cutting 1/4" baltic ply

[dvdneal]

I've been getting some tear out cutting portraits  in 1/4" baltic ply so I thought I would ask the experts on advice.  What blades are your favorites?  Do you use any kind of top or backer board?  

I've been using FD #1 reverse on my Dewalt.  Any tips or tricks are greatly appreciated.  Cutting most of a portrait just to have a piece break off is killing me.

[scrollerpete]

I would recommend FDUR #1 and also thePegas MGT #1 R

[fredfret]

I always use a backer for support and help eliminate the fuzzy from the back. I usually use spiral blades but the same applies to both types.

[WayneMahler]

Not sure exactly what you mean. I use either a #1 or #3 Ultra Reverse blade. If your doing fine cutting I would highly suggest using a zero clearance insert under the piece. This supports the cutting and helps eliminate the downward pushing by the blade as it cuts. You can use something very simple like a playing card and some tape to hold it in place. Hope this makes sense.

[Denny Knappen]

I use Pegas #1R MGT blades.  The reverse teeth are on the bottom 3/4" of the blade.  I have very little tear out.  Also change blades often.  Dull blades will cause more tear out.

[Foxfold]

I cut mainly with ¼" ply as I get it for free.  I now have some 3mm ply and I'm trying that.  But in answer to your question, I personally use #3 Niqua/FD reverse on everything I cut and never had a problem with tear out. 

[FrankEV]

14 minutes ago, Foxfold said:

I cut mainly with ¼" ply as I get it for free. 

I'm by no means an expert, but from what I undersatnd there is BB ply and there is BB ply, and the two may not be the same quality.  I'm not sure your sourse may be the quality that you may want to be using.  

I've been using BB Ply that come in 12"X24" panels without any cutting backer and  I have not experienced any tear out top or bottom.   I do get a lot of fuzzies, but between the sanding mop you reccomended and a small butane torch, I'm able to get rid of them after a cut.

 I do sand both sides of my panels before cutting.  This mainly helps with strand pull out when removing the film (clear shelving liner I get from Walmart) that I use under the pattern.  

Also, after drilling the blade holes, I debur each hole on the backside with a dremel round head carving bit.   Makes installing the blade much eaiser and eliminates blade causing tearout at the hole.

Just some thoughts from this newbie.

[Rockytime]

I am just now cutting Christmas ornaments from 3/16" cheap underlayment plywood. Worst you can get. Using 2/0 P mg and get no bottom tear-out. 

[puzzleman]

I have been cutting 1/4" Baltic Birch for 15 years now and the only blade I use is the Flying Dutchman Puzzle Blade! It has no reverse teeth.

Sometimes I will clean up the bottom edge with a fine 3 M sanding disk on a lathe or drill press.

Brian

[Rockytime]

I just cut this this afternoon. 3/16" underlayment with no backer. This is the backside with virtually no tear out. There is tear out at the drill holes due to a very dull drill.

[Foxfold]

12 hours ago, FrankEV said:

I'm by no means an expert, but from what I undersatnd there is BB ply and there is BB ply, and the two may not be the same quality.  I'm not sure your sourse may be the quality that you may want to be using. 

Don't fret Frank.  I doubt what I use is all BB ply but my source is my husbands wood yard, I pick the best pieces and can do stuff like this with it quite easily.  I don't think they turned out too badly.  I have however had problems with 3mm  BB ply that cost me an arm and a leg from a 'specialist' shop.  

Edited October 14, 2020 by Foxfold
spelling

[ike]

I use nothing but  Russian Bultic Berch ply i/4 in. cost about $22 per %X5 sheet and the 1/8 cost about $17 for a 5X5 sheet I just cut 3 dog pictures with no backing sheet stacking 2 sheets, useing Olsons match blades wiht no tearing out.I have an XL 21 useing aa meadium speed but On fretwork 11X14 in I use a underllayment boyyom sheet. I cut allmy fretwork on 1/8  B B PLY . very seldom do I get any terr out on the underlayment After several hours work I want all the insurance I can get,

IKE

[dgman]

5 hours ago, Foxfold said:

Don't fret Frank.  I doubt what I use is all BB ply but my source is my husbands wood yard, I pick the best pieces and can do stuff like this with it quite easily.  I don't think they turned out too badly.  I have however had problems with 3mm  BB ply that cost me an arm and a leg from a 'specialist' shop.  

