Greetings from Birmingham in the UK

[Tibs]

Hello all

 

I'm Andy from United Kingdom, thought I would take a few minutes to say hello seeing as I sat looking through the site last night for ideas etc

 

I'm still working full time so can only enjoy hobbies evening and weekends, as for hobbies I have a few all of which cost money and somehow I'm still happily married !

 

I'm a keen woodworker although not the best I like dabbling here and there, got my self into Wood turning a while back and loved it concentrated mainly in Pen Turning so I could pay for the hobby so to speak, then stopped for a while to play with cars..... downsized the wood turning to make room in the garage.

 

Always fancied getting a scroll saw but never quire got round to it, anyway now have some vouchers from Wifey for my birthday and want to get a scroll saw, so started looking round the web for plans, ideas etc

 

Still not made my mind up re the actual scroll saw yet, we don't seem to have as much choice here in the UK and the USA do, so Ive narrowed my choice to the ones listed below, quite a difference in price but a lot of difference in quality and performance, I'm favoring the Excalibur but don't have that much pocket money as yet.

 

Do you think its worth waiting and getting the Excalibur ?

 

1. Record Power SS16V - Variable Speed

2. Proxxon DSH 2 - two speed not variable 

2. Excalibur EX 16 - Variable Speed

[bobscroll]

Hello Andy, Welcome to the village and thank you for the intro, I think you've come

to the right place, We have plenty of free patterns also plenty of advice if needed,

I'm from the north west of England, Will see you soon, Bob 

[grampa]

Hi Andy wecome to the village I'm Paul from Heysham near morecambe, have a look at the axminster 18 inch trade it's a great saw and fitted with hegner quick change clamps its spot on .........Paul

[Phantom Scroller]

Hi Andy a big WELCOME from me. Get stuck in and ask as many question as you need because there is always an answer to all of them and as for the saw well I'm bias it have to be EX-16 for me, I have the EX-21. Roly

[LarryEA]

Welcome to SSV where scrolling may or may not be a HOBBY. Depends on who you talk to.

I'm sure someone on your side of the Pond will stear you right on a scroll saw.

 

Larry

[Tibs]

Thanks all

 

Paul you reckon the Axminster 18" trade is worth a look, it's about £150 less than the Excalibur

[wombatie]

Hi Andy welcome to the Village.  I'm Marg from Australia.  I originally came from West Bromwich a neighbor of yours.  You seem to have a very understanding wife.    Scrolling if very addictive, just thought I had better warn you so that you can warn the wife. :lol: :lol:

 

Marg

[Nick@tinkers-cove]

Hey Andy...I know Brum quite well (I lived near Cov for 5 years)

  I'd save for the Excalibur (any model) if I were you - my EX-30 was the best purchase I could've made and can't be happier with it. A lot of it is down to personal choice, but if you're getting serious about scrollin' you may want to spend a little more. 

  Axminster Tools are the UK's leading stockist for Excalibur - and there's a branch in Nuneaton.

Hope this helps, and welcome the the village.

Kindest Regards,

Nick.

[amazingkevin]

Welcome  and what ever saw you get you will have untold amount of quality time with it.I used the $100. dollar saws for years and loved it .Now i have the dw788 and love it more. The best thing you could have done was find the village.Help is a click away.ENJOY!

[grampa]

Thanks all

Paul you reckon the Axminster 18" trade is worth a look, it's about £150 less than the Excalibur

It's a solid saw with cast iron table and frame you can adjust the stroke from 10 to 20mm, it's a hegner clone so the quick change hegner clamps fits straight on it has a 120 wat induction motor, the only draw back is being trade rated it has a emergency stop button that has to be fitted when they supply them to schools,business and so on, runs smooth with no vibration. I've had a few scroll saws but this one is a joy to use, but remember the saw is only as good has your blades so get quality.........Paul

[heppnerguy]

Welcome Andy.

    I hope you find the saw that is right for you and for your budget. it sounds to me like you have some good input on saws already.I will leave that part alone and just say to you, that once you are ready to make some sawdust, don't forget our community of scrollers found right here on The Village. In the mean time, keep checking around this pace and you will e surprised at all the wonderful things that lay within it's boundaries.  Come back often so we can get to know you better

 

Dick

heppnerguy

[Tibs]

Thanks everyone, looking forward to looking leaning more as I go, I do tend to jump in with both feet when I start a hobby.

 

Well I went along to Axminster Tools the other day to look over the models, finally set on the Axminster 18" trade as it was more robust than the cheaper models, couldn't really justify the cost of the Excalibur, maybe later in a year or so if I'm still hooked.

 

The blade changing seems a bit clunky, might have to look at those Hegner clamps ypu mentioned Paul, any other tips for my new toy Paul ?

 

Thanks again everyone, I will post some work once I get started, might be a week or so as I am in the middle of a decking project in the garden, have to complete my chores before I am allowed to play.

[grampa]

Hope you enjoy your saw Andy , yes the hegner quick clamps are a must it makes a big difference when doing inside cuts, the other thing is the tension lever it comes with 2 plastic rollers you might want to change them for small roller bearings, enjoy......Paul

[Tibs]

Hope you enjoy your saw Andy , yes the hegner quick clamps are a must it makes a big difference when doing inside cuts, the other thing is the tension lever it comes with 2 plastic rollers you might want to change them for small roller bearings, enjoy......Paul

Paul thanks for the info, I had a look on Hegner think I've found the quick release one going on order straight away, it's defiantly a clone all the parts were the same.

 

Where did you get your roller bearings from didn't see them on the Hegner site?

Edited August 29, 2014 by Tibs

[grampa]

Andy, if used cupboard door fasteners, just drill out the pins from the rollers and they fit great.......Paul

[Tibs]

Andy, if used cupboard door fasteners, just drill out the pins from the rollers and they fit great.......Paul

Thanks Paul will have a look next time I'm out and about, I've ordered the quick release, just looking at sorting a light and then where to put the saw hoping SWMBO will let me put it in the hobby room !

[Forester]

Welcome a board wait until you can buy a decent machine.I bought a Record one when my other one was out of action.It cuts slow and even slower.Lol The worse power tool I have ever bought !