wombatie Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 Just wondering if this has ever happened to anyone else. A couple of weeks ago I went to buy some more ply and the guy gave me a good deal on a sheet of Poplar ply 2 or 3mm. Anyway I started the Steve McQueen portrait today and OMG I have never had so many problems before. It was as if the ply had a mind of its own. First it would not glide in the scroll saw so had the stop to polish it, then It was as if I could not control the blade if I wanted a thin cut I ended up with a thick one. I tried about 4 different types of blades of different sizes (no spirals) but no that did not help. The more I did the worse it got. I have been scrolling for about 15 years, I have not shied away from intricate patterns in fact I think there as only ever been one pattern that I have not complete but I would do it now without batting an eyelid. But I have never come across ply with a mind of its own. I slow the speed down I even made it faster. In the end I gave up and found another piece of ply and I am having no problems at all. Boy am I confused. Marg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Roy Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 Just wondering if this has ever happened to anyone else. A couple of weeks ago I went to buy some more ply and the guy gave me a good deal on a sheet of Poplar ply 2 or 3mm. Anyway I started the Steve McQueen portrait today and OMG I have never had so many problems before. It was as if the ply had a mind of its own. First it would not glide in the scroll saw so had the stop to polish it, then It was as if I could not control the blade if I wanted a thin cut I ended up with a thick one. I tried about 4 different types of blades of different sizes (no spirals) but no that did not help. The more I did the worse it got. I have been scrolling for about 15 years, I have not shied away from intricate patterns in fact I think there as only ever been one pattern that I have not complete but I would do it now without batting an eyelid. But I have never come across ply with a mind of its own. I slow the speed down I even made it faster. In the end I gave up and found another piece of ply and I am having no problems at all. Boy am I confused. Marg Just a thought Marg, (dangerous), could it be that the poplar ply is a bit on the SOFT side. Hence the cuts getting wider and wandering. If you think I'm WANDERING, just ignore me. Rob Roy. wombatie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawson56 Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 This is just me,I have been Scrolling for 9yrs,I have cut several types of wood Ply being one of them.I have had little luck,now 1/4 birch ply I stack cut,But the thicker ply I just don't get along with for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 I HAVE BEEN SCROLLING FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS. I HAVE USED SEVERAL TYPES OF WOOD AND 1/8 PLYWOOD IS ALWAYS A PROBLEM. I CAN'T KEEP ON THE LINE, NOT EVEN CLOSE. IKE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dansnow Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 I've found the same thing, When cutting thin stock, less than 1/4", I have to use a sacrificial backer to have any hope of control. 2-3mm? Wow, that's less than 1/8"! Didn't know they made it that thin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 try a metal cutting blade maybe or sand the teeth a little ,Seems like i remember having that problem before.Probable the sandwiched material in the thin ply is semi hard woods and that will throw the blade around.But i really don't know what exactly the problem could be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Scroller Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 I have been scrolling for a million years and I would pick it up and throw it across the shop and stamp on it and have a lie down. then start again the next day Marg. Nick@tinkers-cove, Wilson's Woodworking and wombatie 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick@tinkers-cove Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 I have been scrolling for a million years and I would pick it up and throw it across the shop and stamp on it and have a lie down. then start again the next day Marg. Hahahah...been there too Roly (maybe it's time to start a support group LOL!) wombatie, Phantom Scroller and Rob Roy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken O Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 I've found the same thing, When cutting thin stock, less than 1/4", I have to use a sacrificial backer to have any hope of control. 2-3mm? Wow, that's less than 1/8"! Didn't know they made it that thin. Oh yes, 1/16th and 1/32nd are popular with the model airplane crowd. Price goes up as it gets thinner though. Pretty much all I cut is plywood, never had any real issues. (yet) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 Marg, If you are cutting from the same ply board and not having a problem. I would analyize the problem piece by taking it apart, Actually, I think it was that third cup of coffee you had. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatie Posted April 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 Thanks guys for all of your replys. I did start a new piece but a completely different ply still think though and no problems at all. I think it is what Roy said, Softer wood. I will just have to bite the bullet and go back to the shop and buy some more ply. I was hoping that the next time I go back there would be to buy some bamboo ply but that will have to wait. I have been scrolling for a million years and I would pick it up and throw it across the shop and stamp on it and have a lie down. then start again the next day Marg. Roly that was a good idea but there is one problem I hate admitting that it beat me. STUBBORN that is what I am. Marg Phantom Scroller and Rob Roy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multifasited Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 The thinner you go the faster it cuts go real real slow and steady ,or before you can say no it already has .(like the ex-virgin that stuttered Remember the blade is always the boss ,go with the finest blade and real slow and steady ,and your reaction time will increase till you get used to it .different woods cut different you need to adjust to the density and hardness of differing woods solids or ply . Reaction time to control whatever is the problem ,I never found stomping on it help ,if I had I stomp on it first before cutting . I hate sanding off footprints!! Rob Roy and wombatie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatie Posted May 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2014 The thinner you go the faster it cuts go real real slow and steady ,or before you can say no it already has .(like the ex-virgin that stuttered Remember the blade is always the boss ,go with the finest blade and real slow and steady ,and your reaction time will increase till you get used to it .different woods cut different you need to adjust to the density and hardness of differing woods solids or ply . Reaction time to control whatever is the problem ,I never found stomping on it help ,if I had I stomp on it first before cutting . I hate sanding off footprints!! Thanks Carl. I will not let it beat me but I need to get this pattern done first. Then once I have a little time I WILL conquer it. There is too much of it to see it going to waste. Marg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Roy Posted May 1, 2014 Report Share Posted May 1, 2014 Thanks Carl. I will not let it beat me but I need to get this pattern done first. Then once I have a little time I WILL conquer it. There is too much of it to see it going to waste. Marg At least you didn't have to throw yours in the TIP Marg. Rob Roy wombatie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick@tinkers-cove Posted May 1, 2014 Report Share Posted May 1, 2014 Hahahah...been there too Roly (maybe it's time to start a support group LOL!) Just thought....."MISSING A FINGER INCIDENT - ANONYMOUS".....Oh hang on a minute - the acronym is "M.A.F.I.A" I can't help feeling that there's some sort of irony in there somewhere. (I can't see too many of you joining this group now). LOL! wombatie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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