Tilting up your scroll saw.

[KarlB]

Now that I have my Dewalt 788, I thought of the times I've read of people raising the back of the saw.  I tried it with a 2 x 6 and 1 x 4 therefore raising the back 2 1/4".  I like it, but my son (who at this time has more time on the saw than I do  ) doesn't care for it (yet).  I think it's easier to see the pattern.

Questions:  What is a good height to raise the saw back?
                     How many of you raise the back?

Karl

[dgman]

Hey Karl, I have the DeWalt stand. It has an adjustment on the back leg to raise it about two inches or so. I do have mine raised up so the table is slanted down in the front. It does give better visibility of the pattern and is a little more comfortable on my arms.

[Rapid Roger]

I have my DeWalt tilted on the stand too and agree with dgman. Also, it is easier to clean the saw dust off, just one sweep of the hand and all the dust goes right onto your lap. 

Rog

[dunk]

Mine is a little more dramatic.  I have a 4x4 under the back end.  I love it.  My neck muscles do not get tired nearly as easy anymore and I can see my cut lines much easier.

[Russ C]

I built my stand to raise my saw in the back about 2". It works great. 

[Rightarm]

    Karl. My Dremel sits on my work bench. I raised the back 2" with a 5 degree tilt. Dave

[Dan]

2,3,4 inchs should work. Try it at each slant and find which one works for you.

Dan

[Crabbyboater]

I have the DeWalt 788 with the stand made for it, and raised the rear leg to its maximum, about 4".  It made it a lot easier for me to see, and more comfortable on my arms.  I sit on a stool to use it.  I found I had to stand to use the saw before I raised it.

[GrayBeard]

I have my 788 tilted slightly.
Fits my personality!
Accused of being about a quarter bubble off level!

Main reason is hand and shoulder comfort.

~~~GB~~~

[malc]

Mine is tilted 2 inches, and I try to sit upright, but still fild myself hunched over most times.
Malc

[Marcellarius]

heard it before.
just finished sawing with a sore back.
maybe tilting is a solution.

[jimbo]

Mine is dead level and it feels OK but if it improves seeing the pattern I may try it, I am going to put wheels on the back feet of mine so I can move it around easier, so that may be high enough
Jimbo

[budprine]

This topic made me think I'm doing something VERY different but I really like it.  I bought my scroll saw without a stand so I had to build my own.  After considering what I liked and didn't like as well as what I thought ought to be added I came up with the following design.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/h1ucOysAKslk1J-_V9iDCg?feat=directlink

Basically it is a 3/4"plywood box, on casters, with a drawer for storage of blades, tools, etc.

I roll it to the center of my garage and it's caster drop into a control joint in the concrete floor so it does not roll any further. The two collapsible side wings provide places to set parts in progress of being cut. The area below the saw holds an old salt bag for scrap storage.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iXTbXoqX0r4aszoI2C8-kA?feat=directlink

As for tilt, I can tilt up to 12 inches.  I have found 7 inches is my favorite cutting angle.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/l16OGzTjgqULLkQNBLtbgQ?feat=directlink

Since this photo was taken I have added a bungee cord around the step support to prevent it from falling from vibration.

[Rapid Roger]

Very cleaver Bud! I really like your design! It seems alot more useful than my standard DW stand. I have modified mine for blade storage etc. but, it doesn't have a drawer which would be very handy at times for patterns etc. And the adjustabilaty of tilt would be super when the ole neck and back start to bother me.
I may just have to scrap the non movable steel stand and build one like yours. I don't have to move it much but, it would be nice to pull it out to clean up the saw dust and scraps that get behind it from time to time. And I LOVE the fold up wings too!!

Rog

[KarlB]

Great setup Bud!  I may try something similar for my workbench top.  (I'm glad you added a bungee cord since that last photo scared me.)

Karl