olsen or flying dutchman?

[Waddawood]

I've never tried Olsen blades...where do you get them?  I do like Mike's customer service and the blades, but haven't tried the other brand to compare.  Where do I get Olsen blades? Do they have flat ended spirals?

[Bill Wilson]

I use both, but primarily Olson. 

Mike's customer service is legendary among scrollers but I've never had any complaints about the service I've gotten from Sloan's. 

[joey65746]

Charlie Dearing you can get olsen blades from ace hardwhere  and there are a few places online to get them but pozsgaidesigns.com  is a great place to get them frank will help you out and get them to you fast. his service is top notch and he has a part to convert the rbi saw to use the dleta quick set2 blade holder that is great
    i also use bouth blades i am likeing the ultra reverse blades from flying dutchmen

[Spartan scroller]

While I was on vacation in Tennesee this summer I visited an old production cutter in the Smokies.  This guy was a real pro and I wanted to pick his brain for a while and learn some things from the grizzled old scroller.  First thing he asked is "What kinda saw ya got?"  I told him Dewalt 788 and he stuck up his nose and shook his head like I had just passed gas in front of him. He, of course, uses and Excaliber.  Next he asked what kind of blades I used.  I told him "mostly flying ducthman".  Again the same reaction. "no d..mn good".  All right what do you use? He never told me the brand but says he gets them from Judy Gale Roberts (the intarsia artist).  He likes them because you can bend them double and they don't break "like dem Dutchman or Olie blades"! I took away the moral that "Any thin youse use is crap. And any thin ah uses is GOLD!"  So it all comes down to personal preference...doesn't it?

Regards,
Terry
terrysscrollshoppe.blogspot.comterrysscrollshoppe.com

[dgman]

One thing you will never hear me say is "mine is better than yours". As a scroll saw instructor I tell my students what works for me may not work for you. It is a matter of preference. I encourage people to try different blade brands and blade types and pick what works for you. As I posted earlier, I use both Flying Dutchman and Olsen's because neither brand does what I need in a blade. There are times when I use both brands on the same project!

[campasano]

I use both and have no preference. They both work for me.

Mike

[scott312]

I just ordered my first FD Blades 2 days ago. I had just gotten my first Scroll Saw last Friday. I think I'm using Olsen. I have never had a blade brake before.I did snag wood twice and spill coffee 4 times.

[tux_linux]

you will have breaking blades Scott.
It still shocks me when the blade breaks and the saw gets loud. But I got used to it and do not jump away any more

[Judy Hunter]

  Spartan Scroller.....I loved your story and I have met people like that  Thanks for my morning chuckle.

[GrayBeard]

Judy H turned me on... OH, to Galaxy spirals that is!

I ordered and tried a few dozen...the 2/0 sure don't like my 'tension' settings! Had to scale way back but finally got the hang of them. Finer kerf than the FD NS 2/0 but way more aggressive...learning curve for me.
Still do most of my portrait stuff with the FD's and use both FD and Olson for general work.

As stated...I use what works best for the situation!

~~~GB~~~

[cameronj]

I use Olson.
Jim

[scott312]

you will have breaking blades Scott.

I'm sure I will. I have worked in a machine shop for years and that helps on my feed and speed rate ) a little.
My fingers send info to my little brain on vibrations they are picking up to let me know whats going on next to the blade.

Thank you for the reply : )

[Judy Hunter]

hey GB glad I turned you on  Thought my selinoid was shot a long time ago. 
I use nothing but Galaxy spirals because of the finer kerf for my puzzles

[Barry]

I use both, but use the FD more.  I like ordering from Mike.  His customer service is first rate, with a good selection and price.

Barry

[Marshall]

I use both FD and Olson , perfer FD over the Olson ...........