1/16" brass plate issues

[DaveLab]

Total newbie, here. Making some door jamb strike plates. Right now just trying to cut in a straight line. I clamped down a board as a fence. Lowest speed setting. Pushing slowly. Directly on saw table; no sandwiching of the brass or taping of its surface.

The cut veers to the right, away from the desired cut line. No idea why.

Blade: .012" x .029" x #2 x 20 TPI - Skip Tooth

Thoughts?

I've read this is doable on a scroll saw. But maybe I really need to get a band saw?

[OCtoolguy]

2 hours ago, DaveLab said:

Total newbie, here. Making some door jamb strike plates. Right now just trying to cut in a straight line. I clamped down a board as a fence. Lowest speed setting. Pushing slowly. Directly on saw table; no sandwiching of the brass or taping of its surface.

The cut veers to the right, away from the desired cut line. No idea why.

Blade: .012" x .029" x #2 x 20 TPI - Skip Tooth

Thoughts?

I've read this is doable on a scroll saw. But maybe I really need to get a band saw?

The blades will drift just like a bandsaw. You must figure out the drift and set your fence accordingly. Pegas blades don't drift as much as other brands because they are ground rather than stamped. 

[Dan]

Welcome to the Village, Dave!

Throw the fence away and just freehand it is my advice. You will be surprised at how straight you can cut if you have a line to follow. 

[hotshot]

The right blades also help.  I would suggest a Jewelers blade, and for straight lines, I would go with a larger of those blades.  Practice on a cheaper media until you can "Drive Straight."

[Tom-in-Ashland]

There are scroll saw blades specifically designed for cutting metal. A small package came with my saw and they work well.