homemade arm lifter - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

woodgeek · 10-10-2009, 02:45 AM

I decided I needed an arm lifter for my DW788 for a fretwork with a lot of small interior cuts but I didn't want to wait, ordering through the mail (my local Woodcrafter had never heard of such a device) so I stuck a short 2 x 4 up in the rafters and used a bungee cord. Took about 5 minutes total to assemble and adjust. A single nudge up and it stays lifted while I insert the blade, a single nudge down and it goes down and stays down. Couldn't imagine a store bought tool working any better.

HAMMER · 10-10-2009, 03:54 PM

American Inventiveness at its finest.

Wood Dog · 10-10-2009, 04:09 PM

No pictures didn't happen......

Haggard3230 · 10-11-2009, 01:43 AM

Somebody else on this site did that too.

normded · 10-11-2009, 02:32 PM

NPNH

Jerry

SNAPPER · 10-12-2009, 09:05 AM

I just have a block of wood to slip under the arm.
Dean

woodgeek · 10-15-2009, 02:35 AM

I used to use the block of wood method but it got in the way. I have used this everyday for about a week now and I am still liking it. Yes, someone else on this site did mention this method. At the time I had a different saw so wasn't much interested but bless them for it. I get so many good ideas here it is worth twice the price I pay for it...oh wait a minute ;<)

lucky788scroller · 10-15-2009, 04:43 AM

As long as your blade never breaks or slips out when the saw is running, it should be fine. But if the arm goes up while the saw is running, you could do some damage to your saw.

handibunny · 10-15-2009, 10:58 AM

Forget the saw, how about the fingers?

woodgeek · 10-23-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucky788scroller

As long as your blade never breaks or slips out when the saw is running, it should be fine. But if the arm goes up while the saw is running, you could do some damage to your saw.

Actually, I have the tension set so that I have to give it a little shove for it to go up. The benefit is that when it is up it stays up with no help from me and when it is down it stays down. I have had a couple of blades break and no issues. Remember though that this is just me and the way I have it set and it may not work the same way for someone else and I definitely would not recommend it for another brand or type of saw.

10-10-2009, 02:45 AM	#1
woodgeek Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 123	homemade arm lifter I decided I needed an arm lifter for my DW788 for a fretwork with a lot of small interior cuts but I didn't want to wait, ordering through the mail (my local Woodcrafter had never heard of such a device) so I stuck a short 2 x 4 up in the rafters and used a bungee cord. Took about 5 minutes total to assemble and adjust. A single nudge up and it stays lifted while I insert the blade, a single nudge down and it goes down and stays down. Couldn't imagine a store bought tool working any better. __________________ Rod in Molalla Oregon happily cutting with a DW 788

10-10-2009, 04:09 PM	#3
Wood Dog Senior member--Absolutely Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: MA USA Posts: 3,452	No pictures didn't happen...... __________________ WD

10-11-2009, 01:43 AM	#4
Haggard3230 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Riverton, KS on Route 66 Posts: 2,720	Somebody else on this site did that too. __________________ Merle SSG US Army Retired. merlehobbs@yahoo.com

10-15-2009, 02:35 AM	#7
woodgeek Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 123	I used to use the block of wood method but it got in the way. I have used this everyday for about a week now and I am still liking it. Yes, someone else on this site did mention this method. At the time I had a different saw so wasn't much interested but bless them for it. I get so many good ideas here it is worth twice the price I pay for it...oh wait a minute ;<) __________________ Rod in Molalla Oregon happily cutting with a DW 788

10-15-2009, 04:43 AM	#8
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,262	As long as your blade never breaks or slips out when the saw is running, it should be fine. But if the arm goes up while the saw is running, you could do some damage to your saw. __________________ Dale w/ yella saws

10-10-2009, 03:54 PM	#2
HAMMER Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: KATY, TX. (WEST HOUSTON) Posts: 374	American Inventiveness at its finest.

10-11-2009, 02:32 PM	#5
normded Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 266	NPNH Jerry

10-12-2009, 09:05 AM	#6
SNAPPER Dino Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fergus Falls,MN Posts: 821	I just have a block of wood to slip under the arm. Dean

10-15-2009, 10:58 AM	#9
handibunny Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NY Posts: 364	Forget the saw, how about the fingers? __________________ Carole Follow me on my blog: www.scrollsawbowls.blogspot.com

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