Wondering about a saw?

[JimSawyer]

If you want to get a good look at the Dewalt788, go to DeWalt.com. I've had one for about 8 years and I could never go back to doing things the old way, (tension at the back of the saw, (I have Tourette's Syndrome and that used to kill me. I even fabricated a big wooden knob to fit over the the factory knob), blade holders, (I did have the quick jig for the top of the blade), and to think of all the time I spent craning my neck to get my blade threaded). One thing about the 788, the top arm lifts up so that blade threading is smooth and easy. All of the controls are right there in front of you, (power on/off, speed, and blade tension, ( a simple push on a lever with positive stops so that you can get pretty consistant tension every time you re-thread). Tool-less blade changes. A simple twist of a knob and it grabs like all hell.
I agree with many of the posts I've seen. Patience is a scrollers best asset. Take your time and buy a tool that will give you every advantage. I think back to the frustating time I had with my first saw and I don't know how I did it. I knew I liked scrolling so I took a leap and got the best saw I could, (Excalibur aside), and I couldn't have been happier. I've adopted the philosophy, "The right tool for the job, and the best tool available".

[spiderweb]

Scrollsaw selection

Last fall, I attended the Fox Chapel open house to educate myself on and decide which scrollsaw I should purchase. Well worth the trip! The two Delta scrollsaws I was using worked very well,but not to the production requirements I needed. For me, all the research I did paid off in the end. I purchased a HAWK, 220 for these reasons. Price was a secondary issue as all the professional machines are not that far apart in cost..........compatible design features that fitted my way in doing things was the deciding factor. Overall, the HAWK spent it's design money on a reliable, robust design that forgives and can absorb some dumb abuses. The drive motor mounted under the table protects it well and allows the cutting table to tilt 45 degrees right or left. This saw with a coolant kit can cut ceramic and glass! The biggest deciding factor was the blade clamping system. One has the option of premounting the bottom of the blade in a clamp and feed it up through the bottom of the table, or simply leave the bottom clamb on the lower arm and feed the blade down through the top of table. My preferred way. Although it took me a little time to get use to, the tensioning adjustment at the back of the saw is absolutely amazing. For the thinnest of blades, you simply loosen the tension, clamp the blade in in place and the start applying the tension a bit at a time, not unlike tuning a string on an instrument. I then "ping" the blade till it hits the right note! Like must of us retirees that have to supplement our incomes to pay the ever rising taxes, I'm lucky that I can do what i love to do and make a buck to boot! I've had my HAWK for a llittle over three weeks and have generated close to one third of the cost of my scrollsaw by selling the items I make.

[tcleckler]

Hi Jesse, keep an eye on the internet for pricing on the DeWalt 788 saw. I got the pricing from Amazon & took it to my local WoodCraft store in Alabama. I talked to the manager & he matched the price. I got the 788 saw, stand & worklight for 399.00. Saved about 150.00 at the time, about 3 years ago. Love the saw.
Troy

[Minnesota scroller]

My brother tells me he saw a scroll saw at a thrift store for $2 last week. He turned it on and it ran real quiet. However, he's never operated one before and couldn't figure out how he would put a blade in it. He doesn't even recall checking the brand. He's going to be back there again thursday and hopefully it'll still be there. He's going to let me know the brand and model this time. I'll be anxiously awaiting word. I told him if it's an Excalibur, I'll drive the 560 miles to his house to pick it up.

Save your money untill you can get what you want. I jumped into a Delta
SS350 and am sorry for it. My 25 year old craftsman cut better. Again, save yourself the frustration and the repeated thought of "I WISH I WOULD HAVE"

knothead

[Minnesota scroller]

If a person gets that saw with the stand for $275, they got themselves a good deal, especially if it's only had about an hours use.

[Pop]

Guess it was wishful thinking on my part. It's now up to $200... that was quick and there's still 3 days left onthe auction.

