HOW MANY

[Alexam]

With a large number of different scrollsaw blades for different uses, you probably don't keep them all, as #1 and below would not be as popular as #3 or #5 in most cases and #12 may hardly be used by many.

If you are cutting soft and hard woods from 3/8" to 1.5", how many different blades would you keep to hand? What numbers would they be and what make do you prefer?

I like to keep blades stored in plastic test tubes, either numbered or colour coded. What's your way of storing them?

 

[Claymore]

........

 

[Aggrajag]

I ordered test tubes last week, they're due today/tomorrow and I've already created all the vertical labels using my trusty geeky Brother P-Touch PT1000.

As for blades I still prefer Olson over Pegas and typically I'd use a PGT Double Reverse #5 or #7 although for very detailed work I've even used a Skip Tooth 0/2 which cuts about a millimetre a minute

 

[Alexam]

That's interesting, the cutting speed. 1mm a minute seems exceedingly slow, is that about average for fine work?

Malcolm

 

[Aggrajag]

i was exaggerating After using a "normal" blade it does seem exceedingly slow, but it's not *that* slow.

 

[Alexam]

74 viewings and so few replies, when I had hoped for more help being fairly new to scrolling and want to get into segmentation - intarsia. I was wondering if I should stock up with half a dozen sizes, say a 1,3,5,7,9 and 11, to cover all possibilities, but is that far too many and overkill?

Malcolm

 

[tomasgursky]

74 viewings and so few replies, when I had hoped for more help being fairly new to scrolling and want to get into segmentation - intarsia. I was wondering if I should stock up with half a dozen sizes, say a 1,3,5,7,9 and 11, to cover all possibilities, but is that far too many and overkill?

Malcolm

Hi Malcolm,
When I ordered my Pegas blades I've ordered No.3, No. 5, No.9 all skip reverse and No. 11 reverse blades.
And guess what? I only use No.3 and No.5 for most of my scroll sawing. I even use No.5 for cutting 3D patterns from 44mm blocks as bigger blade will not allow me to to some sharp corners.

I don't think there is any rule as how many and what size blades you shoud keep. You can get a test pack from Pegas and see which blade you will find as the most usefull for you. Yes, there is some guidence for blades as which blade you should use for what thickness and type of wood.

For me, No.5 is the blade I use in 90% of my scroll sawing.

 

[scrimper]

With a large number of different scrollsaw blades for different uses, you probably don't keep them all, as #1 and below would not be as popular as #3 or #5 in most cases and #12 may hardly be used by many.

If you are cutting soft and hard woods from 3/8" to 1.5", how many different blades would you keep to hand? What numbers would they be and what make do you prefer?

I like to keep blades stored in plastic test tubes, either numbered or colour coded. What's your way of storing them?

This is how I store my blades, as you can see I stock just about every size from very fine up to No 11.

 

[Chippygeoff]

I have many types and sizes of blades that I have collected over many years but these days I just use Flying Dutchman ultra reverse blades in 3s, 5s and 7s and I have a few number 9s but nearly all my work is done with a number 5.

 

[martinka]

I have many types and sizes of blades that I have collected over many years but these days I just use Flying Dutchman ultra reverse blades in 3s, 5s and 7s and I have a few number 9s but nearly all my work is done with a number 5.

Almost the same here, except I don't have any #9 but could do with buying some. I have 6 bottom clamps so I have a couple of each size blade always ready to change.

 

[martinka]

74 viewings and so few replies
Malcolm

Don't go on the number of views, Malcolm. A lot will be people who are interested in reading about scrolling but know nothing about it, and a number will be people viewing multiple times, maybe even yourself, checking to see if there have been any replies. The number of actual scrollers posting on the forum is quite small, and intarsia posters can be counted on one hand.

 

[Alexam]

scrimper .... that's a very impressive storage arrangement. Looks like 3 different makes there. Is there a reason for so many?

Malcolm

 

[scrimper]

scrimper .... that's a very impressive storage arrangement. Looks like 3 different makes there. Is there a reason for so many?

Malcolm

On the left hand door they are mostly the Niqua blades from Hobbies, there are also some original British made Hobbies blades which date back to before 1960 (my late granddad had a shop and sold Hobbies company stuff, the blades were handed down over the years!) These are the blades I always used until about 17 years ago when I discovered the reverse tooth ones and started using them, they are on the Right hand door at the top, below on the same door are very fine piercing blades and metal cutting blades and the ones in the tubes in the cupboard are the FD blades., The drawers contain bulk stock of blades and fretwork accessories.

 

[Alexam]

.. and the best is ?

 

[ChrisR]

Malcolm.

I keep all sizes of blades in stock from number 1 to 12, with various tooth configurations, but my most go to blades are 3,5 and 7 all reverse tooth, if I have a piece of wood that is green or hard, I will use a number 7 double tooth.

I get all of my blades from (Hegner UK), not because I have a Hegner saw, but because their price is completive if you purchase at the gross (144) rate.

Blades ready for use are stored in short lengths of 20mm plastic electrical conduit with end caps.

All the best.

Chris.

 

[AES]

@ChrisR:

Probably a stupid question, but where do you get the above end caps for the 20mm conduit please? Would I find them by a proper electricians' supplier? They don't seem to be in our DIY Emporia over here (and on a different but related subject, neither do rainwater "hoppers")!

AES

 

[scrimper]

The tubes that denture cleaning tablets are supplied in make ideal fretsaw blade storage tubes, most of us know someone who uses these and will gladly give you the empties. You can easily label them and set them in a small block of timber (see my picture earlier in the thread).

 

[Alexam]

Not worth knocking your teeth out for Andy. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Easier to use the plastic test tubes from Amazon.

Malcolm

 

[ChrisR]

@ChrisR:

Probably a stupid question, but where do you get the above end caps for the 20mm conduit please? Would I find them by a proper electricians' supplier? They don't seem to be in our DIY Emporia over here (and on a different but related subject, neither do rainwater "hoppers")!

AES

I spent all of my working life as an industrial electrical engineer, so you can make a fair deduction where mine came from.

But I think you would need to go to a dedicated electrical wholesalers to purchase them, rather than a DIY type store.

Take care.

Chris.

 

[AES]

Thanks scrimper (AND you Malcolm)!

Actually I have some of those, but A) not enough (mostly our tablets come in paper sachets), and B) those I do have are a bit too long to my mind (the tubes that is).

BTW, did you know that in German, false teeth, plates, etc, are rather coyly referred to as "third teeth"? :?

AES