I love the “self Portrait” Brenda!

[OzarkSawdust]

5 hours ago, Foxfold said:

Don't fret Frank.  I doubt what I use is all BB ply but my source is my husbands wood yard, I pick the best pieces and can do stuff like this with it quite easily.  I don't think they turned out too badly.  I have however had problems with 3mm  BB ply that cost me an arm and a leg from a 'specialist' shop.  

Very nice Brenda! I like the tree with the names lasered on it...I need to get one of those. That's cool how you did your name on the sign, I might "borrow" that idea for something in the future. By the way, is that middle picture a self portrait...?  lol

[Foxfold]

21 minutes ago, OzarkSawdust said:

Very nice Brenda! I like the tree with the names lasered on it...I need to get one of those. That's cool how you did your name on the sign, I might "borrow" that idea for something in the future. By the way, is that middle picture a self portrait...?  lol

It's not lasered Gary, I did it with my pyrography pen   As for the middle picture, Well, maybe 50yrs ago when I worked at the Playboy perhaps. 

[dvdneal]

Thanks for all the advice.  I'm using the normal 1/4" BB from Home Depot.  Looks like standard 5 ply to me.  I'll have to try the zero clearance card and maybe just change out my blades more often.  I'm bad at using a dull blade.

[Rockytime]

14 hours ago, Foxfold said:

Don't fret Frank.  I doubt what I use is all BB ply but my source is my husbands wood yard, I pick the best pieces and can do stuff like this with it quite easily.  I don't think they turned out too badly.  I have however had problems with 3mm  BB ply that cost me an arm and a leg from a 'specialist' shop.  

Some very nice work you've done!

[OCtoolguy]

16 hours ago, Foxfold said:

Don't fret Frank.  I doubt what I use is all BB ply but my source is my husbands wood yard, I pick the best pieces and can do stuff like this with it quite easily.  I don't think they turned out too badly.  I have however had problems with 3mm  BB ply that cost me an arm and a leg from a 'specialist' shop.  

Very nice work Brenda!

[OzarkSawdust]

11 hours ago, Foxfold said:

It's not lasered Gary, I did it with my pyrography pen   As for the middle picture, Well, maybe 50yrs ago when I worked at the Playboy perhaps. 

WOW! Very nice Brenda...on both statements...! I would never be steady enough to write those names by hand! I've been to a couple of the clubs several times. One in Chicago and in Miami...almost 40 years ago LOL.

[cashew]

22 hours ago, dvdneal said:

Thanks for all the advice.  I'm using the normal 1/4" BB from Home Depot.  Looks like standard 5 ply to me.  I'll have to try the zero clearance card and maybe just change out my blades more often.  I'm bad at using a dull blade.

If you're buying it from home depot you're getting Birch -- not Baltic Birch -- HD and Lowes don't carry Baltic or Russian Birch.  HD plywood is a lower grade and may be part of the reason for the tear out

[puzzleman]

On 10/14/2020 at 8:58 AM, ike said:

I use nothing but  Russian Bultic Berch ply i/4 in. cost about $22 per %X5 sheet and the 1/8 cost about $17 for a 5X5 sheet I just cut 3 dog pictures with no backing sheet stacking 2 sheets, useing Olsons match blades wiht no tearing out.I have an XL 21 useing aa meadium speed but On fretwork 11X14 in I use a underllayment boyyom sheet. I cut allmy fretwork on 1/8  B B PLY . very seldom do I get any terr out on the underlayment After several hours work I want all the insurance I can get,

IKE

I just bought some 1/4" and 1/8" Russian Baltic Birch and they are beautiful. No flaws or patches. And I inspected the edges and there are no voids.

bb