BadBob Posted October 10 Report Share Posted October 10 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? OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafairchild2 Posted October 10 Report Share Posted October 10 (edited) 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 by rafairchild2 BadBob and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChelCass Posted October 10 Report Share Posted October 10 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. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadBob Posted October 10 Author Report Share Posted October 10 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? OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafairchild2 Posted October 10 Report Share Posted October 10 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. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadBob Posted October 11 Author Report Share Posted October 11 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 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted October 12 Report Share Posted October 12 Does bloodwood stay that color or does it turn dark like padauk? I'm very disappointed in the projects I've made using padauk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Monk Posted October 12 Report Share Posted October 12 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. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted October 12 Report Share Posted October 12 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. OCtoolguy and Jim McDonald 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomsteve Posted October 16 Report Share Posted October 16 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 OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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