Paul F Franklin
04-25-2020, 10:13 PM
BIL is a ranked pong player (in the older than dirt division). He has asked me to make him a blade from some red oak that he cut on his property and gave to me 10 or more years ago.
I told him I didn't think an oak blade would meet the regulations (maybe too heavy?), but he doesn't care, it's mostly a sentimental connection to his property and the oak, and he wouldn't use it for tournament play.
I would like to do this for him, and I will be doing research but thought I would seek advice here.
I have quite a bit of the oak left. It was kiln dried at the time of cutting and has been stored in my shop for at least 10 years. It was plain sawn and is mostly clear of knots and defects. I have pieces that are wide enough to make a blade in a single piece, by resawing a piece to appropriate thickness, but I don't know if that is the best approach.
The other approach I can imagine is a 3 ply sandwich with the middle ply cross grain. But I think each ply would have to be really thin and have no experience with really thin resawing. I have a laguna 18 BX with a good resaw blade. I do not have drum sander.
I'd appreciate any suggestions!
I told him I didn't think an oak blade would meet the regulations (maybe too heavy?), but he doesn't care, it's mostly a sentimental connection to his property and the oak, and he wouldn't use it for tournament play.
I would like to do this for him, and I will be doing research but thought I would seek advice here.
I have quite a bit of the oak left. It was kiln dried at the time of cutting and has been stored in my shop for at least 10 years. It was plain sawn and is mostly clear of knots and defects. I have pieces that are wide enough to make a blade in a single piece, by resawing a piece to appropriate thickness, but I don't know if that is the best approach.
The other approach I can imagine is a 3 ply sandwich with the middle ply cross grain. But I think each ply would have to be really thin and have no experience with really thin resawing. I have a laguna 18 BX with a good resaw blade. I do not have drum sander.
I'd appreciate any suggestions!