Spiral Blades

[Foxfold]

I'm considering getting some spiral blades, is there a size that is most useful ? I'm considering trying some portrait patterns.

I know there's quite a few people on here that do them, so thought I'd ask before buying.

Edited November 13, 2018 by Foxfold

[Jim McDonald]

Size depends on the material you are cutting and the detail involved.  Spirals have a larger kerf than flat blades and the edges are not as smooth--so keep that in mind.

[MrsN]

I use flying dutchman flat end spirals, size 3 and 5. I use more #3.

https://mikesworkshop.com/collections/blades/products/spiral-flat-end

I have some students who just love spiral blades. They love that they don't have to turn the wood, just move it in the direction of the cut. 

 

[Bill WIlson]

That can be a tough question to answer.  Flying Dutchman brand alone has 4 different types of spiral blades; spiral, flat end, New spiral and spiral reverse.  Each has a different range of sizes and TPI count.  My suggestion would be to try the flat end spirals first.  One of the things that can turn off first time spiral blade users is the difficulty in getting them secured in the clamps properly.  Flat end spirals are easier to use, in that respect.  If you intend to cut 1/4" Baltic birch ply, I would suggest getting the smallest size.  This will give you better control, as it won't be as aggressive as a larger blade and you will be able to cut finer detail with it.  However, to really determine which works best, you will need to try other types and sizes.  If you want to try something other than the flat end spirals, you will need to untwist/flatten out the ends in order to get them seated firmly in the clamp.

For detailed portrait type cutting, I prefer the Flying Dutchman 2/0 New Spiral.  For really fine detail, I will use the 3/0, but it is very fragile and will break more easily than the others.  I don't do a lot of cutting with spirals, but I do prefer Flying Dutchman over Olson.

[Chunkthekid]

I am preferable to using 2/0 Flying Dutchman New Spiral blades, when I opt for a spiral. I will cut stock up to 1/4" thick with them, but I wouldn't recommend that. For 1/8" they work great. Like Jim said though, material matters as well. I don't know how they perform if you are cutting ply. I usually cut my detailed fret work in maple, and these blades cut maple like a dream.

Whatever you choose, be sure to try them on a few scrap cuts before you dive into a portrait. They take a little getting used to. And same goes for when you switch back to a straight blade. The first time a used a spiral I liked it, so I did a few more projects and got really comfortable with it. Then I went back to a straight blade for another project and about ruined it, but it doesn't take long to get a handle on it.

[tomsteve]

1 hour ago, Foxfold said:

I'm considering getting some spiral blades, is there a size that is most useful ? I'm considering trying some portrait patterns.

I know there's quite a few people on here that do them, so thought I'd ask before buying.

good on ya for jumping into something new! they are nice for portrait work- i dont have to turn the work a full 360 degrees for each cut. just slide left,right, to and fro.

i typically use #3&5's for most work but i enlarge most patterns i cut so the smaller detail cuts are now larger and the 3's work good. occasionally i can have some cuts that i switch to smaller ones to get fine detail.

one thing you will find is they cut smoothly but leave a fuzzy edge on the backside of the wood. personally i take a torch real quick across to burn the fuzzies down then sandpaper on a block lightly.

 

just as with straight blades, let the spiral do the work.

 

 

Edited November 13, 2018 by tomsteve

[kmmcrafts]

I see a wide variety of blade sizes and uses just in the few post so far.. I personally cut my portraits out from 3mm BB plywood.. and always stack cut at least 3 at a time... My go to blade is actually a #1 new spiral and sometimes a 0/2 blade.. BUT that said.. again depends upon the saw I'm cutting on too... every saw cuts differently.. and everyone has a different cutting style.. Many people like the Pegas spirals.. I bought some and didn't really care for them all that much on my Hawk saw.. but they are great on my Excalibur.. Love Olsen #1 or maybe it was a #2? cutting on my Hawk.. But they are harden steel blades and tend to be quite brittle.. and I break a lot of them LOL.. compared to the FD blades.. 

If they have a sample pack of sizes.. I might suggest going that route first to get a feel or what blade YOU like.. as I said... look at all the different go to blade used that has been posted so far... Also remember... the more teeth and smaller blades will give a smoother cut edge too.. why I don't care for anything larger than a #1 for most cuts I do.. and the larger number doesn't always mean a faster cut either.. as they are a wider blade so they have to cut through more material.. I personally found that a #1 generally cuts faster than a #3... 

See if you can locate a sample pack.. 

 

On a side note: Someone mentioned you don't have to spin the wood around.. While that is true.. but... the scroll saw is designed with the intent to cut from the front.. and so they make the  blade stroke go in a forward motion on the cut stroke ( down stroke ) so... the spirals cut pretty good on the front and even from the sides .. but trying to cut on the back side of the blade is really slow going... I typically still spin the wood to some extent to keep the cutting going at a more constant rate..

