I'm not sure that bragging rights is where this posting belongs, however, I have come a long way since my last post. I had started out using spiral blades only and that worked out great for me, if nothing else to get me comfortable with the machine, cutting, speeds etc. Now I can alternate between spiral blades and straight blades depending on what I'm working on. These three ornaments are nothing to brag about other than I was able to glue boards together, then cut into a square block and come up with something that was close to the pattern of a 3D Christmas Tree ornament. Once by back surgery is over, I'm going to hit this hard and heavy til they are perfect, I adore these things. I did manage to get a set of ABC's cut out, sanded down and painted for my 2 yr old grandbaby, so that is pretty cool also.