Blade help and confusion

[Aggrajag]

Hi all again,

I've only had my scroll saw a month so of course I'm a total beginner but I'm now seeking answers to questions as I'm slowly getting a feel for things.

My saw (Einhell TH-SS 405 E - http://products.einhell.com/com_en/stationary-tools/bench-top-saws/th-ss-405-e.html) is only a beginners model and considering I got it shipped from Germany for under £100 it's not surprising it's not without it's flaws.

It came with two pinned blades which I practiced with perfectly on cheap hardboard (fluffy underside cuts!) for about an hour before getting bored and moving onto 20mm pine (I think it's pine, it's what I've acquired from breaking up some spare pallets so it's rough and ready but good solid wood.)

When using this I cannot turn, I can slowly meander but I can't turn. I broke the two Einhell blades quickly but fortunately had got some Olsen pinless ones from Amazon and used the allen-key clamps (tedious) to connect them and then, my goodness, what a difference! I made my Schwibbogen (see other post) from 6mm Birch Plywood before coming back to pallet wood. By this point my replacement blade was dulling so I put another Einhell blade on (I'd ordered more of these too) and again I can't turn! I tried two Einhell blades of differing TPI and they barely turn and ironically I can't even force a STRAIGHT line - it wants to drift and by God I'll not stop it drifting, even when I can see the blade is twisting sideways it still goes where it wants.

I put the replacement blades back in and I'm back to great scrolling.

Einhell blades I ordered: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0012MIR2S/ref=pe_385721_37986871_TE_item
Olsen blades I ordered: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001FTKXOS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

What am I missing here? I must be overlooking something fundamental?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Claymore]

..........

 

[Aggrajag]

I really like the Olson and almost bought bulk today, found them for about 50p. I'll check your link. Thanks.

 

[ChrisR]

Welcome to the forum.

I purchase all of my blades from (Hegner UK), not because I have a (Hegner saw), but because their blade prices are competitive if you purchase at the gross (144) rate, also the blades are of a good quality.

As you gain experience the type and size of blade will become second nature. I cut a wide variety of woods and thickness, both hard and soft, my main go to blades are 3, 5 & 7 reverse tooth, also double tooth if it is a wood which is difficult to clear the saw dust, (ie woods which are young and not completely dry).

Hope this is of help.

Chris R.

 

[Aggrajag]

Thanks Chris, appreciate your feedback.

 

[Budwozza]

Hi,

I am fairly new to scrolling - I jumped in at the deep end and got a used Hegner - I tried some Pegas blades which seemed ok - I am now using Flying Dutchman Ultra reverse and I really like them, they give a nice clean cut. I get them from Mikes Workshop (in the USA), I have placed two orders without any problems and the blades have arrived in less than 7 days - cant fault them.

One thing that I found when starting was that I expected the blades to last much much longer than they actually do.

 

[Aggrajag]

If you see my Schwibbogen post (https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/new-scroller-t93568.html), where I cut two 14" arches and all the detailing out of 6.5mm Birch 5 layer Plywood, and a rectangular base out of pine, I did that entire thing, AND a detailed nameplate with flowers, with one Olson - although it was degrading by the end. I also did the entire cat puzzle out of 20mm pine with one blade with no noticeable degradation.

(Both times it was the PGT 5RG Double Reverse - Product Code PG49502.)

Does this mean they're better or is it cos I'm using softwood? (Although isn't Ply meant to be pretty tough?)

I must admit that the price on both the links I've been given are tempting!