I'm curious what others recommend for an electric saw for cutting hobby materials such as balsa, aluminum, etc.. I've looked at the Dremel Moto-Saw and Rockwell Bladerunner. Both have mixed reviews. I've also seen the Micro Mini scroll saw online (haven't seen one in person).
Welcome to the forums.
I'm afraid I can't help you with a power saw, as I only use a miter box. I assume you have looked at the offerings in Micro Mark catalog, that's the only place I have seen such small tools listed, though I'm sure others are availaable elsewhere.
At least this will bump you back to the top from page 2 and maybe someone that missed it will have some information for you.
Good luck,
Richard
I prefer the Dremel tool with cut off disk.I use mine for cutting rail,brass tubing,ABS plastic shapes, drilling,sanding etc.
I would be totally lost without a Dremel.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I agree with Larry, pass me the Dremel! So many neat little wheels and attachments.
Mike.
My You Tube
I got my first Dremel almost 50 years ago when I got into flying R/C Airplanes. Jump ahead 40 years and my wife would borrow it to grind the nails on our fleet of Golden Retrievers. A couple of years ago at a dog show my very old, still working perfectly Dremel was stolen. My wife bought me a Mega Kawasaki outfit that had every attachment under the sun. That was a couple of years ago. What a piece of crap. She has since bought me a new Mega Dremel outfit and I can also use the Kawasaki stuff in it. I have a very old Dremel drill press that is great for percision work. I use it alot where one might use a pin vise.( Like drilling bolt holes in a beam )
I have had absolutely no complaints with Dremel and I think they are a lot more affordable now than they were way back then.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I use a dremel with the flexshaft attachment for many items, and also a small bandsaw and a chopper.
I have a dremel jigsaw, but that thing vibrates so bad I don't really see much use for it. It's just too light. I also have a lathe and mill that works good for making metal parts, but those are big and take room.
mbinsewi I agree with Larry, pass me the Dremel! So many neat little wheels and attachments. Mike.
Ditto that. Demel for me. Been using my trusty 30 year old variable speed Demel. Still working well but picked up 2nd one new in the box at a train show, corded variable speed from the late 90's I'd guess as insurance.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I use this:
... and this:
... and, of course, the good old Dremel!
IndyGuy I'm curious what others recommend for an electric saw for cutting hobby materials such as balsa, aluminum, etc.. I've looked at the Dremel Moto-Saw and Rockwell Bladerunner. Both have mixed reviews. I've also seen the Micro Mini scroll saw online (haven't seen one in person).
I count woodworking as my second hobby (model railroading is always first, of course!) and have over 40 years experience with hand and power tools, both stationary and benchtop. I find that- even with a Dremel, the motor speed can compromise the quality of the cut (in wood and plastic) due to control and heating effects. I would rather cut a piece of balsa, fir, hobby plywood or styrene by hand carefully and slowly, with absolute control over precision and speed. Those small hobby power sanders also eat up material faster than you may desire.
The exception to this is where a rough cut or sizeable waste cut is desired- drilling out a starter hole for a larger rectangular hand cut, etc.
I have seen the various (expensive) hobby power tools- the table saw, in particular, and realize that they may have a purpose for multiple repetitive cuts, but there is rarely a call for such assembly-line production, unless it involves creating wood roadbed pieces, where dimensional wood of some substantial thickness is involved.
For safety's sake, please do not be tempted to use a full-sized table saw (or other real-world power tool) for any small hobby material cutting, even with a zero-clearance insert where the blade is (and despite using an 80 tooth blade)- your control of the cut will not be what you think it is and injury can result. Same goes for drilling with a benchtop drill press- the rotational speed (even when the belt speed is set low) will readily take that piece of material from your grip or even from clamps and spin it away.
Slow and steady with hand tools is my preference- it's just a hobby, not a business with production deadlines. Hand accuracy can be adjusted with sanding, and if you have to do it over, well- you get better with practice. Save an eye or avoid an accident with forethought!
Cedarwoodron
I forgot this yesterday..Always but always use safety glasses with side shields or goggles when using a Dremel and learn how to properly use it like you would any power tool and it will make the chore of cutting and drilling a lot easier.
And as I said yesterday I would be totally lost without my Dremel.
The moto saw is relatively new. It looks like it could be useful since it appears to have 2 miter slots. But there is no miter gauge or sled from Dremel. You have to make your own.
If you get one, report back to us on how it works.
Paul
Indy - don't know the cost of what your considering but be sure to check the big box home improvement stores. I worked at Home Depot in retirement and picked up two $100 Dremel tools for $84 ea. - a #4000 roto tool for drilling, reaming, disc cutting, etc., and what Dremel calls a Trio that cuts, sands, and routs. Looks like a sabre saw. Always check the front "racetrack" that rotates various products (Christmas, storage, appliances, cabinets, etc.)