Anyone using a shimming system for cutting 1 1/4" OD cork in the checkerboarding jig?

I don't use shims and have no problems at all. couple tips- when you slice you rings into 1/4" rings, glue light / dark rings back together. That way when you cut the wedges you can just flip every other wedge over and they will all line up perfectly. Also if you are using the jewelers say pitch it and get this one This is the best thing that I have found [www3.towerhobbies.com] The kerf is .010 and is the only thing thin enough to fit the round checkerboard jig. It's the ONLY one anyone has found that will fit in the jig. Buy 2, you'll be glad you did

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

The Zona is NOT the only one that works in the jig! There are a number of fine saws that are only .008 thickness that some of us use. I do use shims as I make my cuts so that I compensate for the reduction caused by the saw kerf as I make additional cuts. This is most important when cutting segments of 6, 8 or 12, as the cumulative effect of the kerf compounds! The shims I use are .008 plastic strips that I place in the cut right after making it. Doing this makes each segment exactly the same as the others.....no slop!

The reason for using shims, is that as an example, if you make two cuts using a .010 kerf, you have now taken .040 out of the circumference of the disk, more cuts....even more!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/2011 06:55PM by Phil Erickson.

Phil, what other saws have you found? The more options, the better. I know what you are saying about the saw removing material and I agree that you end up with a slightly smaller diameter ring but for me, it just hasn't made enough noticeable difference to be any problem

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

I think this one is supposed to be really small. Mark Crouse had one at the Expo last year and from what I could see it is really thin. You can't hardly see the teeth on the blade.

[www.mudhole.com]

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

Yeah David, that is the "Jewlers saw." Problem with it is trying to keep from breaking the very very thin blade, especially when slicing cork into thinner discs.. One must keep a supply of blades on hand.

Mike, one of the saws I have is a Gyros Brass Back Razor Saw." Kerf is .008 60 extra fine teeth per inch.

I have found Buck Bros junior hacksaw blades in Home Depot Not as thin but fit well in the jig Fine tooth for metal cutting
Just a tad longer Have not tried them yet But seem to hold well in the handle

They have pins on the ends but they can be taken out easy

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/21/2011 12:57PM by bill boettcher.

I also have had problems with the saw an blades have tried a couple of type of saws, the best I found is a good '' fret saw ''woodworking saw, an the blades you can get from a saw blade place sales in Tenn.
about $10 for per 100 the fret saw holdes the blade tight an taunt, when I put the pie shapes together use 2 tie raps per ring you will use a lot unable to reuse [one time use only] , Bill

Phil,

Just found your saw on Amazon.com [www.amazon.com] and ordered one.Looks almost identical to the Zona but I really like the smaller kerf, more teeth, reversible AND replaceable blade!!

THANKS!!! I owe you a drink at the Expo!

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Phil Erickson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Zona is NOT the only one that works in the
> jig! There are a number of fine saws that are only
> .008 thickness that some of us use. I do use
> shims as I make my cuts so that I compensate for
> the reduction caused by the saw kerf as I make
> additional cuts. This is most important when
> cutting segments of 6, 8 or 12, as the cumulative
> effect of the kerf compounds! The shims I use are
> .008 plastic strips that I place in the cut right
> after making it. Doing this makes each segment
> exactly the same as the others.....no slop!
>
> The reason for using shims, is that as an example,
> if you make two cuts using a .010 kerf, you have
> now taken .040 out of the circumference of the
> disk, more cuts....even more!

Phil,
Do you use a shim between each blade slot? I was toying with making shims from craft foam or balsa sourronding the cork ring and cut through them with the cork but they would only be a one shot deal. I'm using the saw that came with the jig kit and the only blade problem I have iswhen getting too agtressiive on the burnt cork. Like my dear old pappy always said, let the saw do the work!!

I use this saw and it works just great for me anyways,


From Harbor Freight
Japanese Flush Cut Saw

Item # 39273 Manufacturer: Topman
Topman
Only:$9.99

Jim, I use a thin plastic material (it is pieces of old xray film I got from my dentist) that is .008 thick. When I make the cut across the ring, I place a piece of the film in the cut on each side. This fills the kerf area where the cork was removed by the blade. I do this for each subsequent cut, which keeps the diameter the same as the original while cutting, thus each segment is exactly the same size.

The nice thing about the Gyros saw is that it is rigid (back of blade is reinforced) so there is no chance of breakage and you do not have to "baby" the cutting process. Xacto also has a saw that is .010 thick, but it will only cut about 1/2" thick, OK for segmenting, but no good for slicing.

Phil,
I'm talking about the smaller 1 1/4 OD rings in case you missed that. I'm not worried about material lost and shimming the kerf.
The jig is for 1 1/2" OD the 1 1/4" rings are too lose. How do you securley center the ring in the jig?

Not familiar with a 1 1/2" jig, I only do fly rods so use the 1 1/4" exclusively. As you need approx. 1/8" to fill the gap, have you looked at 1 1/2" PVC pipe? I believe it is very close to 1 1/4" ID.

Who makes a 1 1/2" jig?? I have a couple different sets and they are both 1 1/4.

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Mike Barkley Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Who makes a 1 1/2" jig?? I have a couple
> different sets and they are both 1 1/4.


Your right guys, sorry, my bad. The jig is 1 1/4" and the rings are 1 1/8"

I found one that was three in one wedges - pies and turn it over a thin ring slicer Cool []

Then Who does make a jig at 1 1/2

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/23/2011 09:13AM by bill boettcher.

1 1/8" rings? Odd size, every one I have ever found was either 1 1/4" or 1 1/2"

wrap tape around the rings

Bill - willierods.com

there is one cork sliser that will do the 1 1/2 inch rings [make pie cuts] not just rings don't recall who puts to gether but look around if you want one it is still avalible I think it cuts are 2/ 4/ 8 the one mudhole sells is 2/ 3/ 6/ 12 they all work, it is all in the way you go at it, an what you want as the end cut, Bill