spiral blades - Help! - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

wwalker47 · 11-02-2007, 01:59 AM

OK, Guys, I know we've talked about this before. This is the first time I have tried them and my question is how in the world you you keep them in the blade clamps? I saw with a Dewalt 788 and the blades are FD new spirals. I am cutting Volker Arnold's Nativity Scene from the Holiday 2006; issue 25. So a spiral blade makes sense. I am not doing too badly, the blades just keep popping out. BTW the ends are twisted.

Thanks, in advance for your help.

-Bill

Minnesota scroller · 11-02-2007, 02:12 AM

The one time I tried these same blades, I had the same problem. Also, whenever I did get them to stay in for awhile, they would break too easily, sometimes while tensioning. I then tried some Olson plain end, not twisted, spiral blades. I had much better luck witht these. I'm told that they are much more aggressive, but they worked better for me. However, I still don't like spirals.

warren59 · 11-02-2007, 02:28 AM

I just finished a project using the FD spirals blades. I used pliers to untwist each end making sure they line up with each other and then I used 150 grit sandpaper and sanded the ends to remove the oil and rough up the surface. Make sure you blade holders are in good shape, sand the two surfaces flat just to be sure. Doing the above I have no problem.
Warren

lucky788scroller · 11-02-2007, 02:32 AM

Well, I use a big yella too, and when I use spirals I never have a problem . I install the blade first in the bottom holder, loose, just tight enough to hold it. Then, I lower the upper arm and because of the twist in the blade, I adjust the blade up or down in the bottom holder just enough to make the have the right orientation in the top holder, then I tighten down the bottom clamp. Since I am a bottom feeder I do this, and every fret hole I move to, I know my blade will stay aligned right in the other holder.I tighten the clamp like I would with any other blade. I havent ever had a problem with blade breakage because of clamping or tensioning, only by accidently kinking it when I set the project down to fast. Your blades are fine, I like the FD's, although I dont care for the spiral ones with reversed teeth, its that learning curve that experience will take care of. As for the project you are doing, I myself would have used a flat blade, probably a #3 FD-TC . Dale

Bill Wilson · 11-02-2007, 02:21 PM

Had the exact same problem last year on the exact same project. I feel your pain. Unfortunately I didn't learn the error of my ways until the project was done and I had broken several dozen blades.

Follow the tips you've been given and you should have better luck. The secret is to get the ends straight and seated flat in the clamps. If the blades ends are twisted, you need to untwist them in some fashion or you are pretty much doomed.

Good luck, that's a really nice pattern. I made 5 last year and gave them away to my family. They were a big hit! A fellow in my scrollsaw club made 8 this year. He even went so far as to make foam lined cases for each of them so that they would be protected while stored away.

SonjaRaquel · 11-02-2007, 02:39 PM

Hi Bill,
I cut fretwork and I use the FD spirals (mostly #1 and #3 depending on the thickness)and I love them. There is a learning curve. At first I broke (and they were chewed into by tightning the clamp). Now I kinda feel where the twist is before placing the blade into the clamp and now have no trouble. I wish I could cut all of my projects with FD spirals.
Sonja

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwalker47

OK, Guys, I know we've talked about this before. This is the first time I have tried them and my question is how in the world you you keep them in the blade clamps? I saw with a Dewalt 788 and the blades are FD new spirals. I am cutting Volker Arnold's Nativity Scene from the Holiday 2006; issue 25. So a spiral blade makes sense. I am not doing too badly, the blades just keep popping out. BTW the ends are twisted.

Thanks, in advance for your help.

-Bill

Kerux · 11-02-2007, 03:13 PM

Spiral Blades are evil.

jefpaf · 11-02-2007, 04:37 PM

Hi Bill,
FD has a new FLAT END spiral blade that works great
I think it comes in #3, #5, and #7 hope that helps.
Jerry

Silver Sliver · 11-02-2007, 09:33 PM

Hey WWalker
I winter in Pinellas Co. with an address of Seminole, Fl. Send me an email at aduaneg@consultant.com and lets see if we can get together some time. Duane

3_M · 11-02-2007, 10:02 PM

Silver Sliver,
So, you are looking for a new coffee mate.

