Stack Cutting

[Matt B]

I have a Hegner Saw.  I have never stack cut before. Is there a general rule on how many layers you can cut at one time? I am thinking of 1/4 baltic birch. 2 or 3 layers?

Thanks

[kmmcrafts]

Probably get many different answers to this.. but "for me" the rule of thumb is.. I try not to make my stacks any more than 3/4" thick.. Not saying I haven't made stacks that were 1-1/2 inch thick.. just saying I think the best results come in when i use a 3/4" thick stack than a 1-1/2" one.. Also.. the more pieces you add to the stack the slower the cutting becomes and there is a point where you can cut the same item two times and be faster than cutting it all in one stack.. an example of this is when i make backers.. I use to cut them all at the same time.. stack of 5 1/4" BB ply.. I found it's faster to cut it two times with 2-3 pieces per stack than one time with 5 pieces in the stack..

Hope this helps, 

[Jim McDonald]

You should not have a  problem at either. 1 inch or so is where I am comfortable stacking.

Make sure that your blade and saw are aligned at 90 degrees and just take your time.

[bcdennis]

I also try and not go over 3/4 inch.  In my experience my blade tends to wander to much if it is much thicker than that. 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Agree with what Kevin said. 

[Scrappile]

Depend on how delicate of an item I am cutting.  For delicate fretwork 2 - 1/4" thick (total 1/2") would be my max, normally it is 3 - 1/8'.  Less delicate things, up to a total of 3/4".   Even with solid wood those are my thickness preferences except when cutting 3D items.

[OCtoolguy]

The baskets that I have made and shown here are made up of 9 layers of 1/4" solid wood. Top/bottom are stack cut by themselves. Then I cut a stack of 3 and a stack of 4. I use #5 Pegas mgt blades and take my time. So, to answer your question, I guess 1 inch would be the max for me. I've not tried BB plywood yet so I can't comment on that. I've had good luck with poplar, red oak, maple and walnut. It might also depend on what saw you are using. My first attempt was on my Dewalt. Since then I've used my Hawk and my Ex21. All good.

 

[Bill WIlson]

I pretty much follow the same rule of thumb as Kevin.  However, another variable to consider is the pattern and which blade is being used.  If I'm cutting something very detailed and delicate, I want to use the smallest blade practical.  That may limit how thick I can make the stack.  In such an example, I may limit myself to 1/2" or 5/8" thick.  If the pattern is simpler and I can use a larger blade, then I may go up to 1", but that's pretty rare for me.

[Matt B]

Thank you everyone for your response. I am going to go with two 1/4 boards for my first attempt. 

[danny]

1/2 Inch for me.  Have experimented with 3/4" and even 1 inch.  To dang slow for this guy.  Always use the UR#1 blade. 

Experimented with Many blades.  Example being the UR 3 and 5 which to me cut SLOWER than the UR#1.   I know.  T.E.H.O.  Danny  :+}