cutting with spiral blades

[Mimi]

I am getting ready to stack cut a project. I was wondering if I can do this with spiral blades. I have never stack cut with spiral blades. I was just wondering if it is a good idea. thanks for the advice.

Mimi

[DonR]

Mimi, As far as I am concerned, it is an excellent idea. Many will disagree but I use exclusively FD Spiral blades and I use #1 Spirals to cut a stack of four 1/8 inch BB Ply.

Don R

[Messman]

I have stack cut using sprial blades as well. You will just want to slow your feed rate down and you should have no problems.

[Mimi]

Thanks for the info. I will try it. I do use FD blades would not use any thing else. I think they are the best blades.

Mimi

[amazingkevin]

Hi mimi, i've been formulating a poem about the infamous spirals i weant to post when completed.Tough to learn to use but tips and tricks from ssv made it a breeze to use them.keep the spirals very taunt ,no flex and go slow,piece of cake to use now.i did a 4 foot long straight line,many times on the john 3:16 verse im going to post soon.

[DonR]

Mimi, Just one example, I cut this yesterday with FD Spirals #1, stack of 4. Pattern by Pabreau.

DonR

[Mimi]

hey Don The picture looks great, how do you keep from making your lines look jagged. Not sure what I am doing wrong. I went back to using straight blades. I did use spirals when I cut the t-bird. I thought that one looked ok just not sure the spiral is right for this picture. If you are wondering what I am cutting I am cutting Sue Mey's mothers cross.

[DonR]

I run the saw at medium speed (#5) and feed steadily and slowly and keep good downward pressure on the wood. Doing that with spirals works well for me. It took about 2 hours to cut that picture of the Indian Girl and 4 or 5 blades.

Don R

[Mimi]

I think I will try it on the next picture I do. It will be of the dog Missie. I can not believe how backed up in work I am. Never thought that scroll saw art would be so popular. Thanks for the information. I am going to practice and see if I can get better.

[amazingkevin]

You'll enjoy cutting missy by grampa if i remember right there are 529 holes to cut!it went fast though!

[chris_garner]

i use olsen spiral blades.. usually 41 to46 tpi and all my holes come out real smooth.

[jblood]

to add my two cents here... spiral blades are the reason I started scroll sawing. and I haven't ever used regular blades. I commonly cut stacks of up to 4, 1/4 inch plywood blanks, with no trouble. I have read that spiral blades leave more of the "fuzzies" on the back of your cuts but a quick pass with a small flap sander on a dremel tool takes care of that.

[chris_garner]

as far as the little fuzzies on the back of the piece are concerned, i normally use a small torch to burn them away then use a small sanding block to scratch the burnt fuzzies away.. it does a good job.

[Mimi]

wow thanks for all the good ideas. every time i come to this site I learn something thanks for all the new ideas.