimes when I'm not in the right frame of mind (lol for me I have to be focused!) sawing can be a pain in the arse with about 10 broken saw blades!!
Thanks!

[Joe]

Guillotine: http://www.stakesys.co.uk/product/3_in_1_machine/

Bench Shears: http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cps200-metal-shears

[Melanie De Castro Pugh]

Oooh, want a guillotine now!

[Joe]

Ditto!!

The small one has been out of stock for months though, they keep moving the "stock Expected" date forward every few weeks...

They also sell them here (http://www.warco.co.uk/Formit---3-in-1-Universal-Sheet-Metal-Machine-375DBF0B0D.aspx#), but similarly out of stock.

[Dennis]

Oooh, want a guillotine now!

Starting a revolution, Melanie?

[Melanie De Castro Pugh]

Starting a revolution, Melanie?

There are MANY people I would like to behead, Dennis - but I think a blunt axe would be so much more fun for some of them ;-)