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General Category => Ask Steve a question. => Topic started by: richardh42 on July 21, 2020, 06:44:34 pm

Title: Scrolling Mesquite
Post by: richardh42 on July 21, 2020, 06:44:34 pm

I have never done any scrolling on mesquite until today. I am trying to cut letters from 3/4" mesquite.  I started with a Pegas Modified Geometry 5R. After about 2" it started smoking and burning the wood. I tried reducing/increasing the blade speed. Same result. I switched to a Flying Dutchman 7 SR, same result. I switched to a FD 9SR, same result.
I checked my blade to ensure it's at 90 degrees and it is.

 Is mesquite like cherry and just burns easily?

 I have halted me work on mesquite until I can get some answers.

I appreciate any tips y'all may have.

Title: Re: Scrolling Mesquite
Post by: Bucko on July 21, 2020, 08:06:13 pm

Seems Mesquite is hard and needs sharp tooling . https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/wood/wood-month/mesquite-wood-only-recently-appreciated-beauty

Title: Re: Scrolling Mesquite
Post by: don in brooklin on on July 22, 2020, 05:50:43 am

Have you tried covering the pattern with box tape.

I have the same issue with cherry especially with when doing compound cutting.  I wrap a couple of times.  Do the same thing with other hardwoods especially maple.

As far as blades are concerned my go to blade is a Flying Dutchman Ultra Reverse but lately been using Pegas MGT 5 on my compound cutting.

Instead on going bigger try a #3 on 3/4 as I have found that helps too.

Title: Re: Scrolling Mesquite
Post by: justlarry on July 22, 2020, 12:50:37 pm

I wrap mesquite with painter's tape and cut with FD UR # 3 or #5.  No burning.

Larry