I purchased a 22VS Hegner about a year ago. I have a EX 21 also, not sure why I purchased the Hegner, just got it in my head I wanted one and well, there you go. I love the EX great saw especially for the type of fret work I enjoy doing. Enter the Hegner. Well built, smooth running, but I could not get it to work with the small 3/0 and 2/0 or even the 1 size blades. I worked at it but I got very frustrated. It sat for months, I just didn't want to deal with it. Then a couple month ago my EX developed a vibration that I have yet to be able to get rid of. It is to the point that I don't enjoy using it. So I sat in front of the Hegner, decided to give it a try again. Not sure how or why but I got it working with the small blades. I think it was a matter of getting the right tension on the blades dialed in. Now I am loving the Hegner and the EX is gathering dust (the dust is coming fron the Hergner sitting next to it). I don't think there is a sturdier built scroll saw than the Hegner. There are things you have to get use to, blade changing is not as easy as on the EX, but I am use to it now and don't mind, the upper arm does not lift as high as the EX so it is harder to go from one hole to the next, but I am use to that now. You can not top feed with the Hegner, but I never could top feed with any saw I have owned. I think my Hegner will be around long after the EX is warn out. It something does go wrong on the Hegner I feel confident I can fix it. Very easy to work on.
So there is my experience with the Hegner. I am very happy with it, don't even mind the smaller table it has. I want to get my EX fixed, because it is a great saw also, but I can't seem to quit scrolling long enough to work on it. I would really hate to have to choose between the two saws.