Bending Blades While Top-Feeding - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

tcleckler · 03-27-2007, 10:44 PM

Up until my last project I've always fed the blade from the bottom. After reading a thread about top-feeding I thought I would give it a try, much better on the neck.

The one problem that I did have was the blade was getting bent, kinda like a hockey stick or L shaped. When you load the blade into the top the tip of the blade pushes against the back of the blade holder but on the bottom when you tighten the screw it tends to bend the blade out toward me making it difficult to pull out of small cuttings and reinserting it into the next hole.

Any advice?

Marsha · 03-27-2007, 11:09 PM

Troy, when top feeding you need to make sure the blade is going straight down through the entry hole. Move the wood around a bit until it drops straight through. Gently push the bottom of the blade back and into the blade clamp. It takes a bit of practice, but I find top feeding the easiest and I don't bend near as many blades as I did when I was bottom feeding.
I hope this helps
Marsha

Rick-H · 03-27-2007, 11:35 PM

My guess is that the button in the end of the thumbscrew is full of crud and not allowing the button to turn when you tighten the clamp. Take the thumbscrew out and pull the button out of the end and clean it up . Make sure it spins easily in the end of the thumbscrew then put it back in the saw and see if that solves the problem.

03-27-2007, 10:44 PM	#1
tcleckler Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Prattville, Alabama Posts: 193	Bending Blades While Top-Feeding Up until my last project I've always fed the blade from the bottom. After reading a thread about top-feeding I thought I would give it a try, much better on the neck. The one problem that I did have was the blade was getting bent, kinda like a hockey stick or L shaped. When you load the blade into the top the tip of the blade pushes against the back of the blade holder but on the bottom when you tighten the screw it tends to bend the blade out toward me making it difficult to pull out of small cuttings and reinserting it into the next hole. Any advice? __________________ Troy Scrollin' with DeWalt DW788

03-27-2007, 11:35 PM	#3
Rick-H Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Grimes, Iowa Posts: 275	My guess is that the button in the end of the thumbscrew is full of crud and not allowing the button to turn when you tighten the clamp. Take the thumbscrew out and pull the button out of the end and clean it up . Make sure it spins easily in the end of the thumbscrew then put it back in the saw and see if that solves the problem. __________________ Rick Hutcheson http://www.scrollsaws.com

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03-27-2007, 11:09 PM	#2
Marsha Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Hamilton Ontario Posts: 1,225	Troy, when top feeding you need to make sure the blade is going straight down through the entry hole. Move the wood around a bit until it drops straight through. Gently push the bottom of the blade back and into the blade clamp. It takes a bit of practice, but I find top feeding the easiest and I don't bend near as many blades as I did when I was bottom feeding. I hope this helps Marsha