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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: boxmaker on June 09, 2010, 08:11:43 pm

Title: Spiral blades
Post by: boxmaker on June 09, 2010, 08:11:43 pm

I have some of the old spiral blades, where the whole blade twist. I bought them when I first started scrolling and never used them, because the twist makes it a pain to keep it in my clamps. I was wondering if anybody knew how to get the twist out or will it break the ends of the blade. Next time I order from mike I am going to order some flat end spirals,and see if I can get used to using a spiral for some of my box tops. I have about 4 doz. of the old ones I would like to use up, or are they worth keeping.

Title: Re: Spiral blades
Post by: UHMNL on June 09, 2010, 08:59:41 pm

Boxmaker,
Some people hit the end with a hammer and some put them in the vice. Don't over do it.
You can also take a pair of pliers and try to un-twist the ends.
It seems that the new spiral work bettter then the regular spiral, it also cuts more straight.
FD Mike

Title: Re: Spiral blades
Post by: boxmaker on June 09, 2010, 10:32:19 pm

Thanks for the info mike. I need to order some more blades anyway, and some other stuff. Thanks again.

Title: Re: Spiral blades
Post by: Russ C on June 10, 2010, 08:03:08 am

Try adding a little heat from a small torch to help in straightening.
 8)

Title: Re: Spiral blades
Post by: UHMNL on June 10, 2010, 10:01:08 am

I would not recommend heat, you might reduce the hardening of the steel.
FD Mike

Title: Re: Spiral blades
Post by: GrayBeard on June 10, 2010, 10:59:18 am

All this talk about 'spirals' is making me dizzier!

Guess I will have to fire up ol' Yeller today and try one or two!

Wish me luck!

~~~GrayBeard~~~

Title: Re: Spiral blades
Post by: Russ C on June 10, 2010, 04:33:37 pm

Worked good for me.  You don't want to turn it cherry red. A soldering iron would work to.  8)  8)  8)

Title: Re: Spiral blades
Post by: UHMNL on June 10, 2010, 08:27:58 pm

Hi Russ,
(You don't want to turn it cherry red.)
That is my concern that they might heat it up too much.
FD Mike

Title: Re: Spiral blades
Post by: boxmaker on June 10, 2010, 10:26:23 pm

So Russ, what did you use to straighten after you heated it, a vice or pliers, a hammer. I tried just pliers, and I  can get the twist out, but my ends do not line up for the clamps. I am ready to just toss them and order some of the flat ends from Mike. I have to place an order anyway.

Title: Re: Spiral blades
Post by: Russ C on June 11, 2010, 02:56:20 am

Heated them and flattened ends with a hammer.  8)

Title: Re: Spiral blades
Post by: boxmaker on June 11, 2010, 10:48:53 am

If I get a chance to get in the shop today I'll try a little heat and a hammer. Thanks Mark.

Title: Re: Spiral blades
Post by: boxmaker on June 11, 2010, 09:13:31 pm

The heat worked, thanks, but you gotta be careful, I reddened one and it broke when I hammered it, but one out of twelve ain't bad. Thanks again.

Title: Re: Spiral blades
Post by: jon on June 12, 2010, 12:02:59 am

I just take a pair of vice grips and clamp them on the end of the blade  this takes out your twist also scruffs up the end a little so it stays in your clamps better. (it works for me)  just my 2 cents