Quality Scroll Saw Benefits?

[Retired Scroller]

Hi all. I've been using a Craftsman saw for over a year now. The work I am doing is much better than when I started and I am now considering buying a better saw. With the investment will I realize a benefit in things like vibration, blade control, etc? Can you please list the benefits you think I will notice along with references for a new saw?

Thanks,

Retired Scroller

[fredfret]

Vibration and ease of blade installation, accuracy of cutting. These all depend on make and model. All saws have advantages and disadvantages if possible try before you buy.

Fredfret

[Bill WIlson]

My first saw (25 years ago) was a Craftsman.  It wasn't cheap.  It was one of their best models, at that time.  I used it until I wore it out.  I knew it had some limitations that were frustrating me.  It vibrated some, had significant blade wobble, the tensioning mechanism was a weakness and it required 2 tools to change blades.  When the time came to replace it, I got a DeWalt.  My scrolling experience changed dramatically, as did my enjoyment of the hobby.  First the saw was so much smoother.  All of the controls were right up front and easy to use.  The top arm lifts up , which made threading the blade through fret holes so much easier.  Most significant was the blade clamps were simple, tool-less, effective  and made blade changing dramatically easier and faster.  I've since upgraded to an Excalibur 21".  The upgrade wasn't quite as huge a step up as going from the Craftsman to the DeWalt, but it's a noticeably better saw and hopefully the last saw I'll need.

[meflick]

I really can't give you any real advise on the saws. I will leave that to the experts on here who have been sawing a lot longer then me. However, first, I did want to say what a beautiful clock you have crafted and shared here. Second, once you get insight from the much more experienced scrollers on here on saws, I would start out looking for used saws (of any of those recommended by the experts) for sale in your area or in an area you are willing to drive to for pickup. Sometimes you can find a steal of a deal on a used saw if you are looking as shown by several of our friends here in the Village recently. If you can't find any used, then look for buying a new one. By looking first for a used saw, you may get a better saw for a lot less then a new one would run you. The other thing you need to know is your budget. There are saws out here in a large price range - decide what you can afford and look for one in that range, we all have different budgets so what works for one may not for another. There are good saws for all budgets.

i will note that I started out with a Dewalt that we had for many years. I then bought a used Excalibur after using one at Judy Gale Roberts' studio when I took her beginner Intarsia class, and then hubby bought me a new Seyco for my birthday/mother's day last year (with in a week of each other usually.) I didn't ask for it, but I am hard to buy for in that I would rather have electronics or tools over jewels, shoes, or clothes so he saw it in the scrollsaw magazine reviewing it and thought it would be a good gift, I wasn't going to say no.  The Dewalt was a good saw. I liked the Excalibur better then my Dewalt and have been very happy with the Seyco. The Excalibur and the Seyco are both setup in the workshop. The Seyco is my go to saw.

[Scrappile]

Huh, for someone who "can't give you any real advise on the saws", I thing Melanie, (meflick) just gave great advise.  Even though I an not in the market for a saw, I look at Craigslist every few days just ti see what is available.  In my area there are a lot of good looking Hawks and a few great looking Hegners at half price or less.  The Hawks, unless you know a lot about them, and I don't, I'd suggest asking opinions on here first before buying one.  Some models are a lot better than others. 

Reasons to upgrade, well from an old Craftsman, that is where I started also, but I don't think mine was a top model of theirs, but there have been many improvements along the way.  Besides smoother, less vibration, there are better tension releases and setting, better clamps, better motors, bigger tables,  just better saws in general.  Which one appeals to you is a personal preference thing.   For easy fixing, less maintenance, I don't think you can do much better than a Hegner or a Hawk.

[amazingkevin]

13 hours ago, Retired Scroller said:

Hi all. I've been using a Craftsman saw for over a year now. The work I am doing is much better than when I started and I am now considering buying a better saw. With the investment will I realize a benefit in things like vibration, blade control, etc? Can you please list the benefits you think I will notice along with references for a new saw?

Thanks,

Retired Scroller

Dewalt has been my main stay but a 30" saw would come in very handy!

[tomsteve]

i started with a 16" craftman about 12 years ago. i worre it out pretty quick- bushings that werent intended for the use i was giving it. 

bought a dewalt 788. it was night and day difference with every aspect. better blade control, smoother cutting, less vibration, easier blade changing and feeding.

the motor shorted out a few years later and i got an EX16 for christmas 3 years ago. i love it. i cant say i love it more than the 788, but i do.

one major benefit of the EX is if/when i want to do compound cuts, the table stays level and the rest tilts.

benefits,imo, of upgrading from the craftsman to a 788, EX,hegner, or hawk

better quality machine.

easier to find replacement parts if necessary

less vibration.

more people own them to help if theres a problem.

longer life.

and others.

 

id suggest adding a foot switch to the purchase if you dont have one. that in itself has many benefits.

[Retired Scroller]

On 1/14/2018 at 9:02 AM, Retired Scroller said:

Hi all. I've been using a Craftsman saw for over a year now. The work I am doing is much better than when I started and I am now considering buying a better saw. With the investment will I realize a benefit in things like vibration, blade control, etc? Can you please list the benefits you think I will notice along with references for a new saw?

Thanks,

Retired Scroller

You all have given me some good advise for buying a new saw. I guess my plan is to upgrade within the year as my Craftsman will be 2 years old come October. I find myself working on more detailed projects and I do want the benefits that a quality saw will provide. This will be a long term hobby and I enjoy making things and just giving away to people and fundraisers. I juggle other things like honey-do projects and working on a Model T I picked up last fall. Thanks for the help.

[Jason]

I rarely break blades anymore, they usually just get dull now. 

[Hawk]

When I upgraded from a Ryobi 16" to a Delta P-20 it was like coming in from freezing cold to a nice warm room. Vibration was no longer an issue, tons more control, not only the work piece but the speed of the blade. Went from pinned blades to pinless, this was a true blessing. And the blade clamps on the Delta made blade changing a real breeze, not to mention bottom feeding the blade made blade changing a non-issue for me.

Go for the up-grade, you'll be glad you did.

 

Chris

[hotshot]

For me, for mainstream type projects, my number one requirement is that the blade change/tensioning needs to be easy/quick.  Most low end saws fail at this miserably.

When I got my first good saw, the Ex, that process was so straight forward, I was immediately productive.  All of the good saws are adept at this, and this alone would be worth the cost for me.

Edited January 26, 2018 by hotshot

[heppnerguy]

 I went from the Ryobi 16 inch to the DeWalt 788.  The difference was amazing. I now also have 2 EX and I find them to be another jump up from the DeWalt. That being said.  The EX does not manufacture their saw any longer, however rumor is they are starting production again.. there seems to be a lot of doubt that it is indeed the same saw. However, if the EX is not being made with the same quality as it has been, then I think the De Walt is the best saw for the money. It runs about  1/2 the price of the EX about a little quite a bit less than the Hawk or the Hegner.  They say you get what you pay for. Probably pretty true, but your budget needs to be considered, for most people. If your budget is under $500 and you only want new,,,,I would buy the De Walt. 

Dick

heppnerguy