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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: newtoscroll on July 30, 2010, 11:14:47 am

Title: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: newtoscroll on July 30, 2010, 11:14:47 am
We all must have a favorite blade to use.  I like the Flying Dutchman Polar No. 3.  This is because it easily cuts 1/2 inch or thinner wood both soft and hard.  It makes a great straight line and square turns.  It is thin so it works well in tight quarters for precision cuts. 
I am curious what other people rate as their favorite.
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: Dawie on July 30, 2010, 11:24:19 am
I have been using the proxxon blades that came with my saw up to now (did restock). Just started trying spiral blades, but only had the 1 size that proxxon delivers. Am just about to order the new spirals think they are FD-NS, if I am not mistaken. Wish I started using spirals earlier. So am guessing that it will proberbly be FD-NS 2/0, what I have heard from some people they cut everything with this blade.
David
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: scrollgirl on July 30, 2010, 02:42:49 pm
I use Olson 2/0 or 2 reverse tooth for most of the work I do.  I love them because they go where you want them and are easy to control. I would like to try the Polar FD 3 one day if they are as good as you say.  I have tried some other blades and I found they wander where they want to sometimes.  For me, it is all about control. :)

Sheila
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: GrayBeard on July 30, 2010, 03:41:56 pm
I have tried most of the FD blades and for my money it is the FD Polar in all sizes.
Cut clean and track very well.
Only blade I have found that for me allows a long straight cut with minimum of 'wandering'.
Very easy for me to control.
I am now trying the FD Flat end Spirals to see how they work. So far, so good!

~~~GB~~~
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: edward on July 30, 2010, 04:27:44 pm
 I use Olson #2/0 for my portraits, and anything else I like  FD#1 and FD#3 as they cut very clean on 1/2" wood that I use.   Edward
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: Russ C on July 30, 2010, 04:37:52 pm
FD-UR, in 1,3 and 5 sizes.  8)
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: Merlin on July 30, 2010, 05:13:20 pm
My main stay blade wood be the FD-UR #3 and the #1

My wish wood be that blades be rounded on the backs to make for easier turns.
I know you can file them but sometimes ones forgets and well...


Merlin
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: dgman on July 30, 2010, 07:47:45 pm
Up until recently I have always used Olsen reverse blades in sizes of 0/2, 2 and 5. In addition I am now also using Flying Dutchman UR 1,3 and 5. Also FD NR 0/2, 2 and 5.
When I teach at Woodcraft I start the students out with Olsen skip tooth blades in 5, 7 and 3.
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: shissta on July 30, 2010, 10:41:25 pm
Flying Dutchman 2/0 Spiral blades.  I cut pretty much everything with them.
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: Joesawdust on July 30, 2010, 11:17:02 pm
My all time favorite blade to use for most of my projects are the Olsen crown tooths in sizes all the way up to a 7, because they generally cut real clean on both sides. I have tried a good assortment of the FD blades and do prefer the flat end spirals from them over the Olsen flat end spirals.

Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: julief on July 31, 2010, 06:46:23 am
on portraits - i just switched from 2/0 olsen spiral to the fd ns 2/0 spiral - like them alot.
Have always used olsen platinum reverse tooth blades in all sizes and had much success but recently ordered the fd uv blades about a month ago - really like them
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: dunk on July 31, 2010, 08:41:50 am
The fd polar #3.  Does it leave a lot of fuzzies behind or does it do a good job of cleaning up after itself like the fd Ur sizes.  I usually use the fd ur #3, 5 ,7.  They took a little while to get used too but I can't imagine using anything else on a regular basis.  i do have some olson's on hand for backup when I run low.
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: UHMNL on July 31, 2010, 12:21:11 pm
Hi Mike,

The Polar blades have no reverse teeth, so you will get some fuzz on the bottom.

FD Mike
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: jim stiek on July 31, 2010, 09:46:09 pm
depends on what I am cutting but mostly it will be a F.D. of one kind or the other.
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: loftyhermes on August 01, 2010, 09:40:44 am
When I bought my saw I got a load of Niqua blades from what was Hobbies of Dereham, and must say that the no.5's are what I use the most, though I haven't tried any other brands.
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: cherie on August 01, 2010, 06:21:27 pm
I used to use Olsen until I tried these: FD-UR, in 3 and 5 sizes.  The 3 works much better than the #2 reverse I used to use from Olsen.
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: Rightarm on August 01, 2010, 10:01:46 pm
    I use the Olsen Mach Speed #5R. Very smooth cuts. Little to no sanding. Dave 8)
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: drigolin on August 02, 2010, 05:12:21 am
depending on type of cut my favorite blade is Niqua Top Cut (http://www.niqua.de/ (http://www.niqua.de/)) n?1 or 3. With n?1 I use to cut at 18mm (3/4") soft woods.
I use to cut at highest speed to have pieces clean and no need of sanding. Slowing down speed make sometimes cuts not clear and a bit of sanding is needed.
I use omni-directional blades to cut very large fretwork to avoid turning of large pieces because with 40cm (16") depth of my scroll saw that it's impossible. I use Niqua omni-directional blades named "Penguin" of Zarsa blades from http://www.haunstetter-saegenfabrik.de (http://www.haunstetter-saegenfabrik.de).

My scroll saw pin-less blade adapter tend to "break" thinnest blades (2/0) after couple of insert and release.

Ciao.
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: UHMNL on August 02, 2010, 10:20:43 am
I am the exclusive dealr for Niqua in the US and Canada.
The top cut blade has two teeth down and one up. I call them the FD-TC.
They seem to stand up real good when cutting wood with glue in it.
FD Mike
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: yyyyyguy on August 02, 2010, 05:05:22 pm
great info but what wood are you cutting with these blades, i generally use 3/4" oak, I use Olsen 5R,7Rand 9R seem to get a lot of "fuzzys" any suggestions
Title: Re: Favorite Blade to Use
Post by: UHMNL on August 02, 2010, 08:27:22 pm
More and more customers are going with the FD-UR. They cut more straight as most of the other blades.
It has a marking on one end,  telling you what is the top or the bottom.
FD Mike