Blade Clamps

[spirithorse]

I realize this probably should have been posted in the question and answer category but,
I am guessing that more people read this section and skip the Q & A.

Are there any scroll saws that still use a clamp similar to these pics or
are the Posgai or Pegas blade clamps similar to this?

I got a Porter Cable scroll saw as an early Christmas present and was told to check it
out thoroughly because it has a 90 day return policy (a 3 year warranty but, return policy of 90 days).

I really wanted to like this saw and really expected to like this saw but, it took me about 1 hour
to realize that I am spoiled with the blade clamps on my 18" Craftsman and I love the easy
tensioning on this saw.

The Porter Cable, as with many other saws I have seen or seen pictures of or have seen
numerous complaints about how to adjust the blade clamps have that set up with
two bolts and you tighten one bolt against the other to pinch/clamp the blade.
I was told everyone is entitled to an opinion and my opinion is that is the absolute worst
blade clamp system ever!
Even very cheap entry level saws have clamps that work similar to my Craftsman even though
you have to use a hex wrench to remove a blade.

Any blade clamps out there similar to the ones I like, please?
God Bless! Spirithorse

[JimErn]

  I started with a porter cable, so to me that is the way it is, then when I got the Ex on craigs list it was basically the same clamp, though it did not flop around which I like more.

Those are cast aluminum, over tightening will spread the jaws over time, pegas replacements seem to be machined aluminum, too early to tell if the spreading jaws issue still exists or not, but I doubt that if it does it will be as prevalent.

I have not seen or heard of any replacements for the porter cable, sorry.

[jerrye]

Frank Pozsgai's clamps are more what you're wanting. I put them on my Wen and found them to work well.

https://www.pozsgaidesigns.com/page0006.htm

[spirithorse]

Thanks @JimErn but, I must not have explained very clearly.
I returned the Porter Cable and won't buy a saw that immediately needs
money spent on it to make it the way it should be.

Thanks, @jerrye,
I guess I'll have to contact Posgai and see if those will fit the 18"
Craftsman Scrollsaw model 315216090

God Bless! Spirithorse

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

5 hours ago, jerrye said:

Frank Pozsgai's clamps are more what you're wanting. I put them on my Wen and found them to work well.

https://www.pozsgaidesigns.com/page0006.htm

Well you just opened my eyes up with delight. The link takes me right to the clamps I have been waiting on from RBI since 8/26/19. I will cancel that order and get these. Same thing. RBI to me is now the worst company to deal with and anyone and I mean anyone who buys a RBI saw used or new all I have to say to you is GOOD LUCK. I would never  ever recommend that what they call a company ever again. Worst people I ever dealt with. Have no regard to others business just their own cows or whatever they deal with beside saws. They are a shame and I will be sending a poor rating to better business bureau and would love to see them just sell the business to someone who can do it justice. Charge your card and sit on the money and never have parts in stock and machines always broke and wait on the one and only mill in town instead of going elsewhere. Everyone uses that mill and they have to wait in line. No way to run a company. What a way to run a business. Got blood boiling again. Have to go calm down. 

Thanks again for that link. 

[hotshot]

35 minutes ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

.....Got blood boiling again. Have to go calm down. ....

They do "runs" on various parts, and don't seem to keep a lot of parts/motors, and such in stock.  I found the ladies there a pleasure to work with, but as you said, several aspects of their business is not run in a way I would consider professional.  If you are in a hurry, you are in for a frustrating ride.  If you have multiple saws for a backup, it's not as big a deal.

That said, I've been waiting longer than that on parts from Delta (and am still waiting).  I could get equivilent DW parts, but I have multiple saws, and am not in a hurry and curious to see how it plays out.  In my book, Delta is doing the same thing, except they don't have nice ladys to talk to.

This doesn't excuse either company, but just pointing out as an interesting comparison.

-----Randy

Edited December 4, 2019 by hotshot

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

24 minutes ago, hotshot said:

They do "runs" on various parts, and don't seem to keep a lot of parts/motors, and such in stock.  I found the ladies there a pleasure to work with, but as you said, several aspects of their business is not run in a way I would consider professional.  If you are in a hurry, you are in for a frustrating ride.  If you have multiple saws for a backup, it's not as big a deal.

That said, I've been waiting longer than that on parts from Delta (and am still waiting).  I could get equivilent DW parts, but I have multiple saws, and am not in a hurry and curious to see how it plays out.  In my book, Delta is doing the same thing, except they don't have nice ladys to talk to.

This doesn't excuse either company, but just pointing out as an interesting comparison.

-----Randy

I hear you Randy and yes I have multiple saws to back me up and thank goodness because this is and still is the busiest time of the year. I thought I ordered far enough in advance but that was not the case. I do not care how nice people are who take the orders are. My business counts just as much as theirs. Frustrating is not the word for it. No way to run a business. I asked for my money back. It is one thing to have things on backorder but to charge your card and to use that money is not fair. I hope I do not have to deal with them ever again. I also made the mistake of ordering FD puzzle blades from them because I needed them. They sent those and I believe they are not from Mikes and not FD. Break way easier than the ones I had. Just not a happy camper. 

[jblock9907]

I have been using a PC for several years. below the table on the left side is a panel, if you remove the panel, you can use both hands to blade change. The rubber disc in the middle of the table may not last very long. I fashioned a 1/8 plywood table top. This helps if you are cutting small pieces. There is a tendency for those pieces to break because of enough support. That plus the arm does not raise are the only issues I have with it.