Table of Contents
How do I choose a scroll saw blade?
Use smaller blades (#3 and smaller) for thin wood. That is the smallest size I use for wood. Puzzle cutters sometimes use smaller blades to make their tight turns, but for general scrolling, a #2/0 blade is small enough. Choose the blade that will allow you to cut the smallest frets without breaking every few cuts.
What kind of blade Does a scroll saw use?
Crown tooth and spiral blades are two of the most common specialized scroll saw blades. Similar to the reverse tooth design, a crown tooth blades cut both on the up and down stroke. Crown tooth blades are a top choice for extra-smooth and chip-free cuts in plastics.
What cuts is the scroll saw best used for?
Scroll saws are often used to cut intricate curves and joints, a task they can complete quickly and with great accuracy. They can also be used to cut dovetail joints and are a common tool for thicker intarsia projects.
What is the purpose of a skip tooth scroll saw blade?
Olson’s line of skip tooth scroll saw blades are designed for fast sawing of difficult materials such as hard or dense woods and thicker stock.
How thick of wood can you cut with a scroll saw?
Scroll saws with a 16- or 18-inch capacity are ideal for most home users. Depth of cut determines the thickness of material you can cut. Most scroll saws offer a depth of cut between 1 ¾ and 2 ¼ inches.
What does the letter r mean on a scroll saw blade?
Often you will find blades with a number and a letter like R, F, or S. The letter designates the cut pattern of the teeth. Reverse Tooth (R): If the reverse teeth are coming through the top face of thin pieces of wood, you can always shorten the blade from the bottom to correct this and remount it in your scrollsaw.
Should a scroll saw blade cut up or down?
One thing that you must always remember is that there is an up and a down on a scroll saw blade. Scroll saws cut on the downstroke of the blade. For the scroll saw to operate properly and safely, the scroll saw blade must install into the saw in the proper direction.
Is it worth getting a scroll saw?
Scroll saws are best for wood under an inch in thickness. If you’re just outfitting a shop, and have no specific projects in mind, there are other tools that would probably prove more valuable to you such as a table saw, circular saw or jig saw.
What’s the difference between a scroll saw and a band saw?
The blades used with a band saw have a circular shape and are very flexible. Now, one of the really big differences is that the scroll saw’s blade moves up and down, whereas the band saw’s blade moves in a continuous downward motion. Band saws also differ in the thickness and size of materials which they can handle.
Can you cut metal on a scroll saw?
Simple, right? Scroll saws can cut through many different types of metal: cold-rolled steel, bronze, aluminum, copper, brass, and more. The ideal metal thickness is no more than 1/8″ but it can do thicker. Softer metals are easier of course, but even steel is not an impossibility with patience.
What is the difference between pinned and pinless scroll saw blades?
We recommend scroll saws that use pinless scroll saw blades. Pin blades are thicker, wider and not good for intricate, inside cutting because they won’t fit through a small-drilled hole. It is a common theme in the world of scroll sawing that the Plain-End (that is, pinless) blades are the best way to go.
HOW LONG DOES A scroll saw blade last?
Scroll saw blades tend to last for 15-45 minutes of continual use on most wood types at moderate speeds. Thick or hardwood, high operating speeds, or tension issues (too tight/too loose) all contribute to a short blade lifespan.
What length are scroll saw blades?
Most scroll saw blades are only five inches long but the width of the blade will differ depending on which number it is assigned. Thicker blades are stronger and more durable but less apt to intricate work.
Can you rip wood with a scroll saw?
Because a scroll saw is usually intended for cutting delicate designs into thinner pieces of wood or materials, you need to be careful when using it for a 2×4. Scroll saws can cut wood that is 2 inches thick, but it’s not always advisable. Use the toughest blade you can find when cutting a 2×4.
Is pine wood good for scroll saw?
Softwoods You Can Use For Scroll Saw Projects Not all softwoods are completely useless; but you should avoid using pine for any fine work. Cedar and plywoods are recommended as good woods to practice on while some recommend a good quality Baltic birch (Scroll Saw Forums).
Is MDF good for scroll saw?
So, can you cut MDF with a scroll saw? Yes, you can cut and make all kinds of shapes with high-grade MDF as long as you work with the ideal thickness of between ¼” and ¾”. However, you’ll need tough and sharp blades since the glue and resin in the MDF will make them blunt quickly.
How do you attach a scroll saw pattern to wood?
Buy a can of 3M 77 spray adhesive. Spray the back side of the paper and wait until it gets tacky, then stick it down onto the wood. When you are done cutting, peel it off. If there is any glue residue, wash it off with mineral spirits or naphtha.
