Sled Ornament Help

[Reaper]

Ok first I tried to make one of Sheila's sled ornaments.I guess I don't really cut a lot of small things. So I guess I am going to learn.I tried to stack cut 3- 1/4 inch pieces of oak. I was using a number 2 blade.I tried the sled with the christmas tree and it fell apart in the middle.My lines must have been to close.Any helpful hints would be great?The sled runners weren't that hard.Its just seems to be the sled. Thanks for any help you can offer.Dave......

[scrollgirl]

Hi, Dave:
Maybe try only two layers if you are cutting 1/4" thick oak. Oak is pretty hard and in order to do the swirls of the tree, you need to use a small enough blade to maneuver back and forth. I think that maybe 3/4" is a bit thick for that small of a blade and that tight of a design.  The stress on the blade may cause it to flex a bit when cutting, and when you are working with a design that tight, it probably doesn't have that much room to spare.

See if two layers doesn't work a bit better.

Sheila

[dgman]

Hey Dave, First, Three layers of 1/4" oak is tough to cut, But it is doable. Most importantly is the grain direction. Chances are the tree broke because the grain was running against the weakest area. Next time orient the grain so it runs with the weakest point. If I were cutting these ( I cut about fifty of these last year) I would only stack two layers of 1/4".
Good luck!
I guess Sheila and I were typing at the same time!

[Dan26]

I agree about the oak and grain. Also make sure your table is square to the blade. If not, some of the pieces may be thinner in the lower stack, making them weaker. When I cut mine, I use 1/8" and stack 4 at a time. You get more sleds and are only cutting a total of 1/2" of wood.

[Reaper]

Thanks guys I knew I could count on you.I will try the 2 instead of 3.I did have a hard time moving the blade around the tree....Dave