Spiral Blades and Scroll Saws

[Dan]

Do any of the operating manuals for scroll saws mention using spiral blades? Years ago I heard someone say scroll saws weren't designed for spiral blades, spiral blades were made for scroll saws. Hmm. My Delta P-20 manual doesn't. I heard mention of the sideways pressure being rough on bearings and bushings. Makes sense to me. I had to replace a bearing on my saw years ago when I was using spiral blades, but that might have just been me. 

Just curious.

Edited April 26 by Dan
I highlighted the question.

[TAIrving]

I suspect that one would have to exert significant sideways pressure when using a spiral blade to affect the bearings.  I find that I use very little sideways pressure when i use them.  And I don't use them very often, but that is just me.  

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I doubt that sideward pressure has any interaction with bearings. You spin wood with flat blades too. The thing about spiral blades they are a learned to use blade more so than a flat blade because of the actions. When they first came out they were experimenting with how to make the ends stay in the blade clamps. I guess they have that part figured out now. Also the size of the blades can only go so low because of the twisting. They have their uses for sure and there are people who love them and people like me who hated them.  

[Bill WIlson]

If you are putting so much side pressure on the blade as to potentially damage bearings, then it's time to change the blade. 

[Dan]

Thanks everyone. I highlighted the question. The rest was some thoughts.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Gee that is a tough question to answer. How many saws are there out there? I doubt it. They may mention different types of blades that can be used with saw and list spirals. But why would a manual mention how to use any blade. They will mention how to install but a spiral is loaded like any flat blade. Not sure what you are after.

[Scrappile]

I suspect that it is the amount of pressure one is using.  Like straight blades. Let the blade do the cutting, so do not force it.

[JimNC]

I tried spiral blades several year back but I really didn't like then. Now that I am more experience I may try them again. I like the concept.

[Wichman]

On 4/25/2025 at 7:52 AM, Dan said:

Do any of the operating manuals for scroll saws mention using spiral blades? Years ago I heard someone say scroll saws weren't designed for spiral blades, spiral blades were made for scroll saws. Hmm. My Delta P-20 manual doesn't. I heard mention of the sideways pressure being rough on bearings and bushings. Makes sense to me. I had to replace a bearing on my saw years ago when I was using spiral blades, but that might have just been me. 

Just curious.

None of the manuals for any of my saws, or the  ones I have downloaded) made any mention of spiral blades. Of course no manufacturer would want to be the first or only ones to warn against a popular style of blade. Spiral or helical blades have been around since the early fifties* and manufacturers have had plenty of time to get ahead of any issues.

But think of this, most spiral blades are used with flat portrait style patterns, generally cut in 1/8" BB and maybe stacked 3 deep, so a 3/8" thick stack. If I max out my Hegner at 2 5/8" thick in purple heart the force needed to cut would be significantly more. Only if one maxed their saw out would the wear and tear become apparent, and in short order.

*Taken from Patrick Spielman's book: Scroll Saw Handbook with Patterns, published 1981. In the book Spielman mentions that helical blades have been around for 30 to 40 years and the modern spirals were a recent development by Olsen blade company.

 

 

 

[Denny Knappen]

I use Spiral blades, but only for portrait style patterns.

[Roberta Moreton]

I only use Spiral blades for fretwork patterns like Charles Dearing and Charles Hand design. They can be intense.  Then I use a combination of flat or spiral in the same pattern depending on the cut. I use flat when I can and spiral when it makes sense.