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Beginners Main Page Scroll Sawing History |
First - consider is what type of wood you are going to use, hard or soft wood? When doing just outside cutting, which no longer can be done by a band saw, it is called "scrolling". Most companies use the following number system, from #3/0 (lowest) to #12 (highest). The lower the number -- the finer the blade.
For thin wood use the lower number blade and a slower feed rate. Remember, they break more often. The blades with less TPI (teeth per inch) will cut more aggressive. For example, a blade with 8 TPI cuts faster than a blade with 12 TPI, however there is more control with a blade that has 12 TPI. Then there are the blades with reverse teeth. Some of the Flying Dutchman blades have reverse teeth. Blades with 12 reverse teeth will burn the wood more easily and do not clean the kerf as well as blades with fewer reverse teeth. They create friction and heat up the blade. Therefore you don't get the use out of the blades.
Some blades have double teeth, with and without reverse teeth. Some folks prefer them over the single teeth blades. You might have a little more control.
The best way is to experiment with some different blades. When working on a project you might start with a #3 FD-SR and find that a #5 or #7 might do a good job for you. The higher the number the less breakage you will have. FLYING DUTCHMAN blades are made from very high quality steel. Some blades are even made of hardened steel. FD-SR is comparable to PGT blades but are finer and don't burn as fast and therefore will last longer.
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Scroll Saw Patterns |
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