Written SS Blade Information on what to use

[Tim Stanford]

Too much info on which SS blade to use.  I know everyone has the "go to" blade and I am frustrated just trying out this and that blade .  I know all good things take time but does anyone have a good written reference or web site that gets down to the nuts and bolts of different companies and their blades. I currently use suggestions from Bob's Home Workshop on YouTube 

Thanks in advance!

Tim

[Wichman]

Google "scroll saw blade selection chart"

All the major brands are there. It's a good starting point.

FYI I disagree with the charts, but they are a starting point.

[OCtoolguy]

Scrollsaw.com has a ton of info on many different subjects around scroll saws.

 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Each blade company has a chart that helps with selections. But in the end it still comes down to your style of scrolling, woods and materials you are scrolling, and just how fast or push your blades all count. No one shoe size fits all. Brand of blades adds to the equation. Sorry but just the way it is.  

[Peter N White]

Acutabove woodworking has a great article on scrolling and what blades to use.A lot of good info.

[Fab4]

Hi Tim:
All good info above
JT said it best
They do sell sample packs for blades, for me that was good start
It's a pain going through trial and error but in the end well worth it
Be patient when if comes to blade selection and you will get what you want/need in the end.
KEEP IT FUN, it's a great hobby
Fab4

[kmmcrafts]

The best book is right here.. you come to the right place. Most books are written based off one person's interview or opinion.. Here you ask the question of which blade to use you'll get 40 different answers to choose from based on each person's sawing style and the projects they make.  We can leave you way more confused than you were before.. 

I bet if you ask a blade seller what the most popular sold blade size and style is that could be a good start for a newbie.. I know I have about 50 different blade styles and sized in my shop but I mainly only use two different sizes of the same style for most all the projects I throw at my saw.. I would bet many others are the same way.. 

As has been mentioned.. sample packs is really the best place to start and then follow up with questions here when needed.. 

[BadBob]

It is a personal preference more than anything else. Sometimes, the project will dictate the size of the blade to use. For example, when you cut puzzles, it's a balancing act. Cutting with a larger blade may make the puzzle too loose, while cutting with a very small blade may make it too tight, so kids can't easily fit the pieces together.

 

[rustynail]

https://www.bearwood.com/media/Pegas-Scroll-Saw-Blade-Selection-Chart-Bear-Woods-Supply.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOooapeSvYHER7CPt3AonTFS1PyIpYKQWQ9IKzojirsq2bNzJsLPb

Here is a chart I get all mine from Denny Knappen here on the site as he has great service and help when needed if looking for blades and good prices.

 

Edited December 10, 2024 by rustynail

[rash_powder]

Get some pieces of your most commonly used materials.  Maybe scraps, or small bits to make small projects from; regardless your going to be experimenting.  Then get a sampler blade pack with many sizes or tooth configurations; or just buy a several packs of blades you think may be right.  Cut something; but the same something with diff blades until you find what you like.  

I did this on the fly with projects and blades.  Personally I've settled on Olson Mach Speed #3 for 1/4" materials, maybe even stacked.  A five is a bit better for stacked.  

I think Denny has some multi-blade packs to get a good assortment to experiment with.  

Good Luck!

[Denny Knappen]

Pegas has a Scroll Saw Blade Selection Chart.  I have PDFs of the chart.  Send me a message.

[JimNC]

 Denny Knappen is the go to guy for blade advice. He has helped me out several times.

[JimNC]

17 hours ago, Denny Knappen said:

Pegas has a Scroll Saw Blade Selection Chart.  I have PDFs of the chart.  Send me a message.

Danny please send me a chart. Thank you.

cjwoodart@gmail.com

[Denny Knappen]

4 hours ago, JimNC said:

Danny please send me a chart. Thank you.

cjwoodart@gmail.com

This is embarrassing.  I thought I had a PFD file, but I can't find it.  I will make a copy tonight.

[Tim Stanford]

On 12/10/2024 at 11:42 AM, rash_powder said:

Get some pieces of your most commonly used materials.  Maybe scraps, or small bits to make small projects from; regardless your going to be experimenting.  Then get a sampler blade pack with many sizes or tooth configurations; or just buy a several packs of blades you think may be right.  Cut something; but the same something with diff blades until you find what you like.  

