Stack cutting.

[wombatie]

I have been stack cutting for years but I only just thought of this question.  (Ok I used to be blonde) :lol:   After I have finished stack cutting I always seem to spend a long time sanding the bottom piece.  Do any of you just cut an extra piece and  throw the bottom piece away or do you just do like I do and sand and sand and sand?

 

Marg

[ike]

I have no problem with Olson  reverse blades. Some times I have to use a stiff brush on the bottom pce.

[scrimper]

Marg, that is a good question.

 

I do sometimes place a sacrificial piece over my smaller items, sometimes top and bottom, as Master Scroller says using reverse tooth blades minimise problems. I often cut 4 or 5 at once and I find the top one with the glued on pattern the most difficult to salvage, I glue the pattern on and with delicate patterns it is difficult removing all traces of the pattern, normally I use a 6" wide belt sander to do this but it is a bit fierce.

Generally the bottom one is not so much a problem when using reverse teeth blades.

 

I rarely cut just one of an item unless I am using thick material. I always cut at least 2 often 3 even if I only need one, you then have a bonus if they all turn out. Often when I show my daughters something I have made they want one anyway!

[amazingkevin]

Thanks Marge ,i never thought of that, I try not to stack cut myself.

[sullyscroller]

Marg i stack cut as many as 6 - 1/4" ply depending on the pattern and use #3 fdur blades with very little sanding at all

 

sully

[DonR]

Marg, I always cut an extra one and very occasionally, I throw the bottom one away but it can usually be salvaged by sanding and burning.

Don R

[Tdub4ever]

I have found with stack cutting, when I need to sand the bottom piece I use 100 grit paper and it works rather fast to remove any fuzzies. Then I go over it with 220 grit and it's good to go.

[dansnow]

I will often use a piece of 3/32 door skin, hardboard, or cheap ply as a bottom sacrificial piece. 

[MrsN]

I almost always cut in a stack and always try to save the bottom piece. I like using a torch to burn off the fuzzies, then a quick wipe with sandpaper and most of the time they are good to go.  

[Phantom Scroller]

Reverse tooth blades Marg, cuts on the down and on the up no sanding well there might be a little fuzzy somewhere.  Roly

[LarryEA]

Worst piece on the bottom, save if you can or toss if it's just too much work.

[heppnerguy]

Marg,

    Here is something that I do that used to scare me because I thought it would break my pieces but found it not to be the case. I use a random orbital sander with a 220 grit paper on it. After I cut my pieces I just sand them on both sides with my orbital sander and then i use a large stiff toothbrush, (one designed for  false teeth) and it all only takes a couple of minutes and does a great job of r me. If you are afraid of the sander breaking the wood, I want you to know that was how I took the fuzzies  off my Eiffel Tower and that was full of very small and frequent holes. it never broke a single hole. No burning, no hand sanding and no throwing away pieces.

 

Dick

heppnerguy

[ike]

I just cut some cheep plywood and I also have excessive burrs. The wood is too soft and it leaves burrs. with harder ply wood I have no problems

[Clayton717]

I use a propane torch to burn the fuzzies off. works well just don't hold it to long in one place the edges will burn

[Clayton717]

Marg, that is a good question.

 

I do sometimes place a sacrificial piece over my smaller items, sometimes top and bottom, as Master Scroller says using reverse tooth blades minimise problems. I often cut 4 or 5 at once and I find the top one with the glued on pattern the most difficult to salvage, I glue the pattern on and with delicate patterns it is difficult removing all traces of the pattern, normally I use a 6" wide belt sander to do this but it is a bit fierce.

Generally the bottom one is not so much a problem when using reverse teeth blades.

 

I rarely cut just one of an item unless I am using thick material. I always cut at least 2 often 3 even if I only need one, you then have a bonus if they all turn out. Often when I show my daughters something I have made they want one anyway!

to remove my pattern I spray or wipe on mineral spirits. I loosens the glue and the pattern peels right off, if not I apply a little more. once all the pattern is off I wipe it down again to make sure all the glue residue is gone, let it dry and apply finish as usual

[Sparkey]

When cutting 1/4 inch ply I always stack three. The bottom one needs to be sanded but not usually much. I use the new FD 3/0 spiral blades. I also burn the backs to get rid of any hairs.

[wombatie]

Thanks everyone.  I have used Reverse Tooth blades but I still got fuzzies.  I would NEVER use a torch I don't trust me or it,   afraid of burning the whole thing.  I hate spirals.

And Dick I DO use a small orbital sander every time I scroll something, I just need to make it courser sand paper obviously.  So I may add a trow away piece at the bottom and see if that helps me.  Thanks for all of your answers, I also think it was a good topic for all of the newbies.

 

Marg

[sullyscroller]

Marg , for me going to the fdur blades was like going from skip blades to the reverse skip blades. night and day. If you haven't tried them you will be amazed at how well they work on stack cutting. They are almost to aggressive for single 1/4" ply, you really need to slow the saw speed down then.

 

sully

[JustLarry]

To answer your question - Yes.  To explain my answer - Sometimes I use a trow away piece.  Sometimes I don't.  (Like the old commercial "Sometimes you feel like a nut, Sometimes you don't.") Depends on what blade I use, what wood I use, and mostly if I remember to add one.  When I am cutting, I use my 4 in 1 tool.  Cut awhile and while giving the saw a break, sand the bottom of the bottom piece with the 4 in 1.  Gives some support when sanding.  Cut some more, sand, etc.  When cutting is finished only a little left to sand on the bottom. Plus I think removing the fuzies as I cut makes the wood move better.  I hand sand or use orbital sander.  Even when I have piece wraped in painters tape, I will sand but by hand then. 

 

Larry