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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: thawkins57 on January 14, 2012, 10:06:55 pm
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Do you use something to protect your thumb when you have to put the blade through fretwork holes? I've done 125 cuts on the project I'm working on and I'd guess I have another 300 to do. My thumb is raw from the blade teeth from putting it through all those holes... LOL
Do blades inherently cut differently, even if they are the same blade from the same pack? I'm using FD-UR blades and some of them cut like butter while others seem a little dull as soon as I put them on. I'm assuming it's just the manufacturing process for such tiny teeth. Have you found the same thing?
Thanks!
Tim
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Hey Tim, I don't have that problem because I top feed. That is I feed from the top and not the bottom. Plus I was in the plumbing repair business for close to thirty years, and the skin on my hands are like leather. I guess that's why my wife doesn't like me to touch her! ::). You might try finger cots. Their like finger condoms. You can get them at office supply stores.
And yes, no two blade will cut exactly the same. Make sure the FD UR blades are installed right side up. They have a nub or bump on the top side of the blade. Make sure it is on top.
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I feed from the top as well... I thought about the finger cots - going to look for some tomorrow. Yes, I'm installing the blades with the nub at the top. Thanks for the input!
Tim
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Are you grabbing the blade from the front and back?
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Yes - maybe if I try grabbing it from the sides? It just seems awkward to do it that way...
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I think you found the problem! Try grabbing the blade from the sides rather than the front and back.
On the the other hand, The finger cot on you thumb my aid with controlling the work piece!
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Hey Dan, how do you feed from the top. Latly I have been hearing this. I have never seen anyone do it? Don'y you bend the blade that way?
gene
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Hey Gene,You have to have a saw that has a lifting Top arm like The DeWalt 788 or any of the Excalibur saws. You loosen the bottom clamp, Lift the top arm with one hand, and guide the blade into the hole with the other hand while lowering the arm. Then tighten the lower clamp and set the tension. I can change from one hole to another in about five seconds!
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I have an Excalibur 16... VERY easy to feed the blade from the top - I can't imagine feeding from the bottom...
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Yup, I started on a 16" Dremel Saw. It used adapters in order to use plain end blades. On average it took three to five minutes to change from one hole to the next.That was many years ago. Now it only takes about five seconds on my DeWalt!
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I use only spiral blades (teeth all around) so i definitely get raw and calloused fingers from installing blades.
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Finger cots are available from your friendly Walgreen's, CVS, any drugstore should have them by the adhesive tape.
BUT, c'mon guys, TOUGHEN UP!!!
~~~GB~~~
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Finger cots are available from your friendly Walgreen's, CVS, any drugstore should have them by the adhesive tape.
BUT, c'mon guys, TOUGHEN UP!!!
~~~GB~~~
You talking to me?!?!
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(In an Oriental voice) The transition from bottom feed to top feed is not an easy one grasshopper, it take much practice and patience. ;)
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I also top feed, but the only problem i find is making sure the drilled hole lines up with the work surface hole when doing some bigger pieces ! i have thought about using a laser pen and fixing it in position directly on the work surface hole? but this would only work if i could quickly switch it on and off as i think it would be so annoying if left on all the time ?
No problem with fingers or thumbs though ;)...Pete
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I can recommend to wait until the saw has stopped moving ;D
I have been releasing tension & opening the blade holder while the saw is still moving, but that kills the blade over time. It's much better to sit back for some seconds, as that also calms me down to not cut to fast and therefor not exact enough.
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I have a craftman 18 inch saw, and if I try to feed from the top I would bend the blade every time. So I have no choice than to feed from the bottom.
gene
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I'm like Charlie and use nothing but spirals AND I am a "bottom feeder" (thank goodness someone explained that term early on) My fingers are just fine.
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Well I learned to be a Bottom feeder from the beginning. The Hegner I have would be impossible to feed from the top....UNLESS I'm missing something?
Danny :+}
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(In an Oriental voice) The transition from bottom feed to top feed is not an easy one grasshopper, it take much practice and patience. ;)
Hey Russ, When I made the transition it was very instinctual. When I got my first DeWalt 788 it was so easy to top feed, I didn't have to think about it!
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Well I learned to be a Bottom feeder from the beginning. The Hegner I have would be impossible to feed from the top....UNLESS I'm missing something?
Danny :+}
This is why in another post I said that I will never say "mine is the best". My saw is the best for me, but certainly is not the best saw out there. There are much more expensive saws out there, But they don't have the features I need. I'm not saying that top feeding is the only way to go. A lot of people have saws that are capable of top feeding, but for whatever reason they choose to bottom feed. And that is fine! But for me, I would rather top feed on a top feeding machine.
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Dan your just a Top notch educator of Scrolling to me. Love reading your posts as they are to the point. And for sure worth giving some thought to. Danny :+}
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I have a Hegner and it is most definitely a bottom feeder. I read about top feeders and so I bought what I thought was a good saw for top feeding because that is easier and quicker than most bottom feeders. The Delta P-20. Well, it is really nice if the blades would just stay in the bottom clamp. Sometimes it does and most of the time I waste time fighting it. I can change a hole in less than ten seconds when I am in a hurry, which is very seldom (like the day before Christmas). With the Hegner it takes about 30 to 45 seconds but the blades stays put. Top feeding is nice, I like it.
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I have a craftman 18 inch saw, and if I try to feed from the top I would bend the blade every time. So I have no choice than to feed from the bottom.
gene
Gene, I'm a bottom feeder by necessity as well! When I'm moving along on a project, changing holes goes pretty quick <30 seconds. Then again, I sometimes use that pause between holes to take a drink, change the radio station or what have you. Some things would definitely be easier if I could top feed, but for now, I must continue bottom feeding.
There's a quote from world war II era that applies to many these days, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." My saw isn't fancy, my saw isn't expensive, but after a little over a year of scrolling, I can make some pretty nice things with it!
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"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." ....
Damn good advice no matter from whence it comes!
"Bottom Feeder" by physical restriction and have no problem with it at all...
539 cuts in a plaque and comfy with it 'cause I ain't in no hurry!
Life is too damn short to "Hurry Your Hobby"!
Jeez folks that is what a hobby is for....enjoying life. If you are making a career of scrolling that is fine but it is my HOBBY and I takes my time and smells the sawdust!!!
~~~GrayBeard~~~
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Well that's fine GB, but no reason to rag on folks that like to get things done in a timely manner! ;D
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"Timely Manner"...is in the eyes of the Scroller!
I am not in a hurry and I don't really think most others are.
But as stated if it is your career..."Go for it!"
~~~GB~~~
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just a question on Top Feeding.... Do you have to bend over to see where the bracket is for inserting the blade. I watched Steve's video about this and he didn't look down and basically attached the blade in a second. Danny :+}
P>S>....And bottom feeding on my Hegner from start to finish if I hurry takes only 5 seconds.
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Hey Danny, I don't have to bend over and look. It's an easy task to do without looking!
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I never have to look either - just slip blade into the bottom clamp and tighten the thumbscrew. It's one of the reasons I bought the EX...