Cutting Portraits.... :+}

[Danny]

Well I have been Scrolling for many years and have  big inventory or various portraits.
Can remember way, way back yonder with the leaning times.  I have learned and have always used 1/4" stock.  Always cut stack of two.  Finished cutting a portrait of my Mother last month and wanted to have copies for sister n brothers and myself, so I used 1/8" BB.  All FOUR copies came out OUTSTANDING.  Of course its due to using Flying Dutchman Blades.  Yea!  My Question....  What is the preference among everyone on this subject?                   Danny  :+}

P.S.  Oh yea....  In my feelings I think the 1/8 BB looks much better when framed than
        any of the portraits I have used the 1/4 BB. 

[GrayBeard]

Dan...my blade of choice is the FD New Spiral 2/0....
I love them for portrait work.

~~~GB~~~

[dgman]

I agree with you Danny. Four layers of Baltic Birch. I make sure the table is perpendicular to the blade, and all four layers come out perfectly.
Unfortunately, I still have not been able to master spirals like GB, So I use mostly Olsen 2/0R blades. I use FD UR1 for the larger areas but the 2/0 blades work good for me for the small detail areas.

[daliclimbs]

Thickness will often depend on the subject and the recipient. Sometimes I like to use 1/4 on projects that I feel need a little definition. But I always stack cut! 4 deep for 1/8" and 2 for 1/4". I generally use FD spirals but on smaller portraits I like to use FD ultra #1. I can effectively use spirals but when I can I would much rather use ultra reverse for good crisp lines. Then I finish with BLO and a final finish of deft.

[Keefie]

like dg, I use mainly FD UR #1 blades as I cannot get on with spirals (you cant get a crisp point/corner with a spiral) for really small areas I also use the Olsen 2/0 R blades, as you can see by the pictures I can get some nice cuts with those blades.

[rob roy]

Hi Keefie. Those are two beautiful pieces of work,you must have the patience of a saint. Thanks for showing them.
Rob Roy.

[Barry]

I prefer the 1/8 BB over the 1/4.  And I usually use a FD UR#1.  The most I have stacked is three.  As dg said make sure your blade is at 90 degrees.

I have never got the feel for using spiral blades.  There are certain patterns that seem to require them.  I sometimes have to adjust the pattern to fit my skill level.  I have been scrolling for some time and consider myself a decent scroller.  But spirals just frustrate me and I am all about a relaxing hobby. 

Barry   

[julief]

FD new spiral for me.  I only use the 2/0 size. 

[edward]

 I use FD 2/0 for all my portraits, can't get use to spiral.  Edward

[maritimer]

I use 1/8" oak ply and stack cut 4-5 and use Olsen 2/OR.  I have some spiral blades but haven't tried them yet...it's to find the time to have a practise day! 

[countryscroller]

Since I got my my Dewalt 788 blade change in and out was so simple that I became hooked on doing a lot of portraits. My blade of choice is the #3 SR. 

[ChuckD]

On portraits you do not have to be stuck using only one kind of blades.  I have used 2/0 spirals, # 5 new spirals, #3 UR, and #7 UR all on the same portraits.  All Flying Dutchman of course.  Here is one I used all four on.

[countryscroller]

Great portrait Chuck!

[BigPete]

I am with GB on this one as i mostly use FD new spiral 2/0  ! some of my portraits are quite big so it would be impossible to use anything else ! I do agree with Keefie about not being able to get a crisp point / corner with a spiral but if he would like to let me know where he got the owl pattern i will cut it with a spiral and post it as i think you could also do it justice with a spiral:D
Great cuttings Keefie and also ChuckD Really awesome ...Pete

[Keefie]

Thanks for the comments Pete. The owl pattern is "BI068 Elf owl" and I got it from Sue Mey "Scrollsawartist" hope that helps.