First attempt with a spiral blade

[Pop]

I have done a fretwork saw before but with the detail this one had, I thought the only way to get all the detail in (with clean lines) was to use a #1 spiral blade. Never had any luck with one before, but then the 'patience' wasn't there yet either. Stock is 1/4" poplar with a dark color. Handles are red oak also 1/4" thick. Any comments would be appreciated. Would you have used a spiral blade too?

[Steviegwood]

Great looking saw Pop, I have several saws posted in the gallery but haven't done that one yet. My hat is off to you for doing that with spirals. I can't get the hang of those blades they seem to have a mind of their own for me and the mind wanders. Steve

[Daryl185]

excellent job Pops very nice detail and yes I would use a spiral to cut that

[Dragon]

Beautiful saw. I have not yet tried spirals but I intend to. The details are great.

[lucky788scroller]

The saw looks great, although I feel a lighter piece of wood would make the design stand out better.Personally I wouldnt have used a spiral on that, but could if i needed to. I am partial to the smooth crisp cut from a flat blade, so I use spirals on some things with at least 2 batrillion holes, and no places where tolerances are real important.Looks great though! Dale

[CraftyNYScroller]

looks good. spirals aren't all that bad in my opinion, work nicer on a4 oak ply though. my opinion
crfty

[Rolf]

I really like the contrasting collors and the brass rivets really set it off.
Nice job. I would also use the spirals.
Was that the natural color of the poplar?

[PuzzledMoose]

That cutting looks great Pop, though I think I would have preferred a lighter coloured blade too ..

Just curious - those who use spirals - how do you get out of the habit of spinning the wood when you get to a turn??? My couple of attempts with spirals have been pretty awful ...

[Daryl185]

That cutting looks great Pop, though I think I would have preferred a lighter coloured blade too ..

Just curious - those who use spirals - how do you get out of the habit of spinning the wood when you get to a turn??? My couple of attempts with spirals have been pretty awful ...

hehehee its something you eventually learn Ian oh and btw I still find my self turning the wood sometimes

[stevebuk]

absolutely stunning, one can only stand back and admire stuff like this..

[Rivari]

[QUOTE=PuzzledMoose]

Just curious - those who use spirals - how do you get out of the habit of spinning the wood when you get to a turn??? QUOTE]

As an advid spiral user I always question how others do it with flat blades, when Barry (Bearfretworks) came out to the house last week we had a good laugh over my weak flat blade skills. But I am working to relearn.

[B Smith]

Nicely done.I have cut a couple of the saws and used maple for the blade and yes I used spiral blades. The brass rivets sure do make a big difference as to the finnished look compared to dowels. How did you find cutting the teeth to be the same length width etc? I had made a saw clock from a pattern from Wood Magazine a couple years ago and used the jig for cutting teeth to cut the teeth for the latest saw.
I cut the Wolf drinking water pattern from Wildwood last year with straight blades but if I cut any more it will be with spirals .Never used to like them but now have cut a few of Jeff Z patterns and have no problems.

[Pop]

I really like the contrasting collors and the brass rivets really set it off.
Nice job. I would also use the spirals.
Was that the natural color of the poplar?

Yes, believe it or not that was the natural color of the wood. Part of the board was a natural poplar color that slowly blended into this dark color. I've never seen anything like it before. When a buddy of mine bought a new place last year that was formerly owned by a cabinet maker, the cabinet maker left behind a PILE (4 pickup loads) of oak, maple and poplar wood that was already cut down and set up for drawer sides and backs. To help him make space in the shop for his cars and automotive stuff, I VOLUNTEERED to take the wood off his hands. He gladly gave it to me.

The first saw I did was in maple and I used a straight blade. I was worried I wouldn't be able to spin the blade clean enough to get the detail in the church and trees... so I used a #1 spiral.

I must admit, with my foot pedal making starting and stoping what I'm doing so easy, I still would stop and turn the work so when I was cutting (or trying to cut) straight lines, I'd be pushing into the blade straight on.

Thanks for the input. It's ALWAYS appreciated.

[Pop]

OH... I almost forgot. The brass rivets are actually screws. I get them at the local ACE hardware. I first used them to hold the wooden bows to the top irons of my Model A. What you see is the threaded end of the "rivet". The other side of the saw handle is the wide screw heads. They work great!

[Pop]

Nicely done.I have cut a couple of the saws and used maple for the blade and yes I used spiral blades. The brass rivets sure do make a big difference as to the finnished look compared to dowels. How did you find cutting the teeth to be the same length width etc? I had made a saw clock from a pattern from Wood Magazine a couple years ago and used the jig for cutting teeth to cut the teeth for the latest saw.
I cut the Wolf drinking water pattern from Wildwood last year with straight blades but if I cut any more it will be with spirals .Never used to like them but now have cut a few of Jeff Z patterns and have no problems.

I used the scroll saw to do the teeth too, but used a straight blade. Actually I thought that was the easiest part of the job. The trees about drove me nuts. Many, many starter holes!