new dw788 - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

normded · 04-24-2009, 08:50 PM

hi everyone i just got a new dewalt 788 and am very excited about using it i've used crapsman and heard from all of you it's like day and night. I was just wondering if for fretwork do you feed from the bottom or top the book says either but i know you all will know best. Thanks for the help just can't wait to get at it.
Jerry

Pajaro · 04-24-2009, 08:54 PM

I feed from the top. But use what ever you feel comfortable with. It takes a while to get use to top feeding but I like it much better.

Mick Walker · 04-24-2009, 09:06 PM

I couldn't top feed with my first saw. I now have a Delta P-20 and top feed with it. I would never go back to bottom feeding.

wood-n-things · 04-24-2009, 09:10 PM

It is going to be a matter of preference. I started bottom feeding and just can't get the hang of top feeding. You will find which way is most comfortable for you. Neither way is right or wrong.

miniwoodworker · 04-24-2009, 09:50 PM

I'm a bottom feeder. With a light shining from above, it's easy to see the hole. And, for me, it's easier to tighten the top mount, over and over again, than it is to "fumble around" under the table for the bottom one.

As others have said, it's a matter of preference.

Congrats on your new saw. Have fun!!

lucky788scroller · 04-26-2009, 02:40 AM

If your new with the saw, I would suggest you begin by learning top feeding.I have always been a bottom feeder, and just cant seem to get the hang of top feeding, but those that have done it both ways always say top feeding is so much better to them, and since they have done it both ways, and say top feeding is better,there must be some merit to that.

JohnB · 04-26-2009, 02:59 AM

Well, I'm a bottom feeder, cause I like it that way and you have more fun

Truly, I have heard that top feeding is the way to go, and I can see the merit in it, but I just can't get a hang on it, so the bottom is where I'll stay.

scrollpup · 04-27-2009, 05:24 AM

I'm like JohnB-- started out a bottom feeder...will remain a bottom feeder (seems like my parents warned me about that...)But I really think that its how you learn. I.E.-you get used to one way and you have dickens trying to convert to another.When your good at it one way,it's hard to justify being slowed down for a different approach (it all cuts out in the end

).

Jerry C

SNAPPER · 04-27-2009, 07:26 AM

Congrats on the new saw. Bottom feeder here, I find it eaiser to undo the top clamp vs the bottom. I recently adopted a used Dewalt , WOW what a difference.
Dean

scrollpup · 04-27-2009, 07:44 AM

Yeah Dean, Mine was dated 2006,but runs like a charm.When an 11 year old can manage it, you know it's "user friendly".

Jerry C

04-24-2009, 08:50 PM	#1
normded Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 266	new dw788 hi everyone i just got a new dewalt 788 and am very excited about using it i've used crapsman and heard from all of you it's like day and night. I was just wondering if for fretwork do you feed from the bottom or top the book says either but i know you all will know best. Thanks for the help just can't wait to get at it. Jerry

04-24-2009, 08:54 PM	#2
Pajaro Forever is a long time Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: If it ain't Texas, it Just ain't livin. Posts: 2,047 Blog Entries: 1	I feed from the top. But use what ever you feel comfortable with. It takes a while to get use to top feeding but I like it much better. __________________ Pájaro Pete Hombre del pájaro www.pajarostudiowns.com Member " Scrollsaw Association of the world " Excalibur EX-21 fanatic One of the Chosen few "Never try to teach a pig to sing It is a waste of time and it annoys the pig. "

04-24-2009, 09:06 PM	#3
Mick Walker Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 1,335	I couldn't top feed with my first saw. I now have a Delta P-20 and top feed with it. I would never go back to bottom feeding. __________________ Mick, - Delta P-20 The future ain't what it used to be.

04-24-2009, 09:10 PM	#4
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right here ---silly Posts: 4,471 Blog Entries: 1	It is going to be a matter of preference. I started bottom feeding and just can't get the hang of top feeding. You will find which way is most comfortable for you. Neither way is right or wrong. __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. Don't be so open-minded. Your brains will fall out!

04-24-2009, 09:50 PM	#5
miniwoodworker Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 497	I'm a bottom feeder. With a light shining from above, it's easy to see the hole. And, for me, it's easier to tighten the top mount, over and over again, than it is to "fumble around" under the table for the bottom one. As others have said, it's a matter of preference. Congrats on your new saw. Have fun!! __________________ Lee in NC Als Ik Kan DW788 1975 Dremel (labeled Craftsman) Scroll saw w/3" pin blades

04-26-2009, 02:40 AM	#6
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,260	If your new with the saw, I would suggest you begin by learning top feeding.I have always been a bottom feeder, and just cant seem to get the hang of top feeding, but those that have done it both ways always say top feeding is so much better to them, and since they have done it both ways, and say top feeding is better,there must be some merit to that. __________________ Dale w/ yella saws

04-26-2009, 02:59 AM	#7
JohnB 1 Tin Soldier Rides Away Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Posts: 4,858	Well, I'm a bottom feeder, cause I like it that way and you have more fun Truly, I have heard that top feeding is the way to go, and I can see the merit in it, but I just can't get a hang on it, so the bottom is where I'll stay. __________________ Regards John "The Golden Mile" I got holes in both of my shoes Well I'm a walking case of the blues Saw a dollar yesterday But the wind blew it away Some of my Stuff Retired Medically Unfit WA Police Officers

04-27-2009, 05:24 AM	#8
scrollpup Avatar by Casey Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hot Springs,Arkansas Posts: 1,732	I'm like JohnB-- started out a bottom feeder...will remain a bottom feeder (seems like my parents warned me about that...)But I really think that its how you learn. I.E.-you get used to one way and you have dickens trying to convert to another.When your good at it one way,it's hard to justify being slowed down for a different approach (it all cuts out in the end). Jerry C __________________ Two wrongs don't make a right....they just even the score...

04-27-2009, 07:26 AM	#9
SNAPPER Dino Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fergus Falls,MN Posts: 821	Congrats on the new saw. Bottom feeder here, I find it eaiser to undo the top clamp vs the bottom. I recently adopted a used Dewalt , WOW what a difference. Dean

04-27-2009, 07:44 AM	#10
scrollpup Avatar by Casey Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hot Springs,Arkansas Posts: 1,732	Yeah Dean, Mine was dated 2006,but runs like a charm.When an 11 year old can manage it, you know it's "user friendly". Jerry C __________________ Two wrongs don't make a right....they just even the score...

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