Do you use both straight and spiral blades?

[FrankEV]

From what I have read in many post herein, some of you ONLY use straight blades and some ONLY use spiral blades. 

However, for those of you who use both in maybe a single project or maybe one or the other in separate projects, I wonder if you experience the same problems that I do.

When you switch between blades do you find your hand control is messed up for a while until you have cut for a little while?

I recognize eye/hand coordination is different based on the blade being used and relies a lot on mussle memory.    As a result I find it dificult  to follow the line with a straight blade after I had been using a  spiral blade for a while.  It also takes me a bit of time to get back into following the lines with a spiral blade after using a straight blade for a while.

Just looking for any tips or advice to help hand control when switching between blade types.

Thanks   

 

 

 

[trackman]

Yes they are different animals for sure. About the only time I will change type of blade in same project is if I need a wider vein. Will cut with straight blade then go to spiral. 

[kmmcrafts]

I use both... but it's been a long time ago since I used spiral blades for just cutting.. In using them solely for cutting it's usually cutting large portraits and I just don't sell / make many of those anymore.. 

I do use them quite often for veining... But I pre-cut the area with a flat blade then go back over it with a spiral.. The spiral blade will pretty much follow the path of the cut the flat blade made....so I use them quite a lot to make the wider body lines in my car clocks I make..

I need to do another portrait style cutting one of these days.. I really enjoy cutting portraits but they just don't sell very well so I don't make many..

[stoney]

I use both on some portrait projects mostly spirals but straights on long straight cuts.  I also use spirals on other projects for veining.  I don't have your issue of control switching from spirals to straights. 

[Foxfold]

I find it difficult to switch between blades. Flat blades are something I'm so comfortable with whereas spirals I don't use too often. I usually do what I can with one blade, go for a coffee or cut something else and then go back fresh another day. Probably why it takes forever for me to cut a 'mixed' piece ,  It took me a week to do this one .

[WayneMahler]

I do sets of military plaques. I use spirals for part of it and slat for the rest. My opinion is you to practice with which ever you don't use normally. In time you will comfortable with using both styles of blades. I can switch between them and be as accurate as just installing a new blade. I also do a piece, The Last supper which is all spiral blades. Some folks use a practice scrap piece between shifting styles of blades. Seems to make things easier to get the feel of things. Eventually it will become much easier. Good luck and happy learning  . We have all been there, and some like me still learn something new all the time.

[GusGustin]

I just used (tried to use) a spiral blade for the first time.  The cut was so much wider, I was using a 2/0 blade, which I use most of the time.

I also use Reverse blades mostly.  Only have a few 2/0's that are not reverse, so, I didn't like the "roughness" of the spiral blades cut. Are there Spirals out there that have a reverse tooth pattern on them ?  I finally went from the Pegas 2/0 spiral to the Niqua 3/0 and got a thinner kerf(?) but it WAS surely different handling than cutting with a flat blade.  

I'm glad I read this - as - I thought it was just my inexperience. 

Is anyone else experiencing the pegas 2/0 (modified geometry) blades being extremely .. hmmmm .. dainty. They seem to break VERY easily.

[kmmcrafts]

3 hours ago, GusGustin said:

I just used (tried to use) a spiral blade for the first time.  The cut was so much wider, I was using a 2/0 blade, which I use most of the time.

I also use Reverse blades mostly.  Only have a few 2/0's that are not reverse, so, I didn't like the "roughness" of the spiral blades cut. Are there Spirals out there that have a reverse tooth pattern on them ?  I finally went from the Pegas 2/0 spiral to the Niqua 3/0 and got a thinner kerf(?) but it WAS surely different handling than cutting with a flat blade.  

I'm glad I read this - as - I thought it was just my inexperience. 

Is anyone else experiencing the pegas 2/0 (modified geometry) blades being extremely .. hmmmm .. dainty. They seem to break VERY easily.

Yes they are more brittle that any other blade I've used.. I don't use much small blades under the #3 in the MG blade line.. I do use spirals in 2/0 and 3/0 though but I use FD spirals.. 

Also like to mention that I think the  Pegas blade number sizes run a bit smaller than FD and Olsen blades.. 

[GusGustin]

25 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said:

Yes they are more brittle that any other blade I've used.. I don't use much small blades under the #3 in the MG blade line.. I do use spirals in 2/0 and 3/0 though but I use FD spirals.. 

