Great job, Dick. Be careful, many more cuts of this type and you will find the spiral will become your go to blade. At least for the more detail portrait work.
Is it one that should not be cut? I mean, if it was posted many may have downloaded it before the owner mentioned it. Do we need to know to delete it from out personal libraries of downloaded patterns?
There was a thread recently on the blade change subject: http://www.scrollsawvillage.com/topic/16533-blade-changes-how-often/
Difficult question to answer, many varibles. Experience is the best teacher, I would say.
Nice looking lamp. There are lots of Youtube videos on how to cut a glass bottle with string and fire. It works, my Grandson and I did it once just to see if it did.
This is how I do it. I did get a batch that I had a porblem with, the end kept bending when I tightened the bottom clamp. I thought it was me and guess it could have been, but I had not had that porblem before nor after that one batch of blades.
I have had my Ex for about 2 years have not changed it yet. Seems to be holding up fine. I put a little vaseoline on it from time to time. Seem like I read to do that some where. I bought a spare right after I bought my saw because I thought it looked like something that would wear out. But not yet.
You might call Seyco and ask the question. I have always found them eager to help and advise.
Steve is correct in my opinion. I think it is good you bought an intro pack, practice with the different blades to find the kind that suits you best. In time you will get a feel for when the blade is getting dull. Do not be afraid to change blades if you feel it is getting dull. Blades are pretty cheap.