Hold down foot - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

goobydoosdad · 01-08-2005, 12:35 PM

I have noticed on some illustration pictures in many magazines, that they do not show them using the hold down foot while sawing. The reason I ask is that I have noticed that when I try to relocate my blade, I have had some difficulty getting this done. It seems to me that the foot is actually in the way when I attempt to put the wood over the blade or even visa versa. It appears that my foot extends out past the front of the blade holder and arm too far. On some of the pics of other saws, I noticed that they do not have that same geometry of foot location. The other saws foot is farther back, more under the holder than in front of the holder. Does this seem to be true? Could this be a design flaw for my Dremel?

Seems to me that if you do not even need it for most projects, why have it on the saw? Of course I am sure there will be times it is needed and I am sure that the manufacurers recommend using them but many of you have your own "tricks" and preferences.

Also, some guidelines for the "how to" on using the hold down please!!

01-08-2005, 01:32 PM

The first thing I've done on every saw I've ever owned is remove that blasted hold down foot.

goobydoosdad · 01-08-2005, 02:33 PM

I was wondering.....thanks Nancy.........anybody else???

3_M · 01-08-2005, 03:18 PM

Mike P,

OSHA made them do it. The same in Canada.
No other country has that law and you will not see it on any saw sold in other countries.
99.9% of scroll saw users are not using it.

Mike M

goobydoosdad · 01-08-2005, 04:22 PM

I have taken mine off and I will try that for a while to see if that helps with blade changes.

Thanks Mike

01-08-2005, 06:38 PM

I went to the RBI factory in mid-Missouri to buy mine and the man demonstrating the saw, which did NOT have a hold down foot, for me mentioned that the hold down foot was necessary for safety's sake and he just removed it so customers could see what he was doing. I laughed and asked if he used the foot when no customers were around. He laughed too and went back to his demonstration.

wwalker47 · 01-08-2005, 10:35 PM

Took mine off the first day and never looked back. I, also, found it got in the way.

Dena F · 01-09-2005, 12:45 AM

Mike P
I used the hold down on my little Microlux as it was like a sewing machine foot and I found it useful, but when I first used my Delta 350 the hold down was in my way, I was almost afraid to remove it. Didn't want to get my fingers cut. I work on miniatures and fingers get real close, but did take it off and its ok now. Have learned I can handle with no problem.

01-09-2005, 01:46 AM

I don't even know where mine are. Have three saws and all of them are missing that piece. I wonder who took them off, and what he did with them? It couldn't possibly have been me and I certainly wouldn't have thrown them in the trash.

goobydoosdad · 01-09-2005, 11:36 PM

Should we put out an APB on that missing hold down Ed?

01-08-2005, 12:35 PM	#1
goobydoosdad Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 38	Hold down foot I have noticed on some illustration pictures in many magazines, that they do not show them using the hold down foot while sawing. The reason I ask is that I have noticed that when I try to relocate my blade, I have had some difficulty getting this done. It seems to me that the foot is actually in the way when I attempt to put the wood over the blade or even visa versa. It appears that my foot extends out past the front of the blade holder and arm too far. On some of the pics of other saws, I noticed that they do not have that same geometry of foot location. The other saws foot is farther back, more under the holder than in front of the holder. Does this seem to be true? Could this be a design flaw for my Dremel? Seems to me that if you do not even need it for most projects, why have it on the saw? Of course I am sure there will be times it is needed and I am sure that the manufacurers recommend using them but many of you have your own "tricks" and preferences. Also, some guidelines for the "how to" on using the hold down please!! __________________ Mike P. He is a man of sense who does not grieve for what he has not, but rejoices in what he has. - Epictetus

01-08-2005, 01:32 PM	#2
Nancy_G Guest Posts: n/a	Never take my word for ANYTHING The first thing I've done on every saw I've ever owned is remove that blasted hold down foot.

01-08-2005, 02:33 PM	#3
goobydoosdad Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 38	I was wondering.....thanks Nancy.........anybody else??? __________________ Mike P. He is a man of sense who does not grieve for what he has not, but rejoices in what he has. - Epictetus

01-08-2005, 03:18 PM	#4
3_M Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Brandon, SD Posts: 630	Mike P, OSHA made them do it. The same in Canada. No other country has that law and you will not see it on any saw sold in other countries. 99.9% of scroll saw users are not using it. Mike M __________________ Home of the FD Blades

01-08-2005, 04:22 PM	#5
goobydoosdad Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 38	I have taken mine off and I will try that for a while to see if that helps with blade changes. Thanks Mike __________________ Mike P. He is a man of sense who does not grieve for what he has not, but rejoices in what he has. - Epictetus

01-08-2005, 06:38 PM	#6
Nancy_G Guest Posts: n/a	I went to the RBI factory in mid-Missouri to buy mine and the man demonstrating the saw, which did NOT have a hold down foot, for me mentioned that the hold down foot was necessary for safety's sake and he just removed it so customers could see what he was doing. I laughed and asked if he used the foot when no customers were around. He laughed too and went back to his demonstration.

01-08-2005, 10:35 PM	#7
wwalker47 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seminole, Florida Posts: 705	Took mine off the first day and never looked back. I, also, found it got in the way. __________________ My saw is a DeWalt788 Measure twice; cut once; count fingers after cut

01-09-2005, 12:45 AM	#8
Dena F Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NV Posts: 32	Mike P I used the hold down on my little Microlux as it was like a sewing machine foot and I found it useful, but when I first used my Delta 350 the hold down was in my way, I was almost afraid to remove it. Didn't want to get my fingers cut. I work on miniatures and fingers get real close, but did take it off and its ok now. Have learned I can handle with no problem.

01-09-2005, 01:46 AM	#9
Plain_Ol_Ed Guest Posts: n/a	I don't even know where mine are. Have three saws and all of them are missing that piece. I wonder who took them off, and what he did with them? It couldn't possibly have been me and I certainly wouldn't have thrown them in the trash.

01-09-2005, 11:36 PM	#10
goobydoosdad Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 38	Should we put out an APB on that missing hold down Ed? __________________ Mike P. He is a man of sense who does not grieve for what he has not, but rejoices in what he has. - Epictetus

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