Compound Cutting

[Dave Monk]

Just sharing. I use a 28 gauge pinner to hold it together after I cut the first side.  I wanted to start cutting on the side so I couldn't use a clamp on the sides to hold it together.  

[Paladin]

nice idea.  might have to try that one myself.  I use a brad nailer to hold together my stacks all the time, but never thought about using it like this on compound cuts.

[trackman]

I am missing something here why can’t you use a clamp to hold together?  Something different about this compound project?

[Dave Monk]

46 minutes ago, Paladin said:

nice idea.  might have to try that one myself.  I use a brad nailer to hold together my stacks all the time, but never thought about using it like this on compound cuts.

I also you my pinner for that also.

 

Edited September 9, 2020 by Dave Monk

[Dave Monk]

36 minutes ago, trackman said:

I am missing something here why can’t you use a clamp to hold together?  Something different about this compound project?

This is the first compound cutting that I have done so maybe I don't understand how you guys are using clamps.  When I start my second cut it appears I would have to drill an entry hole if I start at the side if I use clamps on the side. The nails worked good and were also easy for me. 

[Dave Monk]

5 minutes ago, Dave Monk said:

I also you my pinner for that.

 

 

[trackman]

Yes you need to make entry hole on both sides. Cut one side (profile) put on clamp to hold pieces in place. I usually use the clamp for the first cut also. Makes it easier for me to hold onto the piece. 

[Rolf]

If I don't use clamps I wrap it with clear packing tape after the first cut, It holds the pieces together and lubes the blade.

[OzarkSawdust]

I'm confused. I've never tried a compound yet...but I thought you use a solid square piece of wood, like a 1 1/2 " x 1 1/2...???

[Dave Monk]

2 hours ago, OzarkSawdust said:

I'm confused. I've never tried a compound yet...but I thought you use a solid square piece of wood, like a 1 1/2 " x 1 1/2...???

These chess men are my first Gary.  You make the first cut on one side and have to hold all the pieces together to cut the next side. 

[OCtoolguy]

7 hours ago, Dave Monk said:

This is the first compound cutting that I have done so maybe I don't understand how you guys are using clamps.  When I start my second cut it appears I would have to drill an entry hole if I start at the side if I use clamps on the side. The nails worked good and were also easy for me. 

I use a clamp on my first cut then tape everything together to make the second cut. 

[Dave Monk]

4 hours ago, octoolguy said:

I use a clamp on my first cut then tape everything together to make the second cut. 

Ray, Why do you use a clamp on the first cut?

[Roberta Moreton]

I use a clamp to hold the piece and protect my fingers. I leave room at the top and/or bottom and begin my cut there.Turn, clamp cut again. 

[OCtoolguy]

4 hours ago, Dave Monk said:

Ray, Why do you use a clamp on the first cut?

Somebody told me I should. It does add more to grip. 

[meflick]

9 hours ago, Roberta Moreton said:

I use a clamp to hold the piece and protect my fingers. I leave room at the top and/or bottom and begin my cut there.Turn, clamp cut again. 

Ditto. When I am doing a compound cut, I always start with it clamped. Why. Because I learned it here from the experts and Steve Good’s site. I always try to listen to the experts.
 

I made my clamp from Steve’s pattern and instructions. He posted a new pattern just this week for a compound cut and he has link to the clamp 

https://scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.com/2020/09/compound-cut-tea-light-candle-stand.html

if you do a search on his blog, you will find lots of patterns and detailed posts on how to cut, use the clamp, etc. you can also do a search here as there have been several posts discussing best practices on cutting compound cut patterns. One in particular was a while back now that I started asking questions about blades to use. Lots of great info, provided by a lot of the folks here that helped me a lot.

Edited September 10, 2020 by meflick

[scrollerpete]

I made at least 100 mini bird houses and never use a clamp but wrap the piece of wood with clear packing tape for the first cut and also for the second cut, it lubricate the blades and keep the piece together for the second cut. I tried the clamp and I found it get in the way more than help but everyone is different, as far as I am concerned whatever works better for you, go for it.

Edited September 10, 2020 by scrollerpete

[Denny Knappen]

I don't use the clamps.  I wrap with packaging tape and rewrap if needs be.

[Jim McDonald]

I am also a tape person when doing compounds.

I drill my entry holes on both faces and just cut away. Even if I accidentally tape over the second hole, I can generally use the bottom of the blade to puncture the tape. (Or, I always have my Case XX handy)

[Rockytime]

I find the tape becomes loaded with saw dust even when I burnish the tape securely covering the scroll line. Am I missing something? As a result I seldom do compound cutting.

[BadBob]

I use clamps. I started with tape and found it to be too fiddly for me. I switched to a shop-made clamp similar to the Steve Good clamp.  It works but getting the clamping pressure even was a pain. The problem I have with this method is that adjusting one side affects the other.

I bought some patterns, and in the instructions, they were using bar clamps. I have some small trigger clamps and gave them a try, they worked sort of, but they would not hold tight. The vibration caused them to work loose.

Then I switched to my little Jorgensen bar clamps. The Jorgensen clamps worked great. They could clamp tighter than I needed, and they are independently adjustable so I can easily tweak the clamp pressure as I cut.

I haven't tried spring clamps yet, but I'm going to give them a shot the next time I cut a birdhouse.

[OCtoolguy]

My experiences so far with compound cutting have been using 3/4 x 1 1/2 stock and the patterns come all the way out to the edge of the material so I have to do all the cutting using the clamp on the side where the pattern doesn't touch the outside edge of the wood. Does that make sense? I understand what I wrote but I can see it in my head. If you are confused, I'll add a pic of the pattern.

Edited September 12, 2020 by octoolguy

[trackman]

If the pattern is along the side I just cut between the clamp and the line. Clamp is made of wood so no harm to blade. 

[dgman]

2 hours ago, octoolguy said:

My experiences so far with compound cutting have been using 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 stock and the patterns come all the way out to the edge of the material so I have to do all the cutting using the clamp on the side where the pattern doesn't touch the outside edge of the wood. Does that make sense? I understand what I wrote but I can see it in my head. If you are confused, I'll add a pic of the pattern.

I understand what you are saying Ray.

[spirithorse]

Hi, Dave @Dave Monk

I usually just use the cellephane tape but, as already said, the best way is
whatever you are comfortable with.

In this pattern, are you planning on routing or sanding the cove pictured in the detail?
God Bless! Spirithorse

[spirithorse]

4 hours ago, octoolguy said:

My experiences so far with compound cutting have been using 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 stock and the patterns come all the way out to the edge of the material so I have to do all the cutting using the clamp on the side where the pattern doesn't touch the outside edge of the wood. Does that make sense? I understand what I wrote but I can see it in my head. If you are confused, I'll add a pic of the pattern.

Hi, Ray, @octoolguy

Do you have any photos of that ornament cut? I'm having trouble picturing that in my mind's eye.

Thanks and God Bless! Spirithorse

Edited September 12, 2020 by spirithorse
typo