American white maple - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Fretnot · 04-26-2012, 11:20 AM

Hi Everyone. I have been offered quite a lot of American white maple. It is 200mm wide and 20mm thick and planed so on the surface it is ideal for scroll saw work but before I part with my hard earned cash I have heard that it is extremely hard and can be difficult to work on the scroll saw. I would be very grateful if you good people could pass on the benefit of your experience. In the main I will be making children's jigsaw puzzles up to 12 pieces and name signs.

Rolf · 04-26-2012, 11:45 AM

I love cutting maple and have not had any problems cutting it. It is great for the kids puzzles.
I use an Olson Mach 3 or the PGT 5 blade on that thickness depending on the detail.
But any good blade will work for. I do put painters tape under my patterns it seems to help minmize any burning.

Dick-Miraglia · 04-26-2012, 01:33 PM

Hard maple is excellent to work with. It has a very even consistency and density with a fine grain, and cuts well for a hardwood. It is also great for carving if you wish to do some carved fretwork. As it ages, a nice patina develops.

sdguy · 04-26-2012, 04:21 PM

I cut maple all the time for standup puzzles and name signs. As hardwoods go, it's pretty easy to work with.

Fretnot · 04-26-2012, 05:20 PM

Many thanks Rolf, Dick and sdguy. I was initially put off for a chap i spoke to said it was that hard that it was used for the floors of bowling alleys to prevent damage when people drop a ball onto it but going on what you guys have said I will get it. I have never cut maple before so will look forward to the experience and will post some photos of things I make from it.

Forester21 · 04-26-2012, 05:26 PM

It's true that maple is used in bowling alley lanes. But if you use new blades and take your time cutting it isn't too bad.
T

fredfret · 04-26-2012, 06:26 PM

Bowling alley lane boards are placed with the "edge" grain up. I have used some salvaged alley wood for a couple of projects and the cutting was smooth and easy. Use good quality and sharp blades, cut slow and you should have some great results.
Fredfret

Bayward · 04-26-2012, 11:24 PM

I agree, hard maple is a super nice wood to work with. I use a lot of it doing craft work.

Bob

Joel Kaufman · 04-26-2012, 11:47 PM

I cut a very intricate portrait with .5" maple and it came out great. Just keep the blades fresh and the speed moderate so as not to burn and you should be fine.

scrolling_grandma · 04-27-2012, 02:18 AM

I love cutting maple. It has a nice consistency and is not too difficult to cut. The finished piece is strong and durable. I'd say go for it.

04-26-2012, 11:20 AM	#1
Fretnot Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: I live in South West Wales Posts: 306 Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 8 Posts	American white maple Hi Everyone. I have been offered quite a lot of American white maple. It is 200mm wide and 20mm thick and planed so on the surface it is ideal for scroll saw work but before I part with my hard earned cash I have heard that it is extremely hard and can be difficult to work on the scroll saw. I would be very grateful if you good people could pass on the benefit of your experience. In the main I will be making children's jigsaw puzzles up to 12 pieces and name signs.

04-26-2012, 11:45 AM	#2
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 5,911 Thanks: 8 Thanked 107 Times in 98 Posts	I love cutting maple and have not had any problems cutting it. It is great for the kids puzzles. I use an Olson Mach 3 or the PGT 5 blade on that thickness depending on the detail. But any good blade will work for. I do put painters tape under my patterns it seems to help minmize any burning. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can" Proud Member of the Long Island Woodworkers Club And the Long Island Scrollsaw Association

04-26-2012, 01:33 PM	#3
Dick-Miraglia Carved Fretwork Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 287 Thanks: 8 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	American White Maple Hard maple is excellent to work with. It has a very even consistency and density with a fine grain, and cuts well for a hardwood. It is also great for carving if you wish to do some carved fretwork. As it ages, a nice patina develops. __________________ Dick Miraglia Website: http://www.dickmiragliawildlife.com

04-26-2012, 05:26 PM	#6
Forester21 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,799 Thanks: 5 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	It's true that maple is used in bowling alley lanes. But if you use new blades and take your time cutting it isn't too bad. T __________________ Theresa http://WoodNGoods.weebly.com http://woodngoods.blogspot.com

04-26-2012, 11:47 PM	#9
Joel Kaufman jfk4032 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Central MD Posts: 110 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I cut a very intricate portrait with .5" maple and it came out great. Just keep the blades fresh and the speed moderate so as not to burn and you should be fine. __________________ ---Joel; Central MD...rookie empter nester and getting back into woodworking!

04-26-2012, 04:21 PM	#4
sdguy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 112 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I cut maple all the time for standup puzzles and name signs. As hardwoods go, it's pretty easy to work with.

04-26-2012, 05:20 PM	#5
Fretnot Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: I live in South West Wales Posts: 306 Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 8 Posts	Many thanks Rolf, Dick and sdguy. I was initially put off for a chap i spoke to said it was that hard that it was used for the floors of bowling alleys to prevent damage when people drop a ball onto it but going on what you guys have said I will get it. I have never cut maple before so will look forward to the experience and will post some photos of things I make from it.

04-26-2012, 06:26 PM	#7
fredfret Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 144 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts	Bowling alley lane boards are placed with the "edge" grain up. I have used some salvaged alley wood for a couple of projects and the cutting was smooth and easy. Use good quality and sharp blades, cut slow and you should have some great results. Fredfret

04-26-2012, 11:24 PM	#8
Bayward Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Florida Posts: 177 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I agree, hard maple is a super nice wood to work with. I use a lot of it doing craft work. Bob

04-27-2012, 02:18 AM	#10
scrolling_grandma Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 1,249 Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I love cutting maple. It has a nice consistency and is not too difficult to cut. The finished piece is strong and durable. I'd say go for it. __________________ Tammy Pressure makes diamonds

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