Baltic birch

[Tom Gi]

I got some .25 inch BB and tried to stack cut two and is was like cutting cement I used #5 and #7 Flying Dutchman ultra reverse 

then I cut one layer and it still cut hard but was manageable 

Any thoughts as to why it is citing so hard

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

It is plywood. You are contending with multiple layers of wood that when are glued together are rotated 90 degrees from each other so the grain pattern makes it tough. Plus cutting into adhesives is not easy on the blades. Stacking 1/4" just adds to it. Just the nature of the beast. remember BB plywood has even more layers than regular plywood for stability. 

[don in brooklin on]

I cut 1/4 inch BB all the time as single or stacked 2 at a time. (have done 5 - 1/8 BB too)  I use FD-UR #3 mostly. 

BB is hard on blades as they dull quickly due to the glue. 

I have used Pegus MGT #3 and they work well too but they are more aggressive and the cut is not as clean.

 

 

[BadBob]

I don't have any issues with cutting plywood except that the blades don't last as long.

If you want to see hard-to-cut, try a 3/4-inch ipe.

[Bill WIlson]

I routinely cut 4 layers of 1/8" BB ply with a #1 FD Ultra Reverse blade when making Christmas ornaments.  It certainly does dull the blade faster, but nothing like "cutting cement".  

How do the same blades cut other hardwoods of similar thickness?  Is the difference just noticeable or is it dramatic?

[Denny Knappen]

I also use a lot of 1/4"Baltic Birch plywood.  If I don't stack cut, I use Pegas #1 MGT blades.  Not a bit of problem.

[Dak0ta52]

I have cut 1/4 inch BB in double and triple layers without issues. My blade choice is typically the smallest blade I can use to manage a good cut (#3 or smaller). The only blades I have larger than an #5 were from a variety pack and I think I've use the #9 one time to try it out and changed it back to a smaller blade. I only use Pegas blades from Artcraftersonline.com.

It may be that one of your layers in your ply is extremely hard, especially if you've cut BB in the past with success.

[Norm Fengstad]

I like to use the Pegas Modified blade lasts longer less burn marks

[Scrappile]

Check, where your blades in correctly.  Not joking; I have done it myself a time or two. Teeth to the front!

[Tom Gi]

On 2/26/2025 at 11:37 AM, Bill WIlson said:

I routinely cut 4 layers of 1/8" BB ply with a #1 FD Ultra Reverse blade when making Christmas ornaments.  It certainly does dull the blade faster, but nothing like "cutting cement".  

How do the same blades cut other hardwoods of similar thickness?  Is the difference just noticeable or is it dramatic?

I cut .25 inch regular birch plywood and it went easy

[Roberta Moreton]

On 3/2/2025 at 7:09 PM, Scrappile said:

Check, where your blades in correctly.  Not joking; I have done it myself a time or two. Teeth to the front!

I agree, something is wrong with your set up.  I routinely have people practice on 1/4” plywood. Your blade is dull, backwards….

[Tom Gi]

4 hours ago, Roberta Moreton said:

I agree, something is wrong with your set up.  I routinely have people practice on 1/4” plywood. Your blade is dull, backwards….

There was something wrong with the plywood I cut a chunk off the other side of the sheet and it is cutting as it should