Replies

1. 
   BruceS | Dec 17, 2006 12:48am | #1

   They're all do-able to one extent or another.  Do you want a Yugo or a Rolls Royce?  Need more details as to what you want to do.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

1. 
   woodenputter | Dec 17, 2006 12:57am | #2

   just a good mid-range/price piece of equipment

1. 
   BruceS | Dec 17, 2006 01:17am | #3

   I have the Delta SS350 variable speed and it's not a Hegner but it gets the job done.  And I'am not real fond of the quick acting clamp in that it is fussy about adjustment.  But then I haven't used it  enough to get the process down pat.  A friend of mine has one and uses it all the time and loves it.   I would like to convert the top clamp to one like the DeWalt has.Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

1. 
   woodenputter | Dec 17, 2006 01:57am | #4

   Thanks Bruce for letting me pick your cranium, I'll check out that Delta and the Dewalt.

2. 
   gmoney | Dec 17, 2006 02:30am | #5

   i have the dewalt and i've used it less than other tools but enough to have the thumbscrew blade clamps give me fits.  the blade tends to slip out under use and tension.  i've even done some deburring and flattening on the ends with some, but limited success.  it's also fussy about getting the blade in correctly.  more than once i've tightened only to find i missed entirely.  could be me, but i don't think it is.  incidentally, i used a small cheap delta with a hold down for many years before the dewalt.  needless to say the dewalt is a vast improvement.

2. 
   GRW | Dec 17, 2006 10:44pm | #6

   WP,

   I have the Shopfox Scroll saw. It works well for me. Here's a pic from my portfolio of my 1st project with the scroll saw.

   
1. 
   woodenputter | Dec 18, 2006 05:12am | #7

   I'll have to check out the Shopfox SS. Is it easy to change blades? Your project is quite gorgeous, you and the owner of the piece should be very proud. Thanks for input.

   Have a good day

1. 
   GRW | Dec 18, 2006 02:18pm | #9

   Blade changes on the Shopfox aren't difficult. This is the only SS I've owned, so I can't comment on whether it is better/easier than other Scroll Saws.

1. 
   woodenputter | Dec 19, 2006 02:17am | #11

   Yeah, I know GRW, I have the 16 inch Delta 40-560, nice tool but I think it's time for an upgrade. You do something, anything one way forever and after awhile it seems easy, but ......

1. 
   woodenputter | Dec 19, 2006 03:34am | #16

   Does anyone have or has read something on that Dremmel Scroll Saw?

2. 
   forestgirl | Dec 19, 2006 05:38am | #17

   IMHO, Dremel should have stuck with rotary tools, LOL.  The scroll saws they make now are undoubtedly better than the boat-anchor that lives on the floor of my shop, in a dusty corner.  But I'd want to see many, many happy users' reports before spending money on one.  With scroll saws, the devil really is in the details.  Because you have to change blades so often (even if you're not doing fretwork), any aggravation associated with that process will drive you nuts.  Take a look at Amazon's reviews (mostly positive, actually), pay attention to the motor and blade-changing complaints, and see if you can find some forum members who own one.

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

3. 
   woodenputter | Dec 19, 2006 05:50am | #18

   Thanks ForestGal, if I get a boat I'll look ya for that anchor (that's funny). Yeah, that why I'm doing my homework this time. I bought a Grizzly 14inch BandSaw a while back... it's not a boat anchor, but it cuts (chews) firewood really well, as far as anything precise... I can use a dull pearing knife and get better results.

4. 
   forestgirl | Dec 19, 2006 09:50am | #22

   Which Grizzly bandsaw did you buy?  I have the 1019Z, and it cuts really fine (especially for the price!).  Perhaps there's something c'n be done....forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

5. 
   woodenputter | Dec 20, 2006 02:40am | #24

   Oh I bought the 14inch pre-Z models, junk. Fence No Good, shake, rattle and hum, I think U2 put out an album called that, or something like it...

3. 
   forestgirl | Dec 18, 2006 09:11am | #8

   What price range are you in??  If you can spend several hundred dollars, the answer to "which one" is quite different than if you're in the under-$300 range.  The Delta 350 is fine for someone who's scrolling casually, not doing alot of fret-work, and doesn't want to invest $600 or so in a saw.  I have it's little brother, and it's packed with features for an inexpensive saw, doesn't vibrate much, and blades and tension are easy to change/set. Next step up is probably the DeWalt (2 models) and past that, serious money for a Hegner, Hawk or a couple other less-mentioned models.

