16" craftsman spirial blades - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

tmcalhoun · 10-23-2007, 06:03 AM

I have a 16" Craftsman saw and i am not able to get the spiral blades (and others) to stay in the holders. I just get frustrated and have to walk away. I would really like to start Fret work but i can't seem to keep small blades in place with out them popping out. This is before i even add the wood, it is when i am try to tension the blades, but not very tight. Any suggestions? Also does anyone know a supplier where i can get 1/4" 9"x7" wood that is not plywood but is solid wood? Also what are the best blades for Fret work?

SNAPPER · 10-23-2007, 10:51 AM

I am not familiar with Craftsman saw and how it holds the blades. Can you adjust the holders. Make sure there is nothing in the blade clamps that could prevent it from gripping the blade. It should be capeable of accepting any size blade. I would think there would be an adjustment at the blade clamp. I use 2/0 - 2 size reverse tooth blades, depending on the detail of the fret work.
G

d Luck
Dean

racreel · 10-23-2007, 06:40 PM

Check this thread for some possible help. I found that sanding the ends of blades as suggested helped stop the slipping.

As for blades to use, I currently use Flying Dutchman blades from Mike's Workshop. Try the assortment pack to see which ones work for you.

NMScroller · 10-23-2007, 06:44 PM

9" wide solid wood is sometimes difficult to come by. Some places only offer thin wood up to 6" ( too small!!)
I would try www.sloanswoodshop.com or www.advancedscrollsawpatterns.com . I can't remember which one or if it is either one, but somebody offers thin wood that is joined for larger panels. If you call Sloan's, you will get one of the owners and they will tell you flat out if they have anything that large.

owler · 10-23-2007, 07:02 PM

Here is a supplier of wood that has been very reliable for me. If they do not have the width, then they can also glue up some boards for you.

Mick Walker · 10-23-2007, 08:48 PM

tmcalhoun, I am not familiar with the Craftsman clamps but can you get at them to glue a tiny strip of emory cloth to each side thus holding the blades from slipping?
This site has wide boards for scrolling.www.heritagewood.com

minowevie · 10-23-2007, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmcalhoun

I have a 16" Craftsman saw and i am not able to get the spiral blades (and others) to stay in the holders. I just get frustrated and have to walk away. I would really like to start Fret work but i can't seem to keep small blades in place with out them popping out. This is before i even add the wood, it is when i am try to tension the blades, but not very tight. Any suggestions? Also does anyone know a supplier where i can get 1/4" 9"x7" wood that is not plywood but is solid wood? Also what are the best blades for Fret work?

I can only asume your saw does receive straight end blades. but one of the things i have had problems with, is .... the blades sometime have some oil on them. and dipping them in alittle alcohole first. will help.(jsut the tips or ends) also run some sand papper over the ends. also inside your clamp. maybe they are slippery too. also. I know on my saw. I have differant clamps. that space differant. if you wont to put a small blade in. (wedth I mean) maybe you need a differant clamp, with a smaller kerf. also. the tention. most saws need to be tight. buy that I mean, pluck the blade, and tighten the blade till you get a c note. plunk , plunk, pling pling. ceeee. note. does this make sence. also. make sure your blade is centerd in the clamp. if it is not squir or level. it might pop out that way. just a few suggesions. your friend Evie

Bill Wilson · 10-24-2007, 06:50 PM

Had the exact same problem with some spirals last year when I was working on Christmas projects. I've been scrolling for several years and nothing frustrated me more than the ordeal I had with these blades. The secret is to get the blades set flat and straight in the clamps. If the blade isn't flat and you tighten the clamp, it either crimps the blade weakening it enough to break or it doesn't grip it tight enough to stay in the clamp.

There are a couple things you can do to minimize this. Unfortunately I didn't learn these until well after my ordeal.

First, you can buy spirals that have flat ends. I know Flying Dutchman offers them, not sure who else. Second, you can flatten the twisted ends of your spirals by gently tapping them with a hammer or a better way is to take two pair of pliers and untwist the ends. When you do either of these operations, you want to end up with both ends flat and in line with each other. They will be much easier to clamp that way.

Once you have flat ends, you should still sand them lightly to remove any oil residue. You can also lightly sand the clamping surface of the blade holders, but be careful not to get too carried away with that. You don't want them to be ground out of flatness or all your effort will be in vain because they won't hold any blades well then.

Good luck, let us know how things work out. I haven't had much occasion to use spirals since last year. Even though I think I know what I was doing wrong, I now have a built in resentment for them that will be hard for me to overcome.

tmcalhoun · 10-30-2007, 05:40 AM

Thanks, I got some Flying Dutchman #3 spiral blades, and Wow what a difference Nice blades makes. I have already finished some projects that would have taken lots of frustration and time. Thanks for the suggestion. Do you have any recommendation about where i can get free fretwork designs, and what blades to use with the projects? Thanks!

pegwinn · 11-10-2007, 02:22 AM

I also had that problem on my Delta SS250. For me, gently flattening the ends with a hammer did the trick. Once in desperation I put a drop of CA glue on each end and mounted the blade quickly. That worked awesome. But, it was beginners luck, because the next time it only made a mess and glued the blade to my fingers.

