This may not be the greatest scoll saw out there but since its my first one I’m going to gloat about it anyway.
I recently decided that I wanted to make some sort of rocking horse for my nephew’s 1st birthday coming up in a couple months. I decided on the Little Duckie Infant Rocker from Meisel Hardware Specialties. Since the project will have a lot of curves to cut out I decided I wanted something a little better than a jig saw to make all the cuts.
Off to the local pawn shops I went to find myself a scroll saw! After talking my fiance out of buying me a used Dewalt DW788 as a wedding gift, (dumb, I know) I found what I decided would be the perfect little gem to do the job.
Not knowing too much about scrolls saws, I figured for $40 I couldn’t go wrong with this Delta.
I took it home to get it cleaned up and find a spot in my garage/shop for it. It didn’t take too much to get the rust off the table and then a little oil on the pivot points and it was good to go.
I was able to convert an old chest of drawers my dad made me to mount the scroll saw to. I added some wheels to it to give it mobility (essential in my small shop) and my new toy is ready for use!
I haven’t had the chance to do more than just a few test cuts with it but so far I think its going to work out great!
5 comments so far
Sheila Landry (scrollgirl)
home | projects | blog
5928 posts in 1088 days
#1 posted 357 days ago
That looks like a fine saw to start out with! And for $40 – how can you lose? Be sure to keep me in mind if you have any questions or need any help. If I can’t help you, I will be able to point you in the right direction. Congratulations on your new acquisition! I hope you have lots of fun with it!
Sheila :)
-- Contributing Editor, Creative Woodworks and Crafts, Sheila Landry Designs http://www.sheilalandrydesigns.com "Knowledge is Power"
jerrells
home | projects | blog
674 posts in 1052 days
#2 posted 357 days ago
HEY great find. I started out with a Porter Cable scroll saw and it worked fine. The art is in the user not the saw. You will do fine with this one till you decided if you want a better one. I like the base you have for it. I got and old wall cabinet for my current DeWalt that looks simular.
Best of luck on your scrolling.
-- Just learning the craft my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ practiced.
JR_Dog
home | projects | blog
341 posts in 488 days
#3 posted 89 days ago
Brian,
I recently found the exact one on Craigslist and might go pick it up but thought you might have some good insight on it. Do you know if it’s still easy to purchase blades and/or parts for this model? Also, how’s it been running for you?
Thank you,
-- The Best Intentions Bring Undoubtabliy Something Less But Nontheless Something..."
BrianC87
home | projects | blog
24 posts in 359 days
#4 posted 88 days ago
JR_Dog – It takes the pinless blades that most others take so they can be found pretty easy. As for parts I’ve only had to get a few small things and have had luck with eReplacementParts.com. I really haven’t had any issues with it so far with performance and have been happy with my purchase. With that being said I think there are a lot of better scroll saws out there if you want to spend the money but for a starter saw its great.
John
home | projects | blog
21 posts in 92 days
#5 posted 83 days ago
I’m going to look at an old delta today. My new porter cable fell apart. MAYBE I man handled it? Anyways, can you do fret work on an antique? Hope so.
Not bad at $85. And appears to be n excellent shape too.
Jake
Live long and prosper
-- Jake from "AMERICA'S HOME TOWN" Plymouth, Massachusetts
Have your say...