EXCALIBUR EX 21 VS DEWALT 788

[Luperez548]

Hi guys,

i am trying to make desicion about what scroll saw to buy, i had a couple of DW788 before and they are great up to getting knocking noise and vibration coming with this. I havent tryed the EX-21, have any one of you any comment to help me to make my final desicion? i will appreciate it.

[don in brooklin on]

Our club has DW788 and they are just okay.

I have a an EX-21 and the ease of use of the EX is well worth the extra cost in my opinion.

The advantages the arm stays up, the head slants (great if you are doing bowls as you don't fight gravity) and the way you lock in the blade as the tension is constant.

I have had my EX over 8 years and never had a problem.

 

[Scrappile]

When you say Excalibur, are you talking a pre-China one or a new one.  I've read concerns about the new ones.  I personally think part of the problem is they are not tested and tuned by Seyco before they are sent out now.  The come from factory to distributor to you with no expert intervention.  I maybe wrong, I have not even seen one, but they do not get reviews like they use to.  I'd look more at the new Pegas saw.

[Luperez548]

49 minutes ago, don in brooklin on said:

Our club has DW788 and they are just okay.

I have a an EX-21 and the ease of use of the EX is well worth the extra cost in my opinion.

The advantages the arm stays up, the head slants (great if you are doing bowls as you don't fight gravity) and the way you lock in the blade as the tension is constant.

I have had my EX over 8 years and never had a problem.

 

thanks for your feedback, much appreciated, it is something to be considered. 

Edited September 3, 2019 by Luperez548

[Luperez548]

31 minutes ago, Scrappile said:

When you say Excalibur, are you talking a pre-China one or a new one.  I've read concerns about the new ones.  I personally think part of the problem is they are not tested and tuned by Seyco before they are sent out now.  The come from factory to distributor to you with no expert intervention.  I maybe wrong, I have not even seen one, but they do not get reviews like they use to.  I'd look more at the new Pegas saw.

Thanks a lot!! I have been concerned about this as well, the reviews I have found for EX21 are not positives at all. thanks for your feedback.

[JimErn]

I have to agree with the consensus, the Excaliber style saw is the choice to make in my view.  Buying now, I would as Paul said, insure it is not a new China made one (buy used), or just go with the Pegas saw if buying new. 

[kmmcrafts]

I've had both the DeWalt and the "New China " made Excalibur.. If your budget is limited to the lower cost of the DeWalt or the New China made Ex... Go with the DeWalt..  I've had nothing but issues with my Excalibur.. and it's doing the same rattle that the DeWalts do at the back of the saw now..not to mention I had a defective blade chuck and the threads of the adjustment knob at the back of the saw was sooo loose the saw would adjust out of alignment after each fret cut I'd have to reset it.. sometimes on larger cuts I'd stop and rreset it, LOL.. All was minor easy fixes but shouldn't have happen at all on a saw with less than 100 hours on it.. 

If I was buying this style saw.. I'd take a hard look at the Pegas and the Seyco.. NOW.. I believe the Excalibur 16" saws are still made in the old factory.. I think only the EX-21 saw is the only model made in China.. all the others are made at the old plant in Twain..      

[bcdennis]

My first quality saw was the DeWalt 788.  After 5 years of continuous work I wore the poor thing out.  Only thing I had to change during those 5 years where the blade clamps.  The thing was a beast.  I upgraded from it, when it finally died, to the EX21.  It worked great for about 4 months, then out of the blue a part broke in the upper arm.  SEYCO thought it was a manufacturing defect, they sent out a new part (under warranty) and the part was replaced.  To me the thing never was the same.  I still own it but it is now just a backup saw. 

[Scrappile]

If you are not in a huge hurry, you might watch Craigslist.  I was looking there last week and there was a very nice looking Excalibur, 30" for sale in Coeur d'Alene.  Looked good in the pictures, and may have been a good saw.  Not listed right now. 

A few weeks ago there was  a Hegner multimax 22" looked new for $425.  I was down my Cheney.  I was really temped to look at it, but I don't really need a third saw.

Did you ever check out the scroll saw club there?

Edited September 3, 2019 by Scrappile

[Luperez548]

3 minutes ago, Scrappile said:

If you are not in a huge hurry, you might watch Craigslist.  I was looking there last week and there was an very nice looking Excalibur, 30" for sale in Coeur d'Alene.  Looked good in the pictures, and may have been a good saw.  Not listed right now. 

A few weeks ago there was  a Hegner multimax 22" looked new for $425.  I was down my Cheney.  I was really temped to look at it, but I don't really need a third saw.

Did you ever check out the scroll saw club there?

Hi there my friend, thanks a lot for you commented, I have been checking Craigslist the last few days, none posted so far, if you see somethin interesting I will appreciate if you let me know.

i have been a couple of time with the people in the club, unfortunately, I have a variable schedule and is hard to march with the club meetings.

thanks, let's keep in touch,

Luis

[Denny Knappen]

I have both the DeWalt and EX21.  The DeWalt is over 10 years old and still works.  The EX21 is my go to saw.  If I had to replace it, I would go to the Pegas.

[Luperez548]

17 minutes ago, Denny Knappen said:

I have both the DeWalt and EX21.  The DeWalt is over 10 years old and still works.  The EX21 is my go to saw.  If I had to replace it, I would go to the Pegas.

