3D Word Art First Project

[DrPete]

I'm a little frustrated, although I have lots of patience this project took it's toll on me.

The material is 1 1/2" square pine from Home Depot. ~ 7" tall

The pattern is from Steve Good, Jesus Lives 3D Word Art

While it came out sort of okay, being a perfectionist I'm not happy even after I cleaned it up quite a bit.

It took me about 4 to 5 hours over the course of 2 days to cut this out. Mainly because I broke so many blades and tried a few that didn't work.

It took 6 blades of Olson No.7R 8TPI 6REV which seemed to work the best and 3 blades of Olson double reverse tooth #5R6 12/8R TPI. I tried a couple of others which didn't make sense, a spiral blade ( I broke 2 of these) A #2 fine blade which was just too fine to even cut.

My machine is a Delta 40-440 which I rebuilt some years ago.

Is this normal to go through this many blades? What is the recommendation cutting something like this out? I was going to use Maple but I figured for a first project I'd go with a soft wood.

What do you guy's and gals's think. Maybe I should have tried something simpler?

[TAIrving]

Dr Pete, that is a great pattern.  And it looks like you did a very good job of it.  It (this pattern and scrolling in general) gets easier with practice.  

I have cut it several times and it makes a great gift.  

It is normal to break blades when learning scrolling.  As your scrolling skills develop, you will break fewer.  For that pattern I use either a #3 or #5 double reverse and usually get through it in about an hour without breaking a blade.  This is what you can expect with practice.  

Get some better wood.  Construction grade pine is not the best.  You might find some Poplar if you are shopping at HD.  Cherry or Walnut would also be good choices.  

 

[don in brooklin on]

I agree about the wood.  Pine has weird grain patterns and tougher to cut.

Also, when cutting compound projects especially 1 1/2 inch wood i like to use a blade with no reverse teeth.  My go to blades are a #6 Pegas super skip or a #5 Polar blade. Also, when cutting hardwoods I wrap in clear box tape. 

I have cut that pattern and variations of it many times and don't think I have ever broken a blade.  It may mean that your blades are not tight enough and/or you are pushing too hard. 

 

 

[jerry walters]

Peter, if you are using construction pine you will most likely have issues.  Mainly the wood may not be completely square and maybe scroll table may be set at a slight angle.  Now, as far as pine, Home Depot does have "select pine" which I have used many times with no issues.  I have cut quite a few 3D patterns from it.  Also, as Don said, use the Pegas #6 super skip.  The cut is much smoother, no reverse teeth making it a little tough to hold the wood down.

Jerry

[Norm Fengstad]

Hi Peter I have cut this several times using construction grade spruce, birch and I think maple. The hardwoods are stronger of course and seem to take a better finish, My go to blades are # 3 or #5 Niqua or pegas. There are many reasons for blade breakage, with practice you will find the best blades and techniques that work best for you

[DrPete]

I appreciate all the feedback, after thinking about this and re-reading my instruction manual for the Delta saw I believe my tension was too loose. I use the fingernail "ping" but looking at some of my cuts the bottom didn't track with the top and was bending the blade as I pushed through. I try to make sure the blade is doing the work instead of me forcing it to cut which would tell me something is wrong.

I will order another selection of blades like recommended and try some different wood. I like the look of this pattern.

This was certainly a bit of a project.

I cut out some comfort birds using the maple and they came out really nice. Then again that is dead simple IMHO to cut.

Thanks again for all the feedback.

Happy scrolling!