new too me - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

tony coleman · 05-06-2009, 09:19 PM

hi all.
i want too try doing some potrait work,so i recently sent away for no.3
spiral blades.can anyone please tell me what the finish on quarter inch ply with these blades would be like,and what are they like too use,i have never used spiral,s before.....

JohnB · 05-07-2009, 12:22 AM

G'day Tony,
They are bastards mate...................

With a lot of perseverance, swearing and changing tongue positions, you will, however be able to tame them. And when you do, they are great.
Spirals tend to blow the back of the board out more than flats, but the face is good.

I still prefer flat blades because of the crispness of cut, but find the spirals are excellent for veining and other parts of portraits.

Gill · 05-07-2009, 12:35 AM

Spiral blades?

Try hand grenades next time; they're much more easier to control and give a finer finish.

Gill

minowevie · 05-07-2009, 01:00 AM

Hi Tony, It has been my exspereance, that if you have been cutting with the flat blades. that the spirales are a hard to handle blade. but some folks just swear buy them. and for portraits, they are what you wont. it is just practice for sure. they do wont to go all over the place. and if you stand still. beware, if you move even just alittle. they will cut that way. alittle bump to the side will leave the bump mark. I think they are a hoot. you can do so many things with them. but personally, I hate changing the blades. they are just 2 blades twisted, and will un twist every time you change. and stretch. a real bother to get back into the holder clamps. but for those who are used to them. they work great. don't give up on them, just practice. the really nice thing is. you can cut bigger projects, without turning your wood. that really helps if you scrollsaw throat is only 18" or less. and your project is over that. they do blow out the back pretty bad. and if your plywood has any voids inside. well that would be over. for they will blow that out quick. most portraits are one side showing. so the back doesn't matter so much. but the little hairs or feathers. showing, you might have to burn them off. or sand, and on fragile pieces, that is something you have to dill with. stacking is another way to keep from this. at least 2 pieces. that is 1/2" in 1/4 plywood. you can also use card board. or 1/8th ply on the bottom. just to help with the blow out on the back. it also keeps your plywood secure. some folks even stack up to 6 1/8" plywood. and works great. just practice. yourll get it. your friend Evie

3_M · 05-07-2009, 01:15 AM

Evie,
I just have to correct what you say about the spiral blades,
"they are just 2 blades twisted" that is not true at all. A spiral is a flat blade what is twisted. It is just one blade. The new spirals have teeth in front and also on the back before they are twisted, this makes them a lot easier to control. Different companies sell them.
Mike

marshall · 05-07-2009, 01:21 AM

I'm going to join in with the most in saying that those spirals are not for me either

. I guess your either hot for them or cold against them ...........Marshall

minowevie · 05-07-2009, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3_M

Evie,
I just have to correct what you say about the spiral blades,
"they are just 2 blades twisted" that is not true at all. A spiral is a flat blade what is twisted. It is just one blade. The new spirals have teeth in front and also on the back before they are twisted, this makes them a lot easier to control. Different companies sell them.
Mike

Thanks Mike, again.
I don't know why I came up with that , but Mike is right again. Evie

tony coleman · 05-07-2009, 09:37 AM

thanks for the feedback everyone,i think ye just put me offf the darn things.no,i will try them and if it doesnt go well,atleast i can say i tried.
evie your oppinion is as good as anyone else,and always welcome.....

Bill Wilson · 05-07-2009, 12:54 PM

Spirals are definitely an acquired taste. They take a little longer to get the hang of, IMHO, but they do offer some unique advantages. Practice in some scrap with them until you get used to how they cut. You do need to forget everything you ever learned about cutting with a straight blade though.

Spirals will leave a little rougher edge than a straight blade. For most portraits I've seen it isn't a big problem. Did you get the flat end spirals? My biggest problem with them was getting them secured in the blade clamps. The twisted ends make it a challenge. You can untwist the ends and that does help, but it adds to your blade changing time. I got some flat end spirals last time I ordered blades. Haven't had the opportunity to try them yet, but I'm presuming (hoping) they are much easier to clamp.

Rolf · 05-07-2009, 01:17 PM

Not all spirals are created equal, that said tehe"NEW Spirals" that Mike is talking about (and sells) are dramaticly better and more controlable that your standard spiral.

I am sorry for repeating myself here. but your saw has alot to do with how well the spiral blades work. The front to back blade motion becomes an issue with the spirals. Example my Delta has about .040 front to back travel, so when cutting sideways with a spiral it wants to cut a really wide kerf. feeding straight in you only have the natural kerf of the blade.
On my G4 the blade motion is almost vertical in all the axis so the 2/0 spirals I use for veining (the only time I use them) work very well.

As stated by others I also preffer straight blades.

