Blade insertion tip

[GregBennett]

I admit to being ham handed so many of you won't need this tip. I have had difficulties placing the blade in the chuck so that it's perpendicular to the table. I've often spent quite a while trying to get the top blade holder to hold the blade and more difficulty with the bottom. It's the thin blades that give me fits-2/0 and 1's. I have tried removing the oily finish at the top and bottom of the blade using a palm sander, and switch my blade chuck from the DeWalt to the Pegas. The Pegas was easier, but far from foolproof.

The other day I set up a needle nose vice grip (had to tape one side so that it would close enough to hold the blade). I clamped down on a #1 and made sure that it was perpendicular to the table. It worked like a charm. In addition it was a snap to clamp the lower part of the blade now that it was properly seated.

[BadBob]

Here is what I do on my EX-21/Pegas saws. This might not work for a DeWalt saw.

• Insert the blade into the top clamp as close to vertical as I can get and tighten the clamp.
• Insert the blade into the bottom clamp and tighten.
• Flip the lever to tension the blade.
• Release the tension.
• Release the lower clamp and retighten.
• Retention and now the blade is vertical.

 

[Ctutor]

does it really make a difference if the blad is perpendicular to the table?Verticle is important but what difference does it make if the top of the piece or the bottom is cut first.Igenerallyuse wood less than 1/2 inch so maybe ticker wood makes  DIFFERENCE

[TAIrving]

19 hours ago, BadBob said:

Here is what I do on my EX-21/Pegas saws. This might not work for a DeWalt saw.

• Insert the blade into the top clamp as close to vertical as I can get and tighten the clamp.
• Insert the blade into the bottom clamp and tighten.
• Flip the lever to tension the blade.
• Release the tension.
• Release the lower clamp and retighten.
• Retention and now the blade is vertical.

 

I do that but add one more step.  When I release the lower clamp and retighten, I do the same with the upper clamp.  

Does it make a difference?  Yes, the next time I release the lower clamp and raise the arm, the blade goes right in the opening in the table when I lower the arm, perhaps more meaningful to top-feeders than to bottom-feeders.  

[GregBennett]

It's not necessary to clamp the blade in the vice grip at any particular angle. For me it's a way to hold and align it that's better than trying to insert the blade with my less than nimble fingers.

[OCtoolguy]

I keep coming back to how I hold the tiny blades. Instead of trying to use my fat stubby fingers, I use a small telescopic magnet with a flat face. Once you determine up and down and know which edge does the cutting, stick one of the flat sides to the magnet. Now you have a nice manageable handle to guide and hold the blade. Try it. It works great. 

[Mike Crosa]

Ray a photo of the magnet please.

[rjweb]

Ray, that sounds like a great idea, RJ

[Wichman]

For illustration only:

https://www.harborfreight.com/hardware/magnets/pick-up-tools/18-inch-telescoping-magnet-37187.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/15-lb-capacity-telescoping-magnetic-pickup-tool-64656.html

I have this first next to my saw, stuck to the stand, I use it to pick up blade clamps that go flying, so I don't have to get on my hands and knees.

I have the straight version also, currently attached to my benchtop belt sander as a safety guard ( sanded a finger while reaching around the side, where the disk sander is ). handy little buggers.  

[OCtoolguy]

4 hours ago, Mike Crosa said:

Ray a photo of the magnet please.

Any shirtpocket pencil magnet will do. As long as it is flat on the end. Mine just happens to be an extendible telescopic one.