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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: Ken0122 on April 23, 2010, 11:51:04 am
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I will be retiring soon and need a good scroll saw to bring back the fun. I have an old no-name saw that I had to add a blower and (at the time) was a quick release blade change but now seams so primitive.
What should I look for in a scroll saw?
Thanks Ken ::)
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I use a Hegner 18' varible speed, i know that they ard a top of the line saw, but in the 15+ years of use, there has been no problems. All you have to do is oil it at 2 spots about every 8 hours. They are indestructable, and if something happens parts are available.
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This is a question in which you will get many answers. I started with a Dremel, do not remember what type, but it was awful. Vibrated badly and I broke many blades with out trying. I was going to purchase and RBI Hawk G4 I think it was, had the money in hand, but found this Shopsmith by accident. I paid $400.00 for it. No vibrations and no blade breakage, unless it is my fault.
Use your own judgment, but I think the best beginner saw would be the Dewalt. I never tried it, but read many great reviews. It can even be converted into a top lift I believe. Someone correct me please.
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I'm no expert by far , I started out on a Craftsman for about 10 years and it did just fine until I wore out the jaws and now I use it for the fine detail sanding between fine pieces . I brought my new Yellow Dewalt 788 about 4 years ago > and I can safely say it's all I ever wanted and more > perfectly happy with this production Saw . I'm not saying it's the best ,but sometimes you do get what you pay for ................Marshall 8)
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Buy the Dewalt 788. If you can't afford new, try CraigsList or other online sites. It is a great saw for the money. Buy cheap, get cheap. Having inferior tools is no fun. :(
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I bought a Dewalt 788 from Rockler last Thanksgiving ( Black Friday Sale ) for $450.00 with stand and light. I have been very happy. I had a Ryobi prior. For a inexpensive saw the Ryobi was ok, blade changes were harder. However I did not break blades with it.
Dan
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I have a Delta variable speed model I picked up s/h as new. it is a great saw but not made anymore.
Cheers
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I have Excalibur , Delta and a GMC I use the Excalibur most of the time the delta is used when the Excalibur is set up to do something ells and the GMC I have not seen it for a while but it is there some place in the workshop
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I bought the Dewalt dw788 a couple of years ago from Grizzly including light and stand for under $500.00 and I think it is a great saw.
http://www.grizzly.com/
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I bought the Dewalt dw788 a couple of years ago from Grizzly including light and stand for under $500.00 and I think it is a great saw.
http://www.grizzly.com/
And if anyone is looking to buy a new Scroll-Saw Grizzly's has the best deal on the Dewalt 788 right now .......Marshall
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I have to concur on the Dewalt. I also just got mine from Grizzly about 6 weeks ago. $500 for saw, stand and woklight shipped to my door.
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I have had an Eclipse scrollsaw for over 6 years and a Delta prior to that. The Eclipse was expensive at the time I purchased it, but prices on all of the saws have increased. It is a pleasure to cut with. I really like the extra long stroke - 1.5", so a blade may last up to an hour or so. Because of the true vertical movement of the blade it works great for stack cutting. I would be interested in hearing from other Eclipse owners.
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I started years ago with a Ryobi, but it didn't have a blower or quick release system for changing blades. I have had my present saw (Dewalt 788) for almost 10 years. It is still working great after hundreds of hours of use. I would recommend it.
Jim
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old yellow here ;)
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hi all ive used a hegner for the last 2 years or so i picked it up s/h as x school. you just have 2 bit to oil and that it they seem to just keep going on and on and the nice thing you can get all the spares for them
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Thank you all ;D
Looks like its the Dewalt 788
Ken
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Dewalt is definitely the most popular...Most popular may or may not be the best, for you...I'm definitely not saying that there is anything wrong with the Dewalt...I just want to point out a couple of things that may or may not influence what is the "best" saw for each individual...Let me preface this with a disclaimer that I use a Dremel, but I am looking to upgrade, but haven't settled on a particular model.
Dewalt - one of only two saws that use the parallel link system (Excalibur is the other)...The claimed advantage to this design is that the parallel link reduces vibration, because only the ends of the arms move up and down (the rest of the arm moves horizontally)...Unlike some of the more entry level saws, the Dewalt has a larger capacity (20")...Most of the entry level saws are 16" and below...The current model is made in Taiwan
Excalibur - basically it's a Dewalt on steroids...It was designed by the same company as the Dewalt back when both saws were made in Canada...They both use the same parallel link system (in fact, I've heard that certain parts are interchangeable between the two saws)...The Excalibur's claim to fame is that it is the only saw on the market where the saw body tilts, instead of the table...This might make bevel cuts easier than working against gravity...The price is slightly higher than the Dewalt, but from what I've heard, it's worth the difference when considering both saws...The Excalibur comes in two models (21" and 30")...The 30" is currently the largest capacity saw on the market...The current model is also made in Taiwan
Hegner - Not sure what exactly is the real advantage, but I've heard that it is commonly used by more "professional" scroll sawers...It supposedly has less front-to-back movement than all other commercial saws on the market (0.006") except for the Eclipse...The price is high to extremely high (the lowest price is around $1200, and the more expensive models run over $2000)...One disadvantage that I see is that the dust blower is angled such that it blows directly at the operator...This saw is made in Germany, which some may or may not see as an advantage.
Eclipse - This is the only saw on the market that uses a belt system, rather than an arm system...As such, the blade holder pistons travel in a true vertical fashion...Additionally, the design is such that if a blade breaks, the saw will sense that the blade suspension system has lost tension, and will automatically shut off...Another difference with the Eclipse and other saws is that the blade stroke is 1 1/2 inches, rather than the typical 3/4" to 7/8" used by other saws...Some say that this could be either an advantage or a disadvantage; depending who you talk to...The Eclipse is built in Virginia, and runs $1750.
There are obviously other models out there, but the ones that I've listed are the ones that I hear the most about (other than the entry level saws, and a few others that I haven't considered)...As for which is best, I think it all depends...What is your price range? Do you use it more for hobby, or for profit? What features are most important to you?
Being most popular may not directly equate to being "the best"...Do you remember your mom ever asking you, "if everyone jumped off a cliff, would you have to do it too"?
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I've been thru a Craftsman, then a Hitachi and now a DeWalt. I see no reason to go any further the Dewalt does everything I want is very easy to use. IMHO
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Without a doubt, the RBI Hawk is the best saw there is.
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I've had a 16 in Craftsmen for several years now. It still works ok but felt time to upgrade. I just picked up a used RBI220 vs for $400. I've done a few test patterns and really like it. I'll be heading back to Lex soon and look forward to moving the Creftsman out and the RBI in.
Upward an onward.
Ken