Scrollsaw Workshop Community -Please register to enable posting.

General Category => Tutorials, Techniques and Tips => Topic started by: JMAC on March 11, 2012, 10:34:51 am

Title: long pattern !
Post by: JMAC on March 11, 2012, 10:34:51 am

Hi Ladies and Gentlemen,my problem is that i have a pattern which is 23" long but my saw clearance is only 11".

I?ve tried spirals and they not only dont like me , they hate me !!

have read that i could turn the blade ends 90? but can i do that with all blade sizes or is there a limit??

Thanks in advance.  JMAC

Title: Re: long pattern !
Post by: Judy Hunter on March 11, 2012, 01:53:10 pm

Spirals can be your friend. :D Just use good tension and a good blade.

Title: Re: long pattern !
Post by: dgman on March 11, 2012, 03:17:20 pm

Judy should know, She's the spiral Queen! Spirals are all she uses! ;)

Title: Re: long pattern !
Post by: mrsn on March 11, 2012, 05:28:26 pm

If it was my project I would probably practice with spiral blades and use those. I have never had any luck with turning blades, I get my lefts and rights mixed up, and I think you will still hit the back of the saw when you have to turn.

Title: Re: long pattern !
Post by: Al W on March 11, 2012, 05:59:47 pm

JMAC, really suggest getting some high quality spiral blades, then with a bit of practice, I believe you will at least arrive at the point where you can effectively use them.    I use both, sometimes on the same cutting.

Give it a chance, will really make those long pieces cooperate with you.

Al

Title: Re: long pattern !
Post by: J,Hamilton on March 11, 2012, 11:35:32 pm

I have to agree with Judy. When I first started using spirals, I broke many blades and then had to learn to cut with them once I did figure the proper tension. Spirals do take practice. Get a few dozen quality spirals and try them on scrap projects or pieces until you feel confident enough to work on your primary project.

Title: Re: long pattern !
Post by: Mainewoods on March 12, 2012, 07:47:34 am

I too didn't care for spirals at first.  If you do a search on this forum, you'll find lots of discussions about spirals.  I get along fine with them now, in fact, I just cut a project yesterday that was 28" long on a saw with a 20" throat.  Without spirals, it couldn't have been done.  Here's a simple list of how I get spirals to work for me;

1.  Good blade
2.  Very tight blade
3.  Saw at max speed
4.  Cut very slowly, being ever aware of which way you're moving your piece
5.  Practice, practice, practice!!!!

Good luck!

Glen

Title: Re: long pattern !
Post by: Jim Finn on March 13, 2012, 09:26:03 am

I do not use spirals because they leave such a rough surface that require sanding.  Regular blades leave a surface that would loose a lot of smoothness if sanded.  I cut lots of 1 3/4" thick material and never less than 3/8". I would experiment with bending your blades.