Scrappile Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 I am a bottom feeder, but have tried top feeding several times. Are you that top feed, able to feed a #2/0 or #1blade through a hole drilled with a #70 bit. Top feeding means the saw teeth are going against the direction of feeding.... I'm just curious, I have tried but only accomplished bending the blade all up. Top feeding make sense to me, but I haven't succeeded in doing it through real small holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 I also tried it but with no luck, I will stick with what I know how IKE Scrappile 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrolling Steve Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 Like Ike, I tried it !....Not for me....I try to use the smallest bit i can get away with, 60 or smaller,......I guess i was just born to be a bottom feeder ! Scrappile 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Monk Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 I use 1/32" drill bit. I don't know how that compares to a #70. I top feed only. That is the only way I know. The only issue I have is when I tighten the bottom clamp it tend to bend the blade. dave Scrappile 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry1939 Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 After being a bottom feeder for years, I got a saw that allows both ways. Now feed from the top and would never go back. However, I don't use anything as tiny as you, so am not qualified to answer your question. Two things come to mind that you might want to consider; 1. I have already used an awl to create a (taper)(funnel) shape to the top of your hole. 2. Would it work to put the blade in up-side-down? jerry Scrappile 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted September 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 Dave, I just mic-ed a #70 and it measured 1/32. Jerry, You can cut with the blade upside down, but it puts all the saw dust and fuzzies on the top side. More than most saw blowers can keep up with blowing away. Plus feeding down through that little hole through the table top hole with a zero clearance piece on it, makes it all even tougher. I get along fine as a bottom feeder, and because I use a Hegner, bottom feedind is the only option on it. I just have tried the top feeding on the Ex and before the Ex a DeWalt and guess I am not coordinated enough. Guess I am just mainly curious if those that top feed accomplish it with the small holes and blades. Dave does so I will probably give it some more tries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerJay Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 (edited) I use spiral blades for most of my cutting and since I got my Excalibur I now use top feeding all of the time. The only challenge comes when stackcutting more than 1/2 inch deep and you really need a small blade and equally small hole. To mitigate this I do cut a little larger hole but am careful about choosing it's location by trying to hit an intersection of lines or some other spot where it can be easily feathered. I guess the key thing that I have come to learn is that precise detail we imagine is needed is not quite borne out in reality - there is a level of forgiveness that you can take advantage of. The trick (for me) is to use as small a drill bit as is possible - be careful about it's location - feather any imperfections - then carry on as though you know what you are doing ..... believe me - everyone will see nothing less than a perfect job .... because that is exactly what it will be ..... Jay Edited September 7, 2016 by RangerJay Scrappile 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denny Knappen Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 Having both a DeWalt and an EX21, I top feed. I find no problem feeding the blade from the top. Scrappile 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Hey Paul, evidently top feeding doesn't work well when using spiral blades and feed holes just big enough to get the blade in like you do. Top feeding excels when cutting fret work though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneMahler Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 I'm a top feeder. I do a lot of fret work and don't have issues feeding through the hole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky2 Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Paul, what type of blade are you trying to top feed with, spiral or flat? I can do what your trying to do, as long as I use a flat blade. I've never tried top feeding a spiral blade, but, I can see where there might be issues trying. Len Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted September 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 I use both.. spiral and flat. This is not a big deal to me, I just curious what others have success at. I've tried, it was awkward for me and I have bent up several blades each time I tried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonylumps Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 I think it is time for a poll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 I've never top fed but it seems like it would be as easy as pulling a piece of barb wire thru a pair of socks :rofl: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 I am a bottom feeder, but have tried top feeding several times. Are you that top feed, able to feed a #2/0 or #1blade through a hole drilled with a #70 bit. Top feeding means the saw teeth are going against the direction of feeding.... I'm just curious, I have tried but only accomplished bending the blade all up. Top feeding make sense to me, but I haven't succeeded in doing it through real small holes. i can't imagine doing it from the top ,You need to hold the top arm down and put the blade in the bottom holder .Seems like you need 3 hands??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 I've never top fed but it seems like it would be as easy as pulling a piece of barb wire thru a pair of socks :rofl: cYou can't knock it till you've tried it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 What ever sits you. I have bottom fed for the last 45 years and am too lold to change now. IKE Scrappile 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Johnson Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 When I run into this situation Paul I file the tip of blade to a fine point. A little more time consuming but well worth it in the end. Scrappile 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted September 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 When I run into this situation Paul I file the tip of blade to a fine point. A little more time consuming but well worth it in the end. Yep, I know that trick. I've been doing that for a long time. I use my disk sander. I helps a great deal even when bottom feeding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted September 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 What ever sits you. I have bottom fed for the last 45 years and am too lold to change now. IKE I probably too old to change also..... Nothing wrong with bottom feeding, I was just curious how those that top feed do it on the real tiny holes. I use my Hegner most the time now, so bottom feeder I will be.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolf Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 (edited) I do both top and bottom feed. It really depends on who's blade you are using. A #70 drill is .028 inches in diameter. The Olson 2/0 R is .026 x.011 and the 2/0 .029 x .012 If you measure the diagonal on the 2/0 R blade it is .0282. I carefully grind a sharp point on the ends of my small blades when working with these small holes. And it works well. But what I would suggest is to go with a #69 .029 or the huge #68 at .031. I also keep a small pair of needle nose pliers handy to pull the blade through on occasion. The FD FD-SR No. 2/0 0.022 0.010 15 10 FD-SR No. 1 0.026 0.011 13 7 As you see the FD blade is smaller but I have never liked the control-ability of the FD 2/0 the FD-SR 1 is a bit better but they both have a much lower tooth count than the Olson @28 tpi vs 13. I prefer the Olson for my detail work for that reason. Edited September 9, 2016 by Rolf Scrappile 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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