I'm a dummy that wants to learn Stack Cutting

[Rapid Roger]

But I am still waiting for somebody to elaborate on this toothpick thing!

Becky,
As I understand it, the toothpick thing is kind of like using brads to hold the two pieces in alignment while cutting. Instead of using brads which are metal and can scratch the table surface and/or hit the blade, you simply drill small holes in the stack and glue toothpicks in the holes. Then you can cut and sand them down for a smooth surface on both sides and since they are wood, they won't hurt the table or a blade.

Rog

[Rover2]

Thank you Rog for your response.  i think I will stick with just wrapping with the cellephane tape.
Works well for me.
Thanks again.   AL

[Becky]

Thanks, Roger.  I think I will probably try that the next time I stack cut a larger piece.  I assume I would put a toothpicks inside an inner cut or three and then cut the OTHER inner cuts while it is secured.  Then cut out the bits with the toothpicks as I work my way toward the edges which should be pretty secure because of the tape.

Thanks for explaining it.

[Danny]

Little late on this post, but thought I wanted to add my Procedures.
     I for sure do agree with all above mentioned favorite ways.  Have used them all.
I decide on the size of the blanks the pattern will need.  IE:  Ornaments
     I just add 3/8 to 1/2" on all sides.  Using ALEENS glue I just apply
Small Beads around the 4 sides.  Clamp for Approx. 15 minutes.  Ready for cutting.
Most of my Crafts are cut using Baltic Birch Ply.  FUZZES are a thing of the PAST.
Used the sacrificial bottom blank for years.  Never knew about Flying Dutchman.
I use the FD-UR#1 blade for 90% of all my cutting.  I Stack cut most all the time.
This blade only leaves very small amount of the Fuzzes.  Light sanding and the
bottom is as smooth as the top.  Only use the Adhesive back paper to print the patterns.  Works Great.  Anyway....  This is only my 13 cents worth.  Danny :+}

[ChuckD]

Sorry to be so late with an answer to the toothpick ideas. Just got back from a week and half visiting the Oregon Coast. 
I don't remember who I got the info but I have found it works.  I make sure the toothpick is the same size as the hole, with not to much space around it.  The reason for that is you are going to glue the toothpick into the hole.  Push it thru so it sticks out both sides.  Of course you are using round toothpicks.  After  the glue sets, cut off the toothpick with a dike just a touch from the wood.  Then sand it smooth to the face, on the bottom.  The top can stick out a little.  The glue on the toothpick holds the wood together all the way thru the stack.
My junk layer is on the top.  I don't worry about fuzzies on the bottom, and I don't worry about the pattern sticking to the face of the stack or whatever I am l cutting.  Intarsia I don't worry bout the pattern sticking for obvious reasons.
I do like this system and for me, it works.   

[Becky]

What the heck is a dike?  Can I assume a little Dutch boy is not also required?   

I always get in trouble when at the hardware store trying to buy a tool when I don't know it's real name.  I got a lot of funny looks once when I asked for pointy grabbers.  Turned out they are really called needle nose vise grips.  Who knew?  And who gets to name these things?  I guess I am just tool illiterate because I have had several experiences like that.

I hope you had a great trip to the coast.

[julief]

Hey Becky, dikes are wire cutters.  And yes, men named them as well as most hardware.  Male and female references are used in many hardware, electrical and plumbing parts.  I sold Snap On Tools for 12 years and was a hardware specialist for Home Depot after that.  You get some funny looks when you use the correct name for things from people who don't know what they are called.

[Becky]

Thanks, Julie.  I doubt I would have guessed that on my own.  I am aware of the male/female usages and, for the most part, they makes sense (though I'd rather not have to explain it to a small child).  But, seriously, whoever decided the appropriate name for a wire cutter is a dike is taking it all WAY too personally.

[GrayBeard]

Dikes is a shortened form for "diagonal cutters"...
Learned that from my dad about 65 years ago!

~~~GB~~~

[Billy in Va]

GB is correct!  If and electrician sends his helper to the truck for a pair of diagonal cutters, he might as well have asked or a left handed sky hook.   But ask for a pair of dikes, he will be back in a flash.  Sometimes I think its a matter of laziness rather than disrespect.  Dikes is a whole lot easier to say than d i a g o n a l   c u t t e r s.