Stack cutting and blade size.

[Capt Weasel]

I've noticed people on here say they stack cut four pieces of 1/8" BB and cut it with a 2/0 spiral. I can't seem to get that to work. I have to cut that with a #1 spiral and the blades last about 30-45 minutes. Whats up with that? Why can they but not me? I'd prefer to use a 2/0 due to the size especially when cutting close lines. I have a 788, cut on 5 1/2 speed and blades are FD-NS. My feed rate varies on blade newness/sharpness. Is my speed to high? If I used a 2/0 my cutting time would slow way down and blades wouldn't last long at all it seems and I'd end up using twice the amount of blades I use now.
Just wondering how can ya'll and not me can cut with a 2/0 spiral on 1/2" BB.

[Rolf]

Your blade life sounds about right. I cut 1/2 material all the time with the 2/0 spiral. I stack cut 1/16 ply for my ornaments. If they have a lot of large veining I use the 2/0. Most of the time I use a straight 2/0 or 2.
Your feed rate has to be adjusted accordingly. I have a RBI Hawk and very rarely vary my cutting speed when changing blades but tension is critical.

[PuzzledMoose]

I don't know if spiral blades last for any longer or shorter time than reverse tooth blades but cutting 1/2 inch oak I change a No: 3 blade about every thirty minutes ... I would imagine cutting 1/2 total of ply would be harder on the blade due to the glue in the ply? Someone correct me if this is wrong ...

[lucky788scroller]

I use a 2/0 spiral on 5/8th inch thick solid red oak, and can easily get 1/2 hour cutting time from the blade. same blade too. Dale

[Capt Weasel]

Seems like it would take forever to cut that oak with a 2/0. I can't seem to make any satisfactory progress with a 2/0 on the 1/2"BB. It'll cut but takes forever and a day to get any significant progress made in production. I might try it tomorrow on a slower speed and time it and compare to the #1. The #1 cuts good and is sturdy enough to "shave" the edges in spots where you can't with safety but a 2/0 would be better for tight spots. Then again I could use my head a little for a change and use them both as tools for the job. Like a flat and phillips screwdriver, proper tool for the job. Tight spot, use a 2/0. Long cuts with shaving needs, use the #1.

[lucky788scroller]

Capt. ...for spirals I found that using a 2/0 is better in anything. It makes a smaller kerf, so less force is needed to cut with it as compared to #1 .No matter which size you use, you still have to remove as much wood as the diameter of the blade to make a cut, so removing less is more . I think my saws on 6 or so when I am spiralizing. Dale

[Capt Weasel]

Tried a 2/0 on latest work and to my surprise it did well. I think I had a bad time once and that was why I wrote them off as inadaquete. They did fine and I think they almost lasted as long if not longer than the #1. Although I couldn't "shave" down to a line or smooth out a spot with them as good as I can with a #1 but that's due to the size and rigidity of the thicker blade. I seemed to have a little more control with the #1 but that might just because I'm used to the feel of the #1 instead of the light 2/0. Good to know that if I get in a pinch I can use the 2/0 or use them for the neurosurgery pieces.

[bandit]

When I was starting out scroll-sawing I had read that a blade can last from 5 second to 5 minutes of being sharp. I have had a lot of 5 second blades so don't feel lonely it happens to me too.

[sonic]

hi there could you show some of your work with spiral blades?

[3_M]

Remember when cutting any wood what has glue, like BB, blades will not last as long as in other woods. Glue heats the blades.
Mike