First attempt 1 inch oak puzzle. Blade suggestions please?

[Tallbald]

Have a small selection of Pegas MGT and Olson blades from #1 to #5. Few small radii. Suggestions for starting blade appreciated. Thank you. Don

Edited April 20, 2023 by Tallbald

[dgman]

1” oak will be very hard cutting. I would use a #5 or a #7 skip tooth blade such as FD polar blades or Olson skip tooth blade. You want to use skip tooth blades to help clear the saw dust from the kerf. Oak tends to burn easily so, use whatever tape you use on both sides of the blank. Make sure you blade is completely square to the table. Your cuts have to be square or the pieces will not go together from both sides. Also make sure you do not apply any lateral pressure to the blade while cutting. This will cause the cut to be beveled and not allow the pieces to fit together from both sides.

Before you cut the puzzle, practice on some scrap wood of the the same species so you can get a feel for how it cuts. 

[OCtoolguy]

Why 1" oak if I might ask? Don't most puzzlers use 3/4" poplar?

[Tallbald]

Thank you all for taking time to respond. I agree I should practice on scrap a bit before tackling the project.

I'm using oak honestly because it's a nice wood I have on hand. This will be a freestanding vertical puzzle for my daughter who adores elephants. Nothing complicated, it's going to be nice I hope.

Don

[Sycamore67]

Oak is a.difficult wood to cut.as it is hard and the grain makes issues.  At one inch, that is not something I would do.

[Tallbald]

Today I jumped in and cut the prepared 1 inch thick oak (rescued stair tread offcuts from a neighbor's remodel job) into a delightful interlaying elephant family decoration I found in a book I bought. My Jet 18 inch saw and the Pegas 7R MGT blade took the piece in stride. This was my first serious, planned piece and honestly it was a rather zen-kinda experience with my mind focused well on the cut line and Journey, Tina Turner and Cher playing on the radio in the shop.

Following suggestions gleaned here and elsewhere I used the painter's tap, spray adhesive, pattern then packing tape layering prep method and it worked really well. No burning, smooth cutting and well fitting parts. My daughter will be tickled with the results. She is an "elephant fanatic". Thanks everyone for your suggestions. 

Don

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[Peter N White]

Great job making puzzle.