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Thread: Spiral blades ?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Bomaderry NSW
    Posts
    67

    Default Spiral blades ?

    I have been an habitue of the metalworkers forum on here for some time. Thanks to the woodworkers for providing the forum. My 8 year old grand daughter, who is a very crafty, hands on type of girl has discovered what a scroll saw can do so now she is hot to trot to see where this will take her. I launched us into the scrollers world with a second hand $50 HAFCO 2 speed saw which is pretty basic but it makes dust so we are away at least. We are going to cut out some fairies or butterflies tomorrow night and while she is getting more and more confident with the saw (under strict one on one supervision of course) she does get a bit frustrated (shes a red head) when she isnt able to turn out some of the stuff you guys have taken years to learn, first go. I have seen some spiral blades on the internet and I am aware they make a bigger kerf (?) she would be perhaps better off not having to turn the job so much. Advice appreciated gents.


    regards

    Old Hutcho

    ps: it sure is a lot of fun.

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 1999
    Location
    Grovedale, Victoria Australia
    Age
    65
    Posts
    3,892

    Default

    Spiral blades do allow you to move the peice around the saw with ease but take a bit more getting used to as they can be a bit aggresive for some.

    They only come pinless so not sure if your saw can take pinned or pinless blades.

    Another one of those blades where you eith love them or hate them.
    Jim Carroll
    One Good Turn Deserves Another. CWS, Vicmarc, Robert Sorby, Woodcut, Tormek, Woodfast
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  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Washington State, USA
    Posts
    455

    Default

    I find spiral blades easier. But like said above, they take some getting use to and I would say most scrollers do not use them. It is well worth a try, for fret work like portraits or pictures. I do not know how they work for cutting things like names or things that like sit on a desk. I think they call that word art.

    The disadvantages to spirals is they create more sawdust, you can't cut a sharp pointed corner, they do not cut as clean as a straight blade and I think they cause more "chipout" on the back of the piece. I use a sacrificial piece on the bottom of a stack.

    With the portrait type cutting I only use spiral blades and specifically the Flying Dutchman 3/0 New Spiral blade.

    There is definitely advantages and disadvantages to both types of blades, and a person would be better off if they could use both. My advice would be to have your granddaughter stay with straight blades until she is comfortable/proficient with them and then try spiral blades. Just my opinion.
    Paul
    S.E. Washington State, U.S.A.

    My scrolling: https://imgur.com/a/f2Fj8

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Bomaderry NSW
    Posts
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    Default

    OK guys, I appreciate the advice. We just might persevere with the straight blades and see how good we get. I have to say that we are both enjoying the journey.

    Regards

    Old Hutcho

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Perth W.A
    Posts
    720

    Default

    Hi I have tried them a number of years ago for marquetry cutting but didn't like them.
    Wouldn't really recommend them although they do have their uses.
    The straight blades are better and you get the practice to master steering the workpiece around.

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