Couple of quick questions for you seasoned scrollers...

[tux_linux]

I can recommend to wait until the saw has stopped moving

I have been releasing tension & opening the blade holder while the saw is still moving, but that kills the blade over time. It's much better to sit back for some seconds, as that also calms me down to not cut to fast and therefor not exact enough.

[geneVG]

I have a craftman 18 inch saw, and if I try to feed from the top I would bend the blade every time.  So I have no choice than to feed from the bottom.

gene

[Judy Hunter]

I'm like Charlie and use nothing but spirals AND I am a "bottom feeder" (thank goodness someone explained that term early on) My fingers are just fine.

[Danny]

Well I learned to be a Bottom feeder from the beginning.  The Hegner I have would be impossible to feed from the top....UNLESS I'm missing something?
                                         Danny  :+}

[dgman]

(In an Oriental voice) The transition from bottom feed to top feed is not an easy one grasshopper, it take much practice and patience.   

Hey Russ, When I made the transition it was very instinctual. When I got my first DeWalt 788 it was so easy to top feed, I didn't have to think about it!

[dgman]

Well I learned to be a Bottom feeder from the beginning.  The Hegner I have would be impossible to feed from the top....UNLESS I'm missing something?
                                         Danny  :+}

This is why in another post I said that I will never say "mine is the best". My saw is the best for me, but certainly is not the best saw out there. There are much more expensive saws out there, But they don't have the features I need. I'm not saying that top feeding is the only way to go. A lot of people have saws that are capable of top feeding, but for whatever reason they choose to bottom feed. And that is fine! But for me, I would rather top feed on a top feeding machine.

[Danny]

Dan your just a Top notch educator of Scrolling to me.  Love reading your posts as they are to the point.  And for sure worth giving some thought to.  Danny :+}

[ChuckD]

I have a Hegner and it is most definitely a bottom feeder.  I read about top feeders and so I bought what I thought was a good saw for top feeding because that is easier and quicker than most bottom feeders.  The Delta P-20. Well, it is really nice if the blades would just stay in the bottom clamp.  Sometimes it does and most of the time I waste time fighting it. I can change a hole in less than ten seconds when I am in a hurry, which is very seldom (like the day before Christmas).  With the Hegner it takes about 30 to 45 seconds but the blades stays put.  Top feeding is nice, I like it.

[Mainewoods]

I have a craftman 18 inch saw, and if I try to feed from the top I would bend the blade every time.  So I have no choice than to feed from the bottom.

gene

Gene, I'm a bottom feeder by necessity as well!  When I'm moving along on a project, changing holes goes pretty quick <30 seconds.  Then again, I sometimes use that pause between holes to take a drink, change the radio station or what have you.  Some things would definitely be easier if I could top feed, but for now, I must continue bottom feeding. 

There's a quote from world war II era that applies to many these days, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."  My saw isn't fancy, my saw isn't expensive, but after a little over a year of scrolling, I can make some pretty nice things with it!

[GrayBeard]

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." ....

Damn good advice no matter from whence it comes!

"Bottom Feeder" by physical restriction and have no problem with it at all...
539 cuts in a plaque and comfy with it 'cause I ain't in no hurry!

Life is too damn short to "Hurry Your Hobby"!
Jeez folks that is what a hobby is for....enjoying life. If you are making a career of scrolling that is fine but it is my HOBBY and I takes my time and smells the sawdust!!!

~~~GrayBeard~~~

[dgman]

Well that's fine GB, but no reason to rag on folks that like to get things done in a timely manner!

[GrayBeard]

"Timely Manner"...is in the eyes of the Scroller!

I am not in a hurry and I don't really think most others are.

But as stated if it is your career..."Go for it!"

~~~GB~~~

[Danny]

just a question on Top Feeding....  Do you have to bend over to see where the bracket is for inserting the blade.  I watched Steve's video about this and he didn't look down and basically attached the blade in a second.  Danny  :+}

P>S>....And bottom feeding on my Hegner from start to finish if I hurry takes only 5 seconds. 

[dgman]

Hey Danny, I don't have to bend over and look. It's an easy task to do without looking!

[thawkins57]

I never have to look either - just slip blade into the bottom clamp and tighten the thumbscrew.  It's one of the reasons I bought the EX...