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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: Dan26 on October 30, 2011, 10:50:24 pm
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I used spiral blades for the first time in about 10 years. I started a portrait by stack cutting three 1/8" BB ply using #3 spiral (either Olson or FD). Way too many fuzzies. I thought it would speed up the work, but the sanding afterwards was too time consuming. I switched to a #1 FD-UR and was much happier with the outcome. To those that have mastered the spiral blades, I bow my head to you. I will try them again, but next time it will be on hardwood.
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I use nothing but #02 spiral blades and any fuzzies dissapear with just a swipe or two on a spinning sanding mop ;D
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You got it girl...
I stack so that the bottom piece is a "throwaway" and if I can use it, that is a bonus.
2/0 FD New Spirals are my blade of choice!
~~~GB~~~
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My problem with the spirals is that they spiral all the way from top to bottom, then I have trouble either keeping them locked in or I have them locked in too tight and they break.
Marg
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Marge,it takes a gentle touch. I can't tell you how to judge the way to
"clamp them suckers" but once you keep doing it and finally get it right it seems so easy and natural.
I have trouble now clamping a standard flat blade!
~~~GB~~~
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My problem with the spirals is that they spiral all the way from top to bottom, then I have trouble either keeping them locked in or I have them locked in too tight and they break.
Marg
Hi Marg,
Some blade manufacturers offer a flat end spiral. I'm pretty sure Flying Dutchman is one of them. The twists don't go all the way to the end, making it easier to fit them in the blade clamps.
You can also take pliers and untwist the ends a couple turns to get them flat as well, but that can be a little tedious. I've had mixed results doing this, but I don't use a lot of spiral blades.
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My problem with the spirals is that they spiral all the way from top to bottom, then I have trouble either keeping them locked in or I have them locked in too tight and they break.
Marg
If you can get them from Mike he has both in Flying Dutchman.
Gabby
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I tried the tourch method of getting rid of fuzzies on a recent project that I had cut with spiral blades. I had intended the bottom piece to be a throw away piece, but had wanted to try using a flame to burn the fuzzies. I was amazed how easy it was and how little burning of the project there was. Give it a try sometime, it might be worth it.
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Katie...just be sure to NOT use any sort of solvent on the wood before you "torch" them!!!!
I have read of some folks that used mineral spirits to remove the glued on pattern and then applied the torch a little too soon!
BOOOOOM!!!! Instant workshop fire!
~~~GB~~~
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Regular spirals are a bear to get clamped. The FD New Spirals clamp up a lot easier, and I believe the 2/0 is a NS size. The flat end ones clamp ok. Spirals are great for veining and such, but not so neat for large straight lines and curves or for exact corners. YMMV.
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We have a lady over here by the name of Helen Harris and she sells the same blades as Mike so I get blades from her. Thanks for all the tips guys, the next time I have to try to use them I have more information in my little brain to help me along.
Marg
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I too now like to cut with spiral blades sometimes. But please somebody help, anything smaller that #2 I break instantly especially while threading it. Any ideas! I tried the 0/2 ones and they cut great but after 2 threads broken. Now mainly use #3 and # 4 spirals.
David
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Hey David, are you top feeding or bottom feeding your 0/2s. I only use 0/2s because of the small kerf. I find they last longer if you bottom feed just because you are not hanging up on the wood since the teeth are pointing down. I rarely break one. It may just take some practice. Keep trying.
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Hey David, are you top feeding or bottom feeding your 0/2s. I only use 0/2s because of the small kerf. I find they last longer if you bottom feed just because you are not hanging up on the wood since the teeth are pointing down. I rarely break one. It may just take some practice. Keep trying.
Thanks Julie, by nature I am a bottom feeder so also did that with the spirals, maybe as you say it needs some more practice, well before I can do that I need to order some new ones. Need more blades so wil just include them in my order.
David
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Hi Marg,
The Harris company is a dealer of mine. Great people.
FD Mike
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I love using spiral blades, once I got the hang of them. I haven't ever had a problem clamping them because I take a regular pair of pliers and a pair of needle nose pliers and untwist about 3/4" or so on each end. I have to use my magnifier to see what I'm doing, but it's pretty easy after you do it a few times. I use FD 2/0 and FD #1 Flat end blades and I hardly ever break one. I have a Dewalt and I run the speed on 4 to 5 and just take it easy and let the blade do the work. Hope this helps.
Kim
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I find when I get a news order of FD new Spirals I will sit at the Table and while I am watching TV I will untwist the ends of the spiral down about a half inch. Nothing fancy or exact until I use them, then I will make sure the ends match and away I go. I would say about 3/4's of my cutting is by Spirals. Good luck