Brazilian Cherry-Fast or Slow

[Jim McDonald]

Time to mine the collective knowledge that resides here.

I am getting ready to cut a presentation piece (speaker's gift) from 7/8" (20mm) Brazilian Cherry and am in a bit of a time crunch--so sanding must be kept to a minimum. Piece is attached to the board, doubled taped and drilled and weather permitting, I hope to start cutting tomorrow evening.

I am planning to use FD UR blades--either #3 or #5--and am seeking advise on fast blade speed vs slower blade in the material. Piece does not contain really tight corners, but some of the cuts will be too small to get sandpaper into once they are cut.

Willing to listen to any and all suggestions. Thanks in advance.

[oily]

I would go with the # 3. I think they cut circles around the #5. Use a fast saw speed and a slow feed and there shouldn't be any sanding at all other than the usual fuzzies on the bottom.

[handibunny]

Brazilian cherry is very hard wood, so use whatever has worked for you in the past. I find the larger blades give me more cutting power than the smaller ones, but I've read a lot of different opinions on that. I think fast speeds are usually better than slow ones for thick wood. Maybe Mike will have an opinion, since he's the blade "guru".

However, it looks really great once finished, and is worth the work.

[sawdustus]

I love cherry, and cut a lot of it, but it has a tendency to burn. If it does, it is a [email protected]$#ch to sand off the burn marks. I usually use a #5 skip tooth blade since they clear the kerf better and I usually use a medium speed, 1300-1500 spm. If I have to use a smaller blade or a reverse tooth blade, I really slow down the speed to perhaps 1200 spm to reduce my chances of burning edge. Most importantly, keep a sharp blade in the saw. As soon as it begins to dull, change it. You'll know it is getting dull when your cutting speed decreases markedly.
Hope this helps.

george

[core-eagle]

There is a lot of difference between cherry and Brazilian Cherry.

[Janette]

That stuff cuts like a rock if you ask me! I'd use a #7 and let the blade do the cutting - resist the urge to shove it through.

[handibunny]

I use a FD-UR #9 for wood like Brazilian cherry. I once had to scrap a project because even my #12s couldn't make a dent.

[evilbadger]

I have used the FD-HD on some 1 inch thick Brazilian Cherry but it is very slow going working with Brazilian Cherry. Let us know what you find Jim, I have not tried the other blades on it yet but I do have quite a bit of Brazilian Cherry left.

Good luck with the project.