Which blade size?

[BrianA]

I am doing a new Steve good pattern of a penny. Reduced the size in half and the letters are now 1/2" tall and about 1/4 wide. I am cutting on 1/4" poplar. Not sure what blade to use.

penny.pdf

[rjweb]

I would use 2/0 super skip pegas blade, but you will need to try different blade sizes to find out what works best for you, RJ

Edited December 2, 2025 by rjweb

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

25 minutes ago, BrianA said:

I am doing a new Steve good pattern of a penny. Reduced the size in half and the letters are now 1/2" tall and about 1/4 wide. I am cutting on 1/4" poplar. Not sure what blade to use.

penny.pdf 9.36 kB · 1 download

That is a hard question to answer because so many blade sizes and types out there. Usually what happens is we scrollers fall in love with a particular blade from using it often. This becomes our crutch and seems we use it for just about everything. Now of course certain things need smaller blades such as puzzles and need specialty blades. I say use the blade you are familar with. Not all blades cut the same no matter type, size  or brand. My go to blade is is the FD #5 Penquin Silver Reverse blade. I cut with that from 1/8" to 3/4" thick wood of all species. Here is a project that has very detailed lettering like your that I used the PSR blade for. Love the way it cuts and I can control turns with it.

 

[Denny Knappen]

I use Pegas #1 MGT blades for 1/4" stock.

[Roberta Moreton]

I would use a #3. I prefer Pegas skip tooth.

Edited December 4, 2025 by Roberta Moreton

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

See what I mean. All different answers and no one blade is THE correct blade. Trial and error is the best teacher.

 

[edward]

I usually use  FD #1 and #3 reverse

[Scrappile]

You can tell but the responses, blades are a personal thing.  It is what works best for you.  Thinner, softer wood, smaller blade with more teeth.  I am a slow cutter, do no like aggressive blades, I mainly use #1 or #2 or smaller for 1/4" wood.  I only use a large blade #5 or larger for 3D cutting.   Best thing is to buy a dozen each of different sizes and and tooth configurations, try them and find out what works best for you.

[preprius]

here my experience.

Poplar can have some hard areas. 

as you cut around notice where these hard areas are.  If there are more than 3 area, I pencil mark them. In the hard areas the blade can grab and the machine will change motor noise.  Go slower in those areas. The blade may break at those marked area. If it does, go 1 higher blade size. I might slight increase motor speed. Not much. The intent of faster speed is the teeth won't dig in as much.

My blade opinion is #1 pegas MGT. or #1 super skip.  Mgt blades can catch on upstroke.  On the letters I wont use mgt (reverse teeth).

 

 

[Bill WIlson]

I can't tell you what blade to use.  All I can do is tell you what blade I would use and why.  I have an EX-21 and have the blade travel dialed in to the least amount of forward & backward motion possible.  I would use an FD #1 Ultra reverse.  I find them to be very controllable, but also cut well and stay sharp longer than some other blades I've used.

For text like that, control is more important than speed & aggressiveness, IMHO.  They require precision or it shows up very quickly in the lettering.  The FD #1 will easily cut the 1/4" poplar.

[BrianA]

Thanks all