Hello new to your forum

[Catlyn]

Hello.....
I enjoy woodcraft and painting. I have alot of tools but no scroll saw.
Used to have a very cheap one from sears...a craftsman. It didn't last til the water got hot, hardly. Used it a little but it was so noisy I probably have hearing damage from it now.
I plan on purchasing a new one....a good one...soon.
Have been reading reviews anywhere I can find them about the different scroll saws......am thinking of the DeWalt but I found some reviews on amazon that said they are now manufactured in Taiwan and they have trouble, frequently, with getting a saw that has some type of screw holes lined up...one person posted it took 4 trys before getting a saw that everything was as it was supposed to be....but he said once he got a saw that everything lined up it worked perfectly.
So I'm kind of hesitant to get one if it's made in taiwan.
I'm hoping to read some reviews here on the different saws.
Hope to join in the chat with you all occassionally.
Catlyn

[wood-n-things]

Welcome A Board!! You will be hard pressed to find a friendlier or more knowledgeable group on the net re: woodworking. Share your knowledge and do not hesitate to ask questions.

You may find the stickies at the top of this forum to be very helpful. Use the Link below.

Message Board FAQ, Suggestions and Feedback - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board.

Take a few minutes to read through them. They are chock full of great information.

Be sure and share pics of your projects. We thrive on pictures.

The only dumb question is the one that remains unasked.

Whatever reason brought you to our forum we are pleased you found us.

[Xray]

There are some quality tools made in Taiwan - It does appear that Dewalt dropped the ball with DW788 line though, and reading all the negative reviews and customer service horror stories here and elsewhere, I'd personally think more than twice about ordering one.
Take a look at this recent thread

http://www.scrollsawer.com/forum/tools-and-blades/40750.htm

That said, you can find negative reviews of just about anything. I wouldn't be using Sprint, Comcast, Paypal ect if I took to heart everything negative I have read or heard about them. As it stands, I am fairly happy with all 3. But the numerous problems with Dewalt do seem to be adding up to more than just isolated quality control issues, and until they get these issues straightened out, I'd steer clear.

Many folks are very happy with Excaliburs, including myself. They are top of the line tools, and not cheap. You hardly ever hear negative reviews about them, and they are built to last.
There is a dealer who posts here that many of us have bought from, and he is renowned for stellar customer service. Woodcraft stores also sell them, not many of those in your neck of the woods though.

[Catlyn]

DeWalt Versus the Excalibur 21

Well, that's what I'm thinking...I should steer clear of the DeWalt and look at Excalibur.
I just looked at one on Amazon and the price is about $300 more than the DeWalt but sometimes a little more money is worth it to not get the headaches of the lesser priced machine if it is going to be nothing but trouble.
It is a shame that DeWalt has let those machines go downhill....I've read that they were excellent machines, easy to change the blades, moderately priced......
but since being outsourced overseas the quality has gone downhill.
That's a shame.

But anyway...thanks for your replies and I am going to buy a scroll saw...it won't be like within the next month....I'm retired now but I'm going back to work so I can buy one.
And no....my neck of the woods doesn't have a whole lot. lol
I was hoping to find some woodworking shows in Little Rock....but apparently they don't visit Arkansas.

[Xray]

Keep in mind, the 21 inch model is the one that is quite a bit more than the Dewalt.
The 16 inch model is about the same in price, you may not need the bid one [I didn't]. The extra table space is worth it to some, not worth it for others ,,, Depends on the size of projects you do.

[Scrolling Days]

Hello new to your forum

Welcome, Catlyn.....it's your forum now, too!


I have the DeWalt, and absolutely love it. Bought it on Amazon and it runs like a dream.

I've read those horror stories as well on the Amazon review pages, but I've never actually run into somebody in real life who had those machining problems. In fact, most people who I know, who have bought the DeWalt since they moved their operations out of Canada (I think that's where they used to be made....might be wrong), are very happy with their purchase.

[Jim Finn]

I went from a $200 scroll saw from Harbor Freight to a Dewalt and when it literaly fell apart I bought a $2400 Hegnar. I then found a used Hegner for $600 and now I have two of them. Dewalt cuts very well but lasted only 20 months. The blade changing on the Hegners is not as slick as the DeWalt but they are holding up well for me.

[ubgoofy2003]

Welcome Catlyn. I hope you can find a saw that is problem free. The only problem with that, is, you won't know it until you try it. If you can't try it before you buy it, then I don't know how you would know if you like it or not. That still won't tell you over the long run, how the saw will hold up to endurance. I have a DeWalt that I bought 3 yrs. ago(made in Taiwan) & it is a # II type saw. I haven't had any problems with it. It's just like everything you buy, you can get a lemon. The price of the saws other than the DeWalt are up quite a bit, & they all have little things that one might not like about them. So, you have a problem even before buying one, chuckle ! I hope you can find what you want & really enjoy scrolling. I do. Take Care & Good Luck
I might add that you should get a copy of the Scrollsaw Woodworking & Crafts magazine, Fall issue #40--- it has all the saws listed with prices & some info.

[KarlB]

Welcome Catlyn.

I started with a Pro-Tech scroll saw many moons ago. I then upgraded to a new Craftsman scroll saw and kept looking on Craigslist for a DeWalt saw. I finally got one used for $250.00. It has been great using it and I've had no problems with it, nor did the previous owner (at least not that I'm aware of).

If you have the money to do so, buy the best you can get. Consider 2cd hand if money is tight or you want to see if scrolling is for you. (It is fun and addicting, but not everyone keeps their saw.)

Karl

[doodle1]

Welcome Catlyn!
I was in your situation only a couple weeks ago in trying to figure out which saw to buy. I heard alot about the problems Dewalt owners were having and decided to go with the Excalibur 16" and absolutely love it! It is about the same price as the Dewalt and runs like a charm! I used to have a Craftsman 16" and it treated me well until I wore it out. I didn't have the cash to go bigger so when I saw the Excalibur 16" on sale I jumped at the deal and don't regret it for a minute! Whatever you choose I hope you enjoy it!

[Catlyn]

Welcome Catlyn!
I was in your situation only a couple weeks ago in trying to figure out which saw to buy. I heard alot about the problems Dewalt owners were having and decided to go with the Excalibur 16" and absolutely love it! It is about the same price as the Dewalt and runs like a charm! I used to have a Craftsman 16" and it treated me well until I wore it out. I didn't have the cash to go bigger so when I saw the Excalibur 16" on sale I jumped at the deal and don't regret it for a minute! Whatever you choose I hope you enjoy it!

And I haven't even decided yet which one to get, for sure. I'm wavering between the DeWalt and an Excalibur.
One of the posters here has invited me to come by his house next week, as I go thru there on a little trip I'm taking, and he said I could take a little spin on his DeWalt!
I'm anxious to get there and do that. He's also going to share some wood with me, so I can start building up a little stash, and when I get my shop in shape and get my saw I'll be ready to go.
I'll get a good saw this time. I know I'll be spending at least $500 if not more. I will go up to $800 if I have to. I think one in that range would probably serve my needs.
I have a 12" bandsaw, craftsman and I have really enjoyed it over the years. But there are things I would like to do now that you can't do on a bandsaw.
I have a couple of other issues going on that I have to get settled first but I'm hoping in the next month at least.

[smitty0312]

Welcome to this great site.