Jet saw bottom blade clamp

[rjweb]

Happy holidays,

I don't like the bottom clamp deal on the new jet saw, other wise the saw is great. It may be something that I have to get use to. I was looking at both the new jet saw and Excalibur side by side and it looks like I could bolt the Excalibur bottom blade clamp assembly right on the jet. It would not change the feed operation any, anyone have any thoughts on this, thx RJ

[Blaughn]

My only thought is the sequence might get a bit tricky.  With the Jet you would need to feed the blade through the work, fasten it to the lower blade holder, then release the upper tension and retension it.  If I understand the Jet blade tensioning system, it seems to me that the blade would work itself higher and higher in the upper blade holder every time you prepared for the next cut.

[hawkeye10]

I might be wrong but it looks like to me you would have the blade clamped in the holder then insert the blade and blade holder in the SS. Then rotate the blade up through the slot in the table until it stands straight up then insert it into the hole in the bottom of your project. Wala your done. Whew!!!.

[Lucky2]

That is the one thing I don't like about these saws, it's just extra work that shouldn't be needed.

Len

[Rolf]

I would venture to say that the majority of scrollers bottom feed. So the bottom blade clamp on the new Jets should not be an issue.  It actually is nice that the clamp is removable for loading. I would have several pre loaded.

I prefer a removable clamp to the ones that are fixed in the saw. 

 

I agree with Len in that I don't like a lot of fiddling that is why I bought a Hawk 11 years ago , Top and bottom feed, the arm stays up by itself, cheap removable clamps, bullet proof and powerful.

[rjweb]

Thx for all the input, I figured it would just be like my old dw788, in which I would put the blade in bottom clamp and then just pull arm down and clamp, I guess the removal clamps are something I got to get use to. Yes I was looking at the hawk but at the time could not swing it, Rolf are you saying that your clamps come in and out like the jet bottom clamp deal, thx RJ

[hawkeye10]

I bet someone will come up with a fix and get rich. If I was smart I would.    

[Rolf]

Rjweb the Hawk's bottom clamp is different from the Jet and the Hegners. On the newer Hawks that can be top fed. You can release the blade and re-clamp without tools. The upper arm is also spring loaded so it goes up by itself once the blade is released.

[amazingkevin]

interesting differences in saws i didn't know about.

[Paladin]

I'm not sure about the problem you are having with the bottom clamp.  Are you taking the bottom clamp out each time?  I've been using my jet for about 5 months now and haven't had any issues.  What is it about the bottom clamp that is giving you troubles? Maybe I can help.

 

Steve

[Rolf]

Here is a picture of the lower clamp on my Hawk G4 in place.

[rjweb]

Not really a problem, I just feel that if you have to put the blade in the holder tighten down then put in bracket, would it be just as easy to put the blade in say a regular blade clamp, like the ex,etc, and tighten down. I feel like I am doing double work. But like Rolf said with this system you can have blades ready to go at all times. I guess it is something I have to get use to, as far as the saw goes it great, especially the top clamp, enjoy the holidays, RJ

[Paladin]

Like Rolf said, it is nice to be able to have blades preloaded.   I recently did a project where I needed both flat and spiral blades for different parts and it was great to be able to have both loaded up and switch back and forth quickly.

 

Steve

[Paladin]

I've also found that when putting the lower blade assembly into the clamp, it is a lot easier to have the blade parallel with the table and slide the clamp in from the side than to push it in from the front.  I'm sure the springs will loosen up a little with use, but mine are really tight, making it harder to push the clamp in straight from the front.

 

Steve