Thanks Denny

[Luperez548]

2 hours ago, bcdennis said:

My first quality saw was the DeWalt 788.  After 5 years of continuous work I wore the poor thing out.  Only thing I had to change during those 5 years where the blade clamps.  The thing was a beast.  I upgraded from it, when it finally died, to the EX21.  It worked great for about 4 months, then out of the blue a part broke in the upper arm.  SEYCO thought it was a manufacturing defect, they sent out a new part (under warranty) and the part was replaced.  To me the thing never was the same.  I still own it but it is now just a backup saw. 

Important point of view, thanks a lot

[Luperez548]

2 hours ago, bcdennis said:

My first quality saw was the DeWalt 788.  After 5 years of continuous work I wore the poor thing out.  Only thing I had to change during those 5 years where the blade clamps.  The thing was a beast.  I upgraded from it, when it finally died, to the EX21.  It worked great for about 4 months, then out of the blue a part broke in the upper arm.  SEYCO thought it was a manufacturing defect, they sent out a new part (under warranty) and the part was replaced.  To me the thing never was the same.  I still own it but it is now just a backup saw. 

Yes, fully agreed with you, DW788 is a beat, I had two of them, type 1 and type 2, I think type 1 is even better than type 2, the only issue is the knocking noise issue, I tried to sole exception it with no success.

[OCtoolguy]

17 hours ago, Luperez548 said:

Hi guys,

i am trying to make desicion about what scroll saw to buy, i had a couple of DW788 before and they are great up to getting knocking noise and vibration coming with this. I havent tryed the EX-21, have any one of you any comment to help me to make my final desicion? i will appreciate it.

I started out with a used 788. I did everything to make it a great saw. And it was when I sold it. But, once I purchased a good used EX21, I knew that I had a better saw. Then, I added the Pegas clamps to it and now, nobody could ever take my saw away from me. My best suggestion is, buy the Pegas saw with the clamps already on it. You'll love it. Even after I did everything I could to my 788, and it ran great, I still would prefer my Excalibur. But, with that said, if you think about looking for a used one, make sure it is one of the ones that were made either in Canada or Taiwan. If my saw ever was to become unserviceable, I'd pop for a new Pegas. No doubt about it.

 

[Terry Jay]

I have had a DeWalt 788 Type 1 for perhaps 7 years and a Seyco EX21 for perhaps 8.  Both are good saws.  I like the tension better on the 788.  The arm on the Seyco is better for top feeding stack cuts, as the blade bottom goes high enough to clear a thicker stack, while the 788 requires you to flex the blade to get it in the hole.   They both have a few quirks, as in they run best at different speed ranges.  I also found the both work better when the bottom clamp thumbscrew is on the left, while the top is on the right.  They use the same clamp parts.  As I do some bowls, the Seyco is better with the tilting head.  Both are very good.  I prefer the Seyco, but do a lot of work on the 788.  I had the upper arm failure and replacement referenced above, did the repair, and the saw runs great.  Best wishes for a solution you like.

[Bill WIlson]

Unless there is a specific reason that you are limited to those 2 brands, I would consider expanding the search and including other brands that have hit the market in the past few years.

Several replies have mentioned Pegas.  That is one of several new saws that are on the market now.  Most of these saws share DNA and have a lot of similarity to the Dewalt/Excalibur, but have some key differences that may be important to you.

Other brands to consider; Delta, King Industrial, Seyco, Jet, Pegas.

 

[tomsteve]

instead of the excalibur,which i own one thats  5 years old now, check out the seyco. best customer support and service for scrollsaw manufacturers. rey knows em inside and out.

https://www.seyco.com/seyco-st-21-swing-tilt-scroll-saw/

[tgiro]

I've had an EX-21 since 2012 and it works great. However; I haven't heard great things about the EX since their manufacture has moved to mainland China.

The newer Excalibur clones seem to be ruling the market now days. I see King saws are on sale at Woodcraft. Seyco is always good for their products, however; the Seyco saw has a limited diagonal cut (I think only 30°). The Jet's appear to be good saws and the new Pegas saws look just like my EX with a new and different coat of paint. Pegas seems to be a company that backs their products.

I wouldn't look for an EX, unless you are looking for a good used one.

[Roberta Moreton]

I agree with consensus on the Excalibur Saw. If I was to get a new one today I would go with the pegsas. 

[Luperez548]

21 hours ago, Roberta Moreton said:

I agree with consensus on the Excalibur Saw. If I was to get a new one today I would go with the pegsas. 

Thanks a lot!,

[Fish]

The 21" King is supposed to be the good EX 21. The Pegas is supposed to be the same saw. Check around this has come up several times here. Others know much more than I do. 

[Luperez548]

12 hours ago, Fish said:

The 21" King is supposed to be the good EX 21. The Pegas is supposed to be the same saw. Check around this has come up several times here. Others know much more than I do. 

Thanks a lot Dan

[namunolie]

I got delta 21inch saw and excaliver 21inch

Delta is similar to dewalt saw

I guess 

My opinion is that ex21inch is  more  adjustable and  comVenience

Allways think about  money stuff when  i buy a machines

I love to buy ex21 if i need new one 

 

[Luperez548]

On 9/16/2019 at 2:30 AM, namunolie said:

I got delta 21inch saw and excaliver 21inch

Delta is similar to dewalt saw

I guess 

My opinion is that ex21inch is  more  adjustable and  comVenience

Allways think about  money stuff when  i buy a machines

I love to buy ex21 if i need new one 

 

thanks a lot for your feedback, I totally agreed with you.