Clamps for Excalibur.

[ben2008]

Are there any better replacement clamps for my 8 year old 21" Excalibur scroll saw? I'm so sick of fooling with these clamps. I just can't seem to get the small blades in correctly. Especially with my 81 year old hands. They just don't work like they used to. Very frustrating. I'm about ready to put  EX out to the trash heap. My pain in the butt 28 year old RBI is much easier for me to hook up and change blades. I just can't top feed with it.

Thanks in advance

Ben

[DME72]

do you want bigger knobs to grip? if that is the case then yes there are options. if you look at mcmaster-carr online catalog they sell thumb screw knobs. i remember the excalibur has m6 metric threads for the clamps.  look at item number 91175a064  and 91175a071. the 2nd number is about 1 1/2 inches around. they have several styles and sizes.remember you ONLY need the plastic knob sized to fit m6 metric threads. the plastic knob that is currently on there should come off, they are pressed on. i would put a link in here for you but i dont know how to do that. let me know if you need any more info.

 

doug

[kmmcrafts]

What exactly is the trouble you're having? slippage? breaking? Not getting it tight enough? Or being able to tighten the thumb screws because of the small T handles as doug is talking about..

Pegas makes a nicer blade chuck for the Ex.. I put them on mine and wouldn't ever go back to the cheap made stock blade chucks.. 

Have you changed the set screw and rotating pin in the end of the thumb screw? I seem to have a lot of issues with my EX-21 both the stock clamps and the Pegas clamps seems like I am always having to sand the tips down as they get worn.. Never had this issue with my DeWalt.. or the Hawks.. I at first played it off to the cheap original set.. but found that the Pegas chucks are also very fussy with wearing the tips down.. I know I saw a lot more than I did back in the DeWalt days.. but I mostly use the Hawk.. and you'd think if it was a normal wear and tare then I'd have the same thing going on with the Hawk..

[ben2008]

14 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said:

What exactly is the trouble you're having? slippage? breaking? Not getting it tight enough? Or being able to tighten the thumb screws because of the small T handles as doug is talking about..

Pegas makes a nicer blade chuck for the Ex.. I put them on mine and wouldn't ever go back to the cheap made stock blade chucks.. 

Have you changed the set screw and rotating pin in the end of the thumb screw? I seem to have a lot of issues with my EX-21 both the stock clamps and the Pegas clamps seems like I am always having to sand the tips down as they get worn.. Never had this issue with my DeWalt.. or the Hawks.. I at first played it off to the cheap original set.. but found that the Pegas chucks are also very fussy with wearing the tips down.. I know I saw a lot more than I did back in the DeWalt days.. but I mostly use the Hawk.. and you'd think if it was a normal wear and tare then I'd have the same thing going on with the Hawk..

I have a problem with positioning the blade correctly. I can'r seem to get the blade centered in the top and bottom clamps correctly.   I either have the blade to high in the upper clamp and the bottom clamp won't catch enough of the blade to work properly. There does not appear to be a stop for the blade to rest on in the upper clamp.I keep having to adjust the blade up and down until i get it just right. These old hands are not much help either. I bought new round clamp knobs so that is not the problem. When I do get the blades positioned correctly they knobs hold the blade tight. That is not the problem. It is getting the blade positioned and centered correctly, that is my problem. Do the new Pegus clamps solve this problem? I do not have this problem with my RBI, I just can't top feed with the RBI. I want to start doing that with the EX.  It's just to harrd for me to get the blade centered in the clamps. I just may give up and use my RBI exclusivly.

Edited December 19, 2020 by ben2008

[ben2008]

Never mind everyone. I found the problem.....ME.

Please disregard the posting.

[kmmcrafts]

6 hours ago, ben2008 said:

Never mind everyone. I found the problem.....ME.

Please disregard the posting.

I have that same problem... quite often too.. Glad you figured it out..

[Rolf]

Without question get the Pegas replacement clamps.!!!

I have been a Hawk G4 user since 2005 needed a smaller "travel " saw so I bought a used EX 16" that already had the Pegas clamps installed. 

Since then I rebuilt an old EX 21 for a friend, it had a broken rod. I had her order the Pegas clamps. tore the entire saw down checking every bearing ALL were dry. She loves the saw now with these clamps.  My suggestion to anyone that is repairing or replacing clamps on one of the EX styles of saw to Check all of the bearings.

I have no idea why her saw even started without blowing a fuse as the main pitman arm bearings were about frozen. Yes that is rust in the bearing. 

Ignore the allen wrench in the Pegas clamp I was adjusting the blade centering.

Edited December 19, 2020 by Rolf