looking for input on buying a good SCROLL SAW

Hi Dan;

I see your not wasting any time!

I really can’t make an educated on most of these models. I would try going to a Woodcraft or Rockler store, and testing some of them. They won’t have the Hawk, Hegner, (also a high quality saw), or even most of the brands listed.

Larger provides more project flexibility, and vibration is more more controllable and much more pleasurable to use. Probably the most important detail. Quick blade changes is also important because if you do anything with pierced cutting, a saw that is difficult to disconnect the blade is a real pain. (Like the project I showed the other day) There must have been a hundred holes to feed the blade through.

Good Luck in your search.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Dan,

You and Jeff Jackson posted similar topics about 5 minutes apart. You are looking for a scroll saw and he wants to get rid of one.
”
http://lumberjocks.com/topics/1880":http://lumberjocks.com/topics/1880

-- Chris

I have had only one scroll saw and it’s the Dewalt. It’s big, heavy, and basically vibration free.
I have tried others at friends and stores but none seemed as good as this one.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

I’ve only used mine so I can’t compare but i really like my dremel.
I read about the excalibur and it sounded interesting that the tool rotates instead of the table for doing angle cuts.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Same as Debbie.. I have only used mine which is a Delta. The only thing about it is that it is not variable speed, but it’s like the energizer bunny.

-- Jamie, Kentucky

Hey Dan
There are many great saws out there to chose from. I will offer some things to consider -
Like most tools, you can spend as much or as little as you can afford on these.
-Ease of changing blades would be among my first considerations. (Hand nuts or special tools – this is why my Delta sits unplugged)
-Size of table. Too small and its a joke.
-Variable speed is a great option to have.
-Pinned blades- easy to change but will they fit through your start holes or in your pattern?(hole has to be as big as the pin)
-Built in work light
-Effective blower system moves dust so you can see your line and cut
-Bench top or included stand.
Just a few things to think on when looking.
Good luck!

-- CaptnA - "When someone hurts you, write it in the sand so the winds of forgiveness will scatter the memory... "

Thanks to everyone so far.

I know there are loads of options.

I’m hoping to snap a good one on craigslist either in the Cinci area or within a couple hundred miles.

That means used and a lot to choose from and sort thru.

Currently on craigslist is this older delta rockwell saw. any opinions or experience ?

-- ..... art for lifes sake ... danwalters@lumberjocks.com

I researched this for a long time and tried the hawk at a woodworking show. In the end, the one to buy is the Dewalt. Performs perfectly and costs much less than the other so called premium saws. I love mine and even trading for free would not trade.

-- making sawdust....

how easy is the blade changing on the dewalt ?

-- ..... art for lifes sake ... danwalters@lumberjocks.com

Dan I have the DeWalt and I can change the blades fast as fast can be. It’s a snap. You would not go wrong getting a DeWalt. I had a Delta and comparing the two is like a Yugo (Delta) to a Cadillac (DeWalt).

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

The blade change on the Dewalt is as simple as one thumb screw at each end of the blade. Actually not
a thumb screw but a more like wingnut. Very east no matter how fat your fingers happen to be.

It is also a variable speed, a good dust blower, and an available stand if you needed it.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

DeWalt 788. It’s the way to go, short of the super high end ones ($799 and up), and when it first came out Sommerville (manufacturer of the Excalibur saws) of Canada made the saw for DeWalt. As of 2003 production was moved to Taiwan, but this saw continues to hold high regard amongst professional scrollers. I have researched these saws and they hold major tool lust points for me (in my top ten tools to lust after list). You could even get it through Amazon.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

I have a variable speed Delta which I hate. Actually, hate isn’t a strong enough word. I used a Dewalt once. Totally different experience. My Delta has easy blade changes, is variable speed, but it has not workpiece hold down and has a tendency to jackhammer the workpiece against the table. It’s really frustrating to use. Most of the woodshow demos, around here, are done on a Dewalt. I think it’s a good choice.

Cheers!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Dewalt sounds like a good choice … hopefully I can find a used one soon.

-- ..... art for lifes sake ... danwalters@lumberjocks.com

I meet a guy here in Middle Tennessee that has a shop and an associated web site…...

http://www.sloanswoodshop.com/

He also has a # ..... (615) 453-2222.

He is a really nice guy and really up on his stuff. He might be able to give you a objective point of view from someone that has probably tried most if not all of the available saws.

-- Adrian ..... The 11th Commandment...."Thou Shalt Not Buy A Wobble Dado"

found a used Dewalt dw788 on craigslist.

Paid $225.
Came with a boat load of blades.

Looks to work real good.

when I get the hang of it I’ll post my first scroll saw project.

Maybe even write a tool review.

thanks everyone !

-- ..... art for lifes sake ... danwalters@lumberjocks.com

Good deal! It’s a nice machine.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

The dewalt is worth the price… and easy blade change I used one of these in a sculpture studio class. go for it inlyas rule!!! I have some mother of pearl left over if you ever need…. Love inlaying shell into walnut Can’;t wait to see what you create… good luck and watch those finger tips!!!!

-- PJM.`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸ ><((((º> why's there a light in fridge and not the freezer? , aka, the wood hunter.aka tigermaple5