walnut update

[karen12]

well I put the backboard on the walnut and actually wished I hadnt cuz I got most of the way thru and it broke in three places. Still my fault I guess cuz the pattern said quarter inch walnut to begin but no backer instr. but u wouldnt think it would break like that with 1/8 inch walnut and the backer being a quarter inch. if I had used the 1/4 inch walnut{which i didnt have anyways} I wouldnt have used a backer. the branches were too thin i guess Actually it was where the leaves attached and the flower. I dont think John made those things thick enough but oh well. I liked the piece too bad cuz I wont try it again unless I enlarge it down the road sometime. If it broke with the luan under it nothing will save it. Why would u need a backer for 1/4 inch wood anyways? nothing in the instructions said use a backer for 1/4 inch walnut. well its off to pattern land to see if something tickles my fancy. Heaven knows I have tons of back issues to choose from. Need to make my online gf a gift too. I will post some pics somewhere of the projects i finished that took 5 months to make lolol. Still don't have a stand for one cuz I need help with using the new router.

[Rolf]

It is much easier to control the cutting in wood that is 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick than it is cut something that is only 1/8. With hard wood especialy if you have very thin areas that are cross grain you need all the support you can get including zero clearance on your saw table.
What kind of saw do you have?

[karen12]

I have an EX-16. If I decide to cut letter openers should I make a zero clearance table or can i stack cut them? I'd have to read up on making a zero clearance table.

[karen12]

I guess what irritates me here is it sounds like if i wanna make a picture then put a background board behind it to make it look nice im gonna have to make it thick and i wanted to learn to use my router and possibly make a frame for these pics. I didnt wanna end up with a thick old frame and picture. more something on the small side like an 8 by 10. A more delicate type pic. The more things I try to do the more problems i encounter.

[Rolf]

That is called challenging yourself, it is how we learn. That is why I live by my philosphy below.

[bstark]

I was cutting 1/4 inch walnut yesterday with no backer (didn't have any idea about doing that until I read this thread) and it started out ok, but then on a delicate piece the balde jump about 1/4 of an inch once when I turn the saw on before I could do anything about it. =(

Making 90 degree turns was also difficult... the blade was taking out quite a chunk of wood turning the turn, unlike with thicker wood.

[karen12]

Srry you had that problem. I'm still depressed after working till it was almost done lol. Well one day it Mightttttt b funny but i kind of doubt it <smile>

[sawdustus]

When I cut a delicate pattern in thin hardwoods, I either (a) use a small blade (#2 or #2/0 and slow down my saws speed to between 1000-1200 spm or (b) tape and use small brads in the waste areas to temporarily attach a piece of 1/8 or 1/16 ply as a sacrificial backer, or (c) stack cut three of them (again using tape and brads in the waste areas) knowing that the bottom one will probably have broken pieces but the others won't.
Hope this helps.

george

[Forester21]

Karen, if you are ever in the Roscommon/Higgins Lake area let me know and maybe we can get together and go over things in my shop....
Theresa

[karen12]

Originally Posted by Forester21

Karen, if you are ever in the Roscommon/Higgins Lake area let me know and maybe we can get together and go over things in my shop....
Theresa

Cool. I'm kind of a hermit butI'm sure I could learn alot. My daughter is a singer/songwriter there. Carrie Westbay