Beginner Scroll Saw for Fretwork

[Lenny Scroll Saw]

I used to do a substantial amount of fretwork with my Hegner scroll saw.  I loved it.  I sold the saw because we decided to move to Florida and I would not have a place to do my wood work.  We found a home now with a garage and I would like to get back into scrolling.  I only want to spend up to $150 for a saw that I will use only occasionally.  I want to use plain end blades to do fretwork.  Any suggestions for a saw that accepts plain end blades.  I looked at the Wren.  I'm not happy with the blade attachment system.  It is too slow and cumbersome for fretwork in my opinion.

[OCtoolguy]

On 5/25/2020 at 7:56 AM, Lenny Scroll Saw said:

I used to do a substantial amount of fretwork with my Hegner scroll saw.  I loved it.  I sold the saw because we decided to move to Florida and I would not have a place to do my wood work.  We found a home now with a garage and I would like to get back into scrolling.  I only want to spend up to $150 for a saw that I will use only occasionally.  I want to use plain end blades to do fretwork.  Any suggestions for a saw that accepts plain end blades.  I looked at the Wren.  I'm not happy with the blade attachment system.  It is too slow and cumbersome for fretwork in my opinion.

If it were me, I'd look for a good used saw like a Dewalt or the Delta that is a Dewalt clone. There are a lot of good used saws on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. I started with a good used saw that was sooo much better than a new cheap saw. 

[Denny Knappen]

After using a Hegner, you may not be satisfied with an entry level saw.  I purchased a Hitachi from Lowe's and within a week returned it to purchase a DeWalt.  I still have the DeWalt as well as an EX21 and Pegas.

[dgman]

You will not find a new saw in your price range without those blade adapters. Like Ray suggested, look for a good used saw. The least expensive new saw would be the Delta. Check Amazon, it’s usually somewhere around $400.

[Rockytime]

I bought a used Hegner 14" for $100 and a Hegner 18" for $300. Both very nice saws. They are out there as well as the Hawks. I would not settle for a cheap low end saw even if it were new.

[Roberta Moreton]

Good inexpensive saw for fretwork Without those adaptors is used. 

[CATRK]

If you're just starting out you can't go wrong with the Porter Cable around $200 new. I used one for 3 years before upgrading  and found it to be a decent saw without spending a lot of money.

[OCtoolguy]

5 hours ago, CATRK said:

If you're just starting out you can't go wrong with the Porter Cable around $200 new. I used one for 3 years before upgrading  and found it to be a decent saw without spending a lot of money.

Will it take pinless blades? Full length blades?

[CATRK]

Yes

[Roberta Moreton]

On 5/31/2020 at 1:24 PM, CATRK said:

Yes

Without adapters?

[CATRK]

yes. It takes pin or pinless blades.

 

[lawson56]

Porter Cable is a good saw for a short time,(former owner) As suggested above,a good used Delta Dewalt would be your best bet.

[nickp]

As a brand new "noob" and shopping for my first saw, I decided there was a quantum leap from inexpensive new to inexpensive used (Dewalt, Delta, Hawk, Hegner, etc...).  So instead of spending 250-300 on a cheapie new, I spent 300 on a great condition Hawk.  I've seen Hegner Multimax 18's for 250, 14's for less, Excaliburs for the price of new Dewalts and Deltas...

I used Marketplace a lot looking at prices for the common saws most people use and/or recommend.  Eventually I made my list of "top 5" and then just sat on Craigslist and Marketplace until I found a couple to look at and finally bought the Hawk.

There was even a Hegner for 100...missed that one by a few hours...

The whole process took me about a month from deciding to scroll to purchase.  Lurked on several sites, searched archives, etc... joined here (CharleyL and others recommendation).

I'm thinking that if you used a Hegner so much in the past, you're not likely to be happy with anything less...just sayin'...to me, occasional or extensive has nothing to do with it...each session on the saw will be more pleasurable for you on a Hegner-equivalent.  My only experiences are those where I bought "cheapies" only to replace them soon after purchase (and not just tools).

[ben2008]

On 5/26/2020 at 10:35 PM, octoolguy said:

If it were me, I'd look for a good used saw like a Dewalt or the Delta that is a Dewalt clone. There are a lot of good used saws on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. I started with a good used saw that was sooo much better than a new cheap saw. 

Look around for a used RBI Hawk. They are still  made in America. I have one that is 27 years old. I bought it new in 1993. You may be able to find a used one in your price range. I also have an Excalibur. In my opinion it's not as good as my old Hawk. i do use them both. I prefer the RBI Hawk for hardwoods.  Maybe because I'm so used to it.