Hickory, Dickory, Dock

techyg · November 30, 2018, 11:37pm

I decided to pick up some 1/4" (6mm) Hickory wood to make some extra thick coasters. I couldn’t really find any good settings on the forums, but thanks to @pubultrastar I was able to get headed in the right direction. I am happy with the engrave (Full/1000) but not sure about the cut. I had to do 3 passes at 130 to get it to cut all the way through. I also tried a few other speeds, like 200, but after 4 passes it still wasn’t cutting through. I also tried 100, but I was afraid it was going to singe.

Here is what my test piece looks like after cutting three passes at 130. (No engraving on this… as I was just trying to test the cut). Is this what I should expect for hardwood? A nice black edge? I actually like the look, and after wiping it down the char isn’t coming off and it kind of has a cool melted effect. But before I cut anything else I’d like to see if there are any suggestions.

techyg · December 1, 2018, 12:20am

Cut a larger piece with the engrave. I think I like it the way it is. Gosh, these hardwoods sure are some work! But I love the look.

deirdrebeth · December 1, 2018, 12:53am

I was able to get through some 1/4" walnut with 2 passes, but when I went to cut further toward the middle of the piece of wood it became apparent that it was a lot juicier and it would not cut all the way through - the sap just kept gluing it back together.

So presuming your wood is dry 3 passes sounds totes within normal range, and if your wood is sappy, CONGRATS!

brokendrum · December 1, 2018, 1:16am

Bet that smelled ok also.

Must be in a mood. Looked at that and only saw one thing.

Red Tide over Alabama State outline.
Bam Da Lam

techyg · December 1, 2018, 1:14am

Thanks! I just cut another one, and it was making a little bit of a flame on the bottom of the Ohio on each pass, but it didn’t affect anything (and the flame went out each time after it got to about Marietta… lol

techyg · December 1, 2018, 1:15am

Lol… nice! I was debating on doing a big block O, but I’ll save that for another project

cynd11 · December 1, 2018, 12:10pm

That hickory is nice looking stuff!

james_mackey · December 1, 2018, 1:56pm

I have been cutting a lot of hardwoods on mine lately. I find that the Janka scale helps with estimating the feed and power rates, but definitely not perfectly. I’ve also been amazed at how much of a difference can be made in cutting stock that is .2 in and .25 in.

My suggestion would be to make a “straight line” svg file, upload it, and make multiple cust. I know it seems like the obvious route, but sometimes that is the only way I can get it to cut the way I want it. Most of the cut I’m making are getting sanded anyway, so I just try to get through it sometimes, but the settings to “YES” hit print and go for gusto.

techyg · December 1, 2018, 2:46pm

Thanks for the info! I was not familiar with the Janka scale, but it vaguely rings a bell. I found a nice chart here:

All 4 of my coasters cut from Hickory took a bit of time, but ended up coming out quite well! Here is a pic, though it’s tough to see the quality just from the picture. I love the feel and heft of the wood. I think my shape was easy enough to cut without having to do an individual svg file with multiple cuts. But I could see where that might be helpful.