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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: pddesertrat on September 18, 2014, 11:40:22 am
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So far, the hardest part of scrolling for me is determining which direction to put the blade on the scroll saw, which way is up. I always try the holding the blade at eye level and dragging it between my index finger and thumb, method and I probably get it correct 60% of the time. Once I start scrolling I can usually, pretty quickly determine if I was correct or not by moving the blade lightly along a cut and seeing which side of the blade cuts as I move it. I don't know why they don't mark the top of the blade like the FD #5 blades.
Are there other way to tell other than what I stated? I have spent some time search the internet for answers but as yet haven't found much. Seems to me it would be covered in every tutorial or video about blades. Maybe I just the alone in this, but it should be easy in my opinion. I know posting this will help show how stupid I am, but well that is life. :(
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I use a magnifying glass. My eyes are old. ;)
Sheila
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A trick I use when the blade is to fine to see the blade in my magnifier is to run a piece of cotton over the teeth. You can get a good indication from this. But sometimes I just make a mistake and, like you know, when you have made an error. Good Luck, and remember, if it is wrong that is not a big deal. Just make sure the teeth are facing you because that will be a big deal.
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It can get really hard when you are using reverse tooth blades. Usually the fewer teeth are on the bottom so you have to check it very carefully. I just use the "finger/thumb" method also and some times I have to check the blade from both ends two or three times before I install it.
Rog
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On a news feed a few weeks ago I noticed one scroller that spray painted his blades 'cause he had a problem seeing the blade against the pattern. Cheers, Barry.
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When you get a new pack of blades try dipping the top in some paint. As long as it is not too thick I don't think you will have troubles putting it in the blade holder.
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When you get a new pack of blades try dipping the top in some paint. As long as it is not too thick I don't think you will have troubles putting it in the blade holder.
Are you saying that when they are packaged they are put in top side up? I never thought of that, I hope Mike responds on that. I assume he repackages to send the amount requested. If not, it is a good idea but I still have to figure which way is up.
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I use alot of 2/0 reverse Olsen blades. I always look for the tiny space where the teeth change direction. It works!
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I use mostly FD UR # 5. Near the "top" that blade has a slight kink in it. I eyeball the blade front to back to see it. No more problems.
jerry
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I use mostly FD UR # 5. Near the "top" that blade has a slight kink in it. I eyeball the blade front to back to see it. No more problems.
jerry
Yes that is great on their #5's but it is not there on the other sizes.
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I sometimes hold the blade against a white sheet of paper to see which direction the blade should go.
Marg
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The little kink is on all the UR blades from Mike. I use the drag across my thumbnail method if it catches i know which way the teeth are pointing.
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Steve Good had a nice article about this, called dimples:
I Love Your Dimples:
I get emails all the time asking what blades I use. I answer Flying Dutchman brand from Mike over at www.mikesworkshop.com. Most long time scrollers will have their favorite blades. Some will have multiple brands with certain blades from each brand and others are brand loyal. I am the brand loyal guy. I have used just about every blade out there but I always end up back to my Flying Dutchman blades. It's just a preference. I won't get into debates over which blades are best. My opinion is obvious but use what works for you.
If you do try the Flying Dutchman blades I have a recommendation. I have always been a fan of the Scroll Reverse model for the splinter free finish on the backside of the cut. A while back when I was talking with Mike he suggested the newer Ultra Reverse blades. Mike never steers me wrong so I bought a bunch of different sizes.
The big feature of the blade besides the reverse tooth pattern and the hardened steel was the dimple. The dimple serves a very simple purpose. It lets you instantly know which end of the blade goes up. At first I thought it was more of a gimmick than a true feature. Boy was I wrong. That dimple comes in super handy especially on the smaller blades. Even after 30 plus years of scrolling I would still occasionally install a blade upside down. My fingers are callused and feeling the small tooth pattern was not that easy. Now I never even have to think about it. Grab the blade by the dimple and install it. As I get older the simple things seem to make more of a difference to me. I love that dimple
I talked to the president about this a while back. I asked if they ever would put it on other blades with reverse teeth. He told me that he will discuss this with the production people. He liked the idea and would let me know when they would go in production.
FD Mike
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Well thanks for chiming in Mike. I agree with you on the FD blades, and if the makers really wanted to make all their blades over the top they would add the dimple. I prefer the TC blades so far and only the #5's have the dimple. Don't know why they stopped there.
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Hi pddesertrat, the wife does all the repacking and I asked her if she know about the mark on FD-TC # 5. Yes, she said.
I hope the company let me know when they put it all the blades with reverse teeth.
All the numbers of the FD-UR have it and many have told me that they really like it.
FD Mike
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Hi, i also use the FD ultra reverse blade and they have i dent at the top on all sizes.
That it's super for my bad eyes.
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I'm sure we all have had the same problem. When I receive an order of blades, I take the time to place them top to bottom by either eyesite (not very good at that any longer) or use the thumb process. Then I place them in the holders with the top of all the blades up so when I insert a new blade, I will know right away which end goes up. Painting would be a great idea, but I would be worried the paint would make the blades to large to fit into the holder...I could be wrong on this.
Larry
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I have no problem feeling the direction of the teeth on FD Polar #5 blades. I also use the FD ultra reverse blades with the "dimple" on the top. When doing inlay work (I do not do fretwork) when the dimpled blades break and I need to insert a new blade into the unfinished cut the dimple restricts this. (My saws require a bottom feed) I have to hammer out that dimple before it will go into the cut. The ultra reverse blades last longer than the polar blades for me but that dern dimple is a bother.
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I use reverse blades alot and found it is hard to tell, but if I get a new package of blades I insert them back into the pack in the same direction mostly with the top of the blade at the top of the open package so I know what is the top, also on the fd reverese if you look the bottom of the blade has less blade sticking past the teeth then the top is how I tell mine from top and bottom, the ultra reverese has a dimple in the top of the blade. I have a lighted maginifer from harbor frieght and use it to tell the blade direction sometimes.
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I found the solution, it is very easy to tell with spiral blades.... You can easily feel which direction the teeth run.
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So far, the hardest part of scrolling for me is determining which direction to put the blade on the scroll saw, which way is up. I always try the holding the blade at eye level and dragging it between my index finger and thumb, method and I probably get it correct 60% of the time. Once I start scrolling I can usually, pretty quickly determine if I was correct or not by moving the blade lightly along a cut and seeing which side of the blade cuts as I move it. I don't know why they don't mark the top of the blade like the FD #5 blades.
Are there other way to tell other than what I stated? I have spent some time search the internet for answers but as yet haven't found much. Seems to me it would be covered in every tutorial or video about blades. Maybe I just the alone in this, but it should be easy in my opinion. I know posting this will help show how stupid I am, but well that is life. :(
A lot of the newer Flying Dutchman blades have a ridge at the top of the blade so that you know what way is up.
DW
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Using my reading glasses, I hold the blade up against a white background.
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PD - you could try Crown Tooth blades. They can be installed either direction so impossible to get wrong, and you get double duty from them - when they are dull, flip them over and you have a new set of sharp teeth. They also leave a very clean bottom end. They seem to be slower cutting, but I'm not usually in a big hurry.