From the top or from the bottom? :)

[kerry_nf]

Hey guys!

I am just wondering, for those of you that have top and bottom blade feeding ability on your saw (like my DeWalt 788) what is your preference?

For me, one of the reasons I bought the DeWalt was because of this feature. I was using a bottom feeding Delta before that and could only feed the blade from the bottom...craning my neck to see the pilot hole was starting to get tiring. lol

Anyway, I feed from the top now and I find it great.

Please share your preference if you like.

[PuzzledMoose]

LOL I can say "me too" to this one also Kerry - both with the saw types and the top feeding .. top feeding is so much easier ..

[Jediscroller]

Top feeder here too.

[owler]

I started on my Dewalt as a top feeder. Not too long ago I did my first portrait and realize this was not going to work. I took the time to learn to attach the bottom balde screw by feel only and it was well worth it. I am now a proud top feeder and would not consider buying a saw that did not allow me to do this.

[Dragon]

I would like to be a top feeder but cannot yet do the blade nut up without looking.
Diane

[QTOFFER]

I've tried both on my DW788, but top feeding is definitely easier and faster once you get used to adjusting the bottom clamp by feel. I top fed my two recent dog portraits and I wouldn't hesitate to try one of JZ's insane 500 hole patterns!

Bottom feeding - seems like the logical way to do things, but I find that there are more cons.
Pros: You can see what you're doing when you remove/replace the blade in the top blade holder.
Cons: You really need something like an EZ-Lift or a block of wood to keep the arm held in the upright position, I found it extremely difficult to bottom feed the blade through drill holes without the use of a mirror.

Top Feeding
Pros: Very easy to insert the blade into the next drill hole, no need to lift the workpiece off the table, no need for an EZ-Lift - I hold up the arm with my left hand while repositioning the workpiece and inserting the blade with my right hand.
Cons: You need to learn how to remove/replace the bottom blade clamp by feel.

If you decide to top feed, you might want to remove the silly bottom blade guard on the DW788. This shouldn't pose a serious safety issue unless you're in the habit of changing blades while the saw is still running. I mean, who sticks their hands under the table while the saw is running?

[Mick Walker]

I scrolled with an older model Delta that I had to bottom feed with for 10 years. 4 years ago I purchased a Delta P-20, taught my fingers to see that bottom clamp and have been a top feeder since. So much easier.

[Daryl185]

bottom feeder till I got my dewalt in Nov now I am a happy top feeder

[Marsha]

I would like to be a top feeder but cannot yet do the blade nut up without looking.
Diane

Diane, you really must teach yourself how to top feed, why, because it is faster, and much easier on your blades, (you won't bend as many). You don't need a block of wood, or the easy lift arm to hold the saw arm up while you reposition your blade.
I was a bottom feeder with my Delta, there was no other way. I almost never did fretwork because I found bottom feeding a PITA. Now with the Dewalt I love doing fretwork.
It's very easy, if you set your wood so the entry hole is right below the top clamp. the blade should practically drop straight through to the bottom blade clamp. Practice without a piece of wood, just secure a blade in the top clamp and let it drop into the bottom clamp, don't peek though, just let your mind see the bottom clamp, let your fingers feel where the blade is, and tighten the thumb screw. Practice, Practice, Practice. you'll be doing it in know time.

BTW Dale ( lucky788scroller) are you top feeding yet?

Marsha

[BobD (Archive)]

I taught myself to top feed when I started using the G4...now I'll never go back to bottom feeding!!!

Bob

[kerry_nf]

Anyone who didn't know what we were all talking about would think we are all fish. lol!

[DukeNukem]

Well at least I'm not the only catfish out there I have to bottom feed too.lol

Jerry

[Minnesota scroller]

Since I got my Dewalt, I've converted to top feeding too. However, it does take practice and patience. I almost gave up after the first few attempts. Now I don't look back. One advantage I found is I can pick and choose which hole I want next. When bottom feeding, with many holes in close proximity to each other, it's hard to figure out which hole you're feeding thru.

[PuzzledMoose]

It's definitely worth the effore learning to top feed if you can - biggest problem I had wasn't putting the blade in the bottom without looking but getting out of the habit of loosening the top blade clamp when I finished a cut ...

Andy: I've learned something - I'd never even noticed there was a bottom blade guard till you posted that! I must admit it doesn't seem to get in the way - in fact now I know what that bit of metal is (duh!) I think it kind of acts as a guide for me to know where the blade slot is ..

[JoelM]

Top feeder here. Once your fingers grow eyes, it's a lot easier, at least that's my experience. (which I don't have much of)