JimC Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 I just got some FD spiral blades and would like to try my hand at some portrait sawing with them. I am very new to scroll sawing in general and have never done a portrait. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a portrait pattern that would be SUPER EASY for a newbie. Thanks. Jim lawson56 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTCowpoke22 Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 I would look through the pattern files here on the village and try to find one that doesn't look too challenging. WayneMahler and Scrolling Steve 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iguanadon Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 Using spiral blades is "challenging" in and of itself... so just be aware. As a self proclaimed newbie, don't get too discouraged and consider backtracking to other types of projects in order to get some experience. Above all... HAVE FUN! Good luck, Iggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Lehner Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 Using spiral blades is "challenging" in and of itself... so just be aware. As a self proclaimed newbie, don't get too discouraged and consider backtracking to other types of projects in order to get some experience. Above all... HAVE FUN! Good luck, Iggy Spiral blades can be a challenge I have dabbled with them in certain conditions where a piece is too large for the depth of the saw. I very seldom use them myself.... many scrollers use only spiral blades Good Luck ... Let us know how you do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 You can give this one a try. I think it's great for spirals. Start with the small holes then work toward the big ones. Take your time near the thin parts. You can use masking tape to tape back in the wood from large cut out areas. Putting that back in adds a bit of extra support as you work on the next area. NC Scroller, Scrolling Steve and Dave Monk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blights69 Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 I gotta agree with Travis I done this very pattern recently and I am a newbie definately use his tip of taping parts back in it makes the piece a lot more rigid until finished cutting Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimC Posted March 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 Thanks for the feedback. May give "The King" a try. I will also check out the Village patterns. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimC Posted March 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 Several folks mentioned the challenge of using spiral blades. I had heard that they do cut aggressively, not sure exactly what that means though. What are the other challenges I should expect on my first try with spirals? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackman Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 Get a piece of scrap and draw lines on it. That away you can see how they work. WayneMahler 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneMahler Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 Trackman has some good advice. Draw some lines in the thickness of wood you plan to use for the portrait and play with them. Spirals cut in all directions and it will give you a good feel for how they will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawson56 Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 A lot of Great advise up there,I have tried Spiral Blades in the past, I will try them again in the future,Before you cut any Portraits do some scrap cutting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 I tried them once didn't like them and decided that I am too old to learn anything new. IKE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted March 31, 2017 Report Share Posted March 31, 2017 One thing I discovered with Spiral blades is that wood grain tends to deflect the blade. The thicker the wood the more you notice. If you use Baltic birch plywood to start you will get a better feel for the blade and build confidence. The pattern that Travis posted is a great pattern to start with. There are also patterns by Gary Browning that are easy and look good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Monk Posted March 31, 2017 Report Share Posted March 31, 2017 If I am cutting 1/4" plywood, I always stack cut at least two. If one would happen to break for some reason you always have a backup. dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimC Posted March 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2017 Thanks for all the input guys. I will probably start out with some scrap plywood, either 1/4" or 1/2". May just trace some lines as suggested by some of you instead of starting right out with a portrait. Probably won't get out to the shed until this weekend so I have some time for more research. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted March 31, 2017 Report Share Posted March 31, 2017 I just got some FD spiral blades and would like to try my hand at some portrait sawing with them. I am very new to scroll sawing in general and have never done a portrait. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a portrait pattern that would be SUPER EASY for a newbie. Thanks. Jim Keep the blade tight and push very little and be known spirals cut much slower than straight blades Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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