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

   
   

   ---

   Edited 12/18/2006 1:11 am by forestgirl

1. 
   woodenputter | Dec 19, 2006 02:13am | #10

   Thanks ForestGirl, you do have the Delta 350? I'm in lower price range mode, two to four hundred, a wee bit more if I thinkth the saw is worth it.

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 19, 2006 03:12am | #13

   I have the SS250, which I bought simply to make some Christmas ornaments with a couple years ago.  If I had your budget I would get at least the SS350.  Scroll saws and their prices go in leaps and bounds it seems.  The most affordable saw that dedicated scrollers seem to like is the DeWalt 20-inch saw.  If you think you're going to get into scrolling pretty regularly, you might want to save up for that one.  Amazon's story on it is kinda confusing -- the main 788 page states $568, but that's actually from some outfit called "BIC Superstore."  If you're willing to wait on shipping, you can get one directly from Amazon for $399 (see this page).

   When this saw first came out, there were some vibration problems with it, but I haven't heard complaints for quite some time.  Wood Magazine has a very active scroll saw forum that you might want to check out, get some feedback on saws.  There's another defunct magazine that still has their forum going, http://www.justwoodworking.com   Both of these sites have serious, serious scrollers who participate daily (no offense to Knots, it's just we don't seem to have many people who're really into scrolling here).

   PS:  The reason I didn't mention the Delta ~20" saw is because you have to move a belt to change speeds.  Doh!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   woodenputter | Dec 19, 2006 03:24am | #15

   Ohhh boy, I just went to the justwoodworking.com web and I'm still laughing at the little woodworker sawing a board on their homepage... I got such a chuckle out of it I forgot why I went there...

2. 
   YesIWood | Dec 19, 2006 09:02pm | #23

   FG,

     Once again I am amazed with your ability to find items on the internet.  Thank you.  I do want to know how you found such a big price difference on Amazon dot com?  I opened your link, but can't find it myself when I start fresh on Amazon.

   HELPJoe

   Even a broken clock is correct twice a day...

    

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 20, 2006 09:59pm | #26

   "I do want to know how you found such a big price difference on Amazon dot com?"  Starting at the "main page" for the DeWalt scroll saw (click here) -- scan just a little to:

   4 used & new available from $399.95

    

   Click on the link ("4 used & new") and it brings up a page with all the different 788 offerings available.  The Amazon offering has the lowest price, but it "ships in 2-3 weeks" so that's my guess as to why they offer such a low price -- it's basically "drop shipped".

    

   A Knots member I correspond with periodically just got one from his wife a few weeks ago.  I'll drop him a line and see if he's put it through its paces yet.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   YesIWood | Dec 21, 2006 01:04am | #27

   FG,

   You're the best, thanks.Joe

   Even a broken clock is correct twice a day...

    

2. 
   tinkerer2 | Dec 19, 2006 06:07am | #19

   I have a 20 inch Delta.  It is OK but when I saw the Dewalt, I knew I had made a mistake.  The controls are so much better and I thought it ran smoother than my Delta.

1. 
   woodenputter | Dec 19, 2006 06:16am | #20

   Hey, Tink2, what about changing speeds, is it belt driven? How's the blade changing system? Let me have it, don't hold back, I'm a big boy, I can take it.

1. 
   tinkerer2 | Dec 19, 2006 07:42am | #21

   It is belt driven.  Not too hard to move on step pulleys but I think it would be much easier to just turn the knob.  The blades are a good bit harder to change, but although I haven't changed them on the Dewalt, I assume they are about the same.  Probably no real easy way to change blades.  It doesn't use the pins on the end.  You just clip them in.

4. 
   AlPal | Dec 19, 2006 03:02am | #12

   I have a Dewalt and love it.  I do a lot of scrolling and the Dewalt has all the features and performance you need.  You can get these from $350. to $500. I usually see them for sale at $450. and on sale for $350. - $400.  Anything I have seen cheaper doesn't have the performance or features you need.  Spend a little extra for this unit, you will be glad you did.  As for the higher priced Haegner and Hawk, they are excellent machines if you can afford it.  I find that the Dewalt can do anything I ask of it. 

   I spent a lot of time doing research before I made my purchase.  The Dewalt is recognized as the best all around machine for the price.  You won't be sorry.

   Allen

1. 
   woodenputter | Dec 19, 2006 03:20am | #14

   Thanks AlPal, I've read some material on the Dewalt, will check out somemore... I do like what I read so far...

5. 
   AlPal | Dec 20, 2006 09:02am | #25

   [email protected]