Replies

1. 
   TomMGTC | May 26, 2004 05:17am | #1

   I've been very happy with my dewalt. Blade changes are a snap and the table is good size, larger than the rbi. I do like the capacity of the rbi but they are quite pricey compared to the dewalt.

   Tom

   Douglasville, GA

1. 
   Mackwood | May 26, 2004 04:50pm | #4

   Tom,

   Which model Dewalt do you have?  How long have you had it?  How hard do you use it?  

   Thanks,

   Mack  "WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"

1. 
   TomMGTC | May 27, 2004 04:26am | #7

   My dewalt is a DW788 20" scroll saw. I have had it for 6-7 years but it has only seen light use. I have doe some pretty intricate marquetry with it and it worked jut fine. I recently used it alongside an RBI hawk, an 18" hegner and an old delta spring top and they all did well. I did prefer the dewalt to all of the others due to the size of the table and the ease of blade changes. Tensioning is a snap and all controls are conveniently located. I would recommend a foot switch as well. Tom

   Douglasville, GA

1. 
   Mackwood | May 28, 2004 03:39am | #8

   Tom,

   Thanks for the reply!  It's obvious you like your DW very much.  I was on another forum that FG posted a link to and read some posts about the DW.  Some folks have had their problems with the DW788 but I think some of them scroll in their sleep!!  It just sounds like they use them an awlful lot in most cases.  It does give me cause for concern about running out and buying one however.

   The Delta P-20 seems to have attracted a pretty dedicated following!  I stopped by Rockler today and looked at a Delta product book and it seemed to indicated that this machine had six speeds (not variable).  I have to verify that, as they didn't have that model in the store but it would supprise me to know that so many folks would recommend a SS without variable speed.

   Thanks again for the feedback about your machine and continued good luck with it.

   Mack"WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"

1. 
   TomMGTC | May 28, 2004 04:18am | #9

   I'd be interested to know what type of problems people are having with the dewalt?Tom

   Douglasville, GA

2. 
   Mackwood | May 28, 2004 07:05am | #11

   Tom,

   Something about "Knocking".  There's even a guy with a web site that tells you how to "user fix" some common various causes of this problems.  If you back up on this thread and click on the link that Forest Girl posted in response to my original question, you'll be able to check it out.  There's a whole section just for Scroll Saw posts.  That's where I found this info, started with a post titled "Dewalt is Back Home" or something to that effect. 

   Regards,

   Mack"WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"

2. 
   drhamel | May 26, 2004 05:24am | #2

   Here's one:

   http://groups.msn.com/scrollsawportraits

1. 
   Mackwood | May 26, 2004 04:55pm | #5

   Don,

   Thanks for the link.  I'll check it out.

   Mack"WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"

3. 
   forestgirl | May 26, 2004 07:27am | #3

   You've probably "heard" me mention justwoodworking.com
   http://www.justwoodworking.com

   There are alot of scrollers over there in the SS forum, and one or two also hang out at the Microsoft site. 

   I'd suggest, in your price range, you take a look at the new Delta machines.  I have the $99 (!) Shopmaster and it would probably bring a smile to your face -- true variable speed, easy-change blade system, front-positioned tension release, relatively low vibration.  However, you obviously could go a little further up the line at Delta with $300.

   I looked at the Craftsman and the Dremel and found faults in both.  The Delta turned out to be a good buy.

   I won't tell you how cheap the Hegner 18" went at the auction on Sunday.  Sheesh.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   Mackwood | May 26, 2004 05:06pm | #6

   Forestgirl,

   I'll check out both the site and the Delta machines; soon as I get time.  Probably won't get around to buying until fall when the busy painting season is over.

   I bought Dremel SS a year or so ago and took it back.  It looked great, had the variable speed right up front, tooless blade change (I think) etc.  First time I cut with it the piece got sucked down the hole in the table.  I realized there was no provision for a "throat plate" without serious modification.  It went back and I've been basically scrolless since.  I use the old Delta once in a great while but only as a last resort.

   Thanks for re-posting the link!

   Regards,

   Mack"WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"

4. 
   OneofmanyBobs | May 28, 2004 04:29am | #10

   I have a Hegner.  Got it used.  Not bad, but not worth the high price for a new one.  No replaceable throat plate.  Have to clamp a piece of plywood to the top.  Variable speed works good, especially at very low speed.  Quiet and low vibration.

1. 
   Mackwood | May 28, 2004 07:09am | #12

   Bob,

   I know what you mean about the price for a new one!!!  I looked at them on the internet today and holy ****!  I've got a lot less money tied up in my nicely tricked out old Unisaw!  They do look like a very nice machine; like you said, get one used.

