bowers25 Posted December 31, 2017 Report Share Posted December 31, 2017 I tried my hand today with the project below. My second time behind the scroll saw & I decided to try something with the spiral blades. It was a frustrating experience.........used 12 blades on this project.....most would break about an inch from the bottom. I did not purchase the higher end blades, which might have something to do with it.......I used (Bosch .023) from a big box store. Something I noticed was when I would finish a small section and moved to another section......sometimes the tension (after inserting the top portion of the blade) would be null........I would re-adjust the top of the blade again and the tension would be tight, however the blade would break during that cutting section. I tried several different tension levels and still the same issue. Any suggestions on what I was doing incorrect? Lucky2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iguanadon Posted December 31, 2017 Report Share Posted December 31, 2017 First of all, spiral blades are evil. Pure evil. :-) OK, not quite, but they are a challenge to cut with and there are several factors that could be involved with blades breaking... could be too small/fine of a blade, could be the clamps, could be the type of saw, etc, etc. Without knowing all the factors, if you don't have a problem with "regular" blades snapping, it's likely the blades that you were using. But again, that's only a guess with limited information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirithorse Posted December 31, 2017 Report Share Posted December 31, 2017 Tensioning spiral blades can be tough sometimes in itself. Make sure the ends of the blades are fitting into the blade clamps correctly which may make it necessary to twist the blades with two pair of pliars to make each end parallel to each other. Also wipe or sand the oil off the ends of the blades so they do not slide in the blade clamps resulting in losing tension. Great job on the portrait considering the new experience of spiral blades. God Bless! Spirithorse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianr24 Posted January 1, 2018 Report Share Posted January 1, 2018 You just can't use them blades from big box. Try flying Dutch man blades it's whole different animal. Not even comparable experience. There is another quality brand also but for some crazy reason I can't think of it I know it like back of my hand and I can't come up with the name. Lol. tomsteve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted January 1, 2018 Report Share Posted January 1, 2018 Pegas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianr24 Posted January 1, 2018 Report Share Posted January 1, 2018 3 minutes ago, Scrappile said: Pegas? Yep! Haha that's it! thx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta Moreton Posted January 1, 2018 Report Share Posted January 1, 2018 If they are bending in the clamp, that could explain it. They do bend and crimp easily. What number blade were they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustLarry Posted January 1, 2018 Report Share Posted January 1, 2018 I use FD New Spiral #5 and smaller. I flatten the ends by tapping the ends flatter with a small hammer and small piece of railroad rail. Then sand the ends a bit. Takes a little of time but that gives me time to think about the cutting I am doing. If the ends are not flattened out they are easy to crimp and break and the clamp cannot get a good grip and the blade slips out a bit. Larry tomsteve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneMahler Posted January 1, 2018 Report Share Posted January 1, 2018 I use FD Spirals when I need too. They are a different animal and you have to cut slower. The blades you get at the big box stores are nowhere near the quality of FD, Pegas and other name brand. They are a little harder to tension and get setup, but cut in all directions. Try some more quality blades, take your time and you'll learn the the blades and uses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erv Posted January 3, 2018 Report Share Posted January 3, 2018 I like the Pegas blades, but Olsen has spiral blades that have flat ends for easier clamping without twisting or breaking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 On 12/31/2017 at 6:31 PM, bowers25 said: I tried my hand today with the project below. My second time behind the scroll saw & I decided to try something with the spiral blades. It was a frustrating experience.........used 12 blades on this project.....most would break about an inch from the bottom. I did not purchase the higher end blades, which might have something to do with it.......I used (Bosch .023) from a big box store. Something I noticed was when I would finish a small section and moved to another section......sometimes the tension (after inserting the top portion of the blade) would be null........I would re-adjust the top of the blade again and the tension would be tight, however the blade would break during that cutting section. I tried several different tension levels and still the same issue. Any suggestions on what I was doing incorrect? What saw are you using.?Chinese saws hammer the blade out from inferior up down action.this is especially true to worn out chinese saws,Dremel included.Don't touch the ends of the blade with your fingers as the oil on your skin will make the blade slip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 Excellent control by the way with your spiral cutting i see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Pellow Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 (edited) I have had good luck with Flying Dutchman New Spiral blades. But, even they can easily be snapped if you are not careful when threading them through drill holes. I snapped two this way within a two minute time span last night when I was not paying sufficient attention to what I was doing. It took me longer than it should have when I started to use spiral blades is that, just as with non-spiral blades, there is a correct orientation. Make sure you are inserting them the correct way up. Edited January 5, 2018 by Frank Pellow tomsteve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim McDonald Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 Lots of good advice--especially from Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkey Posted January 7, 2018 Report Share Posted January 7, 2018 Spiral are all I use. The big box blades don't last. I also bought some Pegas blades at Woodcraft and had a lot of trouble with them breaking. I use Flying Dutchman new 3/0 spiral. I have had very good luck with thwm. I tension them very tight and have no trouble. I cut this with two blades. Scrappile 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chunkthekid Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 I use FD new spirals as well, usually 2/0. I had the same problem when started I using them and found that I really had to watch the bottom of the blade when clamping. Sometimes I would bend the blade slightly backwards towards the saw when I clamped it and that would result in a very short blade life. Once I learned to take a little extra time to get the bottom just right I haven't had any problem with breaking blades. And just a heads up. After my first sample pack of FD new spirals, I realized that I really liked them and would probably be using a lot of the 2/0, so I bought 6 dozen. Well, I wasn't paying any attention and accidently bought the Reverse Spiral instead. They are VERY aggressive and don't leave a very clean cut. From reading in the forums I notice people that use FD spiral blades always use the NEW Spiral. So if you go the FD route, make sure you watch which blades you are ordering. tomsteve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowers25 Posted January 11, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 On 1/6/2018 at 10:48 PM, Sparkey said: Spiral are all I use. The big box blades don't last. I also bought some Pegas blades at Woodcraft and had a lot of trouble with them breaking. I use Flying Dutchman new 3/0 spiral. I have had very good luck with thwm. I tension them very tight and have no trouble. I cut this with two blades. Absolutely Beautiful work Sparkey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowers25 Posted January 11, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 Thanks all for your help. I have ordered several different types of FD blades to try different projects. So many different projects I want to try, don't know where to start. Thinking for making my wife a desk pen holder for your desk at work.......will post when done. Be Safe! tomsteve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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