What kind of scroll saw would you buy today?

[cskipper]

I am at a point of wanting to be a new scroll saw and am shopping for opinions about which to buy. I'm leaning toward a Hegner. Thanks in advance for any input.
cskipper

[Gill]

Hi Cathy

You won't go far wrong with a Hegner. However, I know it's an obvious thing to say but please make sure you've identified what it is you want from your new saw. What are the limitations you're experiencing with your Delta? What other options have you considered?

Gill

[cskipper]

Limitations of current Delta

The biggest problem that I am having is inconsistency in pieces when I am stack cutting. I am either stacking1/8 or 1/4" stock for ornaments, coasters, etc and have a significant difference in the top and bottom piece. If I only stack up to 1" thick I can't use any pattern that has thin "walls" because the bottom piece tends to not be usable.

I also make a lot of trivets (and according to a gallery I sold some pieces to, window decorations). I use 1/4 - 3/8" stock, depending on how I think the piece is going to be used. Stack cutting these still gives me the problem with incosistency and vibration. I cut slowly and work at not forcing the blade, but feel that the problem is largely due to the motion of the arm/blade. I hate to cut anything without stack cutting - it just seems like poor use of my time since my shop time is limited.

I started with the Delta because it wasn't the cheapest but not $500. I wasn't really sure how much I would enjoy cutting with it and didn't want to make a huge investment. Now I am thoroughly hooked.

I really want to start cutting those really challenging pieces with the gazillion inside cuts and thin connections between pieces (like the Pups on a Bench). I know I can buy a DeWalt that will resolve some of these issues. But since I don't plan on buying a saw every couple of years (wishful thinking?) I wonder if it makes more sense to just go ahead and make the big jump.

[workin for wood]

Sounds to me like the saw is out of adjustment. There's alot of scrollers using delta's without those problems. I'd start by increasing the blade tension and then I'd check the squareness of the blade to the table. I don't really care for using an actual square because the teeth on a blade are offset to one side causing the blade to wander in that direction. Get a scrap of 3/4 lumber or more and make a straight cut into it about 1/2" deep. flip the wood over and make an identicle cut about 1/4" to the side of your last cut. Now measure the distances of the cut from top to top and bottom to bottom. The two cuts should be exactly parrallel to one another. Also, train yourself to make all your cuts in the same direction. I'm a counter clockwise cutter myself.

[Jediscroller]

If I were buying one today, I'd give the Diamond serious consideration as well. As I like to create and cut patterns for "woodworms on steroids" which is what it sounds like you want to cut as well top feeding is immensely helpful. The Hawk G4 and the Excaliburs offer this. I have an EX 30 and stack everything. No regrets in my purchase.

[Gill]

I agree with Jeff - it sounds as if your table is out of alignment with your blade. His technique for checking alignment is failsafe and I'd strongly urge you to follow his advice. After all, why buy a new saw if you can correct the error so easily?

That said, if you're going to be doing a lot of scrolling it will be handy to have two saws because there'll inevitably be times when one of them needs servicing. If you're making a lot of piercing cuts, look for a saw that has quick blade change mechanisms. This is one aspect where machines such as larger Hegners really score over Diamonds. It takes a lot longer to change a blade than the eight seconds that Diamond claim!

Gill

[ChuckD]

Another great way to check for square and I use it when ever I am in doubt. Get a 3/4 inch of scrap, cut in about 1/4 inch then cut a circle and come back to where you started. If the cut piece comes out nicely in both directions it is square. If not use Jeff's method to find which way to go. Good Luck

[cskipper]

scroll saws

If I were buying one today, I'd give the Diamond serious consideration as well. As I like to create and cut patterns for "woodworms on steroids" which is what it sounds like you want to cut as well top feeding is immensely helpful. The Hawk G4 and the Excaliburs offer this. I have an EX 30 and stack everything. No regrets in my purchase.

I'd never heard of the Diamond before. What is the conversion rate in currency?

[Rolf]

If I were to buy a new saw today I would still buy the RBI G4.
More room under the top arm for thick wood and my fingers.
Top or bottom feeding
An almost vertical cut motion.
( I know someone asked me to measure the front to back motion, sorry havn't had a chance)
I would also take a hard look at the Eclipse.
I wish someone in our club had a P20, I would really like to try one.

[cskipper]

Eclipse

I haven't been able to determine from the literature, does the Eclipse require a tool for changing the blade?

[William Young (SE BC)]

There isn't a saw on the market that I would trade for my Delta P-20 . Including an Eclipse because then not only would I not be able to top feed very easily . . . I wouldn't be able to top feed at all.
And I wouldn't have a nation wide network of parts and service depots available to me just in case I might ever require their services.
W.Y.