As a beginner, it's hard to justify $1200-$1500 to purchase a scroll saw, I looked around a bit and could have gotten one for half the price, but did not want a miserable experience as a beginner. The DW788, in my opinion, has given me great results having only had it for about a month. I did add the foot switch. I have some photos on my Lumberjocks page. http://lumberjocks.com/projects/307058