Excalibur Ex21, clamp upgrade - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

timber715 · 07-25-2012, 07:07 AM

I recently got an ex21 which had the tension knob on the side and wondering if anyone has updated their saw to use the newer tensioning system.

Dragon · 07-25-2012, 11:22 AM

I didn't know they had a newer tensioning system? Must look that up
Diane

timber715 · 07-25-2012, 03:34 PM

the old one which had a tension lever on the right side while the new and current one has the lever on the head...
this what I got

while here is the new

timber715 · 07-25-2012, 03:39 PM

now I'm more confused after looking for pictures, I came across this from woodcraft, seems to be another rendition...

wood-n-things · 07-25-2012, 04:54 PM

That is confusing. Mine has the white flip lever for tensioning and a knob on the rear I never use after it is set. The pic of yours looks identical to the system on my dewalt 788.

timber715 · 07-25-2012, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wood-n-things

That is confusing. Mine has the white flip lever for tensioning and a knob on the rear I never use after it is set. The pic of yours looks identical to the system on my dewalt 788.

it is very much similar with the 788, I know it to be the earliest model of the EX21 and updated with what you got. What confuses me too is the picture in the woodcraft store.... Is there a new rendition/update?

tgiro · 07-25-2012, 05:26 PM

The saw that Timber715 has, is one that was made in Canada. Since it is Green & not purple, it was sold after General International bought the business & before they did some redesign & moved manufacturing overseas.

Normally, Canadian made EX's are have a purple color and the old tension system.

The saw that has the tension knob in the rear and the little white lever in front, is one that was made after GI moved the manufacturing to the orient.

There is no upgrade process for the machine from the old tensioning method to the new one. The mechanisms are entirely different.

Actually, the DW788 tension method is a copy of the old Excalibur method. The Canadian made DW788's were made for Dewalt by Excalibur.

I've seen a number of different Green Canadian made EX's. There is a "Brand New" one sitting on the shelf @ Tools Plus in Waterbury, CT. It is their display model. If you buy one from them, you'll get one made in the orient with the newer tension system.

Tony

timber715 · 07-25-2012, 06:02 PM

Thank you Tony for the detailed information. I ask the upgrade bec. I emailed General and they recommended part number EX21-C46a ("a" for assembly). that part gives me the ability to tension my blade with the same white lever.
I ask this here to know if anyone has crossed this path and wanted their opinion...

timber715 · 07-26-2012, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timber715

now I'm more confused after looking for pictures, I came across this from woodcraft, seems to be another rendition...

it turns out that this is the EX30 posted as an EX21 in woodcraft....

Terry Jay · 07-26-2012, 04:38 AM

I have a Type I DeWalt and a current EX-21. The tensioning system on the DeWalt is more adjustable than is the EX-21. Both apply tension. The DeWalt style is what your picture shows.

My suggestion would be to use what you have. It is the one thing that I believe is better on the DeWalt than the EX-21. You may have a different experience.
Terry

07-25-2012, 07:07 AM	#1
timber715 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Deep in the jungle of Manila Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Excalibur Ex21, clamp upgrade I recently got an ex21 which had the tension knob on the side and wondering if anyone has updated their saw to use the newer tensioning system.

07-25-2012, 11:22 AM	#2
Dragon scroller and moderator Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chertsey, Quebec, Canada Posts: 3,155 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	I didn't know they had a newer tensioning system? Must look that up Diane __________________ Dragon Owner of a nice 21" Excalibur Owner of a Dewalt 788 PuffityDragon on AFSP

07-25-2012, 04:54 PM	#5
wood-n-things Staying Positive Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hamilton, Montana Posts: 18,767 Thanks: 58 Thanked 398 Times in 297 Posts	That is confusing. Mine has the white flip lever for tensioning and a knob on the rear I never use after it is set. The pic of yours looks identical to the system on my dewalt 788. __________________ "Montana MIKE" There is a very fine line between “hobby” and “mental illness.” As You Slide Down the Banister of Life, Pray That All The Splinters Are Pointed The Other Way... "Don't worry about old age--it doesn't last that long." Mike's Wood-n-Things

07-25-2012, 05:26 PM	#7
tgiro Perpetual Student Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Rouzerville, PA - about 20 miles southwest of Gettysburg PA Posts: 415 Thanks: 2 Thanked 21 Times in 21 Posts	The saw that Timber715 has, is one that was made in Canada. Since it is Green & not purple, it was sold after General International bought the business & before they did some redesign & moved manufacturing overseas. Normally, Canadian made EX's are have a purple color and the old tension system. The saw that has the tension knob in the rear and the little white lever in front, is one that was made after GI moved the manufacturing to the orient. There is no upgrade process for the machine from the old tensioning method to the new one. The mechanisms are entirely different. Actually, the DW788 tension method is a copy of the old Excalibur method. The Canadian made DW788's were made for Dewalt by Excalibur. I've seen a number of different Green Canadian made EX's. There is a "Brand New" one sitting on the shelf @ Tools Plus in Waterbury, CT. It is their display model. If you buy one from them, you'll get one made in the orient with the newer tension system. Tony __________________ Love your enemies. It makes them so damned mad.

07-26-2012, 04:38 AM	#10
Terry Jay Got Moose? Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The Peninsula, Kenai & Olympic Posts: 375 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	I have a Type I DeWalt and a current EX-21. The tensioning system on the DeWalt is more adjustable than is the EX-21. Both apply tension. The DeWalt style is what your picture shows. My suggestion would be to use what you have. It is the one thing that I believe is better on the DeWalt than the EX-21. You may have a different experience. Terry __________________ Got Moose?

07-25-2012, 03:34 PM	#3
timber715 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Deep in the jungle of Manila Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	the old one which had a tension lever on the right side while the new and current one has the lever on the head... this what I got while here is the new

07-25-2012, 03:39 PM	#4
timber715 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Deep in the jungle of Manila Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	now I'm more confused after looking for pictures, I came across this from woodcraft, seems to be another rendition...

07-25-2012, 06:02 PM	#8
timber715 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Deep in the jungle of Manila Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you Tony for the detailed information. I ask the upgrade bec. I emailed General and they recommended part number EX21-C46a ("a" for assembly). that part gives me the ability to tension my blade with the same white lever. I ask this here to know if anyone has crossed this path and wanted their opinion...

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