Newbie looking to upgrade

[Uhanalainen]

Hello there, I'm new here!

 

I've been dabbling on and off for some time now, got my first scroll saw from the FB market place for 80€ and have done a couple of small projects with it. Now, I didn't do much research on the topic beforehand, so when I picked it up, I quickly learned that one does not get a great saw for that amount of money. It's basically the cheapest thing you can get, takes only pinned blades (pinless aren't even an option on this one).

So, naturally I'm starting to look for options to upgrade. There's a guy selling a Axminster Ex-21 a couple of hours drive from here and I almost pulled the trigger, he wants 800€ for it, but I'm not sure it's a good deal since they don't seem to make them anymore, so if I'd need spare parts or something, I'd be out of luck pretty much. So then I looked up Pegas, we have a dealer here in Finland that sells them; smallest option 16" is 1200€ and the slightly larger 21" is 1400€. That feels like A LOT of money even though I'm kind of in the "buy once, cry once" camp... so I'm thinking of alternatives. I ran into this thing Bernardo SS 460 which looks alrightish? But there's hardly any information on it, no unboxings or anything like that on the ol' YouTube even, and they don't have it in the store so I'd be bying it blind. I asked the store and they said it does have quickrelease for the pinless blades (and takes both pinless and pinned blades), and it also has some kind of Dremel-like thingie for woodcarving which looks like an interesting bonus as I also do some whittling/wood carving. This thing is 450€.

 

I was hoping to get some insight into whether I should pull the trigger on either the used machine (old, no warranty but apparently still a quality machine), the Bernardo with the carving thingie (new, warranty) or save up for a Pegas.

 

Thanks in advance!

[OCtoolguy]

Welcome to SSV. You have come to the right place to get your questions answered. Let me start by saying that if there is no info on a saw, you don't want it. As for the used Axminster, they are Excaliburs and parts are readily available for them. What you want to verify is age, condition, and origin. DO NOT BUY anything from mainland China. I am not knowledgeable about the availability of used equipment where you are. If you can get a good look using pictures on the used saw and it appears ok, make the trip to check it out. Take some blades and some material along to try it. If it makes the grade through inspection make an offer. Be prepared to pay full price but at least try to bargain for it. I've purchased all 3 of my saws used and managed to get the seller down a bit on all 3. Also if it comes with the factory stand that adds to the value. I'd do some searching before plunking down the big money for a new saw. Have you looked at Hegner? They are built in Germany so maybe you can get a better price on one or find a good used one. They are almost indestructible. Best of luck to you in your search and be sure to post some pics of your projects. We all love pics.

Edited November 5, 2023 by OCtoolguy

[Uhanalainen]

9 hours ago, OCtoolguy said:

Welcome to SSV. You have come to the right place to get your questions answered. Let me start by saying that if there is no info on a saw, you don't want it. As for the used Axminster, they are Excaliburs and parts are readily available for them. What you want to verify is age, condition, and origin. DO NOT BUY anything from mainland China. I am not knowledgeable about the availability of used equipment where you are. If you can get a good look using pictures on the used saw and it appears ok, make the trip to check it out. Take some blades and some material along to try it. If it makes the grade through inspection make an offer. Be prepared to pay full price but at least try to bargain for it. I've purchased all 3 of my saws used and managed to get the seller down a bit on all 3. Also if it comes with the factory stand that adds to the value. I'd do some searching before plunking down the big money for a new saw. Have you looked at Hegner? They are built in Germany so maybe you can get a better price on one or find a good used one. They are almost indestructible. Best of luck to you in your search and be sure to post some pics of your projects. We all love pics.

The axminster was purchased in 2019, guy says he used it for a few dozen hours and it comes with spare blades and a detachable light of some kind as well. It was bought from a local store but of course I don’t know where they source their catalog… 

Actually, I ran into a used Hegner the other day, Multicut-1. Description didn’t say whether it was the variable speed or not, so I’ve asked the seller but haven’t got any response. He asks for 500€ for it and there’s a 50€ part missing that I’m unsure of if I need, some knurled knob thing on the front part of the arm. It’s very close to me though so that one I might just check out, almost no money lost. How important a feature do you think the variable speed is?

 

I might post some photos later when I have something actually worthwhile to show. I only classify one of my projects so far finished, another one is in the works but needs to be glued together and painted still. Made some dumb mistakes on it, too. But I hope they won’t be too obvious when looking at a distance

[Scrappile]

The part you may need that the multicut-1  is missing is the Quick-clamp : https://www.advmachinery.com/products/hegner-quickclamp I feel it is necessity on any Hegner.  the other things to look at on the hegner, is which size it is and does it have a tension release up front on the upper arm.  If no you have to reach to the back of the saw to release the tension on the blade.  If it is only a 14" that may not be too bad. but upfront would be much prefered.  Pictures would be a big help. I think there are a few on here that have the Axminster saw.  Maybe they will chime in.

 

Welcome to the forum

Edited November 6, 2023 by Scrappile

[OCtoolguy]

10 hours ago, Uhanalainen said:

The axminster was purchased in 2019, guy says he used it for a few dozen hours and it comes with spare blades and a detachable light of some kind as well. It was bought from a local store but of course I don’t know where they source their catalog… 

Actually, I ran into a used Hegner the other day, Multicut-1. Description didn’t say whether it was the variable speed or not, so I’ve asked the seller but haven’t got any response. He asks for 500€ for it and there’s a 50€ part missing that I’m unsure of if I need, some knurled knob thing on the front part of the arm. It’s very close to me though so that one I might just check out, almost no money lost. How important a feature do you think the variable speed is?

 

I might post some photos later when I have something actually worthwhile to show. I have one of my projects so far finished, another one is in the works but needs to be glued together and painted still. Made some dumb mistakes on it, too. But I hope they won’t be too obvious when looking at a distance

I'd pass up that Hegner. Variable speed is important. The Axminster sounds like it might be your best option as long as it is not a China model.

[Scrappile]

4 minutes ago, OCtoolguy said:

I'd pass up that Hegner. Variable speed is important. The Axminster sounds like it might be your best option as long as it is not a China model.

Well I agree, on the other hand if I remember correctly, which does not happen often, Fiona Kingdon, does her work on a single speed Hegner....

[Uhanalainen]

I’m leaning towards the Axminster. The guy just sent me pics of it, as well as a receipt of the blades that he’ll throw in the deal, almost 100€ worth of spare blades. And the lamp has magnifying glass as well.

Now for the hard part - figuring out how to convince my wife I need it

[OCtoolguy]

1 hour ago, Scrappile said:

Well I agree, on the other hand if I remember correctly, which does not happen often, Fiona Kingdon, does her work on a single speed Hegner....

Thats true but I had one and it was difficult to work with after having gotten used to variable speed. I sold it very quickly.

[OCtoolguy]

52 minutes ago, Uhanalainen said:

I’m leaning towards the Axminster. The guy just sent me pics of it, as well as a receipt of the blades that he’ll throw in the deal, almost 100€ worth of spare blades. And the lamp has magnifying glass as well.

Now for the hard part - figuring out how to convince my wife I need it

Find something she has been wanting and buy it for her.