[Pop]

Jesse... there's currently a Dewalt 788 on eBay for $150 that I've been watching just to see what it brings. It's located in Missouri and would cost me $75 in S&H so it's out of the question for me. I know quite a few folks on here have a DW788 so it's must be a pretty good machine. Auction #320082437935

[north wood clocks]

Hello Woodwilldo
Ditto!! the above comments.
The Dewalt saw is half the price it used to be , say, 5 years ago. You getting a smooth cutting, variable speed, top arm lift for top threading, tension at the front, toolless blade changes, often complete with light and stand for about $435 cdn. It is a joy to use. If you have a good saw you will really enjoy using it, and you should be able make anything a scrollsaw can, with your imagination.
The lowest price is not always the cheapest in the long run. There might be other saws that can do the job, but at what price?
north wood clocks

[Dragon]

The Ryobi reminds me of the Mastercraft that I started with. Got my money back for it and bought a Dewalt. Big difference and I now wish I had gone for the Dewalt right from the beginning.
Diane

[earlinjax]

My first saw was a Ryobi. It had a lot fewer features than this one appears to have. I upgraded to a Dewalt and found out I didn't know what scrolling was all about until I got the Dewalt. I would recommend saving up and stepping up.

EarlinJax

[CanadianScroller]

I have answered most of the questions with red text.
I am not sure what the price is so I can't comment on that.
I got mine 2 years ago at HD and I pid around $300 Canadian, there was nothing else available in that price range with the features I wanted at that time.

The saw i am looking at is the Ryobi 18" variable speed scroll saw.
(sc180vs)

It comes with a Teflon coated worktable, integrated blower and light, variable speed:500-1600 spm, this unit is factory reconditioned with a 1 year warranty.
Now for the questions:

First what makes a scroll saw with a quick blade changing system?
The blade clamps are tool less and the tensioning system must be quick
Does anyone have this saw and if you do what do you like about it and what don't you like about it?
I love the saw and have done most of my projects in recent times on that same model
Can anyone explain all of the features that are located on the from of this saw. What I mean is the tension screw and the lever on top of the top arm?
The tension is spring loaded. You hold down the upper blade clamp with your thumb, when you clamp it you flip a lever and tension is set. It is adjustable with a thumb screw
The Teflon coated worktable good or bad?
The teflon table is awesome. Mine has shown signs of wear over the 2 years I have used it but it still slides much better than my other saw table.
Can you use the Johnson paste wax on the table top? (I have used this stuff and man it is amazing after you put it on)
I don't see why you cant use a paste wax finish as long as it doesn't contain anything that will contaminate your finished wood.
Is a 2" cut depth good?
You will seldom need to cut more that 2"
The table tilt is only 10 degrees to the right and 45 degrees to the left. Could this be a problem?
This has not been a problem for anything I have cut so far
What about a 1 inch blade stroke good or bad?
This will clear away wood just as well as any other saw
What type of vibration does this saw have?
There is vibration in the middle section of the speed scale.
Clamping the saw minimizes this. I would not recommend putting it on a rubber mat
Ok enough questions for now I know I will probably have more later as I keep comparing the Dewalts, Hegar, and the Excalipers to it.

I have found some pros and cons on the internet about this machine but not many so that is why I am submitting it to the great scroll saw board.

Pros
Tool free Blade Change

Cons
Dust blower and Light vibrate at certain speed setting. (I did find a solution to this problem, someone said to tape a 1/2 oz. weight to the end and it eliminated the problem.
Point the blower and light straight down and it will not vibrate. You can also rest the light on a free finger as you turn the wood.
I currently use my scroll saw for intarsia and portraits and fretwork.

Im my opinion it will serve you well for these applications

Thanks in advance,
Jesse[ATTACH]2804[/ATTACH]

[Minnesota scroller]

I also agree with Randy. Have you checked Ebay? I bought a used Dewalt off Ebay a couple months ago for about $250. It works great. I could have bought a new say, different brand, for the same price and not got nearly as good of a saw.

[Gill]

Hi Jesse

You've had some good advice from Randy and Todd. Make sure that the new saw you buy is a marked improvement on its predecessor. If you can't run to the asking price of a brand new saw, don't forget there are often bargains to be had on internet auction sites. A scroller over here just bought a little-used Diamond at such an auction for the equivalent of $80.

Gill

[Rivari]

Jesse I know nothing about the Ryobi other than the info you posted. Myself I would have to back Randy's advice and that is save you money just a bit longer until you can get something in that mid-price range like the Dewalt. The number of folks here that use them should be an indicator of the quality and performance. Myself I used the same appraoch and saved until I could get my Hawk, I cussed and fought my Dremel 1800 until my ultimate goal was reached and it was more than worth it.

Good luck