CivilEngineer13

So I've heard pin-less blades are "better". But what are the reasons?

All I can come up with is if you were trying to get the blade through a really small hole.

Are pin blades less available?

Anyway, why are pin-less better?

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frankp

I think it's actually the mechanism of the spring arm on saws that require the pins that makes people say pinless are better. If I understand correctly, (a big if) then the newer pinless mechanisms don't use the same time of "return spring" to bring the blade back up to the top position. They therefore give more consistent cuts (less wobble from spring bounce etc) and have cleaner lines. But I'm not scroller, so I'm sure one of our resident experts will be able to illuminate the issue better than I have.

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rocklobster

The pin-end blades are typically bigger than the pinless blades. As a result, they require a larger starter hole and can't turn as tightly. I guess the blade needs to be bigger in order to accept the pin at each end?

I've never used a pin-end scroll saw, but I read plenty about them before trying out some scrolling.

Rob

drcollins804

CE
If you are only using a scroll saw for outside cuts then the pinned blades are fine. If you are wanting to do detailed inside cuts then you have to drill an access hole in the woodpiece to thread the drill through. With the pinned blades the pin is usually about 1/8 inch long so the smallest entry hole you can drill is approx 1/8. I cut many things that have accent lines that are only the width of the blade with no outside access. I can use blades that I use a # 50 or smaller drill bit to insert the blade. If you have any questions then you can look at some of the cuttings in my Old Gallery below the My Photos. I used a saw that required that you either use pinned blades or clamp the end of a pinless blade in a block after you had threaded it through the piece you were cutting. I made it a point to not cut those patterns with intricate lines. It sucked to put it bluntly. When I purchased my Dewalt 788 I could cut 6 - 8 pieces in the time it took to cut one using the old clamping blocks. I have sold all of my old saws and will not use another one that only uses pinned blades but that is just my opinion.
David

CivilEngineer13

Thanks everyone!

David- Great insight! That's what I was kind of wanting to know.

So if I got a saw that used both, I could use pin blades for most everything, and the pin-less for those tight inside cuts. I'm not at all worried about time to change blades, etc.

On a separate note: What are the "best-bang-for-your-buck" blades?

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drcollins804

CE
I have used numerous brands of blades. BTY post this question on a scrolling forum and you will get as many different answers as you do over here about saw blades. That being said I think The Flying Dutchman pinless blades are probably as good for the money as any others. I personally use artesian blades but they are a bit pricier. I will come post a link to some blade suppliers in a little while. I have to find my links. For pinned blades I have found that Olson blades seem to be as good as any. Will also try to find my blade chart that shows best tpi for different thicknesses and hardnesses.
David

CivilEngineer13

That would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

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drcollins804

CE
Here are a few blade links. www.olsonsaw.com Mike's Workshop Cherry Tree Toys The Mikes Workshop link is to probably the top supplier of Flying Dutchman blades and Cherry Tree carries 3 or 4 different brands. This is a good reference for blade usage.
David

Attached Files

blade usage.pdf (66.0 KB, 10 views)