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Does anyone use a scroll saw for cutting pearl or shell inlays? I'm thinking of getting a scroll saw for some other projects and was wondering if I could use it for inlay. Seems like it should work because the blades are the same as my coping saw. Any suggestions on what speed or blade to use?

Quine : I use a jewelers saw with blades that are much finer then coping saw or scroll saw blades. Just my opinion that not going to get good results with a scroll saw.
Tom

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Quine, Tom,
although the blades for a jeweler's saw are much finer, seems like you could still mount one in a scroll saw; however, I wonder about dialing down the speed. Seems like you would want the arm moving at a very low speed. I do like power tools, but this might be a case where the hand tool is preferred. Seems to me you would have better visability and control with the jeweler's saw. I do use my scroll saw for a lot of jobs, and it's pretty good at a number of guitar related tasks; very fine kerf and can cut relatively thick pieces of hardwood if you don't force it. Just my 2 cents.

Rio Grande jewellers supply for a good French jewellers saw. My rbi hawk is used for. Scrolling.

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Hey Fillipo, what TPI do you use, what speed, and do you do any cleanup with files afterwards?
Does the 1/32nd plywood backing stay permanently or do you remove it before inlaying?

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Interesting topic. I have wondered about this, too. Looks like it's working great for Fillipo. I think it would be a good idea
to disconnect the little air puff hose when working with MOP, and have your shop vacuum rigged up to suck the saw dust up, rather than have it blown around in the air. If you do that, put a little gauze filter over the mouth of the vacuum with a rubber band--just to keep valuable pieces of MOP from getting sucked into the machine.

Thanks Filippo. What speed do you set the saw for pearl work? Seems like most of the models (I can afford) start at 400 strokes per minute.....a bit faster than my jeweler's saw. I'd guess my arm moves more like 150spm.
Good idea on the wood backer for the shell. I glue my shell to the cut-off scraps from the sides. Helps a bunch with breaking. I do remove it before inlay

A scroll saw will work for more simple inlays, but it will be difficult to cut complex and intricate inlays with a machine. Also, it is not that much faster than cutting by hand so the benefit/cost ratio is not real high. In other words, I wouldn't buy a scroll saw just for this purpose.