[tiffsgram8]

Hi
My name is Nancy and I am brand new at scrolling. I am trying to cut out some humming birds from poplar and keep breaking blades. If someone could please tell me what blade I should be using I would really appreciate it. I am using a Delta saw. Thanks for any help.

[AlArchie]

Welcome to this site, Nancy! But, you might have better luck with an answer to scrollsawing problems at the scrollsawing forum. Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

However there are a few folks around this site who use scrollsaws to cut out carving blanks, so you might get some blade information here, too.

I don't have a scrollsaw, but an old clunky Boise Crane jigsaw that sort of serves the same purpose. I've found that most blade breakes are caused by feeding the stock into the blade at an angle. You can rotate your work but make sure you always feed directly into the teeth and don't ry to force the work at all sideways. If you are cutting heaview material, you might try going to a bit coarser blade or a skip tooth blade. Still most of the blade break problems are caused by not feeding straight into the cutting teeth on the blade. Hope that explains things so you can understand.

Here's a good practice to get used to feeding directly into the blade. Just try some straight cuts.....that is exactly how you will feed material into the blade even when making curved cuts. Rotate your work around the cutting edge, but be careful to always feed directly into the teeth, and not push the blade at all to either side.

You will probably get some good advice on which blades are the best brand, but keep in mind that if you feed the work into the blade wrong, any blade will break.

Al

[tiffsgram8]

Al thanks for the info. I'm sure that part of it is me!! I try not to feed too fast or not to bend the blade but it's all learning at this point. I have been using plywood and the poplar was my first try. I'm sure i will get better with practice. I have 12 of them to do so it can only get better right?!! Thanks again for your help.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Your blade could be too loose, should just be able to move it about an 1/8 of an inch or less when you push on it. What thickness wood are you using, are you using to fine a tooth blade for thick wood, or too few teeth for thin wood....lots of things, most likely either pushing too hard or blade not enough tension.....do a google search for Flying Dutchmen blades and talk to Mike, he has some terrific blades, a lot of info on the type blades to use for what etc and I think he will still send new people a few sample blades and some info.

found it.... http://www.mikesworkshop.com/blades.htm

[tiffsgram8]

Thank you for the info and Iwill will definately go to the site. I am having trouble holding the blade in but I'm sure it is a learning problem. Thanks again and have a good day.