Question on burning...

[GGibson]

I have a 1/8" thick cherry board and I am cutting it into short 7/32" strips, so that I end up with a 1/8" x 7/32" piece.  I am using a 0.028" slitting blade on my table saw, and the cut edges are burning while being cut.  Is cherry wood susceptible to this?  It is a brand-new blade, so it's not a dull blade issue.  Any advice or remedies on preventing the burning?  Thanks!

[GGibson]

Well, I may have just answered my own question... I was doing some additional reading here on MSW and found a thread from 2019 regarding the Thurston company closing.  The "brand-new" blade I referred to in my previous post is a Thurston blade. Perhaps in the five years it was sitting around a warehouse, it lost its edge one way or another.

 

In everything I have read, either here or on other saw blade websites, blade sharpness (or the lack thereof) seems to always be the #1 blame for burning.

 

So... I ordered some new additional blades from Malco Saw Co, which was also highly recommended.  We'll see if that makes a difference.  Still interested in hearing from experienced woodchoppers if the cherry wood itself or the way it is cut contributes to any of that burning.

 

Thanks again... 

[Gregory]

I just cut a 1/16 strip from a 1/4 sheet of cherry with no burning.  This is with a Proxxon FET and a Malco .03 blade 3" 90t.  ( CT303012000) It's a fairly used blade, but mostly for basswood strips.

I noticed this piece of cherry was well seasoned and not particularly aromatic as it can sometimes be.   I suspect if it has more sap it might have more of a tendency to scorch.

 

I don't know if I do everything properly, but it works for me.   I try to keep pressure against the fence right in front of the blade and avoid putting pressure on the blade itself. I keep the blade fully elevated for maximum tooth contact with the wood.

 

I have had burning/scorching problems, but mostly with harder woods like mahogany and walnut, and older blades.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[vossiewulf]

Also check to see if your blade is dead parallel to the rip fence. A dial indicator is handy for this.

[GGibson]

1 hour ago, Gregory said:

I just cut a 1/16 strip from a 1/4 sheet of cherry with no burning.  This is with a Proxxon FET and a Malco .03 blade 3" 90t.  ( CT303012000) It's a fairly used blade, but mostly for basswood strips.

I noticed this piece of cherry was well seasoned and not particularly aromatic as it can sometimes be.   I suspect if it has more sap it might have more of a tendency to scorch.

 

Thanks for your input, Gregory!  The Malco blade you linked is one of them that I ordered.  Also, I have a different sheet of wood that I'll run through the saw tomorrow.  Not sure why I didn't just think of doing that right away.

 

37 minutes ago, vossiewulf said:

Also check to see if your blade is dead parallel to the rip fence. A dial indicator is handy for this.

 

Appreciate your advice, vossiewulf!  It is a Byrnes saw and I thought Jim designed his saw with a slight variance, but I will check if that is an issue, as well as checking the blade.  Thanks!