Packing Tape lubricates blade, prevents burning - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Kevin12 · 01-16-2008, 12:02 AM

Okay, I know this isn't news, even though I did title this thread as a headline. I recently inadvertantly demonstrated this, and the difference with and without was SO dramatic, I thought I'd share the pics.

I was so eager to get back to scrolling things that weren't for presents, I just traced the line from a template and started sawing. I was using an FD-SR #7 blade, about medium speed on my 788, and was cutting 3/4" lyptus. I smelled the burning, then saw smoke coming from under the saw.

Slowed down the saw speed and feed rate. Same thing. Finished the cut. Put in a new blade. Made another cut, real slow. Same thing.

Then I did a forehead-slap "coulda had a V8" thing. Put packing tape on top and bottom (and this was real cheapy tape, too), and cut easily at more than twice the original feed rate with no scorching at all. Amazing.

SNAPPER · 01-16-2008, 12:07 AM

Yup, that packing tape does make a difference.
Dean

Marsha · 01-16-2008, 12:22 PM

Kevin,
I had a similar experience the first time I cut Cherry, only it happened with masking tape. I was stack cutting some ornaments, and used masking tape to hold the bundle together. The spots where there was no tape had visible burning, and none where the tape was covering the wood.
There are a ton of tips posted on this forum, believe it or not I try most of them, alot of them are crap and I think alot are posted that aren't tried first, but this is one of the best tips that actually works.
Now I rarely cut anything that isn't wrapped in tape first, and when I wrap a bundle for stack cutting I make sure all the wood is wrapped.
It's great when a tip actually works, so those of you who are still in doubt try it and see for youself.
Marsha

CanadianScroller · 01-16-2008, 12:29 PM

Thanks for posting the pictures, it makes the results more obvious.

foneman · 01-16-2008, 03:03 PM

Kevin,
Seeing is believing!! I use cheap packing tape for all my scrolling for three reasons. One, is the burning is minimized as you demonstrated, and two, it is much simpler removing the tape and all of the pattern than having to deal with glue residue on the wood. And third, the tape has a tendency to reduce chipping on fretwork. I personally like the second and third reasons more than the burning reason. It could be that I already have the tape on the wood and do not encounter any burning problems. I do remember years ago several projects with cherry that did NOT have tape on them and burning was a real problem.

Thanks for the posting!
John

01-16-2008, 12:22 PM	#3
Marsha Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Hamilton Ontario Posts: 1,403	Kevin, I had a similar experience the first time I cut Cherry, only it happened with masking tape. I was stack cutting some ornaments, and used masking tape to hold the bundle together. The spots where there was no tape had visible burning, and none where the tape was covering the wood. There are a ton of tips posted on this forum, believe it or not I try most of them, alot of them are crap and I think alot are posted that aren't tried first, but this is one of the best tips that actually works. Now I rarely cut anything that isn't wrapped in tape first, and when I wrap a bundle for stack cutting I make sure all the wood is wrapped. It's great when a tip actually works, so those of you who are still in doubt try it and see for youself. Marsha __________________ LIFE'S SHORT, USE IT WELL

01-16-2008, 12:29 PM	#4
CanadianScroller Moderator CUT IT OUT Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chilliwack British Columbia, Canada Posts: 3,904 Blog Entries: 12	Thanks for posting the pictures, it makes the results more obvious. __________________ CAЯL HIRD-RUTTEЯ "proud member of the best scroll sawing forum on the net." Ryobi SC180VS scroll saw EX21

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01-16-2008, 12:07 AM	#2
SNAPPER Dino Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fergus Falls,MN Posts: 814	Yup, that packing tape does make a difference. Dean

01-16-2008, 03:03 PM	#5
foneman Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 64	Kevin, Seeing is believing!! I use cheap packing tape for all my scrolling for three reasons. One, is the burning is minimized as you demonstrated, and two, it is much simpler removing the tape and all of the pattern than having to deal with glue residue on the wood. And third, the tape has a tendency to reduce chipping on fretwork. I personally like the second and third reasons more than the burning reason. It could be that I already have the tape on the wood and do not encounter any burning problems. I do remember years ago several projects with cherry that did NOT have tape on them and burning was a real problem. Thanks for the posting! John