Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with a Dremel Moto-Saw?

I saw one while out looking at bench top bandsaws. I used to have a full wood shop with a really fantastic, free standing band saw, but I sold it off because I have no place for it in my new studio. I've been looking at bench top band saws (basically, a smaller band saw that fits on a workbench) as a possible replacement and while I was out shopping I saw a Dremel Moto-Saw.

I know that the Moto-Saw isn't really a band saw (more like a scroll saw), but I'm dealing with a relatively small area in the studio to build puppets (about 160-180sq feet) and I was thinking it might be useful since it's portable and can be put away in a case. I don't do much heavy-duty metal or wood work, I just cut foam and do a certain amount of precision cutting of plastic, L200 foam, and relatively thin pieces of wood and metal. The Moto-Saw is also less than half the price of the cheapest bandsaw I've seen, which is a nice plus.

Here's a link to the Moto-Saw - http://www.dremel.com/en-ca/tools/pages/ToolDetail.aspx?pid=MS20#.UzXc6F4zz-l

Any thoughts?

I've never  used the Moto-Saw but wondered the same thing myself. The action would be a bit different then a bandsaw since it would be up and down sawing action. Seems like the action would be much like a jig saw.  I've used a jig saw quite a bit on wood, plastic and styro foam just can't remember if I ever tried it out on poly foam. On a jig saw I think the up and down action may be problematic but with this It looks as if there is a guard to help hold the material down.

I'm thinking that I might pick one up in a few weeks and try it out. If it's a good solution for foam then a bandsaw might not be necessary. If not, I might just keep it as a replacement for my bulky scroll saw. I'm leery of cheap band saws, but yesterday I read some really good reviews of Skil's 9 inch band saw that sells for under $200 in Canada. I could pick up both for what I had originally intended to spend on a band saw.

I was thinking about this one too, but talked to a guy from the maker space I go to. He said while it has a whole bunch of pluses, it has proprietary blades. He went through them pretty quickly, and they were expensive to replace since he had to order them online. (No local vendors carried them) This was about six months ago,so not sure if this has changed in the meantime.

Don't know if this helps.

That's not surprising...the real cost you get in to with Dremel tools is usually all the blades, discs and accessories. With foam you're bound to go through a lot of blades, so I'm thinking the band saw (or both) might be the way to go.

Thanks Lola!

I've used one and love it and my first reaction was "my workshop needs this" but I've been off the Grid for a while now and never pursued purchasing one.

Make sure if using the desk clamp it is beyond secure. Not the kinda thing you want landing in your lap or reaching down instinctively to grab.


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Thanks Steve, good tips!