Questions for the Experts

[Janette]

I almost always use hardwoods (doing intarsia) and I use #7 On-Line platinum blades. They're available at www.intarsia.com and are reasonably priced. I have never really liked olson blades much, but it could be that I'm used to the others.
Janette

[ScottH]

Does anyone have any experience with purpleheart. That is some tough stuff to cut without burning. Blade selection? Saw speed? Give up on purpleheart?

[Jediscroller]

Originally Posted by ScottH

Does anyone have any experience with purpleheart. That is some tough stuff to cut without burning. Blade selection? Saw speed? Give up on purpleheart?

I use purpleheart quite a bit for ornaments, I cover it with packing tape and cut it with Flying Dutchman #5 FD-SR's. Pretty easy to cut at this thickness with this blade. If ya really want a challenge, try cutting some bloodwood or Brazilian cherry (both are about twice as hard as purpleheart).

[ScottH]

What is the thickness you are using? I used some 3/4" and burned it black when cutting with the grain. Against the grain it was OK. I've since ripped some 3/4 down to 5/16 and expect to dabble with that in the near future and will try a #5 and #9RG from Olson. It is such nice stock (and pricey) that I hate to botch any more and wind up as kindling. Where do you get the Flying Dutchman blades?

[workin for wood]

The blades they sell at RBI/Hawk are not very expensive, and I hear they are made by flying dutchman. Those are what I use. This is not an advertisment..what is the best blade is an arguement that will never be solved.

[PuzzledMoose]

Originally Posted by ScottH

Where do you get the Flying Dutchman blades?

From Mike Moorlach here - http://www.mikesworkshop.com/

[ScottH]

Thanks for the info. Will check it out.

[Minnesota scroller]

Originally Posted by ScottH

What is the thickness you are using? I used some 3/4" and burned it black when cutting with the grain. Against the grain it was OK. I've since ripped some 3/4 down to 5/16 and expect to dabble with that in the near future and will try a #5 and #9RG from Olson. It is such nice stock (and pricey) that I hate to botch any more and wind up as kindling. Where do you get the Flying Dutchman blades?

I've cut 1/2" purple heart with a #3 Pegas skip tooth blades and never had a problem. However, I definitely make sure tape covers it. I also set the speed of my saw a little slower.

[Janette]

I can cut 3/4" purpleheart with a #7 reverse tooth and clear pkg tape on the wood.

[shanklessaw]

Originally Posted by ScottH

What is the thickness you are using? I used some 3/4" and burned it black when cutting with the grain. Against the grain it was OK. I've since ripped some 3/4 down to 5/16 and expect to dabble with that in the near future and will try a #5 and #9RG from Olson. It is such nice stock (and pricey) that I hate to botch any more and wind up as kindling. Where do you get the Flying Dutchman blades?

You might consider a skip tooth or a double tooth blade. The less teeth in the blade allows more material to be removed thereby cut down on "burning".