05-06-2009, 09:19 PM	#1
tony coleman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: ireland Posts: 653	new too me hi all. i want too try doing some potrait work,so i recently sent away for no.3 spiral blades.can anyone please tell me what the finish on quarter inch ply with these blades would be like,and what are they like too use,i have never used spiral,s before..... __________________ lets make plenty of sawdust and have fun doing it http://www.customcutz4you.webs.com/

05-07-2009, 12:22 AM	#2
JohnB 1 Tin Soldier Rides Away Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Posts: 4,806	G'day Tony, They are bastards mate................... With a lot of perseverance, swearing and changing tongue positions, you will, however be able to tame them. And when you do, they are great. Spirals tend to blow the back of the board out more than flats, but the face is good. I still prefer flat blades because of the crispness of cut, but find the spirals are excellent for veining and other parts of portraits. __________________ Regards John "The Golden Mile" “God bless America. God save the Queen. God defend New Zealand and thank Christ for Australia.” - Russell Crowe Some of my Stuff Retired Medically Unfit WA Police Officers

05-07-2009, 12:35 AM	#3
Gill Fallen Angel Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,612	Spiral blades? Try hand grenades next time; they're much more easier to control and give a finer finish. Gill __________________ There is no opinion, however absurd, which men will not readily embrace as soon as they can be brought to the conviction that it is readily adopted. (Schopenhauer, Die Kunst Recht zu Behalten)

05-07-2009, 01:15 AM	#5
3_M Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Brandon, SD Posts: 627	Evie, I just have to correct what you say about the spiral blades, "they are just 2 blades twisted" that is not true at all. A spiral is a flat blade what is twisted. It is just one blade. The new spirals have teeth in front and also on the back before they are twisted, this makes them a lot easier to control. Different companies sell them. Mike __________________ Home of the FD Blades

05-07-2009, 01:21 AM	#6
marshall Just love Being Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Jonesboro AR Posts: 2,019	I'm going to join in with the most in saying that those spirals are not for me either . I guess your either hot for them or cold against them ...........Marshall __________________ Usually busier than a cat in a sandbox !!!!!!!!!!! { Dewalt 788 only }

05-07-2009, 01:00 AM	#4
minowevie Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: california Posts: 6,398	Hi Tony, It has been my exspereance, that if you have been cutting with the flat blades. that the spirales are a hard to handle blade. but some folks just swear buy them. and for portraits, they are what you wont. it is just practice for sure. they do wont to go all over the place. and if you stand still. beware, if you move even just alittle. they will cut that way. alittle bump to the side will leave the bump mark. I think they are a hoot. you can do so many things with them. but personally, I hate changing the blades. they are just 2 blades twisted, and will un twist every time you change. and stretch. a real bother to get back into the holder clamps. but for those who are used to them. they work great. don't give up on them, just practice. the really nice thing is. you can cut bigger projects, without turning your wood. that really helps if you scrollsaw throat is only 18" or less. and your project is over that. they do blow out the back pretty bad. and if your plywood has any voids inside. well that would be over. for they will blow that out quick. most portraits are one side showing. so the back doesn't matter so much. but the little hairs or feathers. showing, you might have to burn them off. or sand, and on fragile pieces, that is something you have to dill with. stacking is another way to keep from this. at least 2 pieces. that is 1/2" in 1/4 plywood. you can also use card board. or 1/8th ply on the bottom. just to help with the blow out on the back. it also keeps your plywood secure. some folks even stack up to 6 1/8" plywood. and works great. just practice. yourll get it. your friend Evie

05-07-2009, 09:37 AM	#8
tony coleman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: ireland Posts: 653	thanks for the feedback everyone,i think ye just put me offf the darn things.no,i will try them and if it doesnt go well,atleast i can say i tried. evie your oppinion is as good as anyone else,and always welcome..... __________________ lets make plenty of sawdust and have fun doing it http://www.customcutz4you.webs.com/

05-07-2009, 12:54 PM	#9
Bill Wilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 578	Spirals are definitely an acquired taste. They take a little longer to get the hang of, IMHO, but they do offer some unique advantages. Practice in some scrap with them until you get used to how they cut. You do need to forget everything you ever learned about cutting with a straight blade though. Spirals will leave a little rougher edge than a straight blade. For most portraits I've seen it isn't a big problem. Did you get the flat end spirals? My biggest problem with them was getting them secured in the blade clamps. The twisted ends make it a challenge. You can untwist the ends and that does help, but it adds to your blade changing time. I got some flat end spirals last time I ordered blades. Haven't had the opportunity to try them yet, but I'm presuming (hoping) they are much easier to clamp. __________________ "I'm a white male, aged 18 to 49. Everyone listens to me! No matter how dumb my suggestions are."

05-07-2009, 01:17 PM	#10
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,778	Not all spirals are created equal, that said tehe"NEW Spirals" that Mike is talking about (and sells) are dramaticly better and more controlable that your standard spiral. I am sorry for repeating myself here. but your saw has alot to do with how well the spiral blades work. The front to back blade motion becomes an issue with the spirals. Example my Delta has about .040 front to back travel, so when cutting sideways with a spiral it wants to cut a really wide kerf. feeding straight in you only have the natural kerf of the blade. On my G4 the blade motion is almost vertical in all the axis so the 2/0 spirals I use for veining (the only time I use them) work very well. As stated by others I also preffer straight blades. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

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