Stacking - how many?

[new2woodwrk]

I've done a few stack cuts, but am wondering how many pieces would/should I normally try and stack?

So far, I've done up to 4 1/8" stacks - but they were silhouettes, all external cuts no fretwork

For example:

I've been using a #3 FD ultra reverse blade and liking it (I bought a combo set of FD blades).

If I were to stack cut 1/8 pieces - would 4 be too much? That's what 1/2 inch?

If I were to stack cut 1/4 pieces, would 4 be too many? That's 1 inch?

Thanks in advance

Edited February 12, 2018 by new2woodwrk

[MrsN]

I frequently stack 4 or 5 pieces of 1/8" and 2 or 3 of 1/4"

 

[rdatelle]

Four is fine with 1/8. A #3 UR is my go to blade to. If your doing any inside cuts go slow so the blade doesn't sway on you. 1/4 inch you can go 2 or 3 and even try a #5 UR.

[lawson56]

3 is my limit with 1/4 inch.Never cut 1/8.

[kmmcrafts]

Whatever I’m cutting whether it’s stack cutting or not. I don’t typically like to cut more than 3/4” thick material. I stack 6 @  1/8” or 3  1/4”  2  3/8” etc. that said. I do cut 1 - 1/2” stacks sometimes if I’m cutting backers to match the size and cut all at once. Not with a #3 blade of coarse lol. Usually a # 7 or 9 then depending on the detail of the cut.

[tomsteve]

pretty much the same here as kevin. personally i found a sweet spot at 5- 1/8" thick stacked. when i start stacking more than 3/4" total thickness, i start getting some cuts that arent parallel no matter how careful i am.

[Bill WIlson]

For me, it depends on the pattern.  If the pattern has a lot of fine, delicate detail, I like to use the smallest blade practical.  Smaller blade = thinner stack.  Probably limit myself to 1/2" thickness.  If the cuts are fairly simple and not too delicate, I'll use a larger blade.  Larger blade = thicker stack., may go up to 3/4" thick.

I've found that when I try to cut thicker stacks with a small blade, the benefits of getting an extra layer or 2 in each stack are lost in the slower cutting time.