best wood to use - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

jcb19983 · 01-19-2008, 12:37 AM

I used oak plywood for the first time a couple of days ago on a deer pattern but I broke one of the pieces. Then today I was making the first cut on a duck pattern and I was using oak ply wood and the first cut that I made the head broke off. I was using a skip tooth blade. Am I use to high of a speed or the wrong blade.

Marsha · 01-19-2008, 01:13 AM

I'm not sure there are any "Best Woods" but I only use Baltic Birch ply. It comes in many thicknesses and is a solid core ply, meaning there are very few if any voids. Perhaps the problem you're haveing with the oak is because it is an oak veneer, rather then a ply. This can be a very common mistake, the oak veneer has a particle core, instead of a layered core, and it will break very easily. You're speed and blade are probably alright, it's just not the best wood.
Hope this helps
Marsha

grumpy bear · 01-19-2008, 02:18 AM

I Agree With Marsha On The Baltic Birch. You Can Also Use Thin Hardwoods Such As Oak, Cherry, Walnut. They Range In Thicknesses Of 1/8", 1/4 ", And 1/2". I Know A Website That Has Good Prices On The Specialty Hardwoods If You Need It.

Jim8Mad · 01-19-2008, 04:21 AM

Most likely the stuff you are using is poor quality, especially if you are getting it from a home store. Jeff Z. uses oak plywood for all of his stuff. The stuff on his website is A-4 grade and is supposed to be really good stuff. Here's the link to check it out.

Carter-Johnson · 01-19-2008, 02:42 PM

My puzzles take some pretty intricate cuts. My favorite wood is 5-ply poplar I get from Wildwood Designs. It cuts easily and is quite strong and resistant to chipping.

Carter

Minnesota scroller · 01-19-2008, 03:05 PM

I've been using all 1/4" oak plywood for all my wildlife portraits, and never have a problem. I used to use BB but I prefer the look of the oak for this subject matter. To me, it cuts just like the BB ply. Like others mentioned, you may have got some poor quality oak or a veneer. I get my oak ply from www.sloanswoodshop.com.

Mick Walker · 01-19-2008, 03:53 PM

I would try a different blade, one with many teeth per inch. Make sure you are holding the wood down on the table not letting it jump up and down with the blade. Try different speeds working from a slow speed up to a higher speed. Try not to push the blade to the side, direct the wood straight into the teeth. Practice makes perfect.

earlinjax · 01-19-2008, 10:45 PM

I have used the oak ply Jeff Z has and it works well - much better than regular oak ply I could find around here.

Earl

Dusty Bill · 01-20-2008, 12:29 AM

I had a similar experience...turns out there were too many voids in the ply, which caused intricate parts to break off. BB...no problems :-)

lucky788scroller · 01-20-2008, 01:47 AM

I think before you trash all of your plywood, theres a lot of merit in what Mick said (as well as the others). It is possible that your blade choice isnt matched well with your wood. You dont mention the blade size or style you are using, that makes as much difference as your material you are cutting. The A-4 oak ply is great plywood, if you go looking for it, shop around, the price on that varies considerably from the online retailers.BB ply and finnish birch ply is always a good choice, but it does lack some of the desirable character for some patterns. Dale

01-19-2008, 12:37 AM	#1
jcb19983 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 52	best wood to use I used oak plywood for the first time a couple of days ago on a deer pattern but I broke one of the pieces. Then today I was making the first cut on a duck pattern and I was using oak ply wood and the first cut that I made the head broke off. I was using a skip tooth blade. Am I use to high of a speed or the wrong blade.

01-19-2008, 01:13 AM	#2
Marsha Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Hamilton Ontario Posts: 1,403	I'm not sure there are any "Best Woods" but I only use Baltic Birch ply. It comes in many thicknesses and is a solid core ply, meaning there are very few if any voids. Perhaps the problem you're haveing with the oak is because it is an oak veneer, rather then a ply. This can be a very common mistake, the oak veneer has a particle core, instead of a layered core, and it will break very easily. You're speed and blade are probably alright, it's just not the best wood. Hope this helps Marsha __________________ LIFE'S SHORT, USE IT WELL

01-19-2008, 02:18 AM	#3
grumpy bear Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: WEST VIRGINIA Posts: 7	I Agree With Marsha On The Baltic Birch. You Can Also Use Thin Hardwoods Such As Oak, Cherry, Walnut. They Range In Thicknesses Of 1/8", 1/4 ", And 1/2". I Know A Website That Has Good Prices On The Specialty Hardwoods If You Need It. __________________ GRUMPY BEAR

01-19-2008, 04:21 AM	#4
Jim8Mad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hemet, CA Posts: 333	Most likely the stuff you are using is poor quality, especially if you are getting it from a home store. Jeff Z. uses oak plywood for all of his stuff. The stuff on his website is A-4 grade and is supposed to be really good stuff. Here's the link to check it out. __________________ Jim DeWalt DW788 & Dremel 1680

01-19-2008, 03:05 PM	#6
Minnesota scroller Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SW MN Posts: 1,698	I've been using all 1/4" oak plywood for all my wildlife portraits, and never have a problem. I used to use BB but I prefer the look of the oak for this subject matter. To me, it cuts just like the BB ply. Like others mentioned, you may have got some poor quality oak or a veneer. I get my oak ply from www.sloanswoodshop.com. __________________ Mike Making sawdust with a Dremel 1680. www.picturetrail.com/naturephotos

01-19-2008, 02:42 PM	#5
Carter-Johnson Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 900	My puzzles take some pretty intricate cuts. My favorite wood is 5-ply poplar I get from Wildwood Designs. It cuts easily and is quite strong and resistant to chipping. Carter

01-19-2008, 03:53 PM	#7
Mick Walker Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 1,493	I would try a different blade, one with many teeth per inch. Make sure you are holding the wood down on the table not letting it jump up and down with the blade. Try different speeds working from a slow speed up to a higher speed. Try not to push the blade to the side, direct the wood straight into the teeth. Practice makes perfect. __________________ Mick, - Delta P-20 The future ain't what it used to be.

01-19-2008, 10:45 PM	#8
earlinjax Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 549	I have used the oak ply Jeff Z has and it works well - much better than regular oak ply I could find around here. Earl

01-20-2008, 12:29 AM	#9
Dusty Bill Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Western NC Posts: 23	I had a similar experience...turns out there were too many voids in the ply, which caused intricate parts to break off. BB...no problems :-)

01-20-2008, 01:47 AM	#10
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,354	I think before you trash all of your plywood, theres a lot of merit in what Mick said (as well as the others). It is possible that your blade choice isnt matched well with your wood. You dont mention the blade size or style you are using, that makes as much difference as your material you are cutting. The A-4 oak ply is great plywood, if you go looking for it, shop around, the price on that varies considerably from the online retailers.BB ply and finnish birch ply is always a good choice, but it does lack some of the desirable character for some patterns. Dale

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