Here is something to try

[Pajaro]

I posted this as a reply to another thread. But would like to hear some comments on it.
3/8 wafer board. I've made some small convenience tables tops. I have used it for backing on "The Lords Prayer from Wild Wood Designs. And a few signs. Sand it down to 220 grit and clear coat with high gloss. You will be surprised at the unusual wood patterns you get. Really different. It is worth the time.

PS it is a little hard on blades.

Has any one else ever try this?

[CanadianScroller]

I havent tried it yet, I have seen some really nice stuff done from glue lam beams.
They look really interesting when compound cut.
During depression times when scrolling was pupular most wood came from dumpsters. I think sometimes the work done with scraps has far more character than going to a hardwood lumber store and getting the perfect piece.

I would like to see a photo or two of your stuff Pajaro, thanks for posting the idea.

[Woodbutcher68]

I've seen it stained with some dramatic results too.

[Marsha]

I used wafer board to cut "Oakoo" a pattern by Toni and Sue. I think in Canada we call it particle board though. I didn't find it very stable. It broke out in the smaller fretwork sections.
Just my 2¢ worth
Marsha

PS, I thought there was a pic of it in my gallery, but I can't find one.

[CanadianScroller]

here is a picture of the parallam beams that I have seen compound cut...mainly with a band saw, but the possibility exists.
I think some air pockets in the glue substrate may cause problems similar to the ones Masha experienced.
I have also seen bowls turned on a lathe with the same material.

[Pajaro]

I don't think I've seen parallam beams in Dallas. May be it is not in the building codes here. I can see where it would create some awesome compound cutting. Thanks for the education.

[workin for wood]

yea, in Canada it is generally called chip board, not particle board. MDF is referred to as particle board as it's like sawdust particles glued together. I haven't scrolled it...I have to wonder how the edges hold up personally. I know when you have sheets the edges are very ragged, and same when you rip it on the table saw. It's not clean like MDF. But having no experience scrolling it, I don't know about it, and I wouldn't know as I haven't tried edge sanding it, so perhaps that works out ok. What I do know for dang sure is that chip board isn't cheap. Last year it was all the way up to $25 a sheet. It really fluctuates alot, especially during huricane season. Should be pretty cheap right now though, you'd think, because the housing markets are terrible and there haven't been any wide spread hurricanes, just some typical midwest flooding due to heavy rains. But I could be wrong too, because sometimes the chineese import it from us and that drives the demand back up.

Haven't worked with any parallam beams, but do have some regular lam beams in my shop. A regular lam beam is more like plywood, several thin strips glued together, instead of the mass of chips glued together. I think a regular lam beam would be stronger, but also probably more expensive. You can buy laminated carving blocks made of mahogany as well...yep, I have some of that too, given to me as a hand me down from a dead relative that use to use it to carve cars for GM.

All the man made wood products are interesting. Get your hands on some trex and give that a try too. Recycled plastic and wood particles...you can sand it, plane it, cut it, drill it, whatever. Don't know if it will take a regular stain, but I do know that there is specific stains available for those products. That's your ultimate outdoor scrolling material.

[lucky788scroller]

Another name for it is OSB (Oriented strand board). I have a few 4 by 4 inch pieces of that like carls shown, about 2 feet long I am going to try to turn someday. I was thinking of soaking it in an epozy first to strengthen it up and fill some of the voids. Dale