Instruction manual

CHOOSING & INSTALLING A SAW BLADE
Blade selection is dependent on the type and thickness of the material being cut, but is also a matter of experience
and personal preference. There are numerous types of blades available on the market specifically suited for vari-
ous cutting applications such as metal-cutting and spiral blades which cut in all directions. Try test-cutting with a
sample of each to determine which blade works best for you with different materials. Replacement and specialty
blades can be purchased from a variety of sources. Ask your local tool or scroll saw dealer for suggestions for
unpinned 5” scroll saw blades based on what is available in your area.
Some general guidelines to consider when choosing blades:
•
Wide, thick blades with coarse teeth are suited to cutting straight lines and sweeping curves, but will not turn
tight corners. They will cut aggressively and leave a fairly smooth finish, but may leave burn marks if the work
piece is turned too tightly.
•
Narrower, thinner blades with finer teeth will cut more slowly, but will turn much tighter corners for cutting very
intricate work. They will impart a very smooth, burnished finish that requires no sanding.
•
Consider material thickness when selecting blades. Ensure that a minimum of two or three teeth are in con-
tact with the workpiece at all times. For example, when cutting 1/8” thick material, use a blade with a mini-
mum of of 16 20 teeth per inch.
Blade Selection
BLADE WIDTH THICKNESS TEETH/INCH
#2/0 .022 .010 28 For extremely intricate sawing. Very tight cuts in 1/16” -
1/4” wood veneer, plastic, hard rubber, pearl, etc.
#0 .024 .011 25
#2 .029 .012 20 For tight radius work with thin materials, 3/32” - 1/2”
wood veneer, wood, bone, fiber, plastic, etc.
#4 .035 .015 15
#5 .038 .016 12.5 For close radius work in materials 1/8” or thicker. Good
for sawing hard and soft woods, bone, horn, plastic, etc.
#6 .041 .016 12.5
#7 .045 .017 11.5
Popular sizes for cutting hard and soft woods, 3/16” up
to 2”. Also cuts plastic, paper, felt, bone, etc.
#9 .053 .018 11.5
#11 .059 .019 9.5
#12 .062 .024 9.5
BLADE WIDTH THICKNESS TEETH/INCH
S
ame
applica-
tions as
Skip Tooth
blades.
#2/0R .026 .011 28/20
#2R .029 .012 20/13
#5R .038 .016 12.5/9
#7R .049 .018 11.5/8
#9R .054 .019 11.5/8
#12R .062 .062 9.5/6
Reverse teeth at the bottom of the blades prevent
splintering to the underside of the workpiece.
Regular evenly spaced tooth pattern. Considered the most common of scroll saw blades, they are available in the
widest range of sizes and provide a good combination of fast cutting action with good chip clearance and a rela-
tively smooth finish.
SKIP TOOTH
REVERSE TOOTH
BLADE WIDTH THICKNESS TEETH/INCH
Same
applica-
tions as
Skip Tooth
blades.
#1D .026 .013 30
#3D .032 .014 23
#5D .038 .016 16
#7D .044 .018 13
#9D .053 .018 11
#12D .061 .022 10
Fast, clean cutting and very efficient chip clearance.
DOUBLE TOOTH
9