what wood to use? - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

highdarkness · 08-10-2009, 10:06 PM

so i just finished my first project on a 3/4" sanded hardboard and i just started a project on a 3/16" birch hard plywood. i keep having a problem where some of the plywood is breaking and chipping taking the first coat of board off. mainly in thin cut areas. Maybe im using the wrong type of wood i was using a new blade. so im curious what are good types of wood to use and how i can help stop this problem its frustrating to finish half a project then have this happen and its ruined

highdarkness · 08-10-2009, 10:16 PM

also i noticed that the birch ply was a unfinished ply with a paper thin layer of birch on top if that helps

Chris "The Wood Artist" · 08-10-2009, 10:33 PM

For me, I do use birchplywood (bought from local lumber yard) on a lot of my projects, but I also use slabs of different woods as I have access to a tree trimming business that gives me all I want for free. I also have access to cedar, my uncle makes cedar post on his farm so he gives me the scrap. What I'm saying all this for is that, it is personal choice on the wood choice. From the way you are sounding about the "tear out" in your wood. It may be because you are using the wrong blade. When I choose a blade, I choose the blade by the thickness of the wood. For example you are using 3/16" I'd choose a blade with a bunch of teeth. Sorry, can't remember the blade numbers off hand. Also, not sure if you have a variable speed saw or not, if so play with your speed adjustment, I've found that sometimes if you either slow down the speed or even speed up will make a difference. I hope this gives you some direction in helping you. Another thing, try to get the finished plywood if you choose that type. For some reason I have better luck with that type better than I do with unfinished. Also, check around your town and see if they are any tree trimmers or even woodshops, they sometimes will either give you there scraps or sell them to you really cheap.

Terry Jay · 08-10-2009, 11:08 PM

Breaking off the outer ply is usually caused by a blade with too few teeth and the teeth are too large. Same with a band saw or circular saw. One partial cure is to cover the back of your cuts with masking or painters tape, and to use a backing board.

What blades are you using?

highdarkness · 08-11-2009, 01:32 AM

well the breaking is happening on thefront of the piece not the back

Chris "The Wood Artist" · 08-11-2009, 02:00 AM

Use Packing Tape and cover over the front, it will keep it from tear outs, plus will make your blade last longer as the tape will lubrcate the blade.

lucky788scroller · 08-11-2009, 02:26 PM

Get yourself some better quality material to work with. Find yourself a supplier that sells baltic birch plywood.It is a far better plywood than the regular birch plywood you are trying now. There are more plies to the baltic birch, and the outer layers are thicker than that other stuff your fighting with.I wouldnt bother cutting prefinished wood, as once your done cutting, youd have to refinish it if you wanted finish in the fretwork parts. Combine that, with a good blade and practice, you should be cranking out great projects quickly.

Bill Wilson · 08-11-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highdarkness

well the breaking is happening on thefront of the piece not the back

OK, this is probably a silly question and please don't be offended, but are you sure the blade is in right side up? Believe me it wouldn't be the first time. I've put them in upside down a time or two myself. Reason I ask is that it is pretty unusual to get chipping on the top of a piece. The teeth of a standard scroll saw blade point downward. On reverse tooth blades, there will be a few at the bottom that point up. This is designed to practically eliminate any tearout on the top of the piece and minimize it as much as possible on the back.

Can you tell us what kind of blade, tooth configuration and size you are using?

Mick Walker · 08-11-2009, 08:33 PM

highdarkness, most birch plywood from the "Borg" stores the birch is nothing more than a veneer, as Dale said get some good BB plywood or Finnish birch plywood that has exterior glue. When cutting thin plywood I use a 28 t.p.i. 2/0 blade.

plainnotpinned · 08-11-2009, 10:13 PM

Welcome to Scrollsawer!

Another solution would be to use a cheap, easy to cut hardwood such as butternut or poplar. They are only about 4 or five dollars a bft and cut smoother and easier than plywoods.

