blade help for a beginner - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

joni · 09-16-2009, 02:17 AM

I'm a beginner scroll sawer. I have and older 20'' contracter series Sears craftsman scroll saw. The blade that is in the saw is pinned, the one spare blade is not pinned. I am just doing some practice cutting on this on 1/2 " plywood. I did an internet search and it just left me confused. Can i use either one on this saw or does it matter? What blade sizes would you recommend to start out with? Does it matter much if they are reverse teeth or not? Any other tips would be appreciated.

Chris "The Wood Artist" · 09-16-2009, 02:37 AM

Ok I see if I can give you some tips. I'm going on what I do with my tips. First of all you can use either type of blade. Though I usally use blades that aren't pinned as it allows you to cut smaller entry holes as well as allows you to do more inctricate cuts. As far as size of blades, that depends on what thickness of material you are cutting. My choice on reverse teeth is that the thinner material ie. 1/4" or smaller I use reverse teeth as it seems to cut cleaner on the backside. I can't remember the site but he's a member here so check with "Flying Duchmen Blades". He's a great guy on info more into the blades. He has a great sampler set of blades. One thing to remember is this, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, you will get better the more you use it. An idea that I would check into is the book "Scroll Saw Handbook" it has some great info on it. Hope this helps, others I'm sure will give you more tips, if you have a specific question, feel free to ask, that's what this forum is for and there is a lot of people with a bunch of knowledge.

wood-n-things · 09-16-2009, 02:42 AM

Try reading the vast number of threads on this topic in the forum on tools and blades.
here is a link.
Tools and Blades - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Terry Jay · 09-16-2009, 02:47 AM

Look up higher in the Forum for Beginner Scroll Saw, and in the "Sticky" section at the top of that topic is FAQ blades. There is an explanation and also links to various suppliers.

Personal opinion is the hardware store pinned blades would be good for heavy construction, not so good on more intricate designs. Smaller wood thickness, lower number blade. Long straight lines, higher number blade. But you may want to call one or more of the suppliers and talk to them about your specifics and see what the suggest.

Terry

wood-n-things · 09-16-2009, 02:49 AM

Terry,
Thanks for pointing out that excellent tutorial by the Canadian scroller. I keep forgetting to point in that direction.

Lets not forget this one...A really good read and a wealth of information.
Scrollsawing Tips, Tricks and help for newbies by Dave Gandy - Part 4

joni · 09-17-2009, 02:28 AM

Thanks for the replys.I did a search before I started my thread and all the options just gave me a headache

.I took your advise ordered the book and some blades.Thanks.....Joni

lucky788scroller · 09-17-2009, 02:37 AM

Welcome Joni. You got some great advice on blades already. The key element though is practice. The more practice you get, the easier it gets. Get some good quality blades,and make some sawdust!! And, dont forget to pop in often!

RichZ · 09-21-2009, 11:27 AM

Joni, forget the book just scroll. Try sampler paks of blades and just cut. Cut 1/8" !/4 and up wood. Just cut. John Nelson once told me he only uses two sizes of blades, #3 and #5. You CAN drive yourself nuts with blade choices. Skip tooth,double tooth, reverse double tooth, etc etc. Reverse teeth are supposed to reduce fuzzies on the underside of the work piece. Sometimes yes sometimes no. Get some easy patterns and make something, anything.

Richie Z

joni · 09-25-2009, 01:52 AM

Thanks Richie Z and everybody else who responded. I got some blades I ordered today in the mail and I am definitely going to start some scrolling practice this weekend.

Iamdusty · 09-25-2009, 04:38 PM

For me, when I was beginning, the Workbook by John Nelson was so helpful, I always recommend it. As you go through each lesson and project it is so helpful to get the advice and instruction on the blade to use and other techniques, I would recommend it highly.
The advice on practice is right on, but of necessity if you use his book, it will get you started in the right direction and help to introduce you to the great versatility of the scroll saw and you will want to practice.
Just my two cents
Dale M.

09-16-2009, 02:17 AM	#1
joni Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	blade help for a beginner I'm a beginner scroll sawer. I have and older 20'' contracter series Sears craftsman scroll saw. The blade that is in the saw is pinned, the one spare blade is not pinned. I am just doing some practice cutting on this on 1/2 " plywood. I did an internet search and it just left me confused. Can i use either one on this saw or does it matter? What blade sizes would you recommend to start out with? Does it matter much if they are reverse teeth or not? Any other tips would be appreciated.

