Newbie blade question

[pngeezer]

Hi all,

First post! I'm a pretty experienced woodworker but totally new to scrolling. I picked up a used Tradesman saw and have been reading suggestions about what blades to use. I bought a selection of Flying Dutchman Ultra Reverse but having problems using them. Using a #5 with 1/4" plywood the blade is grabbing the piece on the upstroke and forcing it off the table and then it binds in the cut. Is this a usual occurrence or just using the wrong type of blade to start out with?

Thanks, Jim in Maryland

 

 

[Denny Knappen]

The rule of thumb is 3 teeth in contact with the wood at all times.  I would suggest a #1 FD UR blade.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Are you sure you inserted the blade correctly. Easy to get them confused because teeth up and down. The small amount of teeth on the bottom should not be enough to pull the board upwards. My go to FD blade is #5 Penguin silver reverse. They are not as sharp like ultras. I cut everything with them.

Edited September 30, 2025 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[Wichman]

Can you show us a picture of the design you are trying to cut?

The FD UR blades have 15 TPI all the way down to the 2/0 size, this still gives more than 3 teeth in the wood ( 15 / 4 = 3.75 ). The pattern and how sharp a turn you are trying to accomplish will go a long way in getting suggestions for a blade size/style.

Welcome to the Village!

[Wichman]

11 minutes ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

Are you sure you inserted the blade correctly. Easy to get them confused because teeth up and down. The small amount of teeth on the bottom should not be enough to pull the board upwards. My go to FD blade is #5 Penguin silver reverse. They are not as sharp like ultras. I cut everything with them.

The FD UR have every third tooth reversed. Very difficult to tell which direction on the smaller blades.

[dgman]

Welcome to the forum!
The FD ultra reverse blades have 2 teeth facing down and every third tooth facing up. Sounds like you have the blade upside down. There is a crimp on the blade that designates the up position. All other blades do not have this crimp.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

6 hours ago, Wichman said:

The FD UR have every third tooth reversed. Very difficult to tell which direction on the smaller blades.

You are correct with teeth. I forgot what they were. Have them somewhere in the drawer. Just do not use them. As far as difficult that can be corrected by using a magnifier and also I think there is a notch on top. 

[pngeezer]

Thanks for the comments and - yes - I had the blade upside down! These old eyes couldn't see the teeth so I used a magnifier to verify. It's better now.

Jim