jbrowning Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 So I'm having a slow day here at work and have been pondering some things. I was wondering if maybe the forum folks to help me out on. First question: I have a friend who is wanting me to make her a plaque with her last name on it along with her 3 children's first name. I am thinking her last name in the background and then her children's names in the front. I'm not sure what that is called. I worked on it a little bit last night but didn't like the looks of the last night because it looked to masculine. I'm sure it is the font (times new roman) that I am using. Does anyone have any input on this? I don't know what wood I'm going to use and she really doesn't have a preference. Second question: How long does your blade last on your saw? I know this is a pretty vague question. I heard someone saying they normally changed their blades after about 30 minutes of cutting. I'm just wondering if this is the norm. Also how do I know it is time to replace the blade? Thanks Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjR Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 I have very good blade life--- the reason is -- I use old candles to wax the blade and then cover most of the things I am cutting with clear packing tape! - put my patterns on the tape and go! Also slowing down the movement of the wood in the turns and not running HIGH speed on the blades also helps. I also use old (mainly white ) candles as a hard wipe on my tables when I am too lazy too do the paste wax thing for a short term help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredfret Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 I chang e the blade when I have to push a little harder to feed the work into it OR it just does not want to follow the line. I have blades last 10 min to 2 hr. Cutting 1/2" pine maybe 1 hr. Cutting 1/4 in Baltic Birch Plywood 20-30 minIt demands of the design also effect blade life a very detailed item with a lot of sharp turns will shorten blade life faster than cutting a long circle or the outside od a large project. Change blades often as they are a lot cheaper than most hardwoods and designer firewood is not a big seller at any show i've been to. Fredfret Wichita, ks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Jim, The sign you are asking about is called intersecting word art and you can find detailed tutorial on it if you scroll down in the 'forum' to the section entitled. 'Pattern making'. Then scroll down to 'word art intersecting word art in Inkscape '. There you will find an easy to follow tutorial Where you can easily discover how to make these kinds of signs. If you would rather have some else make one for you all you need to do is ask and you will have one or probably more within the day. I suggest that you take a little while and learn it so you can make whatever you want whenever you desire one . As far as how long the blade lasts....every blade is different and the type and thickness of the wood had an effect on the blade. So there really is no set time for how long each blade will last. When you discover that you are having to force your blade to make cuts or you can smell your wood starting to scorch, it is time to change. A dull blade can easily ruin a piece you may have been cutting on for a long time. Trying to get as much out of each blade is a new cutters mistake. If you feel the blade is doing the cutting and you are not having to apply a lot of effort to get through your cuts, you are probably ok. As soon as you change your blade you will notice the difference and this will help you understand what I am trying to explain to you. Thanks for your questions. I hope I have helped you some. Dick heppnerguy Dave Monk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry1939 Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Jim, Do you mean a "hang on the wall" plaque or a sign that sets on a base. I could work on something for you. Would need names. On a different note, I made a trivet pattern with our last name in the middle & first names around the perimeter, along with other designs in it. Might give your friend a different idea. jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry1939 Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Jim, Me again. I found my trivet pattern. jerry herold trivet.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Here's an example of intersecting word art. I used Travis' tutorial to figure out how to do it. As for the blade question, I think everyone has their way to figure it out. I use to go through blades a lot but something, not sure what, changed and now they seem to last a lot longer. I know if the blade breaks or doesn't cut I replace it. tomsteve and Dave Monk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 I get long use out of my blades, I very seldom run faster than a 5 on my DW 788. I get some where between 40 minutes and 1 1/25 hours per blade and i cut a lot of hard woods like walnut and cherry. I use nothing but Olson's blades and if I use the crown blades I usually get about 30% ore life. tomsteve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatie Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 My usual method for working out if I need a new blade is...... if it breaks change it.. I know I should do it sooner but I get so involved with what I'm doing I forget. Marg LarryEA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 My usual method for working out if I need a new blade is...... if it breaks change it.. I know I should do it sooner but I get so involved with what I'm doing I forget. Marg Me too Marg. If it is still cutting.....don't stop wombatie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 So I'm having a slow day here at work and have been pondering some things. I was wondering if maybe the forum folks to help me out on. First question: I have a friend who is wanting me to make her a plaque with her last name on it along with her 3 children's first name. I am thinking her last name in the background and then her children's names in the front. I'm not sure what that is called. I worked on it a little bit last night but didn't like the looks of the last night because it looked to masculine. I'm sure it is the font (times new roman) that I am using. Does anyone have any input on this? I don't know what wood I'm going to use and she really doesn't have a preference. Second question: How long does your blade last on your saw? I know this is a pretty vague question. I heard someone saying they normally changed their blades after about 30 minutes of cutting. I'm just wondering if this is the norm. Also how do I know it is time to replace the blade? Thanks Jim I've had blades last hours and hours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomsteve Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 (edited) if i was cuttin balsawood id get hoursandhoursandhours of use from a blade. switch that to purpleheart and i get about 20 minutes MAYBE. blade life has a few factors. i can cut quite long with a #5ur fd in 3/4". but that blade in a 6 high stack of 1/8" bb ply doesnt last too long. Edited January 14, 2016 by tomsteve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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