Is there such a thing as a carbide scroll saw blade?

I used my scroll saw to cut some composite board with fiberglass G10 on
both sides and it killed a regular blade in no time. It is generally
recommended to use carbide blades for this stuff.

A bandsaw would probably be better for this stuff than a scroll saw, but I
don't have a bandsaw. With a bandsaw, the same inch of blade isn't used
constantly.

Brian Elfert

I couldn't tell you were to get them but I have seen carbide grit imbedded
scroll saw blades. Ever think of what that stuff is doing to your saw?

"Brian Elfert" wrote in message
...
Is there such a thing as a carbide scroll saw blade?

I used my scroll saw to cut some composite board with fiberglass G10 on
both sides and it killed a regular blade in no time. It is generally
recommended to use carbide blades for this stuff.

A bandsaw would probably be better for this stuff than a scroll saw, but I
don't have a bandsaw. With a bandsaw, the same inch of blade isn't used
constantly.

Brian Elfert

"CW" writes:

I couldn't tell you were to get them but I have seen carbide grit imbedded
scroll saw blades. Ever think of what that stuff is doing to your saw?

I doubt it is doing much to the saw as it has a blower that blows most of
the dust away.

I don't cut much of this fiberglass composite board at all. I should
probably hook up the dust collector so it will suck up as much as
possible. I always use a good dust mask when machining this stuff.

Brian Elfert

Brian Elfert wrote:
"CW" writes:


I couldn't tell you were to get them but I have seen carbide grit imbedded
scroll saw blades. Ever think of what that stuff is doing to your saw?


Remington makes them for sabre saws. Trade name is, IIRC, Tru-Grit.
Used them to contour ceramic tile. Never seen them for scroll saws though.

I've seen them for scroll and coping saws. Might have been in a model shop.
Can't be sure.

"Unquestionably Confused" wrote in message
. ..
Brian Elfert wrote:
"CW" writes:


I couldn't tell you were to get them but I have seen carbide grit
imbedded
scroll saw blades. Ever think of what that stuff is doing to your saw?


Remington makes them for sabre saws. Trade name is, IIRC, Tru-Grit.
Used them to contour ceramic tile. Never seen them for scroll saws
though.

Brian:

If you search for carbide SS blades becomes hopeless:

Try http://www.mikesworkshop.com/ home of the Flying Dutchman blades, which
IMHO are the best.

Mike's FD Polar blades just might come close to your needs, as they are very
hard steel.
Stick to larger sizes like a #7 or #9. But be aware this is not for thin
stock as teeth per inch is low count.
Slow you saw's strokes per minute down to under 1000 spm. and slow your feed
rate down to match the spm.
Mike is good people. Email him from his web page with your question, and my
suggestion for Polar #9 blades.
Mike just might know of a source where he could supply you with a better
product to try.

Heat is the worst enemy of your cutting / blade life. Heat is caused by
chips not being removed and causing friction. Don't trust just to your dust
collection, get some air blowing / sucking on top also. You must remove the
chips.

Please don't forget, that any sideways pressure on the blade will shorten
the blade life significantly. Always cut such that so that at rest, the
blade does not seek to move forward, or cut sideways.

"Another Phil" NoSpamming@one two three four five.com wrote in message
...
Brian:

If you search for carbide SS blades becomes hopeless:

Try http://www.mikesworkshop.com/ home of the Flying Dutchman blades, which
IMHO are the best.

I agree his blades are the best I have used. I cut some lizzads from copper
clad fiberglass (circuit board material). The cut was about 3 linear
feet. I used 3 #5 blades. While blade life is not anywhere near what
I get in wood at $.10 per blade it is not expensive unless you have a
lot of cutting to do.