Help with Buying a Scroll saw?

[MrAudio815]

Hello,

I am looking for a scroll saw, but I have never used one. I don't have or want to spend a lot of money so here are my three choices I have.

Delta Variable speed 20" $200 Link The Delta and Dremel tools requires me to drive an 1 hour total
Dremel 16" $75
Harbor Freight VS 16" with 20% off coupon. $69 Link

I'll be using it to cut out the middle of one of the pieces for this wooden cude gordon's knot. I already cut the other two pieces as I could do it with a bandsaw. This is the only reason I need a scroll saw as of now, but I am sure once I get used to it I will be using it more.



Thanks for your help and input. I know there are a lot of great features with these tools that I don't have a clue about.

[Charlie]

Matthew, For now, use a coping saw?

[MrAudio815]

Ah,


Thanks Charlie~! I think that will work. I am guessing the other saws are not very good??? Even the dremel I thought might be ok?

[steelwheel1999]

to badwe are so far apart I have the one I bought from lowes that Im getting ready to sell Lowes will also take the hf coupon if its on an item both sell like a scroll saw
http://www.lowes.com/pd_10394-46922-...saw&facetInfo=

This skill is 119.00 before discount -95.20 plus tax
Just a thought

[zapdafish]

check our classifieds, there are a few posted. The one for $50 looks like a real good deal to me

[Joe Scharle]

I make those burr puzzles with a router and a carrier jig. Having a Woodrat makes it really easy, but I have made them on a router table.
Are you back from Utah?

[FredP]

you can use the band saw for all three pieces. the closed one you would cut off one side then cut out the middle and glue the side back on. If you are careful you wont even see the glue joint.

[cskipper]

CL listings 5-27-12.docCL listings 5-27-12.docCL listings 5-27-12.doc

Hello,
I am looking for a scroll saw, but I have never used one. I don't have or want to spend a lot of money so here are my three choices I have.
Delta Variable speed 20" $200 Link The Delta and Dremel tools requires me to drive an 1 hour total
Dremel 16" $75
Harbor Freight VS 16" with 20% off coupon. $69 Link

I'll be using it to cut out the middle of one of the pieces for this wooden cude gordon's knot. I already cut the other two pieces as I could do it with a bandsaw. This is the only reason I need a scroll saw as of now, but I am sure once I get used to it I will be using it more.
Thanks for your help and input. I know there are a lot of great features with these tools that I don't have a clue about.

The link provided for the Delta is in Utah - have you moved really far away?

Check out CL - I glanced around the state and some in the Atlanta area and am listing some below. There are a ton of other saws in lower price ranges. I don't have any experience with any of them so they are not on the list. Some of these may be ones that members have been interested in in the past - worth checking out the list.

The difference in price ranges include the differences in blade motion (affects vibration and ease of accurate cutting of intricate patterns and stack cutting), types of blades used (try to get ones that require pinless blades), and method of changing the blades (though interestingly enough, the top dollar saws require a separate key which some see as a disadvantage). You will enjoy any cutting on higher priced saws (that run well), but basic cuts are probably possible on any. I know some long time scroll sawyers who have used the base models for years and do great work with them - I didn't have the patience. I did find my Hegners on CL - one for $200ish - about $1400 below actual cost so it's worth checking them out. I've listed some general ranges, and I'm sure I've left some off the list.

$100 or less - The base ones are - I can't recommend unless you are going to have very limited use. These are generally only for very basic use (though I'm sure some seasoned sawyers are still cutting on these)
$200-$300 - better for more use - still will have some probably with vibration. I used one that cost approximately $250 for many years - was a Delta - I don't remember the model. It has been revamped and is selling now for two prices - one as a basic saw, one states is has parallel motion of the that arms and is in the $500 range.
$400-$600- have some type of mechanism to offer basically parallel motion of the arms (gives you the smoothest cutting motion, and makes stack cutting more accurate). As far as I know this class includes Delta, Excalibur and maybe the old DeWalts
$1000+ - RBI Hawk, Hegner, PSWood - true parallel motion of arms - I love my Hegners, but have bought both used (still work great).

http://wilmington.craigslist.org/tls/3038339491.html
P20 Delta at Monkey Junction - $350
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/tls/2981682469.html
RBI Hawk – not sure if the original company or new one - $550
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/tls/2989415716.html
Dewalt – No idea when manufactured or which type - $350 Concord
http://greenville.craigslist.org/tls/3040116948.html
29861 Dewalt 8 years old –does not have stand, etc… $200
http://greenville.craigslist.org/tls/3021624282.html
Delta 40-690 Greenville, SC – reconditioned by Delta in Anderson- $350
http://greenville.craigslist.org/tls/3001931132.html
Easley, SC - $125 – Delta 46-901
http://boone.craigslist.org/tls/2965622491.html
Delta shopmaster – 20” – Boone $95
http://tricities.craigslist.org/tls/2961147985.html
DeWalt 788 Bristol, TN – stand, light…. No idea which model $350
http://tricities.craigslist.org/tls/2961147985.html
RBI Hawk – stand only – no light etc… Jonesboro, TN $425
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/tls/3039834130.html
DeWalt whole setup – Rome, GA - $350
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/tls/3036396833.html
DeWalt - - light and home- made table Bremen (GA?) $250 obo
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/tls/2996905387.html
DeWalt – whole set up - Sandy Springs - $400
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/tls/3010648828.html
Delta 40-560-Tipe (not spelling error) 2, Norcross/Deluth - $125 –
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/tls/2964835667.html
Monroe – Ga? Looks like the 40-560 $200 –posted 4/18/12

Hope this isn't too much info.
Cathy

[sawman101]

Of the three saws advertised, I believe the Dremel is the better saw. There are many scrollers throughout the country using Dremel saws. I'd steer clear of the HF saw, which is cheaply made, and the Delta was a low end saw that parts are no longer available for. Happy sawdusting!