Blade speed

[Sawduster]

Hello to all. Would like to hear advice/comments on blade speed. Fast? Slow? What does the most/least damge to my DW788? I mostly do ( or try to do ) fretwork.

Thanx,
...~Robert~

[sheltiecarver]

Robert,
I don't do much fretwork yet, and my saw is an RBI, so this answer might not be worth much, but I usually run my saw at one notch above the middle. If I am doing something thin, I slow it down a bit more. I value accuracy, and fast just doesn't do that for me. On the other hand, watching ice melt is not my thing either, so unless it is something really thick and complex, I do like to be making progress.
Good luck.
Sandy

[minowevie]

sawdust. I really don't think the speed is of empotance. unless you are new. which i am. but in fret work. i do use a smaller speed. there really isn't any rules that i can refure too. except just go as fast as you would lilke. the one thing i always loved. is we learn at are slower speed. Its not a contest. just go as fast as you are conferterbule with, your can always build up to what speed you wish. but I have to tell you , it is the 4th. and i am drinking some suds. and you just have to find your own speed. its ok , just do your thing. it will all work out in the end result.
Evie

[Neal Moore]

Evie gave you some good advice. Blade speed in general is dependent upon the type of wood you're cutting and the thickness of the wood. You won't hurt the DeWalt regardless of the speed you run it at. You will find that experience is the best guide but as a rule, thicker, denser woods require a slower speed to prevent burning and really thin stock often requires a slower speed to allow better control. The trick is simply to saw a lot!!! You'll get the feel of it in no time and you will actually "feel" the saw cutting best at the right speed. I think most all of us just judge speed by the feel and sound of the saw rather than by some hard and fast rule. There are some really great books on scrolling out there, one of which is John Nelson's "Scroll Saw Workbook". All the beginning scrollers who have used it seem to really like it. BY the way, welcome to the forum. We all look forward to seeing you around a lot!!!

[CanadianScroller]

If you enjoy the art of scrolling then slow speed is wonderful. I trnd to keep my saw around 700 to 1000 strokes per minute.
If you are into production you may need a faster cut.
Thicker woods can sometimes benefit from faster cuts too.

[lucky788scroller]

about 90% of my scrolling is done with my dewalt (usually refered to as my yella saw) set at right around 6 on the speed dial. If thinner stuff, I slow it down to around 4, or if Im on a long , fairly straight cut, I tend to crank the speed up, I find it easier to follow the line that way. Practice is what it all boils down to, and you will be getting a lot of it, just sawing and sawing, you will forget mealtime, bedtime, and all that other minute ( my-noot ) stuff. Speed will vary on wood density and thickness,your chosen blade,intricacy of pattern, and mostly...your skill and comfort level. Dale

[Carter Johnson]

For my puzzle cutting with my DeWalt, using FD2/0 blades and 1/4" plywood, I run the saw at about 6.3 on its 8-point speed scale. The tension is set at 4.5 on its 5-point scale. Sometimes, if the work is particularly delicate, I'll start a new blade at a slower speed for a few cuts.

When cutting my little postage stamp puzzles with 8/0 jewelers blades, I slow the speed down to around 3, with the tension less as well.

Have phun.....Carter

[PeteB]

I'm new to the hobby, too, but I imagine the trade-offs are similar to those experienced in cutting metal. At slow speeds the fibers will tear rather than cut, and at high speeds chip removal will be inefficient causing heat build-up in the saw blade. Just theorizing, btw, I am no authority on cutting wood or metal.

I tried cutting straight across a piece of 3/16" birch plywood with a puzzle blade while changing speed, and there seemed to be a "sweet spot" at about 1000-1100 SPM where the blade seemed to make better progress through the wood than at higher speeds. Could have been my imagination, too.

[Rolf]

I agree with all of the others.

Your feel for the saw's speed and how you feed it will come with time and experience.

I have been cutting for about 2.5 years, for the thigs that I like to cut speed takes a back seat to accuracy. If your blade is starting fires you are going too fast.

I will be taking an advanced scrolling class this weekend with John Nelson. It will be interesting to see where my level of scrolling really is.

[B Smith]

I also have the Dewalt and run my saw @#6 on the speed control.