Cutting long pieces

[Woodchuck]

First off, thank you to the person that found this pattern for me and emailed me the link.

This is a detailed pattern for the Union Pacific Big Boy Steam locomotive. My question is this (before I order the pattern). How do you cut a piece that is very detailed and is 4 feet long by 1 foot  tall on a Dewalt DW788?  When you go to swing the board it will hit the back. The only way I can think of is to use spiral blades which could be very tricky on a piece of wood this size.

The link to the pattern is   http://oldcrowscrollwerks.weebly.com/store/p167/Union_Pacific_Bigboy_Pattern_12%22_X_48%22.html

Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

[EIEIO]

Use spirals and build outriggers for the saw to support the piece on either side. You might try those BestWay Products wire saws - they seem to cut very well. The smaller ones are 0.029" diameter.

[Woodchuck]

Thanks. I've purchased the pattern and am ready to try using your suggestions.

[old wormy]

You could twist the bottom and top of the blade so that the teeth are  to the left instead of front to back. That way you could sit to the side of the saw instead of in front. This might work for some parts of the pattern but spirals would be your best bet.

[jrpeteo]

You're welcome, and yes spirals is the way to go.
Pete

PS
If you want to practice, I made this "big boy" a while back. It's nowhere as nice as the one you bought, maybe someone else can use it?

[Woodchuck]

Thanks for the pattern. I've used spirals only a couple of times, so I do feel you are right, I need a little more practice,

Any thoughts on wood for this 4 foot piece....I was thinking of mahogany