the 2/0 blade

[rljohn56]

is it just me or should the 2/0 blade be nicknamed the blade from hell!  I have no problem cutting with everything down to 2, but the 2/0 blade is like i'm just learning to cut again!  I've tried it at different speeds and it is still hard for me to work it. To those that can cut with it effectively, you are who i aspire to be!  lol

[hawkeye10]

Some woods are harder to cut than others like oak and some say pine. There was a thread on here about ash being hard to cut. Also you can't get a 2/0 blade as tight as bigger blades (it will break) and you could be feeding it to fast. There are all kind of reasons to consider. If you could get by with a bigger blade that might help. 

 

Merry Christmas

[LarryEA]

Merry Christmas

[Rolf]

It depends on who's 2/0  The Olson 2/0 is very easy to control the FD 2/0 not so easy. The Olson has bias to cut to the side, as many blades do, so you need to compensate for that.

I have not tried the Pegas 2/0 

The Olson 2/0 reverse has 28 Teeth per inch (TPI)

The Flying dutchman in comparison  Has 15 TPI making it a much more aggressive blade.

 

I hope this helps a bit. No matter what blade you use they all have a bit of a learning curve. 

 

I have been using the Olson 2/0 for about 11 years 

Edited December 19, 2016 by Rolf

[rljohn56]

yeah, i have the FD 2/0.  my problem is making finite turns. even trying to back the blade up into the wood to make the turn it's like the blade still won't turn for me.   i'm cutting baltic birch 1/4. I haven't been cutting that long so i know I've got the learning curve, but this blade size is my bane as far as the other blades go.  all my blades are FD.  does anyone use spiral blades for tighter cuts?  i understand there is an even greater learning curve for those!   

[dgman]

I have a lot of experience cutting on a scroll saw. Have used Olson brand 2/0 skip tooth and Reverse skip tooth blades with great success, but when I tried FD Scroll Reverse 2/0 blades I could not control them no matter what I tried! I finally gave them away.

[Bill WIlson]

My one and only experience with FD 2/0 blades was much like Dan's.  Subsequently,I developed a bias toward Olson blades and avoided FD blades, in general, for a long time.  This was only to my own detriment, because all other FD blades that I've used since have been excellent and I'm becoming a late convert.  I have no idea why the FD 2/0 are so cantankerous, but I have no reason to believe I'll ever try them again.  I get consistently predictable results with the Olson 2/0, so I'll be sticking with them.

[Blaughn]

I, too, struggled with the FD SR 2/0.  It made me feel like I was starting all over again.  Based on some "sage" advice, I switched to the Olson 2/0 and found it to be much easier to control.  The Pegis 2/0 Skip Tooth cuts faster than the Olson and is a bit nimbler but still controllable.

 

I think the FD 2/0 may be the nimblest of the 2/0 blades available but it is not for the "still learning" scroller.

[amazingkevin]

is it just me or should the 2/0 blade be nicknamed the blade from hell!  I have no problem cutting with everything down to 2, but the 2/0 blade is like i'm just learning to cut again!  I've tried it at different speeds and it is still hard for me to work it. To those that can cut with it effectively, you are who i aspire to be!  lol

you have my curiousity now,im sure someone has donated some to me ,now i can't wait to try the infamous blades!

[Rolf]

While I was still working I took a look at the Olson and the FD under a microscope to try and get an idea why I was having issues with the FD blades. 

If I remember correctly looking at the side of the blades the Olson tooth depth (gullet) seems to be about 50% of the blade. The FD was shallower. The blade wants to go straight In a bit of a larger arc, so when you want a sharp corner there is a lag as the blade catches up. The Olson blade turns almost immediately.  But it cuts slower because of more teeth,

Physically the FD #1 is closer to the Olson 2/0 except it also has less teeth per inch. 15 vs 28

I will try and find my pictures.

[Sparkey]

yeah, i have the FD 2/0.  my problem is making finite turns. even trying to back the blade up into the wood to make the turn it's like the blade still won't turn for me.   i'm cutting baltic birch 1/4. I haven't been cutting that long so i know I've got the learning curve, but this blade size is my bane as far as the other blades go.  all my blades are FD.  does anyone use spiral blades for tighter cuts?  i understand there is an even greater learning curve for those!

 

I use the FD new 3/0 spiral for all of my fretwork. Plywood stacked to 3/4 inch and hardwood up to 3/8 inch thick. They are my favorite blade.

[Rolf]

I had a long talk with Mike from FD regarding the 2/0 and even he had trouble with them. At that time (several years ago) he suggested I use the #1 instead. 

After the holidays I am going to order an assortment of Pegas, and FD blades in the 2/0 range and see if I like any of them better now that I am a bit better at scrolling.

At least I think I am after 12 years.

[rljohn56]

thanks everyone for chiming in on the infamous 2/0 blade.  lol  Not only did i learn i wasn't the only one battling the blade from hell; i also learned more about blades in general, but the best part was being part of the community!  Merry Christmas everyone!! Ray

 

[Rolf]

Merry Christmas to you also Ray. Hope Santa is good to all. I should get enough coal to heat the house for a while.

That is what these communities are all about. Shared talent, knowledge and experience. 

I was lucky to have a local club as the net was not as available as it is now. 

Edited December 24, 2016 by Rolf

[rljohn56]

The 2/0 blade update: i just finished some tight cutting using an Olson 2/0 blade.....oh, yeah, baby!  much easier to cut with than the FD 2/0 blade.  Since i enjoy everyone's input i have a question about spiral blades...who has worked with these and what is the consensus? my personal take is that they are extremely messy.  the kerf they make even at 2/0 seems to be a bigger kerf than a 2/0 skip tooth or reverse blade would make. U definitely can't sneeze or look away for a second or you have cut into something you hadn't planned on.  lol

[DukeNukem]

I'm not sure if this will help but the only time I use straight blades is the puzzle blades other than that I use the spiral 2/0 and 3/0 spirals is you can use them you never have to worry about turning. Jerry

[NC Scroller]

The 2/0 blade update: i just finished some tight cutting using an Olson 2/0 blade.....oh, yeah, baby!  much easier to cut with than the FD 2/0 blade.  Since i enjoy everyone's input i have a question about spiral blades...who has worked with these and what is the consensus? my personal take is that they are extremely messy.  the kerf they make even at 2/0 seems to be a bigger kerf than a 2/0 skip tooth or reverse blade would make. U definitely can't sneeze or look away for a second or you have cut into something you hadn't planned on.  lol

This will get lots of replies.  Maybe more then the infamous top feeder vs bottom feeder discussions.  For many spirals are a love them or hate them proposition . They do not cut like a flat blade and it takes sometime learning to use them but so does  learning to use a flat blade.  Personally they are not my favorite but they do serve a purpose so I use them when I think the cut calls for it.  Yes they cut a wider kerf then a flat blade but sometimes a project needs that.    I use them the most when cutting pictures.  IMHO they are not good for puzzles, segmentation, or intarsia but others may disagree.

[Sparkey]

I use the FD new 3/0 spiral blades on just about everything. When cutting fretwork I stack three pieces of 1/4" plywood. After cutting a piece and taking it out it still fits in pretty tight. A little bit of sanding after it's cut and it's done. Not a lot to clean up after cutting with the spiral.

[danny]

Well I gotta put my 2 cents in..................FD-UR #1 BLADE IIS MY BLADE TO USE FOR 90% OF ALL MY CRAFTS UP TO 3/4".  Never cut any of the exotic Hard Woods.  Danny  :+}