08-10-2009, 10:06 PM	#1
highdarkness Lost Young Grasshopper Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: new jersey Posts: 25	what wood to use? so i just finished my first project on a 3/4" sanded hardboard and i just started a project on a 3/16" birch hard plywood. i keep having a problem where some of the plywood is breaking and chipping taking the first coat of board off. mainly in thin cut areas. Maybe im using the wrong type of wood i was using a new blade. so im curious what are good types of wood to use and how i can help stop this problem its frustrating to finish half a project then have this happen and its ruined

08-10-2009, 10:33 PM	#3
Chris "The Wood Artist" Craftsman & Designer Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Fort Smith, AR USA Posts: 218	For me, I do use birchplywood (bought from local lumber yard) on a lot of my projects, but I also use slabs of different woods as I have access to a tree trimming business that gives me all I want for free. I also have access to cedar, my uncle makes cedar post on his farm so he gives me the scrap. What I'm saying all this for is that, it is personal choice on the wood choice. From the way you are sounding about the "tear out" in your wood. It may be because you are using the wrong blade. When I choose a blade, I choose the blade by the thickness of the wood. For example you are using 3/16" I'd choose a blade with a bunch of teeth. Sorry, can't remember the blade numbers off hand. Also, not sure if you have a variable speed saw or not, if so play with your speed adjustment, I've found that sometimes if you either slow down the speed or even speed up will make a difference. I hope this gives you some direction in helping you. Another thing, try to get the finished plywood if you choose that type. For some reason I have better luck with that type better than I do with unfinished. Also, check around your town and see if they are any tree trimmers or even woodshops, they sometimes will either give you there scraps or sell them to you really cheap. __________________ Chris The Wood Artist "Keep Scrolling Along" Free Patterns: www.myspace.com/_woodartist_ and http://thewoodartist.blogspot.com/

08-11-2009, 02:00 AM	#6
Chris "The Wood Artist" Craftsman & Designer Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Fort Smith, AR USA Posts: 218	Use Packing Tape and cover over the front, it will keep it from tear outs, plus will make your blade last longer as the tape will lubrcate the blade. __________________ Chris The Wood Artist "Keep Scrolling Along" Free Patterns: www.myspace.com/_woodartist_ and http://thewoodartist.blogspot.com/

08-11-2009, 02:26 PM	#7
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,267	Get yourself some better quality material to work with. Find yourself a supplier that sells baltic birch plywood.It is a far better plywood than the regular birch plywood you are trying now. There are more plies to the baltic birch, and the outer layers are thicker than that other stuff your fighting with.I wouldnt bother cutting prefinished wood, as once your done cutting, youd have to refinish it if you wanted finish in the fretwork parts. Combine that, with a good blade and practice, you should be cranking out great projects quickly. __________________ Dale w/ yella saws

08-11-2009, 08:33 PM	#9
Mick Walker Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 1,338	highdarkness, most birch plywood from the "Borg" stores the birch is nothing more than a veneer, as Dale said get some good BB plywood or Finnish birch plywood that has exterior glue. When cutting thin plywood I use a 28 t.p.i. 2/0 blade. __________________ Mick, - Delta P-20 The future ain't what it used to be.

08-10-2009, 10:16 PM	#2
highdarkness Lost Young Grasshopper Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: new jersey Posts: 25	also i noticed that the birch ply was a unfinished ply with a paper thin layer of birch on top if that helps

08-10-2009, 11:08 PM	#4
Terry Jay Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sterling, AK Port Angeles, WA Posts: 33	Breaking off the outer ply is usually caused by a blade with too few teeth and the teeth are too large. Same with a band saw or circular saw. One partial cure is to cover the back of your cuts with masking or painters tape, and to use a backing board. What blades are you using?

08-11-2009, 01:32 AM	#5
highdarkness Lost Young Grasshopper Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: new jersey Posts: 25	well the breaking is happening on thefront of the piece not the back

08-11-2009, 10:13 PM	#10
plainnotpinned teenage scroller Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: oklahoma Posts: 48	Welcome to Scrollsawer! Another solution would be to use a cheap, easy to cut hardwood such as butternut or poplar. They are only about 4 or five dollars a bft and cut smoother and easier than plywoods. __________________ Joe

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