Dull blades from birch plywood?

[Gonzo]

Hi everyone,

First time question. Does Baltic(?) birch plywood dull blades quicker than other wood? I was scrolling 3/8 ply using a Pegus #5 reverse skip blade and it seems like it got dull within the first few inches.

Thanks

Matt

[lawson56]

I use a#5 Reverse tooth blade and I have noticed that mine do dull faster.I believe it is the glue in the plywood,and who knows for sure what type of lumber is in between those layers.

[NC Scroller]

Yes plywood tends to dull blades quicker then many hardwoods.  If you have real baltic birch all the layers (5 ply for 1/8") are made of baltic birch.  If you have birch plywood like from HD or Lowes only God knows what the inner layers are made from.

[Jim Finn]

When I have laminated wood, like plywood, my scroll saw blades dull quickly also.  I blame it on the glue.

[amazingkevin]

I can't add to this but the only thing i found that dulls blades quickly is plywood covered in formica.I think it's from heat build up of the mica .So the glue could possiably be your culpret in the baltic birch.99% of what i cut is plywood!

Edited October 28, 2014 by amazingkevin

[LarryEA]

I can add to this by saying it suprised me about plywood.

I did a search and found an article of interest that confirmed

or at least also said "It's the glue." 

Here's an article worth reading...   Click here: Question and Answers

[Phantom Scroller]

I blame it on the boogie, I always use sellotape to lubricate the blade and I use No 5 Ultra Reverse tooth blade. Roly  

 

PS: I should have said they are FLYING DUTCHMAN BLADES 

from this link  http://www.scrollsawbladespatterns.com/intro_packs_only.htm

Edited October 29, 2014 by Phantom Scroller

[BarryK]

On the subject of blades, I tried the Olsen PGT #5RG blade on 3/4 pine and within about 4 linear inches of cutting the blade came out of the holder, kinked up and the blade had turned blue (burnt looking). I tried another one and the second one came out but wasn't as blue. What would cause the blade to heat up so much in such a short period of time? I went back to the Olsen #5R and finished the piece with no problem.

 

I am a newbie and wanted to try something different. I do use blue tape and attach the design with spray adhesive. 

 

Thanks

BarryK

[NC Scroller]

Pine does contain a lot of pitch and some areas more then others.  I really do not know the style of Olsen blades but some teeth are designed to cut thicker wood.  Friction is a blade killer.  Try applying clear packing tape to both sides of the wood.  It will help keep the wood cool.

 

BTW what part of NC are you from?

[Fish]

It does the same with me. Glad to know I wasn't imagining it.

[Phantom Scroller]

I blame it on the boogie, I always use sellotape to lubricate the blade and I use No 5 Ultra Reverse tooth blade. Roly  

 

PS: I should have said they are FLYING DUTCHMAN BLADES 

from this link  http://www.scrollsawbladespatterns.com/intro_packs_only.htm

BUMP BUMP!

[BarryK]

NC Scroller, I'm near Charlotte.

[Phantom Scroller]

I know that girl.  Barry

[Gonzo]

Thank you all very much for your imput. I do appreciate it

[ike]

I cut a lot of plywood and the blade does dull faster I tried slowing it down and that helped.

[Ken O]

I have noticed that the Olsen blades are inconsistent (at least for me) on how long they last. Sometimes they are ok, other times they last only a minute or two. I noticed once that the 28 tooth blades really didn't have teeth, it was more like bumps on the blade. The Pegus blades always work well for me.

[Pat W.]

I cut BB with the Flying Dutchman blades and they are real good.  I get mine from Mike's Workshop.     http://mikesworkshop.com/

 

Mike is really great in helping you choose the best blade for your projects also he has the best price for these blades.

[danny]

I cut 90% of all my Crafts using Baltic Birch Ply.  I Stack cut most every time up to 3/4 inch.  I use the FD-UR #1 blade 90% of the time. 

I feel this blade does not dull fast.  I know its getting dull when it doesn't track exactly on the line.  Then I put a new one on.  Anyway

this is how I have Scrolled for approx. the last few years.  Danny  :+}