Smallest Blade

[JamesHuntsville]

I have started another project and not knowing at the time I have run into a lot of micro fret work, and I mean micro. I have had to revert to using a jewelers 3/0 blade and the FD Superior Puzzle blades. The thickness of these blades are .0095 and .011. Some of the lines in the fret work is so small and close together that the blades seem too thick. Believe me that this is a challange cutting 1/4" cherry wood. I have 2 sets of doors, 70 windows and a lot of other fret areas to cut out. My question is : what is the smallest blade you have ever used to do fret work and how did it cut in hard woods? I forgot to mention that the new project is the Shopiere Clock from Wildwood. I am managing to get the first set of doors cut but it is painstaking slow. I have a feeling this is going to be like trying to paint your house with a finger nail polish brush. I have made the Dome clock, but that was nothing compaired to this. Any suggestions as to the best and smallest blade you have used for cutting wood will be appreciated. Thanks

James (Huntsville, TX.)

[Carter-Johnson]

James....

When I cut postage stamps on 1/4" poplar into jigsaw puzzles I use 8/0 jewelers blades from Sloans Woodshop. I cut the saw's tension and speed and can get the tiniest of pieces. I think they would work great for your 1/4" cherry.

Be prepared to break at least one for every one you get to work....but that's okay because they cost only $10 per gross.

have phun......Carter

[JamesHuntsville]

Smallest Blade

Thank you Carter for the info. I didn't know the 8/0 blades could be used in the powered scroll saw. I knew the were avaliable for the hand saw. I will have to get several gross because I have a lot of fret work ahead of me. Thanks again.

James (Huntsville, TX.)

[Rick-H]

Mini

The 8/0 is a fun blade to play with. It will do some real fine work, but like he says plan to break a lot of them. I figure up to a dozen per puzzle. Run them slow and don't try to put too much tension on them http://www.scrollsaws.com/General/MiniPics.html

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[GrayBeard Phil]

James:

When you get to such small blades, it is my understanding that you actually move into the metal cutting, silversmithing realm. No personal experience but thought you might want some info.

a link to PDF on size and teeth:
http://www.fdjtool.com/instructions/sawblade-sizes.pdf

Think about it, at 8/0 has 96 teeth per inch. 96!!! I wonder how that compares to 60 grit sandpaper. Can you imagine the pain of trying to decide which way the teeth are going when you install a blade that is thinner than normal typing paper.

My limited knowledge of silversmithing (I decided not to get involved) has many using the brand names of Pike and Herkules metal cutting blades when you get smaller than 4/0 size. Google for 'Silver, Herkules saw blades' or Google for 'Pike Saw Blades' and you should get several web vendors.

I have not tried these saw blades. Previous post in this thread suggested a source of ultra small blades from personal usage. Do weigh that in any purchase decision.

Phil

[MinotBob]

Where do you get those little boxes to put the stamp puzzles in?

[Carter-Johnson]

They're Diamond brand matchboxes.....bought in ten-packs for around a dollar at any food store. I spray paint them, glue a little piece of colored felt to the inside bottom, affix a stamp to the top and then give the top a quick coating of glaze spray.

I always carry 2 or 3 of these with me and give them out wherever I want to be remembered.

Thanks for asking....Carter

[pete00]

Carter

well those stamps are pretty slick......pete