   Thanks,

   Mack"WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"

1. 
   OneofmanyBobs | May 28, 2004 12:22pm | #13

   Things were different 20 years ago.  Most scroll saws were toys compared to a Hegner.  I had an import model that looked fairly good but sounded like a jackhammer and shook the whole house.  Now there are a lot of inexpensive ones that have good fit & finish.  If I could find some halfway decent blades I'd be all set.

1. 
   Mackwood | May 28, 2004 06:35pm | #16

   Bob,

   I have no first hand experience but the scrollers on the other forum were all singing the praises of "Flying Dutchman" blades.  Check out the link that Forest Girl posted if you're interested.  There's a special section on that forum just for scroll saw issues.

   Regards,

   Mack"WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"

1. 
   forestgirl | May 28, 2004 08:01pm | #18

   The FD blades are superb!  Here's the link:http://www.mikesworkshop.com/blades.htm

   He will send you a sample pack.  He will also help you decide on the right blade(s) if you're uncertain, just give him a call.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   TomMGTC | May 28, 2004 02:01pm | #14

   Thanks Mack. I have actually had the knocking on my saw. I adjusted the tension rod like they talked about on that site and it has been fine ver since. I didn't really think of it as a problem. All tools need some adjustment now and then so it just seemed like a maintenance item to me. Of course I'm a mechanic so I'm used to working on things but I don't think the knocking issue is really of much concern.Tom

   Douglasville, GA

1. 
   MBL | May 28, 2004 06:15pm | #15

   Dear Tom,

   Had an old cast-iron, piston and spring movement for a few years. Replaced it time ago with a Pro-Tech bot at Sears for about 100.00 and paid about 10.00 for extended warantee that never applied.

   It is identical to the Makita brand and does a good job for most things here. It is quiet, variable speed, easy to change blades. Tension is the same lever for installing blades, which is a cam mechanism. That mechanism is the same as sold as an option for other saws.

   Can stand a coin on it at full speed. Most of the time use it with pieces cut from 1/8" bandsaw blade, but have cut real small things with jewlers blades down to 0000 and also made picture jig-saw puzzles. Most of the time cut p.w. or mdfb patterns and 3/4" oak prior to routering with it.

   It looks as Pro-Tech makes them and Makita only puts its name on it. But have not seen it at the local Sears any more.

   Good luck.

   -mbl-

2. 
   Mackwood | May 28, 2004 07:01pm | #17

   Tom,

   I've never even touched one of those saws so I have no idea what problems they were talking about.  I imagine if the problem were ignored it would only get worse and eventually damage the saw.  Maybe the adjustment you spoke of is prone to loosening up in use and a drop or two of locktite would be in order.  I'll certainly go back and read up on the problem and look carefully at the saw before I rule out that model.  Lots of folks have them and say good things about them.

   Regards,

   Mack"WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"

5. 
   nikkiwood | May 29, 2004 09:37am | #19

   More feedback on the Dewalt SS:

   I bought mine when they first came out 6-7 years ago, I think. I liked all the same features described here earlier.

   I liked the ease of changing blades, along with the fact it ran with virtually no vibration.

   But then a while back, for some mysterious reason, it did start to vibrate somewhat more than it did during the early part of its life in my shop.

   I don't use it that often, and I'm not much of a mechanic. Maybe someone can suggest what might have fallen out of adjustment -- and how I should fix it.

1. 
   TomMGTC | May 29, 2004 03:15pm | #20

   What type of vibration is it? Does it occur all the time or only when the blade is under high tension?Tom

   Douglasville, GA

1. 
   nikkiwood | May 29, 2004 06:39pm | #21

   Just a steady, low-level vibration -- from the moment the machine is turned on -- and is not affected by whatever type of cutting I am doing.

1. 
   TomMGTC | May 29, 2004 09:04pm | #22

   Interesting. I haven't run into that with mine. Does it change with the speed of the saw?Tom

   Douglasville, GA

1. 
   nikkiwood | May 29, 2004 09:32pm | #23

   Kind of. That is, the faster the speed, the more pronounced the vibration.

   Another way to describe the amount of vibration would be to say, that when new, I could place the saw on a bench, and it wouldn't move at all. The last time I used it, I had to place one of those anti-vibration mats under the base to keep it from creeping.

2. 
   Mackwood | Jun 01, 2004 05:17pm | #24

   nikkiwood,

   If you really want an "ear full" about scroll saws the DW788 in particular, go over to http://www.workshopbuzz.com and ask about it there.  There are folks over there that spend 6-8 hrs a day running a scroll saw and opinions are not hard to come by!

   Regards,

   Mack"WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"