it is the little things

[LARRYBATDORF]

OK i m trying to cut the spiral candle stick and im having trouble getting the blades to stay in my saw. so i have a few questions.
1 do the sell a pined spiral blade and if so where?
2 if i can get it in there it slips and does not cut in the desired way(to put it the nicest way i can)does it need to be tighter?
3 tried going really tight with the blade and it slips out of the saw or it just snaps so i guess the question is how tight does the little bugger have to be and how do i tell when tight is good and to tight is to much?

[julief]

Sometimes there is a little residual oil on the blades.  First try cleaning the ends of the blades with some alcohol or mineral spirits.  You might try "buffing" the tips of your blade holders with a little sandpaper.  What brand of blades and what type of saw are you using?  If you are snapping blades, you might be exerting too much force on the blade.  With spirals, fast speed, slow feed works best.  As far as tension, you want it tight enough to "twang" when you pluck it.  You should not have more than 1/16-1/8 inch deflection when cutting.

[LARRYBATDORF]

it has way more deflection then that. but it is a high pitched twang that come off if it when i pluck it.
as far as blade what ever i can get a hold of i have  some Dutchman and some misalliance blades that i got from an estate sale.
my machine is a haitachi 18 inch something or other i got a lowes about 6 months ago.

[LARRYBATDORF]

and i will try the getting rid of oil and sanding my pads sown a lil thanks for the tip

[Mainewoods]

Larry,  I have the Porter Cable (PC) saw sold at Lowe's, which I understand is just the same as the Hitachi they used to sell.  Although I don't have a lot of experience with spiral blades, I do know that my saw REALLY doesn't like to hang on to standard spirals (and yes, I've cleaned and sanded the ends).  It's the design of the blade clamps.  Before this I had a cheapo Craftsman that had different style of blade clamps.  It held on to spirals without a problem.  With my PC, when I clamp the blades in good and tight so they won't slip out , they break very quickly.  I have ordered some of the flat ended spiral Flying Dutchman blades from Mike's Workshop.  I expect the flat ends will be much easier for my(our) saw/s to hold on to.  Like I said, I don't have much experience using spirals, but I've got a couple portrait patterns that are very large and intricate, and I'm sure I won't be able to cut them with standard blades.  I'll let you know how the flat end blades work out, they should be here in a couple days.

[LARRYBATDORF]

nice i think if they work for you i will order them keep me posted please

[Mainewoods]

nice i think if they work for you i will order them keep me posted please

Will do!

[newtoscroll]

The FD blades worked fine on the PC saw I purchased from lowes.  The flat end I am sure helped.  I did use an aquarium air blower attachment to blow dust away.  I still have not master spiral blades but that is me and not the machine.  You will be fine with FD spiral blades.

[Paw Paw Ray]

Had the same problem a while back with my DeWalt.  Took an allen wrench and extended the screw on the left side of the blade holder that way when I tighten the rignt wing nut thy made better contact.  No problem since.

[mrsn]

I made one of the spiral candle sticks. I found it really helpful to make a couple from a smaller piece to practice and work my way up to the big one. Practicing might help keep you from excessive twisting the blade.

[Mainewoods]

Larry,
My FD Flat end spirals came in the mail today.  Took 'em to the shop, wiped the oil off a dozen of 'em, clamped one into the saw and started cuttin' away!  Started with 1/8" BBply, went 1/4", then 3/8", then a 1/8" piece of MDF, 1/2" Maple and finally a 1.5" piece of Cedar.  All cut relatively easily, without slipping out or breaking, and this was using a #1 sized blade.  Go ahead and order some, I think you'll be satisfied!