NC Scroller Posted September 25, 2015 Report Share Posted September 25, 2015 I have a Charles Dearing horse pattern I am working on that really needs to be cut with spirals. I have tried on a DeWalt 788 and a Hawk VS226. I can maneuver with spirals and cut as I pretty much want. While I am making progress I am breaking blades, bending blades at the end and or they pop out of the blade holders. I have NO issues with flat blades of any type, brand or style. I am bound and determined to get this done. For those who work with spirals on a regular basis any tips or pointers? BTW, I have FD # 1 and #3 spirals as well as some FD New Spirals in the same size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted September 25, 2015 Report Share Posted September 25, 2015 (edited) Some people use a little hammer or something to flatten the ends. I do not do that but some do. I use the 3/0 size which is the smallest and have experienced bending of the ends occasionally and figure it is the nature of the beast. I think it happens when tightening on the edge of the blade. You can feel it happening and if I can I loosen and re-position the blade up or down a little. Helps sometimes. Edited September 25, 2015 by Scrappile Scrolling Steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrampaJim Posted September 25, 2015 Report Share Posted September 25, 2015 (edited) I agree with Scrappile. I use the 3/0 baldes the most. That size breaks more often than any other blade size I use, but that is the nature of that beast. Make sure you are drilling holes as large as the pattern will allow. Edited September 26, 2015 by GrampaJim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Posted September 25, 2015 Report Share Posted September 25, 2015 My experience is cutting slowwwwerrr with spirals let them do the work. I have a tendency to rush it and do what you do. Good luck. once you get the hang of it it is pretty nice on some cuttings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butch1008 Posted September 25, 2015 Report Share Posted September 25, 2015 (edited) hi scott what part of the blade breaks. the ends I flatten with pliers I use mainly Dutchman 2/0 and olson 2/0 I like to cut at faster speed than most but i don't push. and they dont break often. Edited September 25, 2015 by butch1008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrolling Steve Posted September 25, 2015 Report Share Posted September 25, 2015 Some people use a little hammer or something to flatten the ends. I do not do that but some do. I use the 3/0 size which is the smallest and have experienced bending of the ends occasionally and figure it is the nature of the beast. I think it happens when tightening on the edge of the blade. You can feel it happening and if I can I loosen and re-position the blade up or down a little. Helps sometimes. What Paul said is also my experience, I am cutting a Dearing right now using the FDNS 3/0 and after 24 or so blades have only broken one.....I have found that when a blade starts to dull and i have to push is when i get in trouble...I am using more blades but the project goes smoother......Good Luck !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted September 25, 2015 Report Share Posted September 25, 2015 The only Time that I see using spirals is when the job is too large for my DW 788 I have not came across that pattern yet and if I do I will skip it. I don't like spiral blades and I am too olk to learn. danny and sullyscroller 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Scroller Posted September 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2015 Thanks Guys for the help. I tried a few of your suggestions (flatten the ends and slowing the feed rate) and it seems to be helping. Scrolling Steve I think that is also part of my problem. I am pushing too hard when the blades dull and that is when I have breakage. I also found I have some FD NS 2/0 blades. I will also try using a smaller blade when I get back in the shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted September 26, 2015 Report Share Posted September 26, 2015 I have a Charles Dearing horse pattern I am working on that really needs to be cut with spirals. I have tried on a DeWalt 788 and a Hawk VS226. I can maneuver with spirals and cut as I pretty much want. While I am making progress I am breaking blades, bending blades at the end and or they pop out of the blade holders. I have NO issues with flat blades of any type, brand or style. I am bound and determined to get this done. For those who work with spirals on a regular basis any tips or pointers? BTW, I have FD # 1 and #3 spirals as well as some FD New Spirals in the same size. Keep the spirals extra tight, check often,push 3 times as slow as a straight blade and you be a master in no time ! spoth28, LarB and oneleggimp 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Scroller Posted September 26, 2015 Report Share Posted September 26, 2015 Help! I hate spirals. Lucky2 and sullyscroller 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky2 Posted September 27, 2015 Report Share Posted September 27, 2015 I hate them also Roly, I've never had much luck with them. I scroll for enjoyment, not to get frustrated, and that's what spiral blades do to me. Len Phantom Scroller and LarryEA 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TripleJScroller Posted September 28, 2015 Report Share Posted September 28, 2015 I work with spirals a lot and prefer to use the smallest blade possible (usually 3/0). I tend to break a lot of them if I'm stack cutting, and sometimes have to give in and go with a larger blade like a 1 or 3. Like others have said though with spirals you want to use as little force as possible when feeding the wood to the blade, a good blade should do the work for you. I also agree with Kevin, make sure your blade tension is good and tight. Mimi 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkey Posted October 2, 2015 Report Share Posted October 2, 2015 I only use the new FD 3/0 spirals. I don't do anything to the ends. I am running a DeWalt 788. I make sure the blade clamps are good and tight and tight tension. I also run the speed on 4 or a little under half speed. Gentle push on the wood, let the blade do the cutting. spoth28 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messman Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 Almost all the blades I use are spirals. Yea I know I am an odd ball But yes use a slower feed rate and make sure they have a nice tight tension on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 there you go. You have now heard from some of the experts with spiral blades. I too do not like spiral blades for several reasons but i do go to them from time to time, and I am getting more success as I do. I can not imagine ever using them as my ' go to blades", but who knows? I find myself doing new things all the time with scrolling.. Good luck with your spirals..One thing I learned on this thread is, it is not wise to push your spiral blade life time, change them often Dick heppnerguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 I don't hate spirals and I sometimes would like to be proficient with them. But not enough to buy a supply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Scroller Posted October 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 This is not the best pic but here is the results. I am very proud and happy to report it was cut totally with spiral blades. A first for me. Like I said I have used spirals on some patterns before but on only limited cuts. Will I throw away my flat blades, HELL NO. But I will be more comfortable in using spirals when I need to in the future. In case you missed it the designer is Charles Dearing. heppnerguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkey Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Very nice Scott. My problem is that I learned on spiral blades. I can't cut tight turns with a straight blade and can even cut a straight line better with a spiral so they are all I use for fretwork. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoth28 Posted October 6, 2015 Report Share Posted October 6, 2015 I use FD #1 & #3 pretty much exclusively. The thing with them is that even after you tighten that bugger till you have to use pliers it still will pop with wear and tear after a while. Patience is key Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwine Posted October 6, 2015 Report Share Posted October 6, 2015 Scott, you should be proud of yourself, that is a beautiful job on the cut!! I have only been scrolling for 10 years and had to learn on my own, but I started with the spiral blades, not knowing any better, and like the idea that you could cut large portraits that would fit on a 16 inch table without spinning the project! With that said, all of the comments made are true and the only thing I can add is to use all sides of the blade. By that I mean when you detect that the blade is dulling, don't just replace it, simple orientate your cut so that you will be using a different section of the blade. You will notice the difference as if it was a new blade. It works for me anyway! Erv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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