Hello from South Carolina

[Gus Jr]

I am fairly new at turning pens. I have turned about 100 now. I have a question on what type of saw can one use to make the fancy, very small cuts, for hard woods and acrylics? I am cutting on a 10" chop saw, 12" table saw and a smaller Jet band saw, but I need something that can make better very small cuts. Looking to save the cut pieces and my fingers. Thanks for any help I can get.

 

[George417]

Welcome from Saginaw, TX

 

[JimB]

Welcome from western New York. I can't really help with the saw question as I use a chop saw or bandsaw to cut blanks to size. After drilling and inserting the tube I use a barrel trimmer and home made sanding jig on my lathe for final sizing and squaring.

 

[Ligget]

Welcome from Scotland!

 

[MikeinSC]

A scroll saw would have the smallest blade of anything I can think of.

If you're looking at the segmented pens, most of that is glueups and layering using thin material and creative cuts. Still, others have router jigs for certain cuts like the pool cue pens.

I use a 10" chop saw and a wonky HF bandsaw that kills my soul every time I use it.

 

[SDB777]

Welcome aboard!!!!



Scott B

 

[Edgar]

Welcome from Texas

 

[Jim15]

Welcome Michael.

 

[mlconnelly]

Hi Michael,

Welcome from Spartanburg. Glad to have you here.

 

[TonyL]

Welcome from Alpharetta, GA. I was thinking of the same. This is an interesting place that a woodworker friend told me about. I didn't see anything that was large enough to "chop" a 3/4 inch blank without spending $200 on a mini table saw. It's a fun site to browse though: Shop Small Hobby Tools & Miniature Tools from Micro Mark

 

[Ross]

Welcome from Kansas! I have a 10" table saw, 12" band saw and a 12" miter saw. I use all three depending on what I am trying to do. I use push sticks and hold downs consistently. I still have all 10 fingers and plan to keep them! I have found that with a little thought it is possible to make most cuts safely. Keep safe and count your fingers regularly.

 

[Imaginethat]

Welcome from Arizona, were it is a dry heat.

 

[BSea]

Welcome from Arkansas!

 

[Brooks803]

Welcome from Aiken! What part of the state are you in? There may be another turner near by that could help you out.

 

[jsmithmarcus]

Welcome from Anderson, SC.

 

[jrecord]

Welcome from Colorado!

 

[Big]

Welcome from a newbie in Pensacola, FL. I started around Aug. of last year.

 

[wob50]

Welcome from Louisiana

 

[jsolie]

Welcome from Southern California!

 

[BKind2Anmls]

Welcome from Cassatt, SC

 

[TimS124]

Welcome aboard!

For trimming pen blanks, I use a $40 dozuki and a bench hook that I made from scraps. Even the tougher blanks like TruStone don't take enough effort to warrant going back to a screaming power tool for such a simple operation. Here's a link to a similar saw (mine was purchased many years ago so no doubt prices and brands have changed but for something this simple, about any brand would be fine). Dozuki Dovetail Saw - - Amazon.com