On my normal Sunday stroll through Lowe’s I came across a new (I think) scrollsaw from Porter Cable. Large size like the DeWalt 20″, inline motor, really nice gear based tilt mechanism, blower and light. Seemed like nice construction, not high end but top of the consumer level. It was $179. Came home to look it up online, can’t find anything on PC or other sites. I use my cheapo little 15″ infrequently, just want something that makes a quality cut for occasional use. Looked like a good alternative to the $500 DeWalt. Anyone familiar with this?
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Those strolls are expensive. I never used that saw but a quick search found this :
http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/reviews/deltass250.htm
Mine is an old Rockwell - spring type - it will last forever but can't make the cuts those parallel arm saws can-
Hope this helps
SA
The ss250 is the 16" that's
The ss250 is the 16" that's been around quite a while. This is much larger, with a big cast iron base and the motor underneath running parallel to the arms. I'm fairly certain it's new. I'm so curious I may run back over and get a model number. Odd that it's not on PC's site, or Amazon, or anywhere else I can find.
Turns out it's a model
Turns out it's a model PCB-370SS. The tools manager said they just got it. It is only a 16", but it's such a beefy structure it looked bigger to me (apologies if I misled anyone). Electronics variable speed, internal motor, tool-less blade change, light, blower, geared tilt table, 1.6Amp, 1500 spm. I'd really love to hear from some of you serious scrollers if this is a good machine for us occasional users. I don't do "real" scroll work, mostly just when I need to do a cut too tight for my bandsaw or I'm just too lazy to change out to a smaller bandsaw blade.
Turns out it's a model
Turns out it's a model PCB-370SS. The tools manager said they just got it. It is only a 16", but it's such a beefy structure it looked bigger to me (apologies if I misled anyone). Electronics variable speed, internal motor, tool-less blade change, light, blower, geared tilt table, 1.6Amp, 1500 spm. I'd really love to hear from some of you serious scrollers if this is a good machine for us occasional users. I don't do "real" scroll work, mostly just when I need to do a cut too tight for my bandsaw or I'm just too lazy to change out to a smaller bandsaw blade.
OK, so I only have a old Dremel that works for me. I do not use it that often. I found that the blade makes a BIG difference for what you want to do. I like the Flying Dutchman blades.. Makes a BIG difference! At least to me.
Check out the Hitachi model cd40. They are the same saw but with minor changes (hold down and color is the only thing I saw). If you can find an Hitachi at Lowe's, they have it on closeout for $159.00 with the stand. All the specs are the same, both made in China (what else is new?). Tried locating both saws on Lowe's website but can't find either. I checked reviews and found a mixed number, some really like it and others don't (Hitachi). Found nothing about the PC machine. Hope this helps
I started out using the old spring operated saws and found them to be rough cutting blade breakers. Then they came out with the parallel arm and 'C' arm saws and a whole new array of blades. In the shop where I worked, we bought a "C" arm saw by Delta costing around $800 with a variable speed control. What a difference. This saw did a great job. The only thing I had against it was the cost to replace the variable speed control. $100. I have't tried the more expensive parallel arm saws but from talking to others, they are very good. I don't use a scroll saw often so I opted for a cheap 2 speed 16" Delta with the best blades I can get. I am convinced that the blades are the key to success here as long as the arms are running true.
I've used the Hitachi cw-40
I've used the Hitachi cw-40 for a few projects and now own the pcb370ss. Most of what you read about the cw-40 will apply to the pcb370ss, but let me give you a few observations:
1. Both models have low vibration
2. CW-40 has cast iron table and feels solid, but the pcb370ss table is made of aluminum and feels a little weak to me. I don't remember the cw-40 having anything on the underside of the table to prevent the clamping of guides or jigs. However, I can say, with much frustration, the pcb370ss has ribs on the underside to support the aluminum, and that makes clamping a challenge to say the least. (I'm considering cutting wood pieces to fill the space between the ribs.
3. The worst design decision in history was to move the angle display to the table top. First, the display window is not exactly flush. Now that stinks and PC should have known better. As you move the board over the table, which the plastic angle display is a part, the display will get scratched and become less and less readable. It is conveniant to have the angle display on top, but it isn't worth it. Porter cable should have stayed with the orignal design used by Hitachi. (Rexon produces these saws, so they may have been responsible for with this "improvement."
4. The cw-40 has a very noticable softstart (which saved my fingers a few times) The start softstart on the pcb370ss is much less dramatic.
5. The fastening mechanism on both saws are pretty finicky and tend to hockey stick the blades. Many users complain about not being able to use spiral blades at all. The pcb307ss uses the same mechanism which can be pain in the backside to get the blades seated correctly. Both saws really can use spiral, but the ends must be flat, meaning, you can buy the flat end Fying Dutchman, or you can take a couple of pliers and straighen the last quarter inch or so of blade.
6. The blower is weak at best. They need to fix this on both models. If you have the blower right down on the wood, it does some good, just needs a lot more umph.
Given a choice, I prefer the original cw-40. But still, for the price, this saw is pretty decent.
(This model is also very close to the Craftsman 21601. I'll attach a picture of both the new pcb370ss and the scary similar craftsman for reference)
----Randy
Entry Level Scroll Saw
Your post made me give second thought. My Delta 40-540 bit the dust and I am now looking. I took a look at the Craftsman yesterday and then went home to look at the reviews. That left me with a bad taste. Then I saw the PC today at Lowes and thought hmmmm. Maybe this one. I couldn't find a review on the PC but after looking at the pictures you posted side by side (tks for that btw) I think Sears probably just had PC rebrand them with the Craftsman name. Now I am scared to buy either.
