I get to break in the ...

[Capt Weasel]

board! What an honor! I'd like to thank the academy..., uh, wrong speech. Anyway, I posted a question in another section concerning aquiring planks and rounds because I want to try something. I'd like to cut a portrait, more specifically a Zaffino type piece, into a plank. Is it possible to cut a portrait into a plank or would the detail be to much? I'd imagine the extra thickness, as opposed to 1/8" BB, would add stability to the more fragile pieces but would the thicker spiral take away some detail. I've seen some nice stuff into planks and thought I'd try it with a spin.

[Paul S WI]

Hi Capt., Answers to your questions are yes and yes. Yes, it is possible and yes, it will detract somewhat from the portrait. My experience anyway. I personnally wouldn't do it with a JZ type with having so much detail. However, with less detail and a material thickness in the area of 1/4 inch - 3/8 inch does look okay. The finer the detail in solid wood the greater the chance of break/blow out vs 3-5 ply stability. IMO - A JZ type cutting in 1/2 inch ply does not look as good as it does in 1/8 inch ply.

[Capt Weasel]

I didn't know the stacked ply would be more stable than a plank. I guess thats why you ask questions. Now that you mentioned it, I guess an 1/8" piece would look better than a 1/2" piece. Won't have the depth to look at or detract from the piece itself. I've been doing some JZ portraits and was just trying to incorporate it into my "wanna try it" idea an aspect of scrolling I haven't ventured into yet. Might have to back up and punt here on it. I guess its true that sometimes the best art is the simplest art.

[Minnesota scroller]

Personally, I don't think detail would be lost if you used a lighter wood. I cut all my portraits out of 1/4" BB and I have cut a few Forest Leaf Patterns out of 1/2" maple. Awhile back, Dale posted a bunch of Forest Leaf products, many that he cut out of 5/8" oak. There was quite a lot of veining and some fine detail, and they looked great. I just wouldn't use spiral blades on these. Actually, I won't use spirals blades on anything, if I can help it.

[Steviegwood]

Hi Capt., I also have alot of the leaves posted in the gallrey out of 5/8" oak and my portraits are 1/2" maple. The portraits are simple compared to JZ's. Steve

[PuzzledMoose]

Hi Capt., I also have alot of the leaves posted in the gallrey out of 5/8" oak and my portraits are 1/2" maple. The portraits are simple compared to JZ's. Steve

What blades do you use to cut 1/2 inch maple, Steve?

[Capt Weasel]

[CENTER]I can't cut a portrait with anything but spirals. I've been cutting with spirals for so long now I think I can probably cut a straighter line with a spiral than a flat. Found that out recently when I couldn't compensate for blade drift and was all over the place. Took me a bit to get the feel back.
[CENTER]I can cut with the spirals and deal with the fuzzies.I'm just wondering about strength of the piece and how'd it look. I just cut a Harley-Davidson shield out of 9/16" poplar and had trouble with it cutting at an angle and I ended up with a relief cut. That is something I'd have to take into account as well. Had same trouble on some 5/8" puzzles once. With the H-D piece I tilited the table to compensate for the angle and direction I was cutting and got it pretty close to back straight. If I keep on here I'm gonna talk myself outta of it if I'm not careful.

[Steviegwood]

blades

What blades do you use to cut 1/2 inch maple, Steve?

Hi Ian, I use olson 7RG PGT on almost everything except hickory and then I will use the 5RG PGT. I usually only cut 1/2" and 5/8". I have some 5RG PGT for thinner stock if the need arises. Steve

[ozarkhillbilly]

Hey Capt. check out this plank cutting. http://www.scrollsawer.com/gallery/s....php/photo/229
There was another member awhile back who posted that he was cutting a JZ pattern using planks, I think he was doing an elephant pattern. I'll see if I can pull up the thread.

[ozarkhillbilly]

Capt. here is the link to the thread where we were discussing planks and such. The other members name is rain man. I haven't seen him online for some time now. But he did some nice work using slabs.
http://www.scrollsawer.com/forum/sho...?t=7624&page=2

[lucky788scroller]

I just wanted to chime in that if I were to do a slab, say red oak, at 3/4th inch thickness, I would still use a 2/0 spiral. I find a 2/0 cuts just as easily as a bigger spiral, because your removing less wood, and theres less heat from friction built up , all you got to do is be gentle on the blade, but it will cut it ok. Dale

[Capt Weasel]

I didn't think a 2/0 would cut 1/2" BB but found it did and surprisingly well. I found that ocoochhardwoods has Walnut, Butternut and Cherry planks. They're $8-$9/ft for 3/4" x 10" at least x 2' min. Not as bad a price as I would have thought. Itascawood products have a variety of Basswood planks. That said, I guess if ya' look hard enough you'll find it. If I do try it I figure I'll try a piece of cheap Basswood first before I ruin a nice piece of cherry.


Ozark,I cut that same JZ bucks pattern for x-mas and all 4 sold before I could get them framed and have orders for 2 more pending. It is a hot piece here in my neck of the woods. And I don't think my 788 could quite handle an 8' slab like that, I mean 8' tree. Man that thing pretty. I think I saw that one or a large one similar in SSW I think and was blown away immediatly hoping that when I grow up I might could try something smaller. Wife said forget it, I'll never grow up.

[bearfretworks]

I don't see a problem cutting an intricate pattern in hardwood instead of plywood. Granted, you will need to pay attention to grain orientation and stay away from softer woods like basswood and poplar. I've found thin hickory, ash, maple, and oak (3/32-1/8) to be VERY strong and tough when cutting large pieces out and leaving relatively delicate bridges in place.

Here's a modified WTB pattern in 3/32 hickory that fits in an 8" x 10" frame. Definitely not a JZ type pattern, but I wouldn't be worried to give one a go with hard hardwoods. I stack cut 2 pieces of hickory and 2 pieces of oak, with a 1/8 plywood backer.

Blade used was a FD #5 Polar.no spirals

HPIM0650 (597 x 750).jpg

[Jediscroller]

I've cut intricate stuff out of different kinds of slabs. I don't use spirals however. I do disagree a bit with Barry on the basswood. I've had good results with basswood rounds as well. Mahogany is my favorite slab to work with as it's very resilient and cuts like butter.
There are pics in my album of various slab and round cuttings.

[Mick Walker]

I have cut a few of Jeff Zaffino's patterns and have tried both 1/8" and 1/4" BB and prefer the 1/4". Do not get as much breakage with the thicker plywood.