Variable cut scroll saw

Abstract

The scroll saw disclosed herein includes a frame with a worktable for supporting workpieces, first and second blade clamps for clamping a blade therebetween, an oscillating mechanism disposed within the frame, the oscillating mechanism moving the first and second blade clamps in a direction along a substantially vertical axis, wherein one of the first and second blade clamps is selectively shiftable so that the blade is shifted to a selected angle from the vertical axis. Preferably, a cam is used to move one of the blade clamps.

I claim: 
     
       1. A scroll saw comprising: a frame;   a table connected to said frame for supporting workpieces;   first and second blade clamps for clamping a blade therebetween; and   an oscillating mechanism disposed within the frame, the oscillating mechanism moving the first and second blade clamps along a substantially vertical axis, the oscillating mechanism comprising a motor, a pulley driven by the motor, and cable connected to at least one of the blade clamps, where the cable is disposed on the pulley;   wherein one of the first and second blade clamps is selectively shiftable so that the blade is shifted to a selected angle from the vertical axis.   
     
     
       2. The scroll saw of claim 1, wherein a cam is disposed against said one of first and second blade clamps and used to shift said one of first and second blade clamps. 
     
     
       3. The scroll saw of claim 1, further comprising a cable tensioning mechanism for increasing tension of said cable. 
     
     
       4. The scroll saw of claim 3, wherein the cable tensioning mechanism comprises a movable pulley operatively connected to said frame, said movable pulley being movable in relation to said frame. 
     
     
       5. The scroll saw of claim 4, wherein said movable pulley is movable in a vertical direction. 
     
     
       6. The scroll saw of claim 1, wherein one of said blade clamps comprises: a body;   first and second surfaces on said body;   a channel disposed in said first surface; and   a sliding element disposed in said channel.   
     
     
       7. The scroll saw of claim 6, wherein the blade is held between the sliding element and the second surface. 
     
     
       8. The scroll saw of claim 6, wherein the sliding element is a ball. 
     
     
       9. A method for varying cut type in a scroll saw comprising a frame, a table connected to said frame for supporting workpieces, first and second blade clamps for clamping a blade therebetween, and an oscillating mechanism disposed within the frame, the oscillating mechanism moving the first and second blade clamps in a direction along a substantially vertical axis, said method comprising the step of: shifting one of the first and second blade clamps so that the blade is shifted to a selected angle from the vertical axis.   
     
     
       10. The method for varying cut type in a scroll saw of claim 9, wherein the shifting step is performed by moving a cam disposed against said one of first and second blade clamps. 
     
     
       11. The method for varying cut type in a scroll saw of claim 9, further comprising the step of providing a blade clamp shifting mechanism. 
     
     
       12. The method for varying cut type in a scroll saw of claim 11, wherein said blade clamp shifting mechanism is a cam disposed against disposed against said one of first and second blade clamps. 
     
     
       13. The method for varying cut type in a scroll saw of claim 11, wherein the oscillating mechanism comprises: a motor;   a pulley driven by the motor; and   a cable connected to at least one of said blade clamps, said cable being disposed on said pulley, so that the cable moves in the same direction as the pulley.   
     
     
       14. A blade clamp comprising: a body;   first and second surfaces on said body;   a first channel disposed in said first surface; and   a first sliding element disposed in said first channel.   
     
     
       15. The blade clamp of claim 14, wherein a blade is held between the first sliding element and the second surface. 
     
     
       16. The blade clamp of claim 14, further comprising a second channel disposed in said second surface, and a second sliding element disposed in said second channel. 
     
     
       17. The blade clamp of claim 16, wherein a blade is held between the first and second sliding elements. 
     
     
       18. The blade clamp of claim 14, wherein the first sliding element is a ball. 
     
     
       19. A scroll saw comprising: a frame;   a table connected to said frame for supporting workpieces;   first and second blade clamps for clamping a blade therebetween;   an oscillating mechanism disposed within the frame, the oscillating mechanism moving the first and second blade clamps along a substantially vertical axis, the oscillating mechanism comprising a motor, a pulley driven by the motor, and a cable connected to at least one of the blade clamps, where the cable is disposed on the pulley; and   a blade shifting mechanism for shifting one of the first and second blade clamps so that the blade is shifted to a selected angle from the vertical axis.   
     
     
       20. The scroll saw of claim 19, wherein said blade shifting mechanism comprises a cam disposed against said one of the first and second blade clamps. 
     
     
       21. The scroll saw of claim 19, further comprising a cable tensioning mechanism for increasing tension of said cable. 
     
     
       22. The scroll saw of claim 21, wherein the cable tensioning mechanism comprises a movable pulley operatively connected to said frame, said movable pulley being movable in relation to said frame. 
     
     
       23. The scroll saw of claim 22, wherein said movable pulley is movable in a vertical direction. 
     
     
       24. The scroll saw of claim 19, wherein one of said blade clamps comprises: a body;   first and second surfaces on said body;   a channel disposed in said first surface; and   a sliding element disposed in said channel.   
     
     
       25. The scroll saw of claim 24, wherein the blade is held between the sliding element and the second surface. 
     
     
       26. The scroll saw of claim 24, wherein the sliding element is a ball.