Another thing to mention... Since they cut any direction... you'll find that if there is some soft / hard spots in the wood.. those blades like to take the path of least resistance.. so if you are cutting next to a soft spot.. the blade is going to want to travel right in to that spot.. They are a little tricky to use... especially on solid wood.. plywood not so bad because of the glued layers etc they are typically pretty consistent with soft / hard spots.. so the BB ply is a good wood to learn them on..         

[Foxfold]

2 hours ago, Bill WIlson said:

For detailed portrait type cutting, I prefer the Flying Dutchman 2/0 New Spiral.  For really fine detail, I will use the 3/0, but it is very fragile and will break more easily than the others. 

Excuse my ignorance but I always thought that the 'higher' the number the bigger the blade. Is this not so in spirals ?

[kmmcrafts]

1 minute ago, Foxfold said:

Excuse my ignorance but I always thought that the 'higher' the number the bigger the blade. Is this not so in spirals ?

There is a better way to explain this I think.. but..

I think of the blades with a " / with a 0 behind it as a negative blade size number.. ie blades 0, 1,2,3,4,5,6 and so on are positive or + numbers... then the numbers like shown here 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0 etc etc... are what I call negative sized blades.. so anyway.. your thought is true for the positive sized blades.. but with the number 0 behind the number and / sign is opposite.. if there is a /0 behind the number then the higher the number the smaller the blade.. Kind of weird how they do that but.. anyway.. that is how I think of it in my tiny little brain..

[Foxfold]

21 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said:

There is a better way to explain this I think.. but..

I think of the blades with a " / with a 0 behind it as a negative blade size number.. ie blades 0, 1,2,3,4,5,6 and so on are positive or + numbers... then the numbers like shown here 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0 etc etc... are what I call negative sized blades.. so anyway.. your thought is true for the positive sized blades.. but with the number 0 behind the number and / sign is opposite.. if there is a /0 behind the number then the higher the number the smaller the blade.. Kind of weird how they do that but.. anyway.. that is how I think of it in my tiny little brain..

Wow, so much to learn, !!  and so little  space in my brain...when you've lived longer than you are going to it can be quite daunting.   LOL.

[SCROLLSAW703]

15 hours ago, Foxfold said:

I'm considering getting some spiral blades, is there a size that is most useful ? I'm considering trying some portrait patterns.

I know there's quite a few people on here that do them, so thought I'd ask before buying.

 

10 hours ago, Foxfold said:

Wow, so much to learn, !!  and so little  space in my brain...when you've lived longer than you are going to it can be quite daunting.   LOL.

Howdy Miss Brenda, 

I sincerely hope this finds still in thought about spiral blades, Ma'am. 

We all have our own thoughts, views, uses, and preferences when it comes to spiral blades. Some use nothing but spirals for their projects and claim excellent success. Others of us that don't have a full time use for them can't say the same, as Kevin and a couple others mentioned. 

Personally, I keep several sizes in inventory from a #2/0 up to a #5 spiral. I use them for various things in a number of different projects. Most of my projects are highly detailed, and I am not always able to get "just the right look" I'm after with a flat blade, so I'll use a spiral to shape around the inside of sharp corners, real tight spots, or openin' up a section where I need to get a place started but don't really have quite the right position for a flat blade. Like the inside of ears, or feathers, eyes, fingertips, leaf veins, etc. 

I honestly don't have an opinion on the flat blade spirals. For a beginnin' hand at the saw with spirals, I would have to concur with the other folks here, though. The flat blades would sure be a might easier to fit into your blade clamps, and get used to til ya figure out how to "drive" the spiral blade. I would also have to go along with what has already been mentioned about watching the blade close, and make sure it has good tension against it. Not over tension, but good and snug. It'll drive better, and last longer for ya. And the spiral is very famous for following the grain of the wood, or if ya locate a soft spot in your line of cut, the spiral can wreck a project pdq!

I use Flying Dutchman and Olson blades myself, Ma'am, on account of I've used them for years, and know how they cut and feel. You have been given a wheelbarrow full of advice, and it's all facts. Get yourself a sample pack of the different sizes, or try a dozen or two of a couple different breeds. You just have to figure out what blade(s) work best for you, your machine, the species of wood you're cutting, and the type of project you're tyin' into. Avoid plywood at all cost if possible. Especially just startin' out. Get some miles under your belt with spirals first, then start learnin' the hard lessons, Ma'am.

Best of luck to you, Ma'am. Keep crankin' out the sawdust!:)

sawdust703(Brad) 

[Tomanydogs]

That’s great Brenda, always good to learn and try different things. I use spirals 95% of the time. I have only bought my blades from the local hardware stores (which is crazy I know because they are so much more expensive). So I don’t have a favourite, but I do know which ones I don’t like. Have fun with it. I can’t wait to hear how it goes for you. Please keep us updated I’m curious.