I did this on the fly with projects and blades.  Personally I've settled on Olson Mach Speed #3 for 1/4" materials, maybe even stacked.  A five is a bit better for stacked.  

I think Denny has some multi-blade packs to get a good assortment to experiment with.  

Good Luck!

Great idea!  Gives me somewhere to I can really see and feel each blade type. I like action answers like yours. Thanks again

[Tim Stanford]

6 hours ago, Denny Knappen said:

This is embarrassing.  I thought I had a PFD file, but I can't find it.  I will make a copy tonight.

I've forgotten where I parked the car so a pdf is easy. Looking forward to it

[Tim Stanford]

On 12/9/2024 at 7:22 PM, OCtoolguy said:

Scrollsaw.com has a ton of info on many different subjects around scroll saws.

 

Octoolguy. Is OC for Orange County Ca?

[OCtoolguy]

20 minutes ago, Tim Stanford said:

Octoolguy. Is OC for Orange County Ca?

Yes, I sold tools in Orange County for the better part of 40 years.

 

[ScrollerGuy]

Here is one of the blade charts. Lots of information, but ignore the prices. The pdf will hopefully be attached to this post

SS_BLADE_CHART_2-22-2013.pdf

[don in brooklin on]

This is from Steve Good.  I use this in my scrolling classes but modify to say that I personally use Flying Dutchman Ultra Reverse 90% of the time.  Steve used to use FD but now uses Pegas MGT.

Choosing a Scroll Saw Blade for a Project

Many of my emails from readers ask about choosing a scroll saw blade for a particular wood.

I am probably the wrong person to ask because I rarely choose a blade for the wood. I choose the blade based on the pattern. If I am cutting 3/4" thick hardwood but the pattern has very small interior cuts I use a #3 or whatever blade I need to get into the small interior holes. It will cut slowly but it will make the cut.

 

When you see people talking about using a #9 blade to cut thicker/harder wood or a #3 for thinner/softer wood, they are talking about the efficiency of the cut. A #9 blade will cut thicker harder wood faster and break fewer blades but if the #9 blade won't allow you to get into the interior hole or make the tight turns then it does not work. As a scroller, I rarely care about the efficiency of the cut. I care about making accurate cuts even if they are slow.

 

95% of the time I use a #5 scroll reverse or a #3 scroll reverse. Occasionally if I have a rough cut to make I will grab a larger blade. I own just about every blade made and many of them rarely get used unless I run into a special project. I use spiral blades for portrait-style patterns or when a cut it too large to make the turn on the saw. 

 

Some materials require special blades. Metal and Corian are two that come to mind. 

 

Another similar question is about setting the speed on a variable-speed scroll saw. When I get a new saw I determine the maximum speed that the saw cuts without too much vibration. This is often just slightly below full speed. 

 

I run at that maximum speed unless I am cutting very thin wood. 1/8" or thinner. The thin wood gives little resistance to the blade and it is easy to make miscuts. If that is what I am cutting I do one of two things. I slow the speed of the saw down or if possible I stack cut to add resistance. 

 

None of the above advice is an unbreakable rule. Saws are different, people get a different feel from the cuts, and blades are different. My best advice to a new scroller is to try different techniques and use what feels best to you. 

[BadBob]

Steve Good so closely matches what I do that I saved this blog post. I should have posted this.

[Norm Fengstad]

after many headaches trying to figure out scroll saw blades . I only use Pegas Modified geometry and Niqua ultra reverse in various sizes to #5. Pegas can be a bit fast or as some say aggressive but is a longer lasting blade with less burning and lowering speed it works very well. The ultra reverse is very smooth and easy to use. It is sold by many suppliers under different logos. I buy my blades from Sawbird as he is local supplier, Denny Knappen also is tops in supply of Pegas and I am sure he would answer many of your questions  

[Denny Knappen]

On 12/11/2024 at 7:06 AM, JimNC said:

Danny please send me a chart. Thank you.

cjwoodart@gmail.com

PDF files sent.

[Tim Stanford]

On 12/11/2024 at 5:42 PM, OCtoolguy said:

Yes, I sold tools in Orange County for the better part of 40 years.

 

I just thought so.  I worked for OCSD for 31 years. Sure do miss the beach and sea. We are in Texas now.  

[Tim Stanford]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and experiences!