[TheForge] brainstorming and other thoughts on cutting sheet metal

[terry l. ridder]

hello;

since making the forged roses for christmas i have numerous requests for
forged roses for feb 14th, valentine day. i enjoy making the forged
roses but cutting the sheet metal with tin snips leaves much to be
desired. since i am using 24 gauge black sheet metal cutting with an
oxy-fuel torch is out ( unless someone out there would care to share the
secret of cutting it with an oxy-fuel torch. ). plasma torch would be an
option but still seems like overkill to me. a metal cutting scroll saw
was more what i have in mind. i have searched using google for
treadle/pedal powered scroll saws and the 'new rogers' treadle scroll
saw appears to be easily duplicated. a scroll saw using jeweler saw
blades appears to me to be a low cost but effective solution. a
treadle/pedal powered version would give me some needed excercise ;-).

my draft thoughts are to use a bicycle frame for the pedals and gearing.
the rear wheel gearing would be used for driving the parallel arms
holding the jeweler saw blade under tension. think parallel arm treadle
hammer. instead of a ram and anvil a saw blade is moving in a near
vertical path without rocking fore and aft that a c-arm arrangement
would have. an old singer treadle sewing machine needle foot would be
used for the material being cut hold down.

i may have to render this up in povray and post a picture to theforge
photo site.

thoughts, comments, suggestions would be appreciated.

-- 
Terry L. Ridder ><>