O, here is a sample of the 2nd puzzle since my puzzle cutting comeback. I was actually more comfortable cutting this style than the strip cutting in my other thread. It only took about 3 pieces before felt like I was in a good rhythm.
Problems started after cutting about 3 pieces though. I broke a blade. I never use to break blades, they would just wear out. Didn't know what to think so I just changed to a new blade and tried again. Another couple pieces and SNAP! Another broken blade.
What the heck?
I started checking the tension, it seemed alright. Never really had any problems tensioning. The one I did change is a cranked the speed up to almost full speed. i tried this because of the videos I watched on youtube and seeing how fast some of these cutters can cut. I want that!
So I slowed the speed down to what I use to run it at and gave it another go, with a new blade. Another few pieces and another broken blade. Getting frustrated now.
It's not the saw or the set up, so what could it be? I then realized the baldes I was using wer NOT my Dutchman blades. When I was cutting regularly I use to try blades from many different sources, these were some of the ones I didn't like. I just grabbed what was handy. So, I found my FD blades, chucked one up and off I went.
Didn't break any the rest of the way, but it sure seemed like I was pushing harder than I should. Then it hit me......the wood!
At about the time I stopped really cutting, I had just changed over to the 5-ply Polar, from the Baltic Burch. The Poplar, as I remember, was a lot easier to cut, but the wood was lighter in weight. Also at the time I had samples of other plywood I was trying.
This puzzle happened to be a small piece of one of those samples. Not sure exactly what it is, but it it actually harder to to cut than Birch.
So, now I will probably abort this puzzle and try again using Poplar. I just don't want to have to fight this thing. It would take forever to complete it as it is.
But, I think I got all the bugs worked out and my NEXT one will be a better experience.
This small sample shows my main cutting style. 19 pieces - 3 broken blades - not good.
Problems started after cutting about 3 pieces though. I broke a blade. I never use to break blades, they would just wear out. Didn't know what to think so I just changed to a new blade and tried again. Another couple pieces and SNAP! Another broken blade.
What the heck?
I started checking the tension, it seemed alright. Never really had any problems tensioning. The one I did change is a cranked the speed up to almost full speed. i tried this because of the videos I watched on youtube and seeing how fast some of these cutters can cut. I want that!
So I slowed the speed down to what I use to run it at and gave it another go, with a new blade. Another few pieces and another broken blade. Getting frustrated now.
It's not the saw or the set up, so what could it be? I then realized the baldes I was using wer NOT my Dutchman blades. When I was cutting regularly I use to try blades from many different sources, these were some of the ones I didn't like. I just grabbed what was handy. So, I found my FD blades, chucked one up and off I went.
Didn't break any the rest of the way, but it sure seemed like I was pushing harder than I should. Then it hit me......the wood!
At about the time I stopped really cutting, I had just changed over to the 5-ply Polar, from the Baltic Burch. The Poplar, as I remember, was a lot easier to cut, but the wood was lighter in weight. Also at the time I had samples of other plywood I was trying.
This puzzle happened to be a small piece of one of those samples. Not sure exactly what it is, but it it actually harder to to cut than Birch.
So, now I will probably abort this puzzle and try again using Poplar. I just don't want to have to fight this thing. It would take forever to complete it as it is.
But, I think I got all the bugs worked out and my NEXT one will be a better experience.
This small sample shows my main cutting style. 19 pieces - 3 broken blades - not good.
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