bandsawman Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Does anyone have any experience cutting laminated plywood with a scroll saw? If so, which blades do you use? I have an almost endless supply of 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 inch thick laminated plywood. We have a HUGE cabinet shop in my town and you would not believe what they throw away. I have dumpster dived, with their permission of course, and retreived pieces of the above thicknesses as big as 36 x 36 and 4' x 6". I even got two 5 gallon bucks full of Oak and Popular that were 12" x 4" x 1" that I have made 11 pens sets for Christmas gifts. I can't stand to see that beautiful wood go to waste. Sometimes I come home with a trunk full. Any assistance will be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oges Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Are you referring to the plywood that has a veneer of a different timber on the outside? If so, I havent scrolled it before, but cant see there being any issues with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inspirations Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Hi, from my experience i would use a number [ 1] blade to prevent chipping of the Laminated top hope this is of interest Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bandsawman Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Thanks guys for the info. I am talking about laminated wood with plastic (I believe) veneer on both sides. I have tried a regular reverse tooth blade but the veneer chips badly. I have ordered some metal cutting blades with 40 teeth PI and will try those. I know from using my jig saw that if I use a metal cutting blade the finished cut is smooth as silk, so why shouldn't it work for a scroll saw blade? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Have you tried putting down a layer of tape before cutting? The tape acts like a support for the laminate and reduces chipout. Also try making a zero-clearance insert or table. I usually take a piece of plywood the size of the surface of the scroll saw bed, drill a tiny hole where the blade would go, and then using double-stick tape stick it to the bed of the scroll saw. This adds a lot of extra support. You could also use a blade with more teeth per inch. That should help too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toolbeltman Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 When you say tiney Travis do you mean about 1/8? I drilled a 1/32 hole in a piece of 3/4 BB and used that with jewlery blades (70tpi) when cutting a copper and 1/4ply sandwich.....well the hole filled up with metal and the blade broke into three pieces....one of which landed up stuck in my forehead....no harm done then....lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 It doesn't have to be super small. 1/8 would work well. In fact, while you flex the blade, the hole will widen naturally. The idea is to add extra support around the cutting area (more support than a normal bed would provide). I do this especially when cutting really delicate projects. I can see it being a problem if you're cutting metal. Metal would have a tendency to build up, whereas wood is more likely to be removed during the sawing process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bandsawman Posted November 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2011 Thanks Travis, I will give you suggestion a spin over the 3 day weekend. I should be getting my metal cutting blades today from Mike's Workshop and I have tons of laminate to try you suggestion on, in fact, I will make the jig out of laminate as it's slick as a newborn baby's butt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted November 17, 2011 Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 Lately i've been cutting alot of formica covered 3/4" plywood on one side as the finished product looks oh so nice.I use flying dutchmans scroll reverse blades,course or fine depending on detail needed with no chipping . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bandsawman Posted November 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 Hi guys----Reference amazingkevin's post, lately when I go dumpster diving at the local cabinet shop I have been finding exactly what he is talking about. Have found all thicknesses with laminate on one side only as well as both sides. Last week I got a lot more oak pieces and a whole cabinet door out of oak that they had messed up the cut. The masking tape trick as mentioned by Travis works very well. I also use mostly flying ductchman blades with a few Ryobi pinned blades when I am cutting something without inside cuts. This forum has a ton of great information as well as patterns. I am glad I found it and I appreciate everyone's advice. Have a great Holiday Season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crash landing Posted November 20, 2011 Report Share Posted November 20, 2011 If you need help hauling stuff away, let me know. I have a pick up truck. crash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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