Have You Cut Hickory With A Scroll Saw

[BadBob]

I am working on a custom order for some Christmas ornaments. They want them made from hickory. I know it is tough and very strong, but I have never cut any with a scroll saw or any saw.

Do you have any experience with hickory?

 

[rafairchild2]

Hickory has a Janka of ~1820, this is the same as Yellow Heart.  If you are cutting 3/4 inch thick it is doable, but you'll be slow going and burning through blades.  If you are doing 1/8 - 1/4 you'll have less surface friction so it won't be too bad.  Blades won't last as long as say basswood or soft maple, but you should be fine.

ETA: Purpleheart is 2520, bloodwood is 2900.  I did a 1/2 inch (heart) piece in BW, and although I went through a lot of blades I did not have issues. Hickory at 1/2" or less will be easy.

Edited October 10, 2024 by rafairchild2

[ChelCass]

Hickory is one of my favorite woods to cut.  I usually do 1/4 inch.  It's not bad cutting, just take your time.  I find I have very little sanding to do with Hickory.  I use a #5 ultra reverse blade. 

[BadBob]

3 hours ago, rafairchild2 said:

Purpleheart is 2520, bloodwood is 2900.  I did a 1/2 inch (heart) piece in BW, and although I went through a lot of blades I did not have issues. Hickory at 1/2" or less will be easy.

What kind of blade did you use for bloodwood?

[rafairchild2]

2 hours ago, BadBob said:

What kind of blade did you use for bloodwood?

In the case of the one I pictured above, I used a #5 Flying Dutchman Ultra reverse for the large cuts on the left and middle.  A #3 for the smaller detailed work on the right, and a #7 for the perimeter.

Since I was burning out blades after about 15-20 minutes, using the various sizes was helpful for me.

[BadBob]

I have a project to cut 250 small pieces from 1/2-inch bloodwood. They originally wanted hickory but switched to bloodwood. It sounds like I will need 250 saw blades.

BTW: I love the heart tree.

[OCtoolguy]

Does bloodwood stay that color or does it turn dark like padauk? I'm very disappointed in the projects I've made using padauk. 

[Dave Monk]

8 hours ago, OCtoolguy said:

Does bloodwood stay that color or does it turn dark like padauk? I'm very disappointed in the projects I've made using padauk. 

I've been told it stays the same. 

[kmmcrafts]

9 hours ago, OCtoolguy said:

Does bloodwood stay that color or does it turn dark like padauk? I'm very disappointed in the projects I've made using padauk. 

A lot can help them from changing color tones can be done by the type of finish you apply. I don't personally know of a wood that doesn't change color tone some if it's in the sunlight at all. A quality topcoat finish with UV protectant will go a long way farther than cheaper rattle can finishes and oil finishes. I don't really know of a good wood clear coats but I know some high end woodworkers that use automotive urethane clear.. which I think is probably about as good as it gets. Not cheap though.

[tomsteve]

On 10/12/2024 at 7:31 AM, kmmcrafts said:

 I don't personally know of a wood that doesn't change color tone some if it's in the sunlight at all. 

box elder can be absolutely beautiful freshly cut.

blink and the color can be gone