Also like to mention that I think the  Pegas blade number sizes run a bit smaller than FD and Olsen blades.. 

Okay ..  that makes sense .. I love the Niqua's .. was going to try the NON-MG Pegas .. see if they are a little bit sturdier .. 

[new2woodwrk]

I haven't tried spirals at all yet. Heck, I get nervous changing from my Pegas MG#3 LOL - which today I've cut 5 puzzles with one blade so far.

[GusGustin]

10 minutes ago, new2woodwrk said:

I haven't tried spirals at all yet. Heck, I get nervous changing from my Pegas MG#3 LOL - which today I've cut 5 puzzles with one blade so far.

I know .. I'm so new .. I also get that nervous thing going .. OH NOT .. IT TAKES A DIFFERENT BLADE HERE .. 

But - I just did that Batman (Bob) and Robin (Mase) thing - it's up on the bragging forum, too .. and I tried the 2/0 Pegas spiral - WOW - didn't like that at all .. so back to the 2/0 MGT Pegas .. not a fan - breaks way too easy .. gets dull way too fast (but - that can be a godsend, sometimes hahahaa) .. and went back to my 2/0 Niqua. Love that one. Indestructible compared to the Pegas. And even used a few of my Flying Dutchmen 2/0's - but - they are not reverse tooth.  I finished off with my 3/0 Niqua spiral - now - that one made a way smaller diameter cutting path than the 2/0 Pegas spiral - but - those spirals - what a different technique you have to use for those. They cut way different than the non-spiral blades.

That NIQUA #3 - holy cow - I used one on about 5 or 6 really small things that I do - and that is in OAK, MAPLE, WALNUT and flooring scraps. I'm still on the same blade.  I'm getting ready to order some more of the Niqua's .. give 'em a try next time you order ... 

Well .. getting that SHELBY drawn up now - gonna attempt my first clock.  aaaaargh ... put me some pics up of the puzzles - maybe I'll get brave and do a few of those.

Oh .. and beginner to beginner - I have found a GREAT source for free wood to play with.  Someone was giving away a solid MAPLE headboard, footboard for a bed. Man .. that makes great wood to cut on. And - some of them are so thick - you have to cut them in half to get it down to 5/8 or 1/2 inch thicknesses. They only take a few minutes to disassemble - and - then I use the legs and spindles (if it's a 4 poster) to practice on my lathe with. Love free wood.

[Rockytime]

3 hours ago, GusGustin said:

I know .. I'm so new .. I also get that nervous thing going .. OH NOT .. IT TAKES A DIFFERENT BLADE HERE .. 

But - I just did that Batman (Bob) and Robin (Mase) thing - it's up on the bragging forum, too .. and I tried the 2/0 Pegas spiral - WOW - didn't like that at all .. so back to the 2/0 MGT Pegas .. not a fan - breaks way too easy .. gets dull way too fast (but - that can be a godsend, sometimes hahahaa) .. and went back to my 2/0 Niqua. Love that one. Indestructible compared to the Pegas. And even used a few of my Flying Dutchmen 2/0's - but - they are not reverse tooth.  I finished off with my 3/0 Niqua spiral - now - that one made a way smaller diameter cutting path than the 2/0 Pegas spiral - but - those spirals - what a different technique you have to use for those. They cut way different than the non-spiral blades.

That NIQUA #3 - holy cow - I used one on about 5 or 6 really small things that I do - and that is in OAK, MAPLE, WALNUT and flooring scraps. I'm still on the same blade.  I'm getting ready to order some more of the Niqua's .. give 'em a try next time you order ... 

Well .. getting that SHELBY drawn up now - gonna attempt my first clock.  aaaaargh ... put me some pics up of the puzzles - maybe I'll get brave and do a few of those.

Oh .. and beginner to beginner - I have found a GREAT source for free wood to play with.  Someone was giving away a solid MAPLE headboard, footboard for a bed. Man .. that makes great wood to cut on. And - some of them are so thick - you have to cut them in half to get it down to 5/8 or 1/2 inch thicknesses. They only take a few minutes to disassemble - and - then I use the legs and spindles (if it's a 4 poster) to practice on my lathe with. Love free wood.

