Modding Quietly . . . . . Really quiet

[TheGreatSatan]

My wife works nights and sleep in the day. I'm not working right now, so a little day time modding would be fun, but there's the noise factor. I mostly need to do cutting. Is there a good hand saw that works well for cutting aluminum or steel?

I know it would be slow, but at least I'd be getting something done...

[billygoat333]

Hacksaws work well, and you can get them in smaller sizes so as to not make too much noise...

[SXRguyinMA]

mod outside? :think: :?

[interceptor1985]

ditto I have done that, take whatever you have to cut and go outside with it, I have done everything from cutting to painting outside, Then again my wife puts up with me washing off car parts in the bathtub! so my computer junk is probably like vacation to her..lol

[Konrad]

I assume you can't go to a buddy's garage because you have to watch your kids, maybe.

Just take your knives and saws to a playground. One that's a bit farther away, so your wife won't notice.

[TheGreatSatan]

Knives at a playground huh?:eek:

[x88x]

Another alternative could be to hook up with a hackerspace in your area.
http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/List_of_Hacker_Spaces

[NightrainSrt4]

I hate to bump things back from the grave but this looked perfect, at least for when you need to do wood and such!

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[SXRguyinMA]

now if only it would cut aluminum....

[NightrainSrt4]

And wasn't $1,200, haha. Seemed generally appropriate for the concept behind the thread though. I'd grab one if I was rich and actually had a place to work.

[SXRguyinMA]

if I was rich and had a place to work I wouldn't have to worry about it being quiet :D

[x88x]

That is actually really cool. ...now, if it just didn't cost $1,200.. :eek:

[NightrainSrt4]

if I was rich and had a place to work I wouldn't have to worry about it being quiet :D

Haha, true, but I'd be willing to compromise. :D

[msmrx57]

It's the accuracy that you're paying for. That makes finer, more accurate cuts than any power saw can. I've got a great old radial arm saw in my dads shop and I'd still LOVE to have this just for fine work.

[NightrainSrt4]

Me as well. It just looks ingenious. Though it looked like his fingers got awfully close by the end of some of those passes. I still want it though.

[Konrad]

$1200+ and uses nonstandard blades (only one type, one source currently available, about $25-$30 per blade). Although excellent, this device is basically just a fancy adjustable saw miter which intelligently works upside-down. I think similar rigs could be made (from wood or metal, accomodating any type of saw blade) quite easily ... we often improvise sawblade sharpening jigs in our shop which are already almost the same thing ... I'd say the Jointmaker is either a luxury tool accessory for the guy who has everything or is only justified for the guy who needs to frequently mass-produce these sorts of miter cuts with a fixed template.

Build your own, save $1000. Alternately, invest in some Japanese-style woodsaws (http://www.japantool-iida.com/saw/index.html), preferred by some finishing woodworkers because of their accuracy and thin kerfs.