Bottom Feeding

[ChaplainRon]

I have watched Steve?s videos and see he likes to bottom feed his blades. I have just started and the pieces I have done I used the bottom feed method and have yet to break or bend a blade.

Since I am new I wanted to try the top feed method but I bend the blade and have trouble finding the hole in my Dewalt 788.

Are there any top feeders out there that can tell me what I am doing wrong and explain the pros of using top feeding over the bottom feeding technique?

Ron
Bottom feeding in Charlotte

[Rapid Roger]

Now you know why I'm a 'bottom feeder' myself.

Rog

[dgman]

Hey Ron, The biggest advantage to top feeding is speed. When you say you bend the blade, is it bending because it hits the table, or the blade bends in the blade clamp?
Let us know how the blade is bending and we will go from there.

[ChaplainRon]

My blade is bending when lowering the top arm after inserting the blade in my pilot hole. I have tried lifting the wood and lowering it but when I did that I hit the table. It was just awkward so I know I must be doing something wrong. If I only had a third hand?..

I use a block of wood to support the top part of my saw when lifting it.

Thanks for the help,

Ron

[Russ C]

I am sorry I can't help you. I have been a bottom feeder from day one. Been doing it so long I don't think I could change.   

[dgman]

Ron, here is how I do it. First release the tension lever. Release the lower blade clamp. Raise the upper arm and hold it up with one hand. With the other hand move the work piece so the next hole is over the hole in the table. It is a pretty big hole in the DeWalt table! Line up the blade with the hole and let gravity lower the the upper arm and the blade into the hole. You notice I don't need anything to hold the upper arm up as I hold it up with my right hand while my left hand aligns the blade to the hole. Tighten the lower blade clamp, then add the tension. This process take me about five or six seconds! Once you get the hang of it you will never go back to bottom feeding again!

[julief]

I have an EX21.  You dont have to hold the arm up.  Line up your wood and bring the arm down to the hole.  I started as a bottom feeder because my first saw required it but now it it so much faster to top feed. 

[ChaplainRon]

Thanks for the help.

I did a little project not lifting the wood. Just lowering the blade to the hole and am getting the hang of it.

I also received my first spiral blades. Thanks Mike....

After practicing for a while with my new technique this is what came from the sawdust.... Those letters were probably not the place to do my first cuts with a round blade. This piece is 4" by 4".

Ron

[julief]

I think it's cute.  Practice, practice, practice.  It gets better and better.  I only use spirals for portrait work.  I have never tried lettering with them.  May have to give it a go.

[dgman]

I have an EX21.  You don't have to hold the arm up.  Line up your wood and bring the arm down to the hole.  I started as a bottom feeder because my first saw required it but now it it so much faster to top feed. 

After using  a DeWalt for years, I test drove a EX21 at the Woodcraft I teach at. After using the EX21, I realized that it is an extra step to pull the arm down. I prefer that gravity lowers the arm of the DeWalt. Thats why when it was time to replace my old DeWalt, I chose another DeWalt!
Don't get me wrong, The EX21 is a great saw! But for me, I like the free arm of the DeWalt 788.