At this point I just want to vent a little. I love my little Delta 40-450 and am really disappointed in Delta for making it so hard to get parts. I found the replacement parts site and the replacement motor is $193. I only paid $149 for the saw brand new. They really make it hard to find an alternative since the full extent of the motor specifications in the manual says 110-120V, 60HX current. That's it.
OK, done venting...tks.
Pam
Porter Cable PCB370SS Scroll Saw
I wanted to provide feedback on a negative experience I am having with my Porter Cable Scroll Saw - Model# PCB370SS. I purchased the original unit on 08/09/2010 after much research and budget consideration. I scroll saw almost every day for at least 3 hours and usually more. My original scroll saw, a Craftsman 18" unit I bought on eBay used for 25 bucks lasted me over 3 years. I finally wore it out and decided to buy a brand new one. After several positive reviews, I went with the Porter Cable model PCB370SS. The first saw lasted from 8/9/10 to 9/10/10 and the blower ceased to function. The light had burned out after 2 days but I was not concerned about that. The blower, however, is an important feature. I returned the saw to Lowes and they exchanged it for another on 09/11/10. This second saw did not operate as smoothly as the first. On 9/16/10 the saw began to vibrate noticibly and grew worse until I could no longer operate the saw. I removed the side inspection plate and the motor coupling and the motor itself appeared to be loose. I probably could have repaired it but I just got it a week ago so I returned it again to Lowes and this is the last saw they have in stock. I am quite surprised and disappointed in the workmanship in this tool. My old Craftsman was not nearly as smooth - as the first P-C saw - but it actually never broke down in the three years I used it. I am concerned that this third saw may have issues and am not sure where to go if it does. My real choices for a new saw would have been a Dewalt or an Excaliber scroll saw. My budget won't allow that so I went with a brand I assosciated with quality at a lower price. I purchase around $2500.00 in tools almost every year and I am concerned that any future Porter Cable tool may have quality issues. I realize everything is made in China these days but someone should be verifying manufacturing standards. With an experience like this, I can't help but think that PROFIT and only profit is the focus of the sale of this tool. I have attempted to communicate my concern to Delta/ Porter Cable (who also owns Dewalt) but their website does not have a "contact us" link where you can simply send a comment. Maybe they just don't want to know.
Sorry to hear that
Sorry to hear of your trouble with the PC scroll saw. But, honestly, it doesn't come as a huge surprise. I had commented, in another thread about this saw apparently, that putting the PC brand on a stationary tool struck me as a significant departure from the company's portable electric tools history. It appeared that Black & Decker, who owned Delta, Porter Cable, DeWalt, and several other major brands at the time, was doing some juggling between brands in an attempt to capitalize on consumer brand recognition. As you are likely aware, Delta and Porter Cable, along with other toolmakers, have gone through a rather tumultuous corporate history in the last twenty years or so. All of these companies are now "owned" by Stanley Works (via a merger in the last year, as I recall). How that is going to play out over time is yet to be determined. But, it seems like they are consciously relinquishing the top-quality spot to non-U.S. brands.
Got one for christmas
The first one I got did not zero properly. I called porter cable and they suggested that I return it. Lowes was great and the new one works fine so far. I have only one complaint... The hole for the blade is a HUGE T shape!! I have not been able to find an aftermarket insert ( that fits because it has a clip and wider diameter) that I can drill to my specs. I do a lot of tiny cuts for puzzles and the vibration from the blade causes corners to catch. The light and the blower work fine. I like that it can take both pinned blades and smooth blades. The table is a great size too like the older deltas my dad has. I think that for the price it is the best thing on the market. Just check the table zeroing before you take it home.
Porter Cable Scroll Saw Zero Adjustmenth
I bought a Skill 10" band saw for my children's pinewood derby and found out after I got the saw home.... It was broken. I returned it to lowes and decided to purchase the Porter Cable 16" Scroll saw. I knew from reading many of the reviews online that there might be a problem with the saw's zero being off a few degrees. I could not find a solution, other than returning the saw and getting another. In order to compensate for the tilt, I set the table to 3 degrees and had the perfect cut.
This fix was unacceptable. I decided to take the thing apart and find out what was out of alignment. Upon discedtion, I found tha tthe tilt gears have no adjustment. There is no offset to the gears. I did find the solution...
There are two screws that atatch the the table base to the tilt bracket at the underside of the table. if you loosen these two screws, you can adjust the table levelness to the blade by torquing the table in relation to the tilt bracket.
I hope that this solves the long time mystery of how to adjust the table levelness on the saw.
which saw
If you plan on doing a lot of scrolling. I would keep my eye open for a used Hawk or Hegner. Craigs list, local and near by cities.
Porter Cable Scroll Saw at Lowes
I looked for an inexpensive alternative and also saw this one in a review as being a decent saw. So I purchased it and had to return it twice for uneven motor speed. I was told by the repair facility it was the switch. Porter Cable told me to go get it fixed. I told them I just bought it and did not think I should have to have it repaired. They were very unfriendly and condescending. I returned it again and the third one also had uneven motor speed. I went to sears and bought their middle line one for $197 and it runs like a charm, has easy pinless blade change, vibration is a little more but acceptable and I am much happier.
A suggestion for you would be to get a sheet of thin plastic a bit over the size of the hole on your scroll saw. Saw to the middle of it and then tape it down. Viola, a zero clearance insert.
Sorry meant this for duncandgsp
Mike C
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