Blade For 3/4" Baltic Birch?

[Toneman]

Most of my projects have been cut from 1/8" to 1/2" Baltic Birch. Now, I have an order for 8 large crosses, and the lady insisted on 3/4" wood. So. I ordered the 3/4"(12" x 24") and began sawing yesterday with a FD-UR #5 blade and found it to be slow going! So, I ordered some FD-UR-#7 blades from Mike; hoping the sawing would go a little faster. Maybe I am just too impatient since I have not cut anything thicker than 1/2". LOL Anyway, your thoughts on this would be entertained!

Tony,aka,Toneman

[countryscroller]

From what I have learned, you should be fine with a #5 or #7, but UR blades are less agressive than just a plain blade( all teeth pointing down). That might help.

[dgman]

Hey tony, as you found out 3/4" Baltic birch has a lot of plies which means a lot of dried glue. This makes for tougher cutting. Did you consider using 3/4" hardwood? At that thickness I see no reason to use plywood unless you like the look of it.
Anyway, you might try FD polar blades. They have a slight set to the teeth and are designed for cutting thicker wood. Good luck!

[Russ C]

A FD-UR #5 should be fine, has worked fine for me. Cutting on 3/4" BB plywood is going to cut slower. You must have patients my young padawan. 

[GrayBeard]

I'm with Dan on this one too.

When I need long straight cuts I go to my "Polar Pack" and for this I would be using at least a #7, more likely a #9.

~~~GB~~~

[IBMer]

I've cut Angels from 1.5x1.5 purple heart, cocobolo and other super hard woods with my scroll saw using a FD #5.     It is slow going, but knowing that it's very dense and thick, I expect that it's going to take a long time.

I'm surprised that you are seeing a huge difference between 1/2 and 3/4 ply.     Going from 1/8 to 3/4 will surely make a pretty big difference in your speed.

J.

[Toneman]

Guess I will order some Polar blades and give them a try. I thought about solid wood, but, I am trying to keep my prices down. example: $8.60 for BB vs $16.47 for oak. Oh well, just need to slow down and be patient, which is hard for me to do.LOL

[dgman]

Patience young grasshopper.

[Toneman]

Well, thank ya'll for the advice and ideas! I have made up my mind to never use any ply thicker than 1/2". I cannot belive the difference in 1/2" and 3/4"! If it has to be 3/4", it will be solid wood, and probably something soft like poplar! LOL

Tony,aka,Toneman