09-16-2009, 02:37 AM	#2
Chris "The Wood Artist" Craftsman & Designer Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Fort Smith, AR USA Posts: 218	Ok I see if I can give you some tips. I'm going on what I do with my tips. First of all you can use either type of blade. Though I usally use blades that aren't pinned as it allows you to cut smaller entry holes as well as allows you to do more inctricate cuts. As far as size of blades, that depends on what thickness of material you are cutting. My choice on reverse teeth is that the thinner material ie. 1/4" or smaller I use reverse teeth as it seems to cut cleaner on the backside. I can't remember the site but he's a member here so check with "Flying Duchmen Blades". He's a great guy on info more into the blades. He has a great sampler set of blades. One thing to remember is this, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, you will get better the more you use it. An idea that I would check into is the book "Scroll Saw Handbook" it has some great info on it. Hope this helps, others I'm sure will give you more tips, if you have a specific question, feel free to ask, that's what this forum is for and there is a lot of people with a bunch of knowledge. __________________ Chris The Wood Artist "Keep Scrolling Along" Free Patterns: www.myspace.com/_woodartist_ and http://thewoodartist.blogspot.com/

09-17-2009, 02:28 AM	#6
joni Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	thanks Thanks for the replys.I did a search before I started my thread and all the options just gave me a headache .I took your advise ordered the book and some blades.Thanks.....Joni

09-17-2009, 02:37 AM	#7
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,260	Welcome Joni. You got some great advice on blades already. The key element though is practice. The more practice you get, the easier it gets. Get some good quality blades,and make some sawdust!! And, dont forget to pop in often! __________________ Dale w/ yella saws

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

09-16-2009, 02:42 AM	#3
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right here ---silly Posts: 4,471 Blog Entries: 1	Try reading the vast number of threads on this topic in the forum on tools and blades. here is a link. Tools and Blades - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. Don't be so open-minded. Your brains will fall out!

09-16-2009, 02:47 AM	#4
Terry Jay Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sterling, AK Port Angeles, WA Posts: 33	Look up higher in the Forum for Beginner Scroll Saw, and in the "Sticky" section at the top of that topic is FAQ blades. There is an explanation and also links to various suppliers. Personal opinion is the hardware store pinned blades would be good for heavy construction, not so good on more intricate designs. Smaller wood thickness, lower number blade. Long straight lines, higher number blade. But you may want to call one or more of the suppliers and talk to them about your specifics and see what the suggest. Terry

09-16-2009, 02:49 AM	#5
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right here ---silly Posts: 4,471 Blog Entries: 1	Terry, Thanks for pointing out that excellent tutorial by the Canadian scroller. I keep forgetting to point in that direction. Lets not forget this one...A really good read and a wealth of information. Scrollsawing Tips, Tricks and help for newbies by Dave Gandy - Part 4 __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. Don't be so open-minded. Your brains will fall out! Last edited by wood-n-things; 09-16-2009 at 02:58 AM.

09-21-2009, 11:27 AM	#8
RichZ Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kings Park NY Posts: 35	Joni, forget the book just scroll. Try sampler paks of blades and just cut. Cut 1/8" !/4 and up wood. Just cut. John Nelson once told me he only uses two sizes of blades, #3 and #5. You CAN drive yourself nuts with blade choices. Skip tooth,double tooth, reverse double tooth, etc etc. Reverse teeth are supposed to reduce fuzzies on the underside of the work piece. Sometimes yes sometimes no. Get some easy patterns and make something, anything. Richie Z

09-25-2009, 01:52 AM	#9
joni Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	Thanks Richie Z and everybody else who responded. I got some blades I ordered today in the mail and I am definitely going to start some scrolling practice this weekend.

09-25-2009, 04:38 PM	#10
Iamdusty Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Utah and Arizona Posts: 106	For me, when I was beginning, the Workbook by John Nelson was so helpful, I always recommend it. As you go through each lesson and project it is so helpful to get the advice and instruction on the blade to use and other techniques, I would recommend it highly. The advice on practice is right on, but of necessity if you use his book, it will get you started in the right direction and help to introduce you to the great versatility of the scroll saw and you will want to practice. Just my two cents Dale M.