Cutting backing for larger intarsia pieces

[Litlhof]

Hello everyone, this a question from Walt in the Smoky Mountain area.
Yesterday I completed a piece that was almost as long as the bed on my DeWalt DW788, so I found it easier to just stand up at my smallest bandsaw and cut away. Does anyone have a comment or suggestion?
Best regards, Walt.

[Paul S WI]

Hello Walt, I've only done one intarsia piece (small) but for many other woodworking projects it's either scrollsaw, bandsaw, or jigsaw. Depends on the size and type of project. It is nice to have a selection of tools to draw from.

[Litlhof]

RE Cutting backing for larger intarsia pieces

Thanks for the reply Paul. Like you my first 7 or 8 intarsia pieces were small, small enough in fact to fit on an 8 1/2" X 11" page. Invariably now, though, I find these patterns are easier for me to do, to my satisfaction, when I enlarge them 2X or more with my pantograph. Generally, I can find a nearby UPS store that will copy patterns up to about 14" X 17." When I buy patterns from a fellow Sevier County, TN. resident, Judy Gale Roberts, I have to take them to a Kinko's in Knoxville to get these larger patterns copied.
Best regards, Walt Rollison.

[workin for wood]

My saw is 26 deep so lucky me I can fit most backers into it. I trace the finished picture onto the backer and then carefully cut it out. I cut a hair oversized for outside curves and straight lines, but slightly inside the line into tight places like v cuts. I glue the backer on and when dry I trim it with my spindle sander, which also cleans up any saw marks on the outer wood edges.
There has been times where I have had to turn the blade backwards and pull cut for very large pieces. Usually, when I do a piece that big, its going into a frame, so I dont have to worry about a backer.

[Litlhof]

Cutting large backing for intarsia

Thanks Jeff. Regards, Walt.

[CanadianScroller]

I know I will hear flak from this but that is why it is fun
Since you are cutting backing board why not use a spiral blade.
The only limit to your depth of cut then would be almost 200% of the throat of the saw. you have an unlimited width.
If you put a couple of auxiliary tables up on each side of the saw you could cut an 8' long piece of ply.

opening up his umbrella for the shower of rotten tomatoes

[Litlhof]

Hey Carl: The spiral blades are a thought, I guess, but I've never owned one. If I can just get my wife to sit in front of our local Kroger Grocery store with a tin cup and a sign that says "Alms For The Poor," I might be able to afford some. Seriously, I might give it a try, but as a real old goat who lives in the Smoky Mountain area, I just couldn't resist the urge to kid a little.
Best regards, Walt.