long lasting blades - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

mosaicwill · 09-13-2007, 12:36 PM

What is the longest lasting fastest cutting blade to go through up to 2 inches of mdf

Rolf · 09-13-2007, 01:15 PM

A band saw.
Actually any of the good quality blades will last about the same time.
I would use a #9 or greater skip tooth.
I am sure you will have lots of other suggestions.

GrayBeard Phil · 09-13-2007, 01:50 PM

TWO INCHES????

MDF??? with all that blade dulling glue?

ah-h, you do know that most scroll saws only have about a 1-1/2 inch up and down stroke, don't you?

If your saw is like most, that means some part of your blade is not going to exit the 2 inches of stock. Saw dust will build up inside the kerf. This extra saw dust will add to the friction on the blade, causing heating. The friction heating on a scroll saw blade will tend to make the blade dull, and change the temper of the blade. Result, blade breaking.

Larger blade, more metal behind the teeth to absorb some of the excess heat, a bit longer life, but not a whole lot.

Be extra sure you are using one of the less used and less known skip tooth designs, look for double skip - double tooth, although I haven't seen that design in a few years.

But honestly, take Rolf's advice, 2 inches of MDF = band saw

Phil

BobD · 09-13-2007, 02:13 PM

I had the oppoortunity to try out Olson's 3/32-inch band saw blades...with a bit of practice, I could cut out one of Judy Peterson's puzzle designs (I did enlarge it 150%, though). I was amazed at the cutting radius of that blade...and would suggest that for cutting the 2-inch thick MDF.

BE SURE TO WEAR DUST PROTECTION! I worked in an MDF plant for a couple years and am WELL aware of the nature of the wood dust and resins!

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

Rolf · 09-13-2007, 03:37 PM

Bob
I would assume that ther are no blade guides for that small a blade. Also what band saw did you use it on?

will8989 · 09-13-2007, 03:55 PM

My husband uses that same bandsaw-blade & loves it! We have a Jet with a 12" riser, is that the right term? At the open house last year, I had the opportunity to talk to Chuck Olsen about that blade, bought it & it is better than he said. (I think he was the Olsen that was there)

And ALWAYS wear dust masks & earplugs when necessary.

Betty

BobD · 09-13-2007, 03:58 PM

We've got an older Delta 14-inch here at the office. It's standard, with no riser block. I just used the stock blade guides (a sideways wheel at the back of the blade, and two metal blocks to center the blade above and below the table); but the blade really cut faster than I could turn and cut...

Bob

will8989 · 09-13-2007, 08:46 PM

Sure BobD, like I know what you're talking about. I just tell hubby I need to use the bandsaw, is it set for what I need & then start cutting. I'm sure glad he likes me so much!!

Betty

minowevie · 09-14-2007, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosaicwill

What is the longest lasting fastest cutting blade to go through up to 2 inches of mdf

2 inch, on a scroll saw. well I havent met a blade I couldn't dull. you have to conseder the wood. like oak, or pine. woods are hard and soft. what are you cutting??? I personaly don't cut wood that thick. but you can. the blades you can cut them with. are thick and don't turn well. Band saws do,, do the work. and come in lots of sizis. but then you can't do fret work on them . to my knowledg. what are you cutting, and what wood. sorry can't help here. your friend Evie

09-13-2007, 12:36 PM	#1
mosaicwill Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1	long lasting blades What is the longest lasting fastest cutting blade to go through up to 2 inches of mdf

09-13-2007, 01:15 PM	#2
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,778	A band saw. Actually any of the good quality blades will last about the same time. I would use a #9 or greater skip tooth. I am sure you will have lots of other suggestions. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

09-13-2007, 02:13 PM	#4
BobD Technical Editor Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lebanon, Pa Posts: 3,028 Blog Entries: 2	I had the oppoortunity to try out Olson's 3/32-inch band saw blades...with a bit of practice, I could cut out one of Judy Peterson's puzzle designs (I did enlarge it 150%, though). I was amazed at the cutting radius of that blade...and would suggest that for cutting the 2-inch thick MDF. BE SURE TO WEAR DUST PROTECTION! I worked in an MDF plant for a couple years and am WELL aware of the nature of the wood dust and resins! Bob Duncan Technical Editor __________________ www.WoodCarvingIllustrated.com www.FoxChapelPublishing.com www.ScrollSawer.com Shopsmith, Hawk G4

09-13-2007, 03:37 PM	#5
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,778	Bob I would assume that ther are no blade guides for that small a blade. Also what band saw did you use it on? __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

09-13-2007, 03:55 PM	#6
will8989 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Glen Burnie, MD Posts: 1,196	My husband uses that same bandsaw-blade & loves it! We have a Jet with a 12" riser, is that the right term? At the open house last year, I had the opportunity to talk to Chuck Olsen about that blade, bought it & it is better than he said. (I think he was the Olsen that was there) And ALWAYS wear dust masks & earplugs when necessary. Betty __________________ A woodworker never has too many clamps!!

09-13-2007, 01:50 PM	#3
GrayBeard Phil Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Near Detroit, Michigan Posts: 1,156	TWO INCHES???? MDF??? with all that blade dulling glue? ah-h, you do know that most scroll saws only have about a 1-1/2 inch up and down stroke, don't you? If your saw is like most, that means some part of your blade is not going to exit the 2 inches of stock. Saw dust will build up inside the kerf. This extra saw dust will add to the friction on the blade, causing heating. The friction heating on a scroll saw blade will tend to make the blade dull, and change the temper of the blade. Result, blade breaking. Larger blade, more metal behind the teeth to absorb some of the excess heat, a bit longer life, but not a whole lot. Be extra sure you are using one of the less used and less known skip tooth designs, look for double skip - double tooth, although I haven't seen that design in a few years. But honestly, take Rolf's advice, 2 inches of MDF = band saw Phil

09-13-2007, 03:58 PM	#7
BobD Technical Editor Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lebanon, Pa Posts: 3,028 Blog Entries: 2	We've got an older Delta 14-inch here at the office. It's standard, with no riser block. I just used the stock blade guides (a sideways wheel at the back of the blade, and two metal blocks to center the blade above and below the table); but the blade really cut faster than I could turn and cut... Bob __________________ www.WoodCarvingIllustrated.com www.FoxChapelPublishing.com www.ScrollSawer.com Shopsmith, Hawk G4

09-13-2007, 08:46 PM	#8
will8989 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Glen Burnie, MD Posts: 1,196	Sure BobD, like I know what you're talking about. I just tell hubby I need to use the bandsaw, is it set for what I need & then start cutting. I'm sure glad he likes me so much!! Betty __________________ A woodworker never has too many clamps!!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode