EX 16 CLAMPS & THREADED ARMS :(

[Sam777]

Help Please,

I have been using Steve Good's Round scrollsawed gadget to tighten the blade clamps on my EX 16 (I am NOT blaming Steve). I think I have been over tightening my clamps. Today I noticed that the bottom clamp did not want back up enough for a #7 blade. So I started forcing it out and immediately I realized messed up threads. Then it wouldn't go in or out. I had to force it out with penetrating oil until I got it out. A couple of its thread are messed up (gulled). I also suspect imperfect thread on the threaded lower arm where the lower clamp threads in.

I am in the middle of making a couple of nice 3/4 Walnut pieces for my nephew (Doctor) and my niece (P. A.). I have to finish these and send them out of state before Xmas.

How QUICKLY can I get these clamps? I hope I don't have to replace the lower arm :(

Your thoughts please.

Thank you

Sam

[amazingkevin]

there's always helicoils at the hareware store or big box store .Just drill,out asnd re thread to a bigger sixze and put your old bold backin.I'v'e never had a problem doing this.

[hotshot]

Unfortunately, I think the clamps are made of Aluminum and eventually start to get a little slop, then eventually strip.  I stripped by bottom clamp this year, and ordered a replacement from Seyco.

 

To get by until your replacement parts come in, you might try switching the sides with the set screw and clamp knob.  The set screw may be able to "grab" more of the old thread on the stripped side.

Edited December 4, 2016 by hotshot

[Sam777]

Unfortunately, I think the clamps are made of Aluminum and eventually start to get a little slop, then eventually strip.  I stripped by bottom clamp this year, and ordered a replacement from Seyco.

 

To get by until your replacement parts come in, you might try switching the sides with the set screw and clamp knob.  The set screw may be able to "grab" more of the old thread on the stripped side.

OH,

So put the clamps on the left side? You think it is the same thread? I will check in the morning.

Thank you for the advice.

I appreciate it.

Sam

[Scrolling Steve]

It will cost , but I am sure , Ray at Seyco will overnight them to you.....I only use the Steve Good adapter to loosen the clamps when i can't get my hand on them right, I think you will be better off not using them to tighten....Randy is right  about the aluminum being a little soft and wearing when over tightened .......After replacing both the upper and lower on my Ex 21 about 6 months ago , I saved up my pennies and now have one of each in my parts bin so I dont get stuck in the middle of a project....Good luck! 

[hawkeye10]

I thought about making one of Steve Goods adapters but I have trouble unscrewing them after tightening with my hand. I am afraid I have been getting them to tight with my bare hands. It sure would be nice to have some made of steel.

 

Hello Hello!!!  Any machinist out there?

[Lucky2]

Sam, as Steve has mentioned, get on the phone with Ray at Seyco and have him overnight you what you need. Sure it will cost you a few extra dollars, but, it will relieve the pressure your under.

Len

[Lucky2]

I thought about making one of Steve Goods adapters but I have trouble unscrewing them after tightening with my hand. I am afraid I have been getting them to tight with my bare hands. It sure would be nice to have some made of steel.

 

Hello Hello!!!  Any machinist out there?

Don, you could use one of Steve's adapters just to loosen the clamp screw, it would make loosening the screw a lot easier. For the tightening part, that's on you, you just have to remember to use less strength when tightening the screw.

Len

[Sam777]

Sam, as Steve has mentioned, get on the phone with Ray at Seyco and have him overnight you what you need. Sure it will cost you a few extra dollars, but, it will relieve the pressure your under.

Len

Thank you Len,

I already ordered from Seyco online. I chose the 2 day Fedex for an additional $3.00. I ordered the whole lower assembly because I found out the threads are messed up. I also ordered an extra thumb screw and a set of them little rollers which go at the tip of the thumb screws.

Thank you for the suggestion.

Sam

[heppnerguy]

I stripped the threads on my saw the same way, a few years ago and I always try to discourage people from making and using the adaptors for that very reason..

 

Dick

heppnerguy

[WayneMahler]

I just replaced the lower blade clamp on my ex-21. Did the same thing stripped the threads out. Order through Seyco and got it in a few days and back up and running. I did learn that changing the tip and stop screw are very important as they do wear. I also ordered 2 sets of the ends which are really inexpensive, I think $6.20 (?) for a pair plus shipping. I don't use those adapters, my problem was as the tips wore I over tightened to compensate for the slippage of the blades. Lesson learned and not to be forgotten for sure.

[Sam777]

The reason I have been tightening the blade that much is because my blades slip as they get tensioned to where I think is tight enough. I have never tried to scuff the flat ends of blades like I heard many members do.

I think it is time to do that

Thank you all for the comments & advice.

Sam

[Bill WIlson]

I think there is a tendency for some scrollers to overtighten their clamps.  I know I did for a long time.  I've found that by roughing up the ends of the blades with some sandpaper, they stay in the clamps, such that I don't have to crank the thumbscrews exceedingly tight for them to stay put.  Occasionally the rotating end of the clamping thumbscrew should be dressed to ensure it's clean and flat as well. Now, for folks that have issues with arthritis, tendonitis,etc, in their hands, this post is of no help whatsoever.

[RangerJay]

Once you get up and running again here's a little blurp from Seyco on maintaining the lower clamp that I found pretty helpful:

 

http://seyco.com/bottom-clamp-info/

 

 

 

Jay

[Sam777]

Thank you guys.

I appreciate everyone's comments and advice.

I thought I would get the clamps from Seyco today. I still don't have them (I paid for the 2 day Fedex shipping )

Sam

[Lucky2]

I just replaced the lower blade clamp on my ex-21. Did the same thing stripped the threads out. Order through Seyco and got it in a few days and back up and running. I did learn that changing the tip and stop screw are very important as they do wear. I also ordered 2 sets of the ends which are really inexpensive, I think $6.20 (?) for a pair plus shipping. I don't use those adapters, my problem was as the tips wore I over tightened to compensate for the slippage of the blades. Lesson learned and not to be forgotten for sure.

Wayne, if you lubricate the little tip with some Never-Seize, you'll find you will have better luck with how long it lasts and works. I lubricate my tips about every six months, never had to replace them yet. I think you could use any type of grease, but I like Never-Seize because it goes on so thin. I find that if I use the N-S, it goes on thin enough that it doesn't attract sawdust to the tip. 

Len 

[WayneMahler]

Wayne, if you lubricate the little tip with some Never-Seize, you'll find you will have better luck with how long it lasts and works. I lubricate my tips about every six months, never had to replace them yet. I think you could use any type of grease, but I like Never-Seize because it goes on so thin. I find that if I use the N-S, it goes on thin enough that it doesn't attract sawdust to the tip. 

Len 

Thanks for the feed back Len. Something to keep in mind .