Douglas Wheelhouse Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 Hi, Can anyone out there tell me where I can buy spare blades for a Titan SF 16G scroll saw. I am thinking of buying one from Screwfix but cannot source spare blades. Thank you DJW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm - coolwind.co.uk Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 This looks identical to my draper model which takes 5" (130mm) blades, which I think is a standard size. You can get them at Toolstation.com for £1.88 for 10 pack Malcolm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglas Wheelhouse Posted January 27, 2013 Author Share Posted January 27, 2013 Cheers malcom, It states in the Titan handbook that they are 128mm pinned blades. if I cant source these blades I wont buy the saw ,Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm - coolwind.co.uk Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 No problem, Dont worry about a couple of mm here and there. The blade tensioner has a range of about 25mm !! Malcolm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Towell Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 I got a titan from screwfix a couple of years ago works great, got spare blade from them last summer with no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 Axminster Power Tools do the pinned blades . Check out Axminster cheap scroll saw which is similar to Screwfix but takes pinned blades and also fretsaw blades too. About the same price and has a cast iron table ( =heavy & resists vibration ) while the Screwfix might be pressed metal or cast alloy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglas Wheelhouse Posted January 27, 2013 Author Share Posted January 27, 2013 Cheers KC , will check it out now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 You will see the stated weight of the Axminster machine is 20 kilos while the Screwfix is 14.9 k which almost certainly means only the Axminster has a cast iron table. If you need to move the machine around often then the lighter weight might be better but otherwise the cast iron is superior and worth the extra few pounds cost. Also the Axminster has fitments for fretsaw blades available or included (check ) These are worthwhile as it means finer blades can be used and much easier to obtain for long term peace of mind. All these similar machines Axminster, Screwfix, Draper, B& Q look as though they come from the same castings and factory. However the spec varies and the fit and finish may be quite different. My Axminster FS16 is now about 20 years old and basically the same as current model but lacks dust blower. Cost 95 pounds then and they were 125 pounds a year earlier! Had light use for 20 years & still going strong. Perfect for aeromodelling etc and easily cuts 6mm birch ply. Will cut upto about an inch in beech with enough care and a coarse blade but its, not really ideal for thick work. Note that it's very difficult to make really dead straight cuts with any scrollsaw! Blade tension is the key. You dont need variable speed except for metal or plastic work. If you do lots of internal cuts then a quick release blade would be better but its hardly worthwhile for aeromodelling. So the more expensive machines are not needed in my opinion. For aeromodelling you need the finest available TPI in pin ended blades. 18TPI is the finest pin ended avail now but 24TPI used to be available. Fretsaw blades can be much finer. However note that even though I have the scroll saw ready to go I still prefer to cut only the curved bits with it and use a very fine toothed japanese type pullsaw ( about 10 pounds) for all the straight cuts on ply formers etc, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy48 Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 I traded my old Diamond fretsaw in and bought a SIP scroll saw (sorry I still think of them as fretsaws) from Toolstation. £124. This uses both standard blades and pinned blades. Spent most of yesterday using it. I really like it, it has a cast iron tilt table, a work light and a laser and variable speed (sorry, I disagree with the above, it is really useful). I spent most of yesterday using it. It is quite easy to change blades. It seems a little different from the normal offerings that come out of the same factory but in different coulours in China. Its very stable with little vibration. The only drawback I have with it is the plastic insert on the table where the blade goes is a tad low. I might put a thin ring of epoxy round the metal hole, and press the plastic insert down into it to form a thin shim. I doubt the plastic will stick should i ever need to remove it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglas Wheelhouse Posted January 28, 2013 Author Share Posted January 28, 2013 Thanks to all who have responded, been & bought a Clarke scroll saw with variable speed ,flexible drive attachment, & worklight, looks ok but still in the boot so untried as yet. DJW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 Well you have made your choices so let us know how you get on. In particular tell us if they have the adaptors for non pin end ( fretsaw) blades. You may be able to get them as spares. Maybe from Axminster if not - they will probably fit. I still believe that variable speed is not likely to be used for aeromodelling ( i.e. ply up to 6mm ) so it's not necessary but one thing that can go wrong. In fact reports say speed controller failed after a few hours use on 2 consecutive machines! So test them extensively whilst new.... I have to say the SIP machine looks attractive in several details, the 45 degree both ways tilt, the dust blower hose and the LED light seem nice. But whether it is worth so much more than a fixed speed Axminster is debateable. The SIP website shows packs of 10 assorted pin ended blades for 48 pence which seems exceptionally cheap. I have no idea of the quality but it might always be handy to have some spares in stock in case the supply dries up. ( scrollsaw blades are not the same as Coping saw blades) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglas Wheelhouse Posted January 28, 2013 Author Share Posted January 28, 2013 Hi KC Just come out of the shed after setting up the saw, The adapters for non pinned blades are supplied so thats handy. The machine seems very sturdy with very low vibration but may be better when its bolted down. Blade alignment had to be set to get a straight cut but apart from that all was well. I will let you know how it performs after more extensive use, DJW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 I have been using my Titan for about 5 years now and I use it a lot. No problems. I buy blades from Squires. Phone is 01243 842424. Ask for their tool catalogue. It is free and full of everything that you could possibly need. I buy my glues from them. Postage is free over £15 which is their minimum order. And making up a minimum order is no problem. the problem is cutting down your list to affordable levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 I dont think you should bolt a fretsaw down solidly it will just vibrate everything. It should rest on something to absorb the vibration such as a thick felt pad as used on old typewriters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglas Wheelhouse Posted January 29, 2013 Author Share Posted January 29, 2013 Cheers Peter, Sods law your reply has come in now, went & bought a Clarke scroll saw because of blade availability, Told KC all seems ok but needs a few days use to evaluate more, but thanks for your thread anyway. DJW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglas Wheelhouse Posted January 29, 2013 Author Share Posted January 29, 2013 Cheers KC , makes sense to me, will do that. DJW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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