30 year old hegner

[rjweb]

I was looking at a hegner built 1995 he is asking 700 but said he would take 600. I still think it is too high. His theory is a new cost 1995, what are your opinions thx RJ 

[Scrappile]

That saw did not near that if he is talking todays prices.  I bet it cost closer to $1000 back in those days.  I guess I disagree with his logic.  It is still 30 years old.

[ChelCass]

He's way over priced on the Hegner.  I only paid 200.00 for mine. 

[rjweb]

Thx for your input, yes I told him he was nuts being the price too high, Thx RJ

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Now I will say the price maybe a little high but realistically not. 2 years ago I sold my 18" Hegner with stand and foot pedal for $500. It was a 1993 saw. I had many days of sawing on it but it was in great condition. The only thing that goes bad on those is the plastic blower boot. They dry rot. Mine was still good. It was a 18" Multimax saw. The person did not hesitate. He could of had his choice between that saw and the Dewalt 788 with stand. He chose the Hegner and to me made the right choice. Dewalt is and was a good saw also. The stand for that was brand new. I sold that saw for $350. Hegners and RBI saws hold their value because they are well built and industrial saws. They are not hobby saws. So I question you to as the size and what was included? May not be that bad of a deal. Hegners are built like a tank. If you got one for $200 then the seller did not know what they had unless the condition and extras were not there. Back when I bought mine they were around $1000. I do not remember what I paid but did get it at a woodworking show so  did get a better deal. Back in those days scrollsaw companies wer at woodworking shows selling their products. Years do not mean much if the equipment is well maintained. 

Edited December 3, 2025 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[Scrappile]

A lot depends on where you live.  Is it a 22", variable speed with stand?  And it depands on how bad you want it.  Tell us more about it.  I went and looked at market place in my area, $600 is not way high, if it is in good shape, well cared for and has stand/light/maybe other accessories.  The 18" ones go for less, and many have been for sell for a long time.

[kmmcrafts]

It's hard to say for sure if it's a decent price or not without knowing more details. With the date range being before they had the up front tension lever and quick clamp etc.. I'd say it's not worth it unless it was the bigger industrial model.. can't remember what the model name was now but they were a bigger saw with even a heavier motor than the others.. I don't think they make that saw anymore but it was around $2000 way back when I got into the hobby.. so if it is one of these.. OR it had been upgraded to the upfront tension release and other goodies it could be worth that. 

The upgrades for the old saws to make them with the more modern goodies cost quite a lot.. like a few hundred dollars so IF those upgrades had been done.. he's probably not too far off from the value.. But not worth it to "me" anyway if those upgrades haven't been done because you can go out and get a newer model that had the updated options from the factory for around that price as well so that would be a no for me.. so again.. really depends on what he has and the condition.

I got my 2002 multimax 18 free but it was missing blade chucks and I couldn't even try it.. plus the guy had to clean out the estate in a short time and sell the home because he lived out of state and took time off to get stuff cleaned out.. he was going to toss it in the dumpster if I didn't take it. He had already had some table saws and stuff loaded in the dumpster, LOL.. sad but I understand were he was coming from too.. he didn't want it and needed to clean house and had no time to mess with it.  

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

59 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said:

It's hard to say for sure if it's a decent price or not without knowing more details. With the date range being before they had the up front tension lever and quick clamp etc.. I'd say it's not worth it unless it was the bigger industrial model.. can't remember what the model name was now but they were a bigger saw with even a heavier motor than the others.. I don't think they make that saw anymore but it was around $2000 way back when I got into the hobby.. so if it is one of these.. OR it had been upgraded to the upfront tension release and other goodies it could be worth that. 

The upgrades for the old saws to make them with the more modern goodies cost quite a lot.. like a few hundred dollars so IF those upgrades had been done.. he's probably not too far off from the value.. But not worth it to "me" anyway if those upgrades haven't been done because you can go out and get a newer model that had the updated options from the factory for around that price as well so that would be a no for me.. so again.. really depends on what he has and the condition.

I got my 2002 multimax 18 free but it was missing blade chucks and I couldn't even try it.. plus the guy had to clean out the estate in a short time and sell the home because he lived out of state and took time off to get stuff cleaned out.. he was going to toss it in the dumpster if I didn't take it. He had already had some table saws and stuff loaded in the dumpster, LOL.. sad but I understand were he was coming from too.. he didn't want it and needed to clean house and had no time to mess with it.  

Kevin they still make the heavy duty motor saw today and it is now $4,000. I would not knock even a non front tension saw as being a low grade. mine did not have the front tension on it and it sold for $1000 back then and as I said I got $500 for it. You can upgrade them now and still be well under what new ones sell. That all has to be weighed. Of course 14 and 18" saws would be lowest you would want to go without front tension lever. Now does a stand mean much to you has to be a question. If so that plays a factor in the price. Look at new pricing today. They are rediculous. But you do get a quality machine. You can change out the entire arm assembly to use the front tension system for far less than a new saw. All depends on your budget and what use you want it for. We did not get enough info on what the saw had and size of the saw. It could actually be a steal.

