Does anyone scroll with 3/4" Basswood???

[jimmyG]

If you do use it what blade do you use and how do you make the interior cuts smooth???
The cuts with the grain aren't too bad but against is rough looking no matter how long I sand...

[Wichman]

I have cut 5/8" ( stacked, 5, 1/8" pieces) using as small as a 2/0 blade ( FD Polar ) and it helps with the smoothness.

There are several other factors; Basswood seems to have a high static charge, which make the small fibers stick to the panel, making it appear as though it is rougher than it really is, using compressed air between sanding will help with this issue. 

Basswood fibers will flex back and forth without breaking off, even a sanding sealer doesn't prevent all of this, but it does help.

So; smaller blade/high tooth count, static discharge spray, sanding sealer, starting with higher grit sandpaper.

 

[jimmyG]

45 minutes ago, Wichman said:

I have cut 5/8" ( stacked, 5, 1/8" pieces) using as small as a 2/0 blade ( FD Polar ) and it helps with the smoothness.

There are several other factors; Basswood seems to have a high static charge, which make the small fibers stick to the panel, making it appear as though it is rougher than it really is, using compressed air between sanding will help with this issue. 

Basswood fibers will flex back and forth without breaking off, even a sanding sealer doesn't prevent all of this, but it does help.

So; smaller blade/high tooth count, static discharge spray, sanding sealer, starting with higher grit sandpaper.

 

Was using Olson #5 mach speed and it was slow going. Tried smaller and it didn't cut well at all. Smoother but had trouble following the line and super slow.  Gotta some day find some decent pine boards at the blue & orange stores that aren't cupped or twisted.  Even Baltic birch ply isn't what it used to be.  I don't mind paying the  premium price if it's usable.

[jimmyG]

Wichman was right..  The little fibers will not go away and I will not paint it black like another project I did before with this wood...
So I decided to cover the back with stiff black felt (my go to thing) and kind of like the contrast so I'm going to call it done and make a note to self
(No more basswood)

[OCtoolguy]

2 hours ago, Wichman said:

I have cut 5/8" ( stacked, 5, 1/8" pieces) using as small as a 2/0 blade ( FD Polar ) and it helps with the smoothness.

There are several other factors; Basswood seems to have a high static charge, which make the small fibers stick to the panel, making it appear as though it is rougher than it really is, using compressed air between sanding will help with this issue. 

Basswood fibers will flex back and forth without breaking off, even a sanding sealer doesn't prevent all of this, but it does help.

So; smaller blade/high tooth count, static discharge spray, sanding sealer, starting with higher grit sandpaper.

 

How about using a grounding rod. 

[Wichman]

Just now, OCtoolguy said:

How about using a grounding rod. 

I used this with some success:

[TAIrving]

I had been thinking about using basswood for a coming project.  But have now changed my mind and will look for some other wood instead.