greasemonkeyredneck Posted July 25, 2009 Report Share Posted July 25, 2009 This topic brought a subject to the front of my mind that I really hadn't thought much about, blade prep. I was wondering if anyone else staightens the ends of spirals before using them. I have found that if I use plyers to staighten them before first putting them in the saw, I don't have a bending problem. If I don't staighten them, sometimes the very end will bend over on me just enough to make it a pain to feed through the tiny pilot holes in the wood. Moderator's Note: This topic was split this post from this original thread. I figured it was an interesting enough subject to warrant its own thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
britetomro Posted July 26, 2009 Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 I straighten the ends of my spirals before use. I also work to ensure that the top and bottom are align to eliminate problems in placing in the clamps. Prior to use, I will also lightly sand the ends to scuff the ends to help in holding power in the clamps. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry5180 Posted July 26, 2009 Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 I've never straightened the ends of my spirals. Haven't had a problem with the ends bending over or anything. I do however sand the ends of the blades with 120 grit sandpaper to give them a little more grab in my blade clamp. This does beg the question though, wouldn't it just be easier to by the straight end spirals that are available instead of taking the time to do it yourselves? Barry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vector01 Posted July 26, 2009 Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 I ran into that problem...I tried using the FD new 2/0 spirals and broke them both trying to set them up. I ended up straightening an Olson spiral to finish the cut. They (olson & fd) have straight end spirals. Live and learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasemonkeyredneck Posted July 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 This does beg the question though, wouldn't it just be easier to by the straight end spirals that are available instead of taking the time to do it yourselves? Barry Actually, I have seven dozen staight end spirals laid over at my shop now. I bought them from Wildwood Designs some time back. They were one of the lessons I learned from all the useless blades I've bought in the past. Every one of them break before you even get the tension tight enough to do any cutting. I don't know of it was a bad batch or what, but I have been scared to spend any more money to find out. I have recently decided on my favorite spiral, FD #3, and I won't buy any more blades to "try". I'm going to stick with what works for me. I have over a hundred dollars worth of blades at my shop now that are pretty much useless to me. I straighten the ends of my spirals before use. I also work to ensure that the top and bottom are align to eliminate problems in placing in the clamps. Prior to use, I will also lightly sand the ends to scuff the ends to help in holding power in the clamps. Ron I don't have an allignment problem on my Delta. I do have to recheck that my table is square from time to time. I think it's just vibration that moves it just a hair from time to time. That isn't too big a problem to me though. As for scuffing the ends, I don't do that, but I do have to clean the contact area every now and then on the blade clamps. It gets a residue buildup and the blades will start slipping. I try to remember to do this each time I wax my table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yost69 Posted July 26, 2009 Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 I straighten mine with vise grips. If i dont they bend also. And sometimes when i dont bend them they end up breaking off as im tightening the clamp. I had some of the flat end spirals and liked them but i have all these normal ones that i have to do something with so i straighten them out. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadylady0447 Posted July 26, 2009 Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 I'm with you Ben....I'm going to use up the spiral blades I have before I order any more....so I will straighten them and sand them before using so they don't bend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
two saws Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 I too strighten the ends of spiral blades but I do it differant than what has been mentioned. I have a small bench vice with a small anvil on it. With a tack hammer or just a small hammer very carefully tap the ends to flatten them. For me this is easier than twisting them and possably breaking. The only spiral blades that I will use are FD new spiral 2/0 or #1s. I have some #3s but do not know what I would use them for. Way to big of a kerf!! Ervin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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