Excalibur scroll saw ??'s

[wood-n-things]

Does the excalibur have a straight up and down cutting angle on the blade?

My 788 is developing a back and forth motion when cutting, I had not noticed it before and can not seem to correct it. It is getting to be an older saw now about 9-10 yrs old. This back and forth motion of the blade makes it difficult to cut fragile work now.

So I'm thinking of upgrading to the excalibur but not if it has the same issue.


Now I have to decide if I want the 16 or the 21".

Why do folks say it (Excalibur) is a bottom feeder only?

[Jan]

Originally Posted by wood-n-things

Does the excalibur have a straight up and down cutting angle on the blade?

My 788 is developing a back and forth motion when cutting, I had not noticed it before and can not seem to correct it. It is getting to be an older saw now about 9-10 yrs old. This back and forth motion of the blade makes it difficult to cut fragile work now.

So I'm thinking of upgrading to the excalibur but not if it has the same issue.


Now I have to decide if I want the 16 or the 21".

Why do folks say it is a bottom feeder only?

The blade travel is straight up and down. If there is any back and forward movement it is easily adjusted out.

I have the 21" and sometimes yearn for the 30" saw. The 16" would be too small for me.

Whoever said the EX is a bottom feeder is dead wrong. It is very easy to top feed and I can't imagine bottom feeding. What a pain that would be!

I've used a DeWalt 788 and considered it when I got the EX. The tilt arm made the difference for me. Now when I go back and use the 788 it feels cumbersome and clunky, but that's just me. The "old yeller" addicts are now going to start shooting at me!

Jan

[wood-n-things]

Jan,

The "old yeller" addicts are now going to start shooting at me!

No cuz ol' yeller folks are nice folks. Thanks for the feedback. I'm leaning toward the 21". Is it difficult to bottom feed on the Excalibur? I prefer it for some reason to top feeding. When I top feed I invariably bend blades.

[KTravis]

Mike I used to have a low quality bottom feeder. Shook a bit but was a decent enough saw to learn on. Two decades later I got back into scrolling and got an EX-21. I still find that I bottom feed a lot because I started that way...lol. Old habits are hard to break

Can't imagine trying to bottom feed on intense fretwork with lots of tiny holes. Top feeding is the only way to go IMHO.

Would go with 21" with the work you do.

[wood-n-things]

Thanks Kip.

[fredfret]

The Ex's and the 788 are based on the same design. There is very little differance operationally between the two. Quality, and sone added features tilt arm and control locations are all I have been able to see. I have a 788 and want an Ex-30 for the tilt arm and greater throat.
Fredfret

[Bill Wilson]

Originally Posted by Jan

The blade travel is straight up and down. If there is any back and forward movement it is easily adjusted out.

I have the 21" and sometimes yearn for the 30" saw. The 16" would be too small for me.

Whoever said the EX is a bottom feeder is dead wrong. It is very easy to top feed and I can't imagine bottom feeding. What a pain that would be!

I've used a DeWalt 788 and considered it when I got the EX. The tilt arm made the difference for me. Now when I go back and use the 788 it feels cumbersome and clunky, but that's just me. The "old yeller" addicts are now going to start shooting at me!

Jan

Old Yeller owner here and I actually appreciate your comments. I've wondered what saw I wold upgrade to, if & when I wear out my Dewalt. Everything I read on here about the EX leads me to believe that would be my best choice. Hopefully that day is a ways off, but never hurts to plan ahead.

[tnirish]

I have just gotten the EX-30 and am finding it difficult to top feed. There must be a trick. Can someone please explain. I am doing fretwork with small holes.

Thanks

[hotshot]

Tnirish, what part is frustrating you? Here is my list of possible issues for blade changes in general, perhaps one will hit home.

Issue. When you feed through the top, you miss the table hole and hit your blade on the table below.
A. For me, I put the blade right over the hole, move the wood under the blade, feed and I'm done. Whole process takes just a few moments. Other folks have drawn an x over the hole with tape to help them line things up.

Issue: Blade bends when trying to get through the small holes.
A. If you are using Mikes' recommended bits with the respective blades, then it is tough to get the blades through by hand (especially the very small blades). I use a needlenose to grip the blade close to the wood and push it right down. If I'm not pressed for room, I use a bigger bit than recommended.

Issue: Can't get the blade in the lower clamp.
A. The blade should reach, if not, use the back knob to lower. Then, with a little practice, you should be able to feed the blade blind, by feel.

Issue: Arm won't stay up
A. There is a bolt on the left side towards the back (or is on the ex21). This causes pressure against "something" and helps the arms hold it's position. This seems like a really bad design and I don't feel right doing this to my saw, so I just tollerate it loose.

Issue: Blade slips or torques/bends/twists, or won't go to the back easily.
A. Adjust the set screw in the blade clamp. On my saw, this turned with use, and loosened, so I had to adjust it.

Anyway, those are my thoughts

-----Randy

[Tom J.]

I top feed with my EX-21 all the time with no problem. I don't see why the EX-30 should be any different.

Tom