 

 

https://www.advmachinery.com/collections/hegner-scroll-saws

Edited December 3, 2025 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[kmmcrafts]

1 hour ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

Kevin they still make the heavy duty motor saw today and it is now $4,000. I would not knock even a non front tension saw as being a low grade. mine did not have the front tension on it and it sold for $1000 back then and as I said I got $500 for it. You can upgrade them now and still be well under what new ones sell. That all has to be weighed. Of course 14 and 18" saws would be lowest you would want to go without front tension lever. Now does a stand mean much to you has to be a question. If so that plays a factor in the price. Look at new pricing today. They are rediculous. But you do get a quality machine. You can change out the entire arm assembly to use the front tension system for far less than a new saw. All depends on your budget and what use you want it for. We did not get enough info on what the saw had and size of the saw. It could actually be a steal.

 

 

https://www.advmachinery.com/collections/hegner-scroll-saws

Yeah that front tension doesn't make the saw any less quality.. my point was that most times the ones with the front tension are priced at or around that price.. and seems to be plenty around here so I would by the one with the tension up front rather than one without provided they're in the same ballpark price.. I mean why spend the same money and have to put the newer arm kit on to move the tension to the front as I believe the kit to move it to the front is over $200 the last I checked.. So for me since I would rather have that up front I'm not paying $700 and then ad another $200 when there are other used saws out there in my area that already have it up front and usually in this price range or less.. I get what you're saying though from a standpoint of buying a new saw verse the used one at less than half the price.. 

Yes the stand and other additional things can change the value too.. mine came with a stand but it looks rough compared to the saw.. saw looks new but the stand hardly has any paint on it and rusty.. something I want to clean up and paint but haven't got around to it yet. Prefer to use my Hawk anyway.. 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Like I said many factors and he never said anything other than the price. 

[rjweb]

Its a mutimax 22, looks like up front tension, thx RJ

Here is the link

 

https://houston.craigslist.org/tls/d/spring-hegner-scroll-saw/7899510250.html

Edited December 3, 2025 by rjweb

[kmmcrafts]

That looks like a really clean well taken care of saw. I'd say it's priced in the ballpark value.. maybe slightly on the high side but it is the bigger saw and very clean looking so yeah.. If it has some extra blade clamps or any extras that'd be a plus. 

In my area I see most of the smaller saws going for $400 - 600 for this in my opinion for my area would be priced about right. Are there better bargain saws out there? yeah but usually far and few between when it comes to these higher end saws.. and when they pop up they're gone quick. It does say the bellows needs replaced, but it seems most of them I see needs new one. 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

If you can hear it run and it sounds good that is a good price for that saw hands down. It comes with a foot switch and he has the add-on knurled front knob. That is something I added right away. Well worth that money too. This is what I mean price too high is subjective. yes different areas of the country may vary but age of the saw plays a part for sure but if hardly used means absolutely nothing. It would be worth a look. The bellows always dry rot as I said. But take a look at it. Now run it through the speeds too. $600 is right there. Offer a little lower and see how much they want to sell. Never hurts.

 

Edited December 4, 2025 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[kmmcrafts]

I always wondered what they make the bellows out of that makes them go bad so often.. What do I mean by that? Well dang near every Hegner needs a new bellows... Yet I have yet seen any Hawks that need a new bellows nor have I heard or seen anyone mention needing it replaced.. I see Hawk offers a replacement so they probably do go bad.. I might have to compare the sizes of these from my Hawk to the Hegner.. Maybe worth buying one for a Hawk and putting it on the Hegner since they're about half as much for the Hawk and don't seem to go bad either.. 

[Sycamore67]

It looks like a reasonable deal to me.  It has been upgraded with the tension up front.  New bellows are about $50.  Blade clamps are about $30 but they last forever.  Parts are available for the Hegners if you need them.

I have had a Hegner for a long time and love mine.

[TAIrving]

16 hours ago, rjweb said:

Its a mutimax 22, looks like up front tension, thx RJ

Here is the link

 

https://houston.craigslist.org/tls/d/spring-hegner-scroll-saw/7899510250.html

That is just a few miles from where I live.  I check Marketplace often and had seen that saw.  It does seem a little but hgh, but maybe not by a lot.  

My wife would not be pleased if I came home with yet another scroll saw.  

[Matt B]

I have this exact same saw with the same upgrades.  Mine was also made in 1995.  I paid around $1000 including the stand in 1995. It is a great saw with full parts support.  

