Testing Scroll Saw Blades Cutting 2x Construction Lumber

[BadBob]

 

I am working on a custom order for a batch of toy trucks that I cut from 2x construction lumber. I usually only make things from construction lumber one at a time. Still, this time, I am making twelve trucks all the same, and this was an excellent opportunity to experiment. 

If you have ever cut 2x construction lumber on a scroll saw, you know this stuff can be a pain to work with. Hard and soft grain, hidden knots, pitch pockets, and other defects are common. It is a challenging wood to scroll. I could use a band saw for this, but I prefer to cut slower and get a smoother cut. Less sanding is the goal. 

I have been scrolling for years and acquired a considerable collection of blades, including Olson, Flying Dutchman, Pagas, and several others whose sources I no longer know are in my blade collection. I used a variety of these blades in the test. I started with Pegas #3MGT because that was already in the saw. I tried #5, #7, and #12 blades from each of the brands I have on hand and included one Olson Thick Wood Hook Tooth blade designed for cutting thick wood. Some blades had reverse teeth, and some didn't.

All of the blades worked, but the difference between cutting 2x construction lumber was dramatic. Olson, Flying Dutchman, and the unknown blades cut poorly and were only suitable for cutting one truck body before they were dull. There was considerable jumping, which I assume is caused by the blade failing to clear the sawdust well. Each time there was a jump, a mark was left on the wood that must be sanded out. A couple of the blades left some burn marks on the not-so-sharp turns. 

The Pegas blades dramatically outperformed the others, so much so that it was not even a contest. The used Pegas #3MGT cut slowly, but there was no burning or jumping, and the cuts were smooth and square. I cut the last two trucks with a Pegas #12MGT. The results were surprising: not only did it cut very well, but it cut even faster than the Olsen Thick Wood blades. There was no burning, no jumping, and after cutting two truck bodies, it was still cutting well enough to cut one or two more trucks. The difference was so dramatic that when I left the shop, I thought that I should get rid of all my non-Pegas blades.

Only one of the blades broke: the Olson Thick Wood Hook Tooth blade broke while cutting one of the straight sections. This seems a little odd since it is by far the largest blade I have, larger than 1/16 inch.

[barb.j.enders]

Thanks for the info.

[Norm Fengstad]

Very interesting and informative article

[jerry walters]

very interesting.  Thanks for sharing.

Jerry

[Denny Knappen]

Thanks for the information.  I hardly ever sell the Pegas #12 MGT blade, but with the info, I may start to recommend it on thick wood.

[BadBob]

20 minutes ago, Denny Knappen said:

Thanks for the information.  I hardly ever sell the Pegas #12 MGT blade, but with the info, I may start to recommend it on thick wood.

I just finished cutting the windows on the trucks using the #12MGT blades. The cuts were smooth enough that no sanding would be required except for the little bump I almost always get when I start the cut. The cutting is not fast, but it is faster than the Olson thick blade. Possibly because the Olson blade is cutting a much wider kerf. For my purposes, getting a smooth cut is more important than speed; otherwise, I would use a bandsaw for these.

[kmmcrafts]

I've done a lot of test like this over the years which also included trying said blades on various different saw set-ups.. My conclusion is very similar to what you found.. Really hard to beat those Pegas blades.. only thing I found that might be very slightly better and longer lasting was the P.S.Woods Super Sharps blades.. BUT.. they are very expensive blades and no reverse teeth so they leave you with more sanding of a rough back edge, but they are a bit faster more aggressive blade.. Not worth the money in my opinion but they it's worth mentioning them because they was the only blade that even came close to what the Pegas MGT blades could do.. 

[Davevand]

For thicker than 1" material I like the Pegas Super Skip blades. I just finished cutting 48 vases out of 1.5" pine using a #9 super skip blade.

[NC Scroller]

Thanks for the information.  Like Davevand said I use the Pegas super skip.  Same teeth and steel of the MGT but not reverse tooth.

[rjweb]

Bob, thx for the info, you have made Denny's day with this, RJ

[Gonzo]

Very interesting, thank you for your “experiment”. I too am a huge fan of Pegas blades. Love the MGT blades! 

[Ber Gueda]

If I had to choose between the Pegas MGT and the Super Skip, I don't know what would be the winner. Both of them are fantastic blades. 

[BadBob]

It looks like I need to give the Pegas Super Skip blades a try.

[BadBob]

Something I left out:

Each truck body was cut with a different blade, with the exception of the last two, both of which I cut with the #12MGT.

Yesterday, I cut the windows all with a 12MGT.

 

[JimNC]

Hey Bob, 

Thanks for the information. I make a lot of toy's cut from 2" lumber. This "test" of yours really help.