Can someone please educate me on scroll saws?

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I've been doing a bit of research but all I can find are advertisements.  I've been looking at scroll saws and I was wondering if anyone here has one.  What kind of thickness steel and aluminum can be worked on with a scroll saw?  Also, any suggestions on brands, size, etc...?  Thanks in advance.
Reply:I have a Dewalt sawzall and a Porter cable Tiger saw.  Both  cut steel well.  The dewalt is lighter and I have had it for many years.  It has cut a LOT of steel.  Even 1/2".  Variable speed is important unless you like blue blades.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Thanks for the info.  However, I was looking more into one of these:http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=55514Can you work with a considerable thickness with these?Thanks.
Reply:I have no clue.  I think you need something with more balls and takes a bigger blade.  Perhaps some one that has tired one can give you a better answer.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I think scroll saws are only intended for wood. I've never heard of a metal cutting blade for them.                              MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Originally Posted by mla2ofusI think scroll saws are only intended for wood. I've never heard of a metal cutting blade for them.                              Mike
Reply:double postedLast edited by Rick Moran; 10-29-2007 at 09:21 AM.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:Scroll Saws are NOT intended for cutting steel stock.  They will cut thin sheet metal with the proper blade, method and speed.  They are primarily used for hobby stuff.  If you want to cut thin metals, sandwich 1-10 pieces between masonite to keep the blade from catching the edges.  It will leave a nice, clean cut.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:Originally Posted by Rick MoranScroll Saws are NOT intended for cutting steel stock.  They will cut thin sheet metal with the proper blade, method and speed.  They are primarily used for hobby stuff.  If you want to cut thin metals, sandwich 1-10 pieces between masonite to keep the blade from catching the edges.  It will leave a nice, clean cut.
Reply:Originally Posted by Rick Moran sandwich 1-10 pieces between masonite to keep the blade from catching the edges.  It will leave a nice, clean cut.
Reply:Like Rick said, a scroll saw is not for cutting metal plate.  They can be used to cut thin sheet metal with the proper blade.  And like Rick said in his tip, sandwich the sheet metal between thin sheets of wood or wood products to back up the cut for clean cut edges.Scroll saws are primarily used to cut intricate designs or patterns.  See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scroll_saw for some info.
Reply:Thanks Acz- I forgot to include that bit of info.  I use double stick tape too for holding them together.  The best tape for this is carpet tape.  Very thin and EXTREMELY strong. Minimum, if any clean-up. You can find it at HD and a roll will last for years.  It only takes a couple of small pieces, almost hard to get it apart.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:good advise, I just bought my new hitachi scroll saw a couple of weeks ago and it's nice.DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:I have used mine to cut 1/8 aluminum but you better have a lot of blades. It's fixed speed as well and that didn't help. I have seen diamond coated blades for them but don't recall where. Maybe Harbor freight.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:I used to have a big old delta 24" throat scroll saw, cast iron, it weighed in at about 200lbs- and it would cut steel up to about 16ga.It was work, though- and it went thru the blades.The new generation of little plastic 30lb machines, though, just dont have the cojones to do this kind of thing.If you want to cut complicated shapes out of steel, plasma is your best bet.Stuff like this would be really really hard with a scroll saw, but is quite do-able with plasma.