trouble feeding from the top

[jerry walters]

I purchased a Pegas scroll saw a little over a year ago. One reason was because I could feed from the top, along with technology changes. No matter how hard I try, can't do it. Have to get on my knees, with the aid of a garden kneeler to get up, to place the blade in lower chuck. I think one of the reasons is the blade guard around the lower chuck. I know the scroll saw is fairly safe, but we still have to be careful. I'm thinking of removing the lower guard. Am I asking for trouble? 

I think I have to remove the table to do this. Your thoughts or tips on how to insert the blade in the lower chuck will be most helpful. I don't think my first saw, a RBI, had a lower guard because of the way the blade had to be installed.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Jerry

[Scrappile]

I have had an Excalibur and a Seyco  and could never top feed... My problem was getting the blade down through the work piece hole and the table hole without bending the blade...  I mean in fret work the hole can be like from a #68, or #70 bit.  That is a small hole, and you are trying to feed in the blades cutting direction.  The only way I ever got it done was to release the blade from both clamps,  feed the blade through the work piece, the down through the table top.  The then into the clamps.  Get rid of the bottom  guard for sure.  Have you ever cut yourself on a scroll saw blade?  I have not, I have hit it with my finger many times with the saw going and never broke the skin.  I have pinched the blade between my fingers right after finishing a cut and burnt my fingers.  So I have not done that again.  The bottom guard along with the hold down both go off my saw before I even turn them on the first time.  Clamping in the bottom clamp without the guard is easy for me, just by  feel.  Give it a try, if you feel unsafe, you can always put the guard back on.  Are you one that wears a belt with your suppenders?  Just having fun, you have to do what you are comfortable with.

[jerry walters]

Paul, do I have to remove the table to remover the guard?

[Scrappile]

Sorry Jerry, I do not remember.  I have never seen a Pegas, and it has been several years since I owned the other saws.  Lots of Pegas owners here, they will answer @Denny Knappen

[OCtoolguy]

That blade guard is only necessary when changing blades with saw running.

[Denny Knappen]

Jerry.  Yes, there are four bolts holding the table on the saw.  Remove the table to get access to the guard.  I removed mine when I got the saw.

[jerry walters]

thanks everyone. That is what I thought but thought I better ask first. I learn a lot from the folks at SSV.

[Roberta Moreton]

I top feed all of the time. I just feel for the blade and the clamp. It slides in from the front.  I do have small girl hands. 

[Roberta Moreton]

I was just cutting and I noticed something. When I am grabbing the blade from the bottom, I don’t reach for the blade from the front. I reach from the back. Maybe that’s the issue!? I am using my right hand. 

Edited January 27, 2023 by Roberta Moreton

[jerry walters]

Using my left hand my index finger is on the back of the blade and my thumb on front of the blade.  I use my right-hand thumb to feel for the slot in the blade chuck. It feels like the blade goes into the slot properly. Yet when I tighten the thumbscrew, it doesn't pinch the blade which indicates the blade was not at the back of the chuck. When I attach the top of the blade to the top blade chuck, I watched closely and noticed the blade was actually hitting the set screw instead the back of the chuck. I backed out the set screw on top and bottom chuck a bit which seemed to help. I didn't want to back it too much for fear of getting the hockey stick bend in the blade. I tried to follow how to align the set screw and thumb screw so the blade would be in the middle of the slot in the chuck. I think we each have to do what works for us. I hope this make sense. Thanks to everyone for suggestions.

Jerry

 

 

 

 

 

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[munzieb]

I have a EX 16 with Pegas blade holders. I am a top feeder. The one thing I did to make it easier to set the bottom of the blade was to swap the lower thumb screw from the right side to the left. I'm right handed and have a better feel for setting the blade. I make sure it is pushed to the back. If its all correct, I only need a 1/4 turn of the screw to tighten things down, other wise it's not properly mounted. 

[BadBob]

On 1/25/2023 at 11:38 AM, jerry walters said:

I think one of the reasons is the blade guard around the lower chuck.

There is a lower guard? My Pegas does not have one and neither does my EX-21. You made me get up and go look.

[Scrappile]

I know this is old but I wonder, if you are comfortable bottom feeding why is it a worry same thing if you are comfortable top feeding do what works best for you.

[jerry walters]

Yes Paul, original post almost a year ago. Still can't top feed nor can I insert the blade into the lower chuck nor matter how hard I try. Still have to get on my knees to see where the blade is. Oh Well!! Guess I'm just a bottom feeder (not a sucker fish). Always have been, always will be. I'm thankful I can raise the top arm of my saw. Makes bottom feeding so much easier.

Jerry