Tough day with Purplewood

[rochar3]

Hello,
Having a tough time cutting  3/4 Purplewood. I have used #3,5,7 FD UR blades and am having no luck. Blades break etc and constantly burning wood. I am not a complete novice and I know how to set tension, so I hope somebody out there can help. maybe I am just overlooking something.
As usual, thanks for your help and advice. just when I start feeling good about SS, something like this comes along and himbles me.
Bob

[Dan26]

If you are refering to purpleheart, yes, it is very hard. I don't use it that thick because it dulls blades. You can try wrapping some packing tape around it. The tape will help lubricate the blade and reduce the burning.

[bampasr]

cut slow and see if that helps, it helps me takes longerto cut some thing out.

[dgman]

Hey Bob, As was stated, Purpleheart is very hard and burns easily. Cut with a slow speed and feed rate. Use a bigger size blade. Use clear packing tape on top and bottom of the work piece. Be patient and expect to do some extra sanding!

[Marcellarius]

I never used purple heart but what is the humidity of the wood?

[UHMNL]

Bob,
Like it was said before, use taope. Some use blaue painters tape on the wood, I like to put 2" clear package tape on top of the pattern. Make sure that there is thight to the pattern or the saw dust will get in there.
Tape will release friction, it does not lubricate, there is no oil on the tape. It's silicone on top what releases friction. No not slow the speed down, it might even make the blade even heat up more. I like to use at least 3/4 speed. When not enough speed you might have a tendency to start pushing too hard into the blade.
FD Mike

[mrsn]

Use the tape, slow down a bit, use a big blade and take your time.
Sanding the piece will be even worse you have to be really careful to not burn purpleheart while sanding.

[BilltheDiver]

Ditto on what everyone has said, but I also recommend using pgt blades for this wood.  I have cut a fair amount of purpleheart and it can be challenging.

[boxmaker]

It's all been said already, but I agree you must use packaging tape.