10-23-2007, 06:03 AM	#1
tmcalhoun Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6	16" craftsman spirial blades I have a 16" Craftsman saw and i am not able to get the spiral blades (and others) to stay in the holders. I just get frustrated and have to walk away. I would really like to start Fret work but i can't seem to keep small blades in place with out them popping out. This is before i even add the wood, it is when i am try to tension the blades, but not very tight. Any suggestions? Also does anyone know a supplier where i can get 1/4" 9"x7" wood that is not plywood but is solid wood? Also what are the best blades for Fret work?

10-23-2007, 10:51 AM	#2
SNAPPER Dino Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fergus Falls,MN Posts: 814	Blades I am not familiar with Craftsman saw and how it holds the blades. Can you adjust the holders. Make sure there is nothing in the blade clamps that could prevent it from gripping the blade. It should be capeable of accepting any size blade. I would think there would be an adjustment at the blade clamp. I use 2/0 - 2 size reverse tooth blades, depending on the detail of the fret work. Gd Luck Dean

10-23-2007, 06:44 PM	#4
NMScroller Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 321	9" wide solid wood is sometimes difficult to come by. Some places only offer thin wood up to 6" ( too small!!) I would try www.sloanswoodshop.com or www.advancedscrollsawpatterns.com . I can't remember which one or if it is either one, but somebody offers thin wood that is joined for larger panels. If you call Sloan's, you will get one of the owners and they will tell you flat out if they have anything that large. __________________ ---Support bacteria - they're the only culture some people have.

10-23-2007, 07:02 PM	#5
owler Guy with tools Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: North West, NJ Posts: 243	Here is a supplier of wood that has been very reliable for me. If they do not have the width, then they can also glue up some boards for you. __________________ Dan -Just do'in the best I can every day

10-23-2007, 08:48 PM	#6
Mick Walker Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 1,492	tmcalhoun, I am not familiar with the Craftsman clamps but can you get at them to glue a tiny strip of emory cloth to each side thus holding the blades from slipping? This site has wide boards for scrolling.www.heritagewood.com __________________ Mick, - Delta P-20 The future ain't what it used to be.

10-23-2007, 06:40 PM	#3
racreel Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 24	Check this thread for some possible help. I found that sanding the ends of blades as suggested helped stop the slipping. As for blades to use, I currently use Flying Dutchman blades from Mike's Workshop. Try the assortment pack to see which ones work for you. __________________ Richard \| Craftsman 16" VS Last edited by racreel; 10-23-2007 at 06:44 PM.

10-24-2007, 06:50 PM	#8
Bill Wilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 700	Had the exact same problem with some spirals last year when I was working on Christmas projects. I've been scrolling for several years and nothing frustrated me more than the ordeal I had with these blades. The secret is to get the blades set flat and straight in the clamps. If the blade isn't flat and you tighten the clamp, it either crimps the blade weakening it enough to break or it doesn't grip it tight enough to stay in the clamp. There are a couple things you can do to minimize this. Unfortunately I didn't learn these until well after my ordeal. First, you can buy spirals that have flat ends. I know Flying Dutchman offers them, not sure who else. Second, you can flatten the twisted ends of your spirals by gently tapping them with a hammer or a better way is to take two pair of pliers and untwist the ends. When you do either of these operations, you want to end up with both ends flat and in line with each other. They will be much easier to clamp that way. Once you have flat ends, you should still sand them lightly to remove any oil residue. You can also lightly sand the clamping surface of the blade holders, but be careful not to get too carried away with that. You don't want them to be ground out of flatness or all your effort will be in vain because they won't hold any blades well then. Good luck, let us know how things work out. I haven't had much occasion to use spirals since last year. Even though I think I know what I was doing wrong, I now have a built in resentment for them that will be hard for me to overcome. __________________ Homer : "Oh, and how is education supposed to make me feel smarter. Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain."

10-30-2007, 05:40 AM	#9
tmcalhoun Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6	Thanks, I got some Flying Dutchman #3 spiral blades, and Wow what a difference Nice blades makes. I have already finished some projects that would have taken lots of frustration and time. Thanks for the suggestion. Do you have any recommendation about where i can get free fretwork designs, and what blades to use with the projects? Thanks!

11-10-2007, 02:22 AM	#10
pegwinn Promising Rookie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 35	I also had that problem on my Delta SS250. For me, gently flattening the ends with a hammer did the trick. Once in desperation I put a drop of CA glue on each end and mounted the blade quickly. That worked awesome. But, it was beginners luck, because the next time it only made a mess and glued the blade to my fingers.

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