At some point the seller replaced the upper arm to obtain the quick release.  He also changed the upper blade knob.  This shows me that he care about his saw.  
If you look at the saw, check the upper arm for wear.  It should not move much side to side.   I have replaced the bolt that holds the arm on mine due to wear.  All the parts are available.  
Price is close for a good Hegner.  I would think $500 but if you want this saw you are going to make a deal with the seller. $650 is not bad, just not optimal. 
 

Correction.  I just realized that this is a 22”.  Go for it.  

Edited December 4, 2025 by Matt B

[Scrappile]

That bellows is $48.95

https://www.advmachinery.com/products/hegner-part-number-017-bellows?_pos=1&_sid=4db1acb96&_ss=r

Didn't @OCtoolguy go to a auto parts store and buy a boot for some part of a car to use as a bellows?  Was much cheaper than Hegners.

My Herner is 15 years old, I scroll alot, would not feel bad if I had to replace the bellows even at $49.  It has huffed and buffed a long time.

 

[garryatpa]

I have a 1993 Hegner 22 with the front tension release.  Think this was the first year they had  the front tension.  I bought it new at that time for about $1400 without stand and paid another 100 for a stand later.  The only part I have replaced is the connector from the lower arm to the motor flywheel.  The bearings on the connector get rough about every 15 years of use. 

I bought another Hegner 22 about 3 years ago as a second saw.  The picture of it was only the saw.  Was advertised for 750 and after 2 or 3 weeks on Kijijji dropped to 500.  I live about 800 kms from where  it was located so had my son look at it and see if it ran smooth etc.  He ended up buying it for me.  When I met up with my son to get the saw He unloaded a good looking saw and homemade welded steel stand that must weigh 100#s.  He also had extra blades, a connector link, quick clamp and other blade clamps ..   so I believe it was a good deal.  

As far as the blower bellows not there that is one of the first things I removed on my new saw and made a vacuum system from a wood stove fan that was strong enough to suck the dust off the top the workpiece and runs so quiet you cannot hear it.  The blower sent all the dust straight at the operator and should never have been made that way.  Newer ones have a lock-tight blower hose that can be bent to blow to the side but I prefer to get rid of the dust with  a quiet vacuum system.

I think the saw you mention is a good deal. 

 

Garry

[garryatpa]

Just an addition to my comments above - make sure you put a couple of drops of oil (3in1) on each side of the bushing which holds the arm after every 10 hrs of operation.  I have no side to side movement of the arms after 37 years of operation.  When saw is running and you look at the blade from the front , the blade should be a solid line not blurry caused by side to side movement.

 

Garry 

[Millwab]

11 hours ago, Scrappile said:

Didn't @OCtoolguy go to an auto parts store and buy a boot for some part of a car to use as a bellows?  Was much cheaper than Hegners.

 

That’s what I did when I bought a used Hegner that needed a new bellows. If I remember correctly it was less than $15.

[kmmcrafts]

The part is a CV axle boot.. I don't know what size you would need or for what model car.. most of them are around the same size. I thought I read somewhere that one for a ATV quad or? was a perfect fit.. either way they're made of rubber and will out last the one that Hegner sells and as a bonus it's cheaper, LOL

[kmmcrafts]

11 hours ago, garryatpa said:

As far as the blower bellows not there that is one of the first things I removed on my new saw and made a vacuum system from a wood stove fan that was strong enough to suck the dust off the top the workpiece and runs so quiet you cannot hear it.  The blower sent all the dust straight at the operator and should never have been made that way.  Newer ones have a lock-tight blower hose that can be bent to blow to the side but I prefer to get rid of the dust with  a quiet vacuum system.

I think the saw you mention is a good deal. 

 

Garry

I'd like to see your woodstove fan set-up.. One of the reasons I haven't hooked up some sort of vac is the noise.. I have a big furnace blower that I run in the summer for a fan.. called a squirrel cage blower is what I've known them as.. but that thing is quiet.. a smaller version piped up as a suction vac would be a awesome type of dust collector.. I like how the Hegner blower is built into the arm as it's out of the way compared to those flex hoses that you constantly have to adjust but a big reason I don't use my Hegner is because it blows it "at you" LOL.. so on one hand it's a nice idea but whoever designed that has never set at a saw and used it for any length of time, LOL ..

[OCtoolguy]

I would chime in here but it seems that the idea of a CV boot has already been mentioned. Paul, you are correct. I don't recall what the application was and have since tossed the box the boots came in. I might be able to go back in my eBay history and find it. Let me know if you want that. Never mind, I tried to find my purchase info from eBay but it must have been deleted. Too far back I guess. Anyway, the info is out there, probably on Youtube. It seems that the Hegner guru site has since gone away and it's tough to find any info from that person any longer.

Edited December 6, 2025 by OCtoolguy

[Millwab]

Found this in one of Ray's old posts on this topic from Amazon …

Kit Empi 86-2340D