Replies

1. 
   theRev | Nov 06, 2002 02:11am | #1

   Ken,

   It's a good saw. To be honest, I haven't used many others. You can spend a lot more on a scroll saw than on the Dewalt, so I don't see it as an expensive scroll saw. It does a fine job on what I ask it to do, and has paid for itself several times over by now, so I think that in itself makes it a good tool.

   Not sure what you mean by turning the blade. One way I guess you could get a deeper cut would be to use a spiral blade which would then let you come in from the side. But in any case, the physical placement of the arm is going to limit you to 20 inches one way or another.

   Scott

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Nov 06, 2002 03:43am | #2

   Ken

      Tooldoc and I did a lot of home-work several months ago on the DW and Delta. A local who is very good uses it. He was ask by Highland Hardware to give demo classes. That speaks in itself. He is supplied by DW with the saw but says he prefers it also, as do quite a number in a local scroll-saw club I sought out.

      I also wandered into the fact that DW had gone to Excalibur and had it designed. That again, speaks for itself. You can read the tool reviews at amazon and numerous wood mags. The DW and the Delta P20 get the prize unless you get up into the high dollar Excaliburs, etc.

      I personally will get one in the future unless something truly magnificent falls in my lap. BTW, I personally like the controls position on the DW. I also tried one and it was mounted an a heavy base built for it. No vibration..

   Good luck and good evening..

   sarge..jt

3. 
   ToolDoc | Nov 06, 2002 08:58am | #3

   KEN: as Sarge just stated,we both did a major research project on this saw compared to others in its class, in a nut shell the only other scroll saw in the same price range that compares to it is the Delta P20  the Dewalt is a fine saw and will be a welcome addition to your shop. check either Harbor Freight or if there is a local Dewalt factory service center near you both have reconditioned ones for around $300.00.. I have mine a few months and have put it thru its paces and I must say IM very well pleased with it...althou I must cofess that I still linger for a Delta P20 and know Ill have no rest in my butt til one graces my shop, next year Im sure unless Santa surprizes me with one for xmas,<G> ya right ha ha no way with me being the Rascal that I am...oh well maube Ill hit the Loto or i guess just have to do more over time at work,yup Winter is here there will be lots of snow to plow...

    Happy Scrolling..    ToolDoc

1. 
   KenCoe1 | Nov 07, 2002 02:01am | #4

   I want to thank everyone who responded. It looks like that is the one for my shop. As far as getting a reconditioned machine; I've heard of these but don't really know what makes them reconditioned. Are they new or are they used? 

1. 
   ToolDoc | Nov 07, 2002 08:10am | #5

   KEN: Reconditioned means that they were Returns to the store where they were bought by the customer,which in turn sends them back to the factory to be checked and repaired if there was anything indeed wrong with them,I might add almost all of em are returns from either Lowes or Home Depot..soo you are getting a sawthat is like factory fresh,only at a cheaper price.. I have one there was not a blemish or a thing wrong with that saw..

   Happy scrolling..     ToolDoc

2. 
   DouglasABaker | Nov 07, 2002 11:14pm | #6

   I have a reconditioned Scroll Saw - and like everyone else above, I love it - it is smooth running, quiet, and vibration free.

   I would, however, recommend 2 upgrades - a light (I have the Dewalt one, which isn't really stiff enough to support its own weight) and a foot pedal.  To my mind, the foot pedal is really more of a requirement than a "nice to have" - I think you'll agree the first time you get a blade caught in the wood and it is bouncing up and down on the table - much easier to take your foot off the pedal than to try and find the off switch on top...

   As for getting a Recon - no reason not to as far as I can tell - they have the same specs as new, perform like new, typically look like new, and come with the same warranty.  But they cost considerably less.

   my 2 cents - get the Dewalt, and get a recon...

   Doug

1. 
   KenCoe1 | Nov 08, 2002 01:21am | #7

   Do you know any other places that handle reconditioned tools? I checked Amazon and Harbor Freight; neither has a Dewalt scroll saw now. Thanks!

1. 
   DouglasABaker | Nov 08, 2002 07:07pm | #8

   The only other place I know is Woodcraft, although the Dewalt website has a large number of online retailers indicated.

   I checked a couple of them, and it looks like Scroll Saws just aren't breaking these days (although everyone seems to have cordless drills available...)

   Dewalt itself indicates that finding a specific recon'd tool is pretty much hit or miss.  I would suggest you call a few of their service centers - they are probably your best bet.

   Doug

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Nov 09, 2002 03:53am | #10

   Ken

      I got a DW service center about 12 miles away. They are the ones who reco the saws. Will check for you. Also Re-Tol is owned by a friend. He sells used and reco, but it's hard to get the DW scroll. Everyone wants them and they don't go bad that often. DW drills, jigsaws: how many you need.. Ha...

