djhwoodwerks Posted February 9, 2017 Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 I was looking at spiral blades on the Wooden Teddy Bear site, what are the differences between the FD NEW spiral blades, FD spiral blades and the FD spiral reverse blades? Is one better than the other? Which one would you purchase? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrolling Steve Posted February 9, 2017 Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 DJ , Blades are such a personal choice that it is always hard to say this blade or that blade is better.......I use a lot of the FD new spiral blades.....they are my go to spiral blade when doing portraits .......I find that they are easier to control.....The great thing about spiral blades is they cut in any direction, The worst thing is they cut in any direction....Control is important !....Don't know if this helps any or not ,just my two cents.....Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TripleJScroller Posted February 9, 2017 Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 I've been using the FD New Spirals for a long time and they work great for me. I'm not sure the differences in them though since I've really only used the FD New Spiral. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomsteve Posted February 9, 2017 Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 this should be interesting as id like to know the difference myself. haven't ordered spirals in a while and gonna have to order some soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted February 9, 2017 Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 (edited) I've never even knew there were three kinds. I have always use the "New Spiral Blades". And even though I have purchased several sizes, I use the 3/0 99% of the time. There is also the "Flat End" ones that do not really have flat ends. I would thing the reverse ones would have some reverse teeth? Edited February 9, 2017 by Scrappile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted February 9, 2017 Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 Blades are a personal but you need to try them before that happens. What is perfect for one I a pain for another. I like the flat ends because they seem to not break as often for me. I also like the 3/0? But only for the really small areas otherwise I like the number one Blades. Bigger ones are too raspy for me. I don't like all the clean up that is left. I would order a dozen of several kinds and figure it out with trial and error Dick heppnerguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill WIlson Posted February 9, 2017 Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 Well, just reading the descriptions on mikesworkshop.com indicates that New Spirals are easier to control and give a cleaner cut. Sounds good to me and knowing nothing else, I would probably start there and pass on the regular spiral blades. As for spiral reverse, they have some reverse teeth, which in theory should help minimize tear out on the back side of the wood. You left out flat end spirals. As the name implies, they have ends that are flat, making them easier to get clamped in the saw. Not all of the varieties come in the full range of sizes, so that may be a determining factor in deciding which one to use. I don't use a lot of spiral blades, so I can't necessarily make a recommendation on which is best. I like the flat end spirals, because twisted ends can be a pain to get clamped properly. However the last ones I ordered were new spirals, because I needed smaller sizes that weren't available in the flat end style. I'd be interested to hear someone's review of reverse spirals, because the "fuzzies" that are so characteristic of spiral blades are a vexation to scrollers. tomsteve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim McDonald Posted February 9, 2017 Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 I have used the spiral reverse blades and they seem to help SOME with the fuzzies. Can't say they are as clean as an ultra-reverse, but they are better than "old school" spirals. tomsteve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustLarry Posted February 9, 2017 Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 (edited) If My memory is correct and if I understand what I just looked up: Spiral Blades came first and are pretty much a flat blade that has been twisted into a spiral. Pretty much needed to use pliers to un-twist the end to get it to stay in the holders. hard to control - hard to get into holder but the best there was at the time. The Flat End Spiral was brought out (The flat end spiral - as stated above is not really flat. It is close to half spiral and half flat making it easier to get ready to place in the holders.) To bring about better control, The New Spiral Blade was developed several years ago and has teeth on both sides of the blade - a flat blade with teeth on both sides and twisted into a spiral. better control. Still has some twist on the ends. Sometimes I flatten the ends some and sometimes I put them in right out of the package. Spiral Reverse is latest design of the spiral. - spiral blades for all around cutting with reverse teeth on the bottom for a close to sand free finish. These just caught my interest. I use the new spiral. Have not tried the spiral reverse but will have to give them a try. Larry Added after initial posting: Bill and Jim made their posts as I was putting my thoughts on paper ( I could almost wear out a new spiral in the time it took me to get this post ready.) Edited February 9, 2017 by JustLarry tomsteve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Scroller Posted February 9, 2017 Report Share Posted February 9, 2017 I hate spirals! Not much help am I Dad. Roly tomsteve and Karl S 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodduck Posted February 10, 2017 Report Share Posted February 10, 2017 I use the new spirals & any fuzzies are taken care of with a gas torch.on a low setting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted February 10, 2017 Report Share Posted February 10, 2017 If My memory is correct and if I understand what I just looked up: Spiral Blades came first and are pretty much a flat blade that has been twisted into a spiral. Pretty much needed to use pliers to un-twist the end to get it to stay in the holders. hard to control - hard to get into holder but the best there was at the time. The Flat End Spiral was brought out (The flat end spiral - as stated above is not really flat. It is close to half spiral and half flat making it easier to get ready to place in the holders.) To bring about better control, The New Spiral Blade was developed several years ago and has teeth on both sides of the blade - a flat blade with teeth on both sides and twisted into a spiral. better control. Still has some twist on the ends. Sometimes I flatten the ends some and sometimes I put them in right out of the package. Spiral Reverse is latest design of the spiral. - spiral blades for all around cutting with reverse teeth on the bottom for a close to sand free finish. These just caught my interest. I use the new spiral. Have not tried the spiral reverse but will have to give them a try. Larry Added after initial posting: Bill and Jim made their posts as I was putting my thoughts on paper ( I could almost wear out a new spiral in the time it took me to get this post ready.) i agree about the spirals now lasting long.Maybe in part it takes a softer steel to spin them into a spiral? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Johnson Posted February 10, 2017 Report Share Posted February 10, 2017 I still like the regular spirals for what I do. I have used the New spirals and they seem more aggressive plus the cut seems to be a tad wider? Never used the reversed spirals yet! djhwoodwerks 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharleyL Posted February 10, 2017 Report Share Posted February 10, 2017 I'm not a spiral blade lover, but I do use them occasionally when cutting very small detail areas in fretwork. The new spiral reverse is what I've been using lately, and they are a definite improvement over earlier spirals that I've used. Charley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don watson Posted February 10, 2017 Report Share Posted February 10, 2017 Not a great fan of spirals. I usually finish fuzzies with a blow torch then into the log burner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkey Posted February 10, 2017 Report Share Posted February 10, 2017 I have been using the FD new 3/0 spirals for a few years now. They are very small and will cut great detail. They are my go to blade for fretwork. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djhwoodwerks Posted February 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2017 Thanks for the opinions! I have used the New spiral blades many times, cutting portraits. I was looking at the spirals on Wooden Teddy bear and the New spirals are supposed to have teeth on both sides of the blade, and twisted. I haven't used any other type of spiral, so I was wondering if they were just as good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djhwoodwerks Posted February 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2017 I still like the regular spirals for what I do. I have used the New spirals and they seem more aggressive plus the cut seems to be a tad wider? Never used the reversed spirals yet! I agree that the New spirals are aggressive, but have never used any other type to know the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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