My question is: Are not Niqua blades the same as FD's? That's just what I think I read, I could be wrong.

[rod143]

I use both types of blades often on the same project. For veining and long straight cuts I usually use straight blades. For irregular areas where the shape is not picked out by the eye I use spirals. Some areas along the side of the face if they are not "right" are picked  out quickly by the viewer. I seem to have a little more control with straight blades, but they take longer for much of the work. 

[GusGustin]

11 minutes ago, Rockytime said:

My question is: Are not Niqua blades the same as FD's? That's just what I think I read, I could be wrong.

Oh .. I have NO idea. German made ?

[rod143]

This is a Teddy Roosevelt picture I did recently using both spiral and straight blades. Most of the straight line work was done with straight blades and the hair and mustache done with spirals.

[Foxfold]

6 hours ago, Rockytime said:

My question is: Are not Niqua blades the same as FD's? That's just what I think I read, I could be wrong.

As far as I'm aware Les the Niqua blades are FD blades.  I use Niqua #3 for everything and I find that they cut for ages before getting blunt. They are easily got here in the UK and I can buy them a gross at a time.

[NC Scroller]

I use whatever is required to best make the project. Yes, that means sometimes using blades of various sizes, brands, and even both flat and spiral all on one project.  I have been at this for over 20 years.  It is something you learn over time and not everyone does the same thing and that is all well and good.

[GusGustin]

7 hours ago, Foxfold said:

As far as I'm aware Les the Niqua blades are FD blades.  I use Niqua #3 for everything and I find that they cut for ages before getting blunt. They are easily got here in the UK and I can buy them a gross at a time.

Thanks .. well .. that answers that question .. are they the same exact thing? I've not been buying FD because I thought they were two different brands. This is GREAT news if they are exactly the same quality and all.

[Bill WIlson]

Niqua is the manufacturer of the blades.  They are marketed under the Flying Dutchman name in the US.

[Rockytime]

6 hours ago, Bill WIlson said:

Niqua is the manufacturer of the blades.  They are marketed under the Flying Dutchman name in the US.

Ahh, the very answer I was looking for. Thank you!

[Roberta Moreton]

I use both. It just depends on the project, the type of cut. I use whatever I need to use for the cut. 

[ben2008]

I don't use spiral blades at all. I tried and couldn't get the hang of it and threw them away. I really don't need them as I do mostly Intarsia now. If I do need to use a really small blade I usually  go to a 2/0 or 1 Olson or FD and I'm all set. At my age doing that tiny fretwork is just too tedious and boring for me and honestly, I don't have the patience anymore to cut hundreds of tiny little cut outs.. However, I am making a small fretwork keepsake box right now. It's a gift for one of my granddaughters.It's taking me forever. I do enjoy looking at all the nice fretwork that some on here make. and really do admire folks that have the patience for it. Some of it is really beautiful.

Edited September 10, 2020 by ben2008

[Dragonkort]

I use both spiral and flat blades...if your having trouble staying on or near your line with the spiral blades you might want to try going slower....  I use the spirals a lot when doing fret work that has the lines very close together...but I adjust my saw speed to a speed that lets me keep control of the cutting best. I like the spirals best for some cuts as I don't have to turn the wood as much...if that makes any sense....mostly with spirals it just takes practice and remembering that the blade will cut on all sides...so you have to be more awair of how your cutting....with flat blades if you waver to left or right a bit it wont cut the wood where as with the spirals is does...iv been using both for years and am comfortable with both but it took awhile to get comfortable with the spirals..  sometimes its a bit of trail and error with your piece if your having trouble making a cut with one type of blade try switching to the other kind and see which one you find you can control best...

[Denny Knappen]

I use both and it depends on the project.  In general. spirals for portraits.  With that said, I just finished "In The Saddle" by Gary Browning.  Lots of straight lines, so I used Pegas #1R MGT blades.

[David Helmanson]

i learned to use both ,, switch back forth all the time if.. finding a number 1 or 0 replaces the straight blades i cut much faster and steady now with spirals flying dutchmans are my new favorite ... don't notice any different from flat to spirals .. but could cut a little faster with spirals working on the owls from the new scroller magizine ,,, but i do a lot of portrait type cutting trying to go back to basics but i like the challange and the end results of harder patterns