Anyone have any suggestions for cutting the shape of the headstock with out a bandsaw? I have a small coping saw but the thickness and the adjustable angle of the blade seem a bit shaky for cutting out intricate shapes...
You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!
Maybe a different sized blade for your coping saw?
It turns out I wasn't tightening the handle far enough; so when i would cut, the blade would come loose and the azimuth fell out of sync with the other end. Live and learn.
I use any number of saws i have laying around depending on what I want the head stock to look like. I usually go for the coping saw or the miter saw for good straight cuts.
I use a hand held electric sabre saw with a narrow fine tooth blade, my headstocks are not really fancy but they have a few curves and it works fine. I also use the same saw for the F holes in my box's. Its a handy tool to have if you don't have one.
Make a template out of 1/4" hardboard shaped the way you want. Then apply that to the head (no glue. Clamp) and cut around that. OR saw REAL slow. Also cut about 1/64 to 1/32 over then sand down with 220 grit sandpaper.
My headstocks are about 9/16" thick.
There is also another method that uses old drill bits or tools stock as router bits off a drill press if you have one.
I usually plane my head stock down to about a half inch before cutting out. With a coping saw that has a solid frame and a good blade, it should be fairly easy to cut along a decorative line. I know finish carpenters that us a coping saw to back cut hardwood miter joints. These are as thick as any headstock and they are doing seamless looking finish work.
Replies
It turns out I wasn't tightening the handle far enough; so when i would cut, the blade would come loose and the azimuth fell out of sync with the other end. Live and learn.
My headstocks are about 9/16" thick.
There is also another method that uses old drill bits or tools stock as router bits off a drill press if you have one.
-WY