   Good Luck..

   sarge..jt

3. 
   ToolDoc | Nov 11, 2002 03:56am | #12

   Sarge: I just got a e-mail from a fellow scroller to check out the following ww site,theres a scroll saw forum there hosted by William young ,who I might say is a really cool fellow scroller,Iran across him on other forums.. check this site out..

   http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com  

      Happy woodworking    ToolDoc

4. 
   RANGERP75R | Nov 12, 2002 09:25am | #13

   DOC

      Thanks for the site. I just got in from shop late as putting finishing touches on a mobile scroll saw cabinet. Was on vacation last week and doing some home cooking. Enclosed the cabinet and mounted hidden vacuum underneath and on-board. Also added a pipe flange and a 10" pipe to floor of the cabinet. Dropped 60 extra pounds of weights ( weight lifting disk ) in to add stability. No vibration at all. Did the same to my spindle sander cabinet.

      BTW, briefly saw post the other day on Ryobi. New edition of Popular WW spoke well of it for the price. I love the 4 x 36 disc combo. I understand they have a new 3.5 amp spindle sander that just came out. Worth looking at if you're in the market.

      To bed as I am worn out. Long hours in the shop. Got a new Sunhill jointer on the way from Seattle. Super price for a good machine. Will check out the site tomorrow nite.

   Take care Doc..

   sarge..jt

5. 
   ToolDoc | Nov 12, 2002 09:02pm | #14

   SARGE: I have heard that Ryobi was coming out with a new 18 inch scroll saw have to check Home Depot they carry the Ryobi tools in my area, I just built my own drum (spindle) sander and it works great.. Hey keep us posted on the Sun Hill jointer as IM thinking of replacing my old Craftsman 6 jointer in the near future.. one of my buddies just ordered a Harbor Freight 6 inch jointer, I cant wait til he gets it soo I can see it...

                                                           ToolDoc

6. 
   RANGERP75R | Nov 13, 2002 07:01am | #16

   Doc

      My HD already has it. 18" and a much bigger teflon table. Looks solid on the shelf at $159. Weights a ton and has a work-light built on. BTW, they got a new 12" DP also. I loved the bigger teflon table so well, I'm building one to fit on my scroll-saw. Why am I always modifying everyone. Guess I love to tinker. Will post as I got a great deal on the Sunhill and nothing but positive comments from reviews and this forum.

   Have a good one, Doc..

   sarge..jt

7. 
   ToolDoc | Nov 13, 2002 08:23am | #18

   SARGE: havent seen the scroll saw yet, but did see the new drill press,looks nice, IM sure its going to give the Delta a run for its money.. the teflon table idea sounds interesting, keep us posted on that,have a few scrolling guru type friends who would be interested in that also.. you know how us scrollers are-- in our own world..<G>.. take care my friend..

                                                                 ToolDoc

8. 
   KenCoe1 | Nov 13, 2002 02:47am | #15

   I didn't have any luck locating a recond. machine. It must not be my lucky day. I broke down and bought a new one because I need it now.  I set it up and it seems like a quality machine. It is extremely smooth. Now, I have to just figure out things like blade type, blade tension and how tight of a radius it can turn. Thanks for all the help.

9. 
   RANGERP75R | Nov 13, 2002 07:10am | #17

   Ken

      Good purchase as DW center here says they rarely get a return on the SS. Ron Brown, a local scroll expert uses it. He gave a workshop at Highland Hardware one week-end. Highland is picky about who they feature on week-end work-shops. DW is where I'm going when I up-grade unless Hegner or Excalibur lowers their price to around $400. Ha....

      Good luck and keep us posted. Like turners, some of the scroll folks are in their own little universe and we would like to know some of their tricks.

   Have a good evening..

   sarge..jt

2. 
   PaulReuter | Nov 09, 2002 01:56am | #9

   I have the recon. machine & am quite pleased with it.  Got it a couple years ago because I 'thought I wanted one'.  Did a set of chipendale DR chairs last year in maple & saw did very well on all the pierced rails.

   Can't see how it would be possible to change blades to right angle cut.  I have had to replace both blade holders.  The little buggers are die-cast & not very well engineered.  The new ones are much better designed & I don't anticipate any more problems.

   FWIW, Wife took a scroll saw course last year so she could use 'my' machine.  Instructor was a died-in-the-wool Hegnar man but he did admit the DW was an excellent Asian answer to the high cost of 'good' scrol saws.

   Paul

1. 
   ToolDoc | Nov 09, 2002 08:27am | #11

   Paul: the Dewalt is Not a Asian saw it is made in Canada by Excaliber for Dewalt..,,,

                             ToolDoc