Shop Fox Scroll Saw Upgrade

[PeteStaehling]

I have an active shop and work in it every day, but only recently have gotten interested in scroll sawing. To that end I bought a Shop Fox 1713-16 scroll saw. When I found that I didn't like the blade changing on the Shop Fox, I ordered the Pozsgai Designs EZ Set Blade Holder System for my Shop Fox scroll saw and am awaiting delivery. Anyone have any experience with that setup?

I am not sure exactly where my scroll saw interest will take me. This will be a change from my usual work which is mostly dulcimer building. https://www.facebook.com/FeatherDulcimer

 

[ScottM]

I have owned a number of scrollsaws in my life but none were a Shop Fox. I actually have 3 working ones currently. The best low range saw on the market is the DeWalt 788 but they are made over seas (like most these days) and the quality is very iffy. Delta makes a clone of the DeWalt but they cloned the defects as well as the good features. As far as new saws go, top of the line today are the Hegner (Germany made) and the Hawk (US made). You are looking at $1,200+ for new.

There are two scrollsaw dedicated forums that you might want to check out for more info. They are:
https://forum.scrollsawer.com/forum
http://www.scrollsawvillage.com/forum

 

[Willemjm]

I love my old Dremel 1680. They stopped making them around 2001, but you can still buy all the parts and find a good saw on Craigs List for under $100.

 

[NOTW]

My first scroll saw was a shop fox, it was a great saw to get me into scrolling and I cut a lot of stuff with it. I agree the blade changing is a huge pain on that machine. I have since upgraded to the Porter Cable scroll saw that i got of the clearance rack at Lowes since the plastic case that holds the switch was cracked. Since getting the Porter Cable i have been amazed at how much smoother it is than the shop fox and how much less vibration there is, and i am told that the dewalts and excaliburs have even less.

 

[PeteStaehling]

Thanks for the responses. I am pretty happy with the shop fox other than the blade holders which I expect the Pozsgai Designs EZ Set Blade Holder System to resolve. I found it vibrated a little more than I'd like until I build a nice heavy duty three legged stand for it that really cut down on the vibration a lot and I now find it very satisfactory. I angle braced the legs and it seems to work very well. The bench is not pretty but is nice and sturdy. Being made from 2x4 studding it was also cheap to build.

Edit 1
I tried to attach a picture, but apparently failed to do so.

Edit 2
Okay It looks like it uploaded this time, but is rotated wrong.

Edit 3
Fixed. I downloaded your photo, rotated and then reloaded.

 

[PeteStaehling]

The Pozsgai Designs EZ Set Blade Holder System for my Shop Fox scroll saw arrived and I am delighted with the results. It makes it much easier to manage the blade attachment and is very quick and toolless for moving the blade for interior cuts. It also seem more rigid so the saw actually seems to vibrate less and cut better. I didn't expect those improvements. Delivery was very fast. The web site is kind of clunky, but the product and service are great.

I'd recommend it for any saw that he makes one for if you are unhappy with the original blade attachment.
http://www.pozsgaidesigns.com/