Scrollsaw Workshop Community -Please register to enable posting.
General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: arkiewood on November 15, 2012, 05:32:27 pm
-
I am trying to make some Christmas presents and the pattern calls for 1/2" stock. I am new to this and was needing some advice on which blade you use for 1/2" it will either be Aromatice cedar or Red Oak.
I think the Cedar will be easier to to cut and work with but not sure.
-
You have a few different factors to consider. Will your patterns require a lot of tight turns? Red Oak can be a challenge to cut with very thin blades in 1/2" thick. I'd use a Number 5 blade unless you have many tight turns, then maybe try a number 3. Red Oak may break a few blades unless you take your time. I'd maybe get a dozen of each and see which works best for you.
My girlfriend has put me to work cutting out angels from 3"x1.5x1.5" exotic woods. Purple Heart, Red Heart, Cocobolo etc. I've been using number 5 blades since the patterns do not have tight turns. I usually end up breaking a blade here and there. Probably should move up to a number 7 since she keeps bringing me such dense 1.5" thick woods to cut. I keep telling her that I can make double the number of angels in half the time using pine, at much less expense, but she is hooked on the way exotic woods look ;-)
-
I have had good luck with Flying Dutchman - Ultra Reverse #3 in ?" Red Oak. Cedar should not be a problem. Use clear shipping tape over the pattern to help lubricate the blade. :)
-
I use 1/2" Red Oak for everything and #5 reverse Flying Dutchman blades work perfectly, even for tight turns and tiny places.
-
Just to clarify, when I say very thin blades, I'm talking about #1 or even puzzle blades.
-
Most people dont agree with me on this, but I am a firm believer that spiral blades are awesome. I use them for most everything. I would use maple for a nice looking 1/2 in project. If you want a darker wood the cedar might be nice. Show us the picture of it when you finish.