Spiral Blade Question

[IBMer]

I just started using Spiral Saw Blades to cut portraits.     I've noticed that I tend to break a lot of them when I tighten down my blade clamps.  This is on my Dewalt 788 saw.

Is there a specific way they should be mounted in the saw?   I make sure the teeth are pointing upwards.   I tried to not tighten the screws as much, but this allows the blades to slip out.  

Is there a trick?  Shame they don't make them so that with a flat area for the set screw to grab.    I'm using Olson brand blades.  Are they all made like this, with the spiral all the way through the mounting area?  Or are some made with the the clamping area smooth rather than spiral?

John

[newfie]

not to use to using spirals but i think the teeth should be pointing down not upwards.as for breaking them when tighten them up.

[dgman]

Hey John, Todd is right, the blade mounts with the teeth pointing down! As for breaking, some folks use a pair of pliers to straighten the ends, others use a hammer. Talk to Mike of Mikes workshop. He sells flat end spirals that a lot of folks like: www.mikesworkshop.com

[thumbs]

I always wear garlic around my neck when I try spirals-- they're from the dark side of the force. now where is my silver bullet --Richard

[Old Crow]

John, I use Flying Dutchman flat end spirals almost exclusively and really like them. I get them from Mike. Make sure your teeth are pointing downward, use a good speed I use at least the 6 setting on my Delta. Don't force the wood into the blade, let the saw do the work. Maintain a good downward pressure on your work. I stack cut at least 3 and usually 4 pieces of 1/8 inch BB and use mostly #1 size blade. I break very few. Mike also has a 3/0 New Spiral which cuts very nicely for finer work.
Hope this helps
Don R

[EIEIO]

My Porter-Cable broke spirals when tightening them, so I never used them. I tried an Olsen spiral in my EX-21 and it worked just fine. I broke one while cutting, but it got through 100+ cuts before braking, and it broke in the center (teeth area).

Make sure the set screw in the blade clamp is not back in the thread area -  that lets the thumb screw bend the blade when tightened. On the EX-21 I added Blue Loctite to hold both set screws in place, with the blade held at center-clamp.

[IBMer]

Sorry, that was a typo, I meant to say the teeth are pointed down..       So the FD mounting area is straight?  No spiral where it contacts the hold down screws?   That makes more sense to me.   I'll touch base with Mister Flying Dutchman ;-)


This is my second Portrait ever.  Old Crow did the pattern, and I made a few minor changes to the nose and mouth, added the date.  I plan to send this to my father for his birthday next week.  It's him holding me when I was a couple weeks old.   This was actually my first passport picture ;-)

[Becky]

Great job on your firts portrait! 

[IBMer]

Just ordered 8 dozen FD Spiral Flat/End Scrollsaw Blades, No1 and No3's     I'm sure this will help address my issue with the blades breaking where the clamps pinch down.  

The Olson blades seem to be of decent quality, but the spiral runs the entire length.  When I clamp down, they break off right where the set screws clamp down.  Doesn't seem logical that the ends are also spiral rather than flat.     Doesn't seem like it would cost them more to make, but who knows.

John

[Old Crow]

John, If they are breaking at the clamp, make sure that the set screw on the opposite side of the clamp to the thumb screw is flush with the jaw otherwise the blades will bend and break at that point.
Don R

[ShadowB6]

I can't add anything that Old Crow and EIEIO haven't said already. What they said is exactly what I do. I use spirals exclusively for portraits now that I've got quite used to them. Nothing but Flying Dutchman flat end blades for me. The slightly extra higher price is more than worth it. I believe i broke 2 or 3 blades so far but I have done 5 portraits so far all stack cut at 3 pieces. My last one had 246 holes and it was completed with 2 blades. And there's still some life in the second blade.

[ChuckD]

I use FD spirals quite a bit.  I have a tap hammer and a small anvil on my workbench while using them.  A couple of light taps will flatten out enough of the blade to fit the clamp.  Eyeball them to twist the blade  to match the flattened ends.  Takes longer to tell it than do it.  Make sure you don't beat on the blade to much or you will weaken it.  Good luck