What size blade? - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

southpaw · 04-23-2009, 05:32 PM

I have another blade question, what size blade do you guys use to cut a single line in a portrait, I could use a little feedback because I want to order some blades from Mike, I'm going to ask his opinion but the more the better, the bigger the blade, the bigger the saw cut, what is too small and what is too big? Thank you all. Lloyd

wood-n-things · 04-23-2009, 06:13 PM

Gosh Lloyd...It all depends on how wide a line you want left. I usually use a#5 or #7 but have used as large as a #12 of course sometimes it calls for a whisper of a line and you can go down to a 2/0. You will really need to experiment to see what you prefer. Some prefer spirals for this application, they cut more aggressively and take some getting used to though.

Mike has a sample pack of his blades available...I got that a long time ago and made notes on what I liked and disliked about all the different sizes.

I now have every size available, most are from Mike. He will answer all your questions, just ask.

3_M · 04-23-2009, 07:20 PM

Mike has a good answer.
"It all depends on how wide a line you want left"

Here is what I wanted to email you but will instead post it here.

People who cut portraits like the use the FD-NS # 2/0. If you want to get a smaller kerf, the problem becomes that the hole you drill will easily be seen. If you have two lines crossing each other, that is the place tho drill a hole for the blade.

Mike

southpaw · 04-23-2009, 08:01 PM

being new at this portrait thing, I figured there might have to be a minimum saw kerf for a picture to look like a picture, too thin a saw kerf might not show up enough.

wood-n-things · 04-24-2009, 12:03 AM

Lloyd,
You are absolutely correct too thin and it is all but a wasted cut....

southpaw · 05-07-2009, 04:23 PM

got my Fd blades the other day, tried a #1 ur and #3sr on my portrait and liked the cut, I also bought the chuck for small bits and I'm having a hard time getting the bits tight enough to drill, anyone having that problem, I haven't seen any posts about this?

04-23-2009, 06:13 PM	#2
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right here ---silly Posts: 4,471 Blog Entries: 1	Gosh Lloyd...It all depends on how wide a line you want left. I usually use a#5 or #7 but have used as large as a #12 of course sometimes it calls for a whisper of a line and you can go down to a 2/0. You will really need to experiment to see what you prefer. Some prefer spirals for this application, they cut more aggressively and take some getting used to though. Mike has a sample pack of his blades available...I got that a long time ago and made notes on what I liked and disliked about all the different sizes. I now have every size available, most are from Mike. He will answer all your questions, just ask. __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. Don't be so open-minded. Your brains will fall out!

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04-23-2009, 05:32 PM	#1
southpaw Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: wedgeport, ns, can. Posts: 45	What size blade? I have another blade question, what size blade do you guys use to cut a single line in a portrait, I could use a little feedback because I want to order some blades from Mike, I'm going to ask his opinion but the more the better, the bigger the blade, the bigger the saw cut, what is too small and what is too big? Thank you all. Lloyd

04-23-2009, 07:20 PM	#3
3_M Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Brandon, SD Posts: 628	What size blade Mike has a good answer. "It all depends on how wide a line you want left" Here is what I wanted to email you but will instead post it here. People who cut portraits like the use the FD-NS # 2/0. If you want to get a smaller kerf, the problem becomes that the hole you drill will easily be seen. If you have two lines crossing each other, that is the place tho drill a hole for the blade. Mike __________________ Home of the FD Blades

04-23-2009, 08:01 PM	#4
southpaw Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: wedgeport, ns, can. Posts: 45	being new at this portrait thing, I figured there might have to be a minimum saw kerf for a picture to look like a picture, too thin a saw kerf might not show up enough.

04-24-2009, 12:03 AM	#5
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right here ---silly Posts: 4,471 Blog Entries: 1	Lloyd, You are absolutely correct too thin and it is all but a wasted cut.... __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. Don't be so open-minded. Your brains will fall out!

05-07-2009, 04:23 PM	#6
southpaw Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: wedgeport, ns, can. Posts: 45	got my Fd blades the other day, tried a #1 ur and #3sr on my portrait and liked the cut, I also bought the chuck for small bits and I'm having a hard time getting the bits tight enough to drill, anyone having that problem, I haven't seen any posts about this?