quick cutting slow down

[karen12]

Hi e1, thanks to you all I have the saw up and running. Cut my first piece of wood. It was a quarter inch thick very light colored plywood or some kind of light veneer with plywood center. When I started to cut it went like butter then an inch into it the blade wouldnt cut thru it like butter anymore. I had to kind of shove it thru. Not real hard but I did have to use a pretty good amount of pressure. Is this normal or am I not doing something right?
The tension of my blade seems right I get a ping when I pluck it and when I push it to the side there seems to b less than an 1/8 play.

[NC Scroller]

Karen, there could be several things happening. In some low quality ply woods the center or core is made up of all kinda of material and by products. Even pieces of metal and walnut shells. These will ruin a blade quickly. 1/8th play is a lot. The blade should be tensioned to make a musical note when plucked. You did not mention the size or brand of blades. In blades price paid does not equal their worth. One final thing. Is the blade in right. When scrolling the teeth should point downward.

[karen12]

Karen, there could be several things happening. In some low quality ply woods the center or core is made up of all kinda of material and by products. Even pieces of metal and walnut shells. These will ruin a blade quickly. 1/8th play is a lot. The blade should be tensioned to make a musical note when plucked. You did not mention the size or brand of blades. In blades price paid does not equal their worth. One final thing. Is the blade in right. When scrolling the teeth should point downward.

Hi my blade is one that came with the saw i think cuz i have two blades on the table one from excalibur and one from olson a number 5 so im not sure which blade is which. when i pluck the blade it makes a note to me its more like a ping or sound not a thunk. i have to push pretty hard to get the 8th inch play. im guessing at that cuz i dont have tools that fit under there to actually measure it. not even a ruler. yesterday when i started sawing it went thru great but after i cut an inch it became harder to cut the wood. if its the plywood should i buy a different blade? if so which one? im just trying to cut lines and curves right now. hate to have to buy a blade after every 1/4 inch by 6 inch cut. the blade teeth are pointed down

[JimSawyer]

Scott is right about plywood eating up the blade, especially lower grade or construction grade.
You're better off with Baltic birch plywood when it comes to plywood.
If you're just trying to get to know your saw, I would suggest some poplar. Check with guys a construction sites, or if you can, go to Lowes or Home Depot.

[ncsealeveler]

Try the sample pack of blades from Mike's Workshop English featuring: my life story, a cancer survivor, scrollsawing samples and tips, community service, list of favorite sites and Flying Dutchman fretsaw blades for sale. .His blades are great.As stated above some baltic ply will cut easier.
Tony

[marshall]

Try the sample pack of blades from Mike's Workshop English featuring: my life story, a cancer survivor, scrollsawing samples and tips, community service, list of favorite sites and Flying Dutchman fretsaw blades for sale. .His blades are great.As stated above some baltic ply will cut easier.
Tony

Karen the Flying Dutchman blades from Mile's is the way to go , I have found that the slower you can go when cutting the BB Plywood the better you'll be ....I have also found that these blades just don't hold up when I'm cutting 4 and 5 layers of 1/8' material - but it's the way it is ..........MB

[Mick Walker]

Karen, one more thought, if you are using the hold down foot your wood may be catching under it as you push the wood through. Remove the hold down foot and just hold the wood down with your fingers. Most scrollers do not use the hold down foot. You should be able to cut 1/4" wood with almost any blade.
Good luck.

[JimSawyer]

Try the sample pack of blades from Mike's Workshop English featuring: my life story, a cancer survivor, scrollsawing samples and tips, community service, list of favorite sites and Flying Dutchman fretsaw blades for sale. .His blades are great.As stated above some baltic ply will cut easier.
Tony

I agree,
Mike's blades are the best.....

[karen12]

Thanks E1, Im going to look for some wood. Does home depot sell any 1/4 inch soft wood with a little grain? Our local lumber yard doesnt have anything but 1 inch pine

[NC Scroller]

The plywood sold by the BORGs (Home Depot and Lowes) is not the best. Check you local lumber yards to see if they can order you a sheet of baltic birch plywood. A full sheet is 5' x 5'. If not you can get some great plywood deals on-line.

Online Specials | The Hardwood Store of North Carolina


Sloan's Woodshop - " The Scroll Saw Store "

[Bayward]

The Home Depot's in this area of Florida sell thin pieces of poplar. The store by my house has 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" thick Poplar in 3" or so widths by 3' long.

Bob

[JimSawyer]

Don't forget Heritage Wood Supplies
They have some really quality stuff.
1/4", 3/8" etc. and not just BBply, but hardwoods and exotics as well..

I've been using them for many years....