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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: yyyyyguy on December 06, 2011, 08:48:49 pm

Title: cutting 1/4 in. thick is not so easy
Post by: yyyyyguy on December 06, 2011, 08:48:49 pm

Cutting 1/4" board, trying to make a sword with a dragon design for my grandson but have rarely cut 1/4", having a hard time staying on lines, using a #3 UD phew, glad I have a sander to save my "off line" problems

Title: Re: cutting 1/4 in. thick is not so easy
Post by: mrsn on December 06, 2011, 08:51:41 pm

Do you usually cut thicker or thinner material? I find that sometimes stacking to make a piece a bit thicker makes it easier to control.

Title: Re: cutting 1/4 in. thick is not so easy
Post by: GrayBeard on December 06, 2011, 09:10:20 pm

Definitely cut a stack!

When I do a 1/4" portrait I put a 1/8" on the top and bottom...this is a MUST do thing if you are using 'spirals'!

~~~GB~~~

Title: Re: cutting 1/4 in. thick is not so easy
Post by: yyyyyguy on December 06, 2011, 09:12:23 pm

usually cut 3/4" so will try it a bit thicker - arggghhh

Title: Re: cutting 1/4 in. thick is not so easy
Post by: KarlB on December 06, 2011, 10:22:57 pm

Ditto on stacking your boards. 

Also slow down your saw if all you are doing is one board, especially if a soft wood or plywood.

Karl

Title: Re: cutting 1/4 in. thick is not so easy
Post by: joey65746 on December 07, 2011, 03:22:07 am

i like useing 2/0 blades  so if i am just cuting 1 or 2 i use the 2/0 they are small but you can get a lil more detail

Title: Re: cutting 1/4 in. thick is not so easy
Post by: Russ C on December 07, 2011, 03:39:05 am

I cut ?"all the time with no problem. I have found when my blade wanders off the lines I need to increase the tension. Also you just have to slow the feed speed down a little and be more patient.  :)

Title: Re: cutting 1/4 in. thick is not so easy
Post by: daliclimbs on December 07, 2011, 09:15:13 am

Yea 1/4" is my go to.. I think it takes a little getting used to if you generaly work with thicker stuff.  I agree with Russ. Slow your saw down, and adjust your tension..

Title: Re: cutting 1/4 in. thick is not so easy
Post by: yyyyyguy on December 07, 2011, 01:34:43 pm

I think part of my problem is the piece I'm cutting is about 36" long and is hard to feed since by saw is only 18" throat, slower saw sounds like a winner, thanks for the feedback.

Pete

Title: Re: cutting 1/4 in. thick is not so easy
Post by: GrayBeard on December 07, 2011, 01:45:52 pm

SPIRAL BLADE!!!!!

~~~GB~~~

Title: Re: cutting 1/4 in. thick is not so easy
Post by: geneVG on December 07, 2011, 10:20:15 pm

I use a lot of BB 1/4 &1/8 inch.  I stack cut all the time.  I rarely have problems cutting off line.  I learned this here on the form.

gene

Title: Re: cutting 1/4 in. thick is not so easy
Post by: ChuckD on December 07, 2011, 11:30:42 pm

I very seldom cut anything less than a 3/4 inch stack.  You have more control and there is always someone who says "Oh that is beautiful can I have one?".

Title: Re: cutting 1/4 in. thick is not so easy
Post by: yyyyyguy on December 08, 2011, 07:40:50 pm

OK my problem was "PATIENCE", when cutting the piece I just was trying to go to fast with too fast of a cut, I slowed down and used a spiral when I had to (I should use those more often), again "PATIENCE" helps with a spiral, I just seem to go too fast. Plus the piece is nearly 36" long so is very hard to feed, I was in the way of the board and every move at one end was tripled at the other (blade), hey you must understand I am somewhat challenged when it come to thinking for myself...thanks for the help. I will post a pix in a couple days. The dragon on the blade was a B----.

Pete