Replies

1. 
   philip | Oct 24, 2005 12:19pm | #1

   It is done-not very well because it is painfully slow. The thing is only as good as the blade. For power fret saws/scroll sasw there are various blades-ditto for the hand fret saw which is what I suspect you thinking about Malcolm. Also there are abrasive file type blades. All are slow, painful and delicate. Clock makers like them.
   What is behind this question? I have spent the whole day milling-better than doing by hand but slow, very slow.

   Philip Marcou
1. 
   Malcolm | Oct 24, 2005 12:58pm | #2

   I marked out and cut a 130 by 50mm piece of brass sheet over the weekend, the side of a palm plane. 4 dovetails, but I don't like tho result, so have gone to my computer drawing application (CorelDraw) and drawn a pattern with 6 dovetails.

   They're quite small, and with a big hacksaw or angle grinder (even with a thin wheel) and files it's awkward to be as accurate as I need. This is not quite clock-making scale, but not far off.

   So I'm thinking about cutting the 3-4mm brass sheet with a fretsaw. I could get my hands on a power fretsaw. I have used a similar machine to cut complicated shapes in 25mm white oak. Takes care and patience, but easier than the alternatives.

   Malcolmhttp://www.macpherson.co.nz