Mike

11-02-2007, 02:12 AM	#2
Minnesota scroller Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SW MN Posts: 1,694	The one time I tried these same blades, I had the same problem. Also, whenever I did get them to stay in for awhile, they would break too easily, sometimes while tensioning. I then tried some Olson plain end, not twisted, spiral blades. I had much better luck witht these. I'm told that they are much more aggressive, but they worked better for me. However, I still don't like spirals. __________________ Mike Making sawdust with a Dremel 1680. www.picturetrail.com/naturephotos

11-02-2007, 10:02 PM	#10
3_M Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Brandon, SD Posts: 670	Silver Sliver, So, you are looking for a new coffee mate. Mike __________________ Home of the FD Blades

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11-02-2007, 01:59 AM	#1
wwalker47 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seminole, Florida Posts: 797	spiral blades - Help! OK, Guys, I know we've talked about this before. This is the first time I have tried them and my question is how in the world you you keep them in the blade clamps? I saw with a Dewalt 788 and the blades are FD new spirals. I am cutting Volker Arnold's Nativity Scene from the Holiday 2006; issue 25. So a spiral blade makes sense. I am not doing too badly, the blades just keep popping out. BTW the ends are twisted. Thanks, in advance for your help. -Bill __________________ My saw is a DeWalt788 Measure twice; cut once; count fingers after cut

11-02-2007, 02:28 AM	#3
warren59 Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 80	I just finished a project using the FD spirals blades. I used pliers to untwist each end making sure they line up with each other and then I used 150 grit sandpaper and sanded the ends to remove the oil and rough up the surface. Make sure you blade holders are in good shape, sand the two surfaces flat just to be sure. Doing the above I have no problem. Warren

11-02-2007, 02:32 AM	#4
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,354	Well, I use a big yella too, and when I use spirals I never have a problem . I install the blade first in the bottom holder, loose, just tight enough to hold it. Then, I lower the upper arm and because of the twist in the blade, I adjust the blade up or down in the bottom holder just enough to make the have the right orientation in the top holder, then I tighten down the bottom clamp. Since I am a bottom feeder I do this, and every fret hole I move to, I know my blade will stay aligned right in the other holder.I tighten the clamp like I would with any other blade. I havent ever had a problem with blade breakage because of clamping or tensioning, only by accidently kinking it when I set the project down to fast. Your blades are fine, I like the FD's, although I dont care for the spiral ones with reversed teeth, its that learning curve that experience will take care of. As for the project you are doing, I myself would have used a flat blade, probably a #3 FD-TC . Dale

11-02-2007, 02:21 PM	#5
Bill Wilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 687	Had the exact same problem last year on the exact same project. I feel your pain. Unfortunately I didn't learn the error of my ways until the project was done and I had broken several dozen blades. Follow the tips you've been given and you should have better luck. The secret is to get the ends straight and seated flat in the clamps. If the blades ends are twisted, you need to untwist them in some fashion or you are pretty much doomed. Good luck, that's a really nice pattern. I made 5 last year and gave them away to my family. They were a big hit! A fellow in my scrollsaw club made 8 this year. He even went so far as to make foam lined cases for each of them so that they would be protected while stored away. __________________ 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."

11-02-2007, 03:13 PM	#7
Kerux Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 40	Spiral Blades are evil.

11-02-2007, 04:37 PM	#8
jefpaf Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3	Hi Bill, FD has a new FLAT END spiral blade that works great I think it comes in #3, #5, and #7 hope that helps. Jerry

11-02-2007, 09:33 PM	#9
Silver Sliver Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 18	Hey WWalker I winter in Pinellas Co. with an address of Seminole, Fl. Send me an email at aduaneg@consultant.com and lets see if we can get together some time. Duane