Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Mar 29, 2006 08:54pm | #1

   I'll have to go out and take a look at my Delta to provide much info, but I can say this, with full admitance to be extremely prejudiced against Dremel:  take it back and buy a Delta.  IMHO, Dremel should stick with small spinning tools and get out of the scroll saw business.  I hated mine, and was in 7th heaven when I bought the small Delta (250 model).  Quick change blades, none of that pinned blade nonsense.  Low vibration.  No complaints for a saw that cost barely $100.

   You should be able to make extremely tight radii with that blade.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

1. 
   Docster | Mar 31, 2006 09:11pm | #3

   Thanks for the feedback!  I'll certainly be in the market for another scroll saw.  One that makes the blade resemble a thin black line and not a big fuzzy blur when the saw is turned on.

   This saw should make a good boat anchor!

   Doc

2. 
   forestgirl | Mar 29, 2006 08:56pm | #2

   "Would it be best if the blade traveled straight up and down?"  Can't work that way with the way SS's are designed. 

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

1. 
   MrJJ | Apr 04, 2006 06:01am | #5

   Actually, Excalibur scroll saws are almost straight up-and-down blade movement. I love mine. It is the best saw out there. BTW, excalibur also makes the Dewalt scroll saw, which I also own. It to is a nice saw.-------------------------------
   People are entitled to their own opinions; People are not entitled to their own truth.Jacob

1. 
   Docster | Apr 04, 2006 06:45am | #6

   I'm sure the Excalibur, as well as Henger, make fantastic saws but I don't do enough scroll saw work to justify the high-end cost.  I looked at a couple of mid-range saws. (Dewalt 788 and Delta 40-680) 20" models.  Both (in my opinion) had good and bad features....  I liked Delta's weight, 3.5amp motor and the quick blade clamp but didn't care for moving the motor's belt to change speed.  On the other hand, Dewalt has the same design as Excalibur, electronic variable speed adjustment, the head flipped up out of the way but was considerably lighter and only had a 1.3amp motor. 

   I'd probably be extremely happy with either of these saws.  I'm hoping to get feedback on these two saw before making a decision.  If not....I'll probably just flip a coin, make the purchase and move on!

   Thanks all!  

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 04, 2006 08:39am | #7

   I was really dumbfounded when I found out about the Delta speed adjustment mechanism.  Seems completely ridiculous!  The DeWalt gets great reviews from owners -- I used to spend a fair amount of time on a now nearly-defunct scroll saw forum (it's sponsoring magazine went belly-up) and a few people here and at WWA have also commented when asked. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   Docster | Apr 04, 2006 08:44pm | #8

   Yeah....to me the speed change mechanism seems a little hokey on the 20" saw.  I believe the smaller throat Delta saws are variable speed.  Only the 20'' model is manual.  Also the table does not swing 45 degrees in both directions because of the motor placement. (not sure if that's a show stopper) 

   I'm still not convinced but leaning toward Dewalt....

   Are you referring to the http://www.scrollsawer.com/forum website? 

2. 
   forestgirl | Apr 04, 2006 10:56pm | #9

   Yep, my little saw (250) is a knob-control variable speed.  I think the more advanced scrollers appreciate the 2-way 45° tilt, but it's far from a requirement for me.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   MrJJ | Apr 05, 2006 06:14am | #10

   My dewalt has never bogged down, and if you aren't using it real hard I don't think you'll ever have a problem. The Dewalt also has a quick-change blade system. At least mine does. Come to think of it, I can't recall if I added that later. Regardless, it's only a $1 part and you've got your quick blade system. I owned a delta and a dremel before I bought my Dewalt, and I can say the Dewalt is a far better machine for intricate fretwork. If you are cutting thicker woods in simpler patterns, you might want the Delta; but I doubt it.-------------------------------
   People are entitled to their own opinions; People are not entitled to their own truth.Jacob

3. 
   wdrite | Apr 01, 2006 03:31am | #4

   Several years ago I purchased a Delta top of their line scroll saw for school shop use.  It  was of the "C" arm type and variable speed.  We loved that saw and used it for a few years when the variable speed unit went bad.  The saw cost about $800 new.  The electronic speed control cost over $100.  When I needed one for my own use, I bought a cheap Delta two speed for around $100 so as not to have the expensive repair problem.  I don't use it a lot but use it hard when I do and it has held up well.