|
Post by toiv0 on Oct 17, 2016 5:39:57 GMT -5
I had bought an assortment of blades from IJS 10 years ago and finally ran out, these had given me good service. In the last few months I have bought blades from Otto Frei and now from Rio. These blades are not very good. Ididn't buy their best but also didn't buy their cheapest either. The Rio ones have been breaking into three pieces, tried different tensions and still cant saw out a pendant without breaking several. With my old ones I would wear out the teeth sometimes before I broke one.
I remember a thread a while back someone suggesting that he should start a thread on saw blades. I guess now is a good time as any.
Where are people buying, What sizes are you using and for what guages.
I am a tool junkie and have a Knew concept saw frame (ok but don't particular like it), also a half dozen differnt depth old school and the one I go to is the one from GreenLion Studios (this saw is sweet).
|
|
|
Post by glennz01 on Oct 17, 2016 13:32:11 GMT -5
I had bought an assortment of blades from IJS 10 years ago and finally ran out, these had given me good service. In the last few months I have bought blades from Otto Frei and now from Rio. These blades are not very good. Ididn't buy their best but also didn't buy their cheapest either. The Rio ones have been breaking into three pieces, tried different tensions and still cant saw out a pendant without breaking several. With my old ones I would wear out the teeth sometimes before I broke one. I remember a thread a while back someone suggesting that he should start a thread on saw blades. I guess now is a good time as any. Where are people buying, What sizes are you using and for what guages. I am a tool junkie and have a Knew concept saw frame (ok but don't particular like it), also a half dozen differnt depth old school and the one I go to is the one from GreenLion Studios (this saw is sweet). Unless your doing opal, the advice I give everyone that wants a trimsaw is to buy a cheap $99 qep tile saw from home depot. But for blades you might look at what MK or BD has to offer. They are good brands, a little speedy but high quality.
|
|
Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
|
Post by Don on Oct 17, 2016 15:13:26 GMT -5
I prefer the smaller 2.5"-3" german saw frames over the larger ones. The "knew concepts" saw frames are too expensive for me to bother messing around with.
So far as saw blades, I use Rio's "laser gold" brand, and sizes 8, 1, 2/0 and 4/0. I'm cutting a lot of 6-10 gauge wires, 18-20 gauge sheet and 22-24 gauge sheet, so those are the sizes I buy. I order the largest quantity in each size for the best price break. Lots of burr wax helps keep the breakage down.
|
|
Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
|
Post by Don on Oct 17, 2016 15:21:24 GMT -5
Here's a handy reference chart for saw blade and gauge sizes:
|
|
|
Post by radio on Oct 17, 2016 15:41:35 GMT -5
I prefer the swiss style frame over the german, and have found the "Buzz saw" brand blades sold by Sante Fe Jewelers supply to be best I have found to date. I've tried every level of blades from Rio, including the "Gold" series and still come back to to the Buzz saw. My go to blade sizes are #2 for most heavy work and 1/0 and 3/0 for delicate trim and piercing. I do keep several dozen other sizes on hand in #4, #8 and #10 with 6/0 being the smallest I use.
The blades should be taut enough in the frame to make a musical sound when plucked with a fingernail. Too loose or too tight and they break easily.Sawing takes a good bit of practice to become proficient at it and not break blades. Stick with a size blade you rarely break and gradually step down in size as you become more proficient at sawing
|
|
|
Post by Pat on Oct 17, 2016 17:24:17 GMT -5
Anywhere from 2 to 2/0. Like my Knew Concepts.
I've been using shears as much as possible.
|
|
|
Post by radio on Oct 17, 2016 18:31:20 GMT -5
The best lube I have found for blades is an almond or brazil nut. Run the blade lightly through it once and it seems to outlast burr wax. Don't fill the teeth by cutting through the almond, instead, push the blade through so the backs of the saw teeth contact the nut
|
|
|
Post by Pat on Oct 17, 2016 19:19:34 GMT -5
The best lube I have found for blades is an almond or brazil nut. Run the blade lightly through it once and it seems to outlast burr wax. Don't fill the teeth by cutting through the almond, instead, push the blade through so the backs of the saw teeth contact the nut Interesting that you oil the back of the saw blade. Why did you initially do that? We use old candles and wax the teeth.
|
|
|
Post by toiv0 on Oct 17, 2016 19:28:09 GMT -5
Thanks everyone, I use 2/0 and 3/0 for most of my sawing. Going to try the Sante Fe blades. I agree with Pat about lubing and also using a nut. I am a bee keeper and of course have bees was.
|
|
|
Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Oct 18, 2016 5:06:13 GMT -5
Thanks for starting this thread. I haven't done much sawing yet so this information is very valuable to me!
|
|
|
Post by radio on Oct 18, 2016 7:37:11 GMT -5
The best lube I have found for blades is an almond or brazil nut. Run the blade lightly through it once and it seems to outlast burr wax. Don't fill the teeth by cutting through the almond, instead, push the blade through so the backs of the saw teeth contact the nut Interesting that you oil the back of the saw blade. Why did you initially do that? We use old candles and wax the teeth. not the back of the blade, but run the blade through the almond opposite the cutting direction of the teeth so they don't plug up . sorry for the bad description. just returned from a big 4 day show and super tired
|
|
|
Post by radio on Oct 18, 2016 7:40:21 GMT -5
Thanks everyone, I use 2/0 and 3/0 for most of my sawing. Going to try the Sante Fe blades. I agree with Pat about lubing and also using a nut. I am a bee keeper and of course have bees was. Be sure you buy the "Buzz saw" brand.
|
|