Spiral Blades

[Reaper]

Hi Guys, I have a question.I here people talk about spiral blades for portrait work.I am going to attempt my first.I looked online and found three different ones,spiral reverse,spiral and spiral flat.Which one or ones will I be using and what size.I guess I will be using 1/8 or 1/4 BB.Any help will be great.Thanks Dave

[GrayBeard]

They will all work. Be advised that they leave a lot of 'fuzzies' so try to Stack Cut where you can.

I have all three and use all three but the best I have found so far are the F D New Spiral from Mike!
Dgman uses them also and likes them.

Also make sure you get some of the 2/0 size because they do leave a rather large 'kerf' when cutting and you need to be able to get in to tight spots.

Do not expect 'super tight' square corners!!!

Go for it!!!!  Portraits are fun...but LOTS of blade changes from hole to hole!

~~~GrayBEard~~~

[DWSudekum]

Depending on your saw you might find that cutting with a spiral cuts better in one direction than the others.  Mine seems to do that with spirals.  I agree with GB spirals tend to make fuzzies even the newer reverse ones.  I suggest that you try something easy to get the feel of working with a spiral blade.  It will handle a bit diffrent than a flat blade.

DW

[julief]

Ditto on the FD new spiral.  When I started, I bought several sizes of spirals.  I have replaced only one size - the 2/0.  All the bigger blades leave such a large kerf.  I bought the bigger ones because the instructions on one of my pattern called for a #3.  What a liar that pattern maker was.  Years later, after seeing his work, I knew he was not following his own instructions.

[Russ C]

I use spiral blades on portraits for some areas. But I still rely on the flat blade more. 

[GrayBeard]

Thanks Russ...
 I have found that I am doing the "Spiral/Flat/Spiral Tango" myself!

~~~GB~~~

[Reaper]

Thanks guys.I think I am going to try the FD new spiral in a size 2/0 to start.Since I never used one before I don't have anything to compare it to. Dave

[Judy Hunter]

Ok , I gotta ask, since I use nothing but spirals, has anyone ever compared one brand to another kerf wise?
Aren't all 2/0's supposed to be the same? Yet I find there is a difference in the kerf between two different brands.

[dgman]

Judy, I have never compared kerf sizes between different brands. But I do know that the sizes of one brand is not necessarily the same size as the next brand. So you have to figure this out on your own.
I find that FD flat blades are larger than Olsen blades marked the same size.

[Judy Hunter]

Thanks,DG I thought maybe it was just me.  But I find the FD spirals cut just a bit wider kerf than the galaxy.

[julief]

Judy,  I have tried both Olson and Flying Dutchman on the same project.  The kerf is just about the same but the FDNS leaves less fuzzies.