Which Blades

[edward]

I was just wondering which blades everyone uses for making sharp turns in 3/4" popular. I been using FD#1 and the blades dont last long I go through them like crazy. Tried #3 and 5, but cant make sharp turns. Just wondering   edward

[Lucky2]

Edward, I don't know what's causing your issue, I can make sharp turns with a #3 blade. I can make a fairly sharp turn/corner with a #5 blade also, it's just that I cut in a different fashion with the larger blade.

Len

[Scrolling Steve]

Edward, I don't know what's causing your issue, I can make sharp turns with a #3 blade. I can make a fairly sharp turn/corner with a #5 blade also, it's just that I cut in a different fashion with the larger blade.

Len

My experience is the same as lucky's ....using FDUR #3&5.

[dgman]

If you know the proper technique Edward, you can make a sharp turn, outside or inside turns, with any flat blade.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I agree with the others. I use a #5 blade all the time in woods up to 3/4" The key to making sharp turns is to stop cutting when turning. You go into the corner and back off ever so slightly so the blade is no longer cutting and then spin the wood and continue on. It is a bit of a learning curve but easily learned. The more you do it the more you do not even think about it. 

[SCROLLSAW703]

there shouldn't be any reason why you can't turn sharp with a #3 or #5 in 3/4" lumber. Using a #1 blade in thicker material than a 1/4" is just a waste of time & blades. My advice would be to cut up to your corner, stop, back up, & make a wide turn into your waste until you get the turning figured out. When you cut out into your waste, you can cut similar to a circle, & cut back to your corner. Once your waste that you've just cut falls out, spin your project, & pick back up at the the corner you left off at, & keep cutting. Make sense? 

 

Or, as mentioned, you can cut up to the corner, keep cuttin', & slowly turn the project til your blade lines up in the next cut. 

 

The bigger the blade, the less sharp of a turn you'll make. As a rule. Experience proves that theory wrong. The bigger the blade, the more tension you'll want. If your blade turns when your project turns, you don't have enough tension on the blade. Therefore, breaking the blade. There are several ways to learn to cut a sharp corner. Most of it comes with practice. practice. practice. Stay with it, keep asking questions. You'll get it figured out. God Bless!

[hawkeye10]

I was just wondering which blades everyone uses for making sharp turns in 3/4" popular. I been using FD#1 and the blades dont last long I go through them like crazy. Tried #3 and 5, but cant make sharp turns. Just wondering   edward

I have a problem making sharp turns too. I guess we need to practice more. 

[ike]

you can make a sharp turn with any flat blade  FE or olson's.

IKE

[edward]

I am aware of the technique on making sharp turns, I was just curious on which blades everyone uses, I  don't use 3/4 wood to often I usually stick to the 1/4"and 1/2".  edward

[dgman]

I am aware of the technique on making sharp turns, I was just curious on which blades everyone uses, I don't use 3/4 wood to often I usually stick to the 1/4"and 1/2". edward

Edward, when I teach new students, I start with 3/4" pine and an Olson #5 skip tooth blade, but at home, I would use an FD UR #5. 3/4" poplar is not very hard, so #5 should do you well.

Edited October 9, 2016 by dgman

[WayneMahler]

I have been making sharp turns with #5 and #7 blades. All are FD-UR with not many issues. It has a lot to do about you how you approach it. Time and experimentation works very well. Meaning if you have room to make a secondary cut in thicker wood so you can turn into a corner and keep it sharp. Wished I had a better way to describe it. 

[lawson56]

Never used polar,but with white pine,I never did have a problem,I use #5 FD,Now #2.I recently changed to 1/4 stock.wish I could be of more help.

[amazingkevin]

I was just wondering which blades everyone uses for making sharp turns in 3/4" popular. I been using FD#1 and the blades dont last long I go through them like crazy. Tried #3 and 5, but cant make sharp turns. Just wondering   edward

That's a pretty small blade for 3/4":eats up quick an no place for the heat to go.I can use any blade ,you just have to hollow out the turn.