Saw Will Not Cut 1 1/2" Pine

[Toneman]

My wife wanted me to cut some flower pot hangers out of 1 1/2" pine. I used the largest blade Olson makes and the largest blade FD makes and neither would cut the wood. I have an EX21 and thought it should cut it. Guess I may have to purchase a band saw for these projects?? Or, could it just be the wood?

Tony,aka,Toneman

[newfie]

not sure about the wood i got the same saw .i cut a few compound items and use 1 1/2" to 2" for them and it cuts good.

[dgman]

Hey Tony, I don't have an Excalibur but I have cut 1 1/2" Red Oak with my DeWalt. It seems like your EX21 should be able to cut 1 1/2 pine. One thing to understand is it will not cut as fast as if you are cutting 1/2" wood. It will take about 3 to 4 times longer to cut. You will need to use a higher speed and slower feed rate, and of course a larger blade.

[julief]

I cut 1-1/2" on my EX21 all the time.  It's a slower go, but can be done.  I don't like the #11 or #12 blades.  I usually use a #9 Olson platinum reverse tooth blade and slow down.  Pine shouldn't be a problem.  It's a softer wood and generally doesn't burn.  The reason to slow down is that the #9 will still flex in wood that thick, so take your time.

[Keefie]

I have cut 1 1/2" purpleheart on my EX21 with no problem, it was a slower cut due to the thickness of the wood and being purpleheart it's a very hard wood anyway so I was expecting a slower cut.

[Toneman]

OK, read the replies so I went back to my shop and this time took my time and just let the saw cut with no pressure from me and it cut the 1 1/2"! In fact, in some areas it cut too good!LOL Anyway, I noticed some dark colored lines in the wood about 1/4" wide and it was hard to cut when the blade hit these areas. Don't know anything about wood characteristics, but, must be something uncommon to pine. All went well and got all my wife's flower pot hangers made!

Tony,aka,Toneman

[PoppaRob]

Toneman,

Glade to hear that your making saw dust now, lol those areas your talking about are in my way of thinking pine knots or where the pine sap or tar as i know it has harden, if you can next time smell it and you should smell a likeable smell like cedar some what,

I like you will learn more and more about this scrollsaw and how it works and limits as we do more with them, slow yet steady pressure is what you need to do it and then before you know it you'll be flying through these things and thinking who of thought it, lol

Have a good one, just wanted to see if you got it figured out, so I could learn more from you,

Poppa Rob