Ever have one of those projects.....

[doodle1]

That you tell someone will be fairly simple to make and then you find yourself in wayyyyyyyy over your head? A friend asked if I could make a pattern that was a 8x10 picture frame in to a 3'x2' clock and I said "Sure not a problem". After enlarging the picture, getting the wood, gluing the picture onto the wood and drilling all the holes I realized that I would have to use spiral blades (which I had never used before). After ordering the blades I found them very hard to keep in the clamp at the bottom. Finally got it to stay in and decided to tackle the project head on. Cut out 4 holes and then the blade broke cuz i tensioned it too much. Changed the blade and started cutting again only to have the blade keep popping out. Take the large piece of wood off the saw table, fix the blade, thread the blade thru the hole, start cutting again, blade pops out. Repeat above steps about 10 more times and finally bend the blade completely out of shape and throw in the garbage. Start over with new blade and start cutting. Realize that blade is in upside down and tearout is now happening on the top of project instead of bottom. Take the blade off change it around and start all over again. Finally get the setup working again, cut out 5 more holes and then phone rings. Hang up phone start cutting again and blade pops out!
I will get this project completed yet! I have finally cut almost half of it and it doesn't look too bad. Good thing the customer is a good friend of mine and isn't putting pressure on me to finish it. And also good thing that when it is finished it is being shipped fairly far away from me so I don't have to see it again!

[minowevie]

Sherrie, I admire your efforts in keeping going. spirales can be such a bother , I would love to handale them like so many others hear. but it seams like if I could just keep the blade in without changing holes, all would be good. but I have had the same problems you have had. it doesn't seem to matter if they are straight end ones or not. they still untwist, and it is hard to remont them . for me anyway. I am like you though, I will try till I die, to get it right. just wonted you to know. you are not alone. your friend Evie

[turningnut]

When the going gets tough, the tough get going!!! I admire your tenacity and willingness to out survive a difficult project. Keep up the good work.

[CharlieDearing]

Sherri, I use only spirals. Invest in ones that are factory straightened on the ends....not ones twisted all the way down.

[doodle1]

I finally finished cutting with the spiral blades! Only used about 15 blades in 106 holes! Not too bad I guess. I actually liked the way they cut once I got used to them. Now for the easier part of cutting the oval outside and putting the clock mechanism into it. I will post a picture in the bragging section once it is completed.

[Nubbin]

I feel your pain. I learned to use spriral blades on one of Charlie Dearing's patterns and now feel very comfortable putting a spiral in the saw and producing a likable result. The one thing I found out is the more you use them the better you understand them. Hang in there.

[f250]

Oh yes, the pain of a never ending project. I think we've all started something and said oh my goodness, this is way worse than I thought. Keep on fighting, you'll get it all done and be glad it is finished!

Tom

[Huntter2022]

Sherri , will be looking forward to see the picures . In the end look at the experence you gain by sticking with it
David

[yost69]

I use spirals for most things i cut. i found a tip early on, dont remember if it was here or on another board, but if you take a pair of vice grips on the end of the blade about a 1/2 inch or so and squeeze the daylights out of them you can striaghten up the ends to where the clamps hold onto them. takes a few minutes to do a dozen of them but to me it is worth the time so i dont have to mess with the blades popping out all the time.

[sawdustus]

I haven't used spirals yet but I remember seen an add in one of the magazines for a spirals that come with factory flattened ends.

sawdustus