What blades to use??

[Old Forester]

When I got my new saw yesterday, I bought a few pkgs of #5 Olson blades to get me started. I will need to order more blades, but don't have a clue as to which brands, sizes, or types I should get. I realize this is a pretty broad question, but can anyone shed some light on this for me??

[BobD]

We've got a similar thread started here:
presision ground blades?

Rather than repeating myself <GRIN>

Bob

[workin for wood]

yea, you can buy whatever brand you want, but the size is determined more by whatever it is you'll be cutting. A #5 would be considered more of an intarsia type blade...better suited for cutting thicker woods...but if your making fretwork and you're stack cutting it, then a #5 would be good for that too. Personally, I think you can cut anything but a puzzle with a #5, but most people prefer much smaller blades for intricate fretwork, and I prefer to use a bigger blade for intarsia or fretwork. That's still a good choice for starting out, it's pretty much in the middle...I always figure start out in the middle and go from there...I do the same thing with electronics...I just turn all the knobs that I don't understand to the middle!

[Mick Walker]

Old Forester, check your Private Messages.

[Minnesota scroller]

Originally Posted by workin for wood

Personally, I think you can cut anything but a puzzle with a #5,

That depends on what type of puzzle you're cutting. A #5 is perfect for kid's puzzles cut out of 3/4" stock.

[workin for wood]

Good point Mike! But don't try and cut one of Carters stamp puzzles with one!