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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: Mainewoods on February 17, 2013, 06:06:27 pm

Title: Flying Dutchman New Spiral 3/0 Test
Post by: Mainewoods on February 17, 2013, 06:06:27 pm
A couple weeks ago, Mike sent me samples of the new FD NS 3/0 spiral blades.  I finally got a chance to test them out.  I did some test cuts in 1/8" BB ply and 1/4" BB ply.  The blades cut both thicknesses easily and handled as nicely as the NS 2/0 blades do.  There didn't seem to be any weakness to the blades, although they are noticeably smaller than the 2/0.  Once installed and tensioned, they didn't flex much, and the test blade stood up to all the test cuts I made (forward, backward and sideways).  I really put some pressure on the blade, within reason, just to see if it would break while cutting.  It held strong and kept cutting away.  I can't see these blades breaking under normal use. 

These blades will definitely have a place in my inventory, as I can see using them for the really intricate portraits and some veining work.  I've attached a picture of some cuts into a scrap piece of 1/8" cherry with a penny included for size reference. 
Title: Re: Flying Dutchman New Spiral 3/0 Test
Post by: Tim2beupinAz on February 17, 2013, 06:49:37 pm
Great review. Thanks
Title: Re: Flying Dutchman New Spiral 3/0 Test
Post by: ToverT on February 17, 2013, 07:13:40 pm
Glen, Nice test and write up.  Nice shot of the reference cuts too.  Thanks for the review!

Tommy T
Msgt  USAF (Ret) too
Title: Re: Flying Dutchman New Spiral 3/0 Test
Post by: jrpeteo on February 17, 2013, 07:39:52 pm
I tried them as well. Snapped the first one in half while tensioning on my Craftsman 16". The next one I was a little more careful.... I will use them when I need narrow veining and such, but my "go to" will still be FD-NS #1 Or #3 for most things spiral.
Pete
Title: Re: Flying Dutchman New Spiral 3/0 Test
Post by: Graywolf on February 18, 2013, 04:00:49 pm
Are the ends of the blades flat. I have a heck of a time flating them with my hammer and a railroad track as an anvil.   :(
Title: Re: Flying Dutchman New Spiral 3/0 Test
Post by: Mainewoods on February 18, 2013, 06:42:17 pm
Nope, not flat ended.  Never needed to flatten them as the clamps on my Delta hold them just fine.
Title: Re: Flying Dutchman New Spiral 3/0 Test
Post by: king310 on February 19, 2013, 07:30:45 am
I tried some olson blades and they broke after a few minutes of cutting. I may have to try these to see if I like them.