Jonathan Shockley Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 I'm fairly new to scroll sawing. Someone offered to sell me a Hegner Polymax, which is suppose to be the best out there, but from 1989. They're asking for US$600 and say that it's been in the garage for 20 years, laying unused. We oiled it and I spent a few hours reading the instructions and sawing stuff with it, changing blades etc and it seems to work well. I checked the blade tightening knob, the clamps and knobs to change blades, the tilting table and the air pump and everything seems in working order. There's some rust in the metal part where the pulley/belt is, but other than that the machine looks in good cosmetic condition. Should I go for it? AlfrediaMum 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 iT MAY RUN GOOD BUT $600 FOR A 26 YEAR OLD SAW . NO WAY, AT 26 YEAR OLD i WOULDN'T BOTHER LOOKING AT IT. iT MAY BE A $25 BACK UP SAW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrolling Steve Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Ike is right...the saw is 26yrs old.....a new dw788 would cost at least 100.00 dollars less!.....If you have extra money and really want a Hegner saw offer him 200.00 and see what happens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson's Woodworking Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 It is a good saw that you can still buy parts for. However it is only worth $200 to $250 at the most. I bought one a couple of years ago for $150 then had to put new bellows on it and purchased the quick change blade holder for the top and a couple extra blade holders for the bottom. It was a good saw and I made quite a few projects with it including fret work and intarsia before I traded it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 You would be buying a 'pig -in-a-poke' even at $200 .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summertime Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Hi, I have a polymax, I also have a EX 30, in my opinion the EX 30 is much more enjoyable to use, so much more accurate, I spent hundreds of pounds on bearings, belts, condenser, bellows, clamps , rear tension-er lever ( only knob on original, pain doing lots of holes with) Hegner charges are daylight robbery old technology will go forever like a farm tractor, lovely bit of enginering, but give me a smooth modern quite car every time . I stack cut and do very fine detail cuts close together with the EX 30. only my opinion. been a carpenter for over 50 years Roy Ames Scrolling Steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Depending on your budget, I would go with the DeWalt 788 (making sure to do so when the stand and light are free) for around $500 http://www.rockler.com/dewalt-20-in-vs-scroll-saw-with-work-light-and-stand or the Excalibur 21 for around $900 with stand and free shipping or the Excalibur 16 for $685 with stand http://www.seyco.com/category/saws.html Both are good saws and I have both and would say each is worth what you are paying for them - the Excalibur being the better saw but the DeWalt still a very good saw. I would take either new over a 26 year old Hegner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Shockley Posted February 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 (edited) Made a mistake. It's actually from 1986! 30 years old! It still says "West germany" on it! A Cold War relic! Thanks a lot for the answers. The question I'd like to know is how is the Hegner Polymax being sold today for 3 grand different from a 1986 Polymax. The main components, as far as I can observe, all look almost exactly the same. I saw this review on Amazon, comparing a lower end Hegner (22'' multimax) with the Dewalt 788: www.amazon.com/HEGNER-Variable-Speed-Scroll-Saw/dp/B000RK1S0E/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt "A great machine. I had tried the Dewalt 788 (two of them, as a matter of fact!), and this one is far superior in every respect. It is important to have a good solid base in order to reduce vibration. Also, if one intends to do fret work, the QuickClamp is highly recommended. The parallel arms reduces the forward and backward movement of the saw blade to a minimum, a solid base reduces vibration and noise to a non-factor, and changing blades is every bit as easy as was it was with the Dewalt. What I really like about this machine is the simplicity of the engineering. Machines with less complicated designs are always better. This is truly a five-star machine." So I am tempted... also because the 5 reviews for the Hegner 18'' are 5 star http://www.amazon.com/Hegner-Variable-Speed-Scroll-Saw/dp/B000ANIQGC/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1424127469&sr=1-1 And folks who have Hegners from 86-87 have nothing but good things to say http://lumberjocks.com/topics/5153 Advanced Machinery sells the Polymax 3 for about 3 grand and the other lower end models at half to almost a quarter of that. So the guy tells me that this is a "3 thousand dollar saw" And he is including a bunch of extra clamps and blades. I already offered him $400 and he refused. Edited February 16, 2015 by JonathanShockley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 I'm fairly new to scroll sawing. Someone offered to sell me a Hegner Polymax, which is suppose to be the best out there, but from 1989. They're asking for US$600 and say that it's been in the garage for 20 years, laying unused. We oiled it and I spent a few hours reading the instructions and sawing stuff with it, changing blades etc and it seems to work well. I checked the blade tightening knob, the clamps and knobs to change blades, the tilting table and the air pump and everything seems in working order. There's some rust in the metal part where the pulley/belt is, but other than that the machine looks in good cosmetic condition. Should I go for it? I recommend you buy it... then POST weekly on how it cuts. Jim Finn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsN Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 The hegners haven't changed since the 80's. I sold my 14" 1984 for $300. I just wanted the space in my shop. It ran like a top and everything can be replaced if need be. If it were me, I would try to talk them down to $450-500, but st $600 it is probably a great deal. Advanced machinery is the US distributor for higher and has awesome customer service. If you need the quick release blade clamp or any parts give them a call. stu 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multifasited Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 The Fact is it is only money! !Buy a new one then you will be TOTALLY Happy ! You are definitely a HEGAN MAN ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Finn Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 (edited) I have a 2008 Hegner polymax that is my ,go to, saw. I also have a 1986 Hegner multimax 25: that still runs great. I paid $600 for it three years ago; I say buy that Polymax. IT is a bargain. The main advantage of this saw is that it is very durable and you can still get all the parts for it. If you plan on cutting 3/4" or thicker material you will need a saw like this. IF you will only do fretwork I would not recommend it. Cheaper, expendable saw would be a better choice then. A new Polymax costs about $3000. Edited February 17, 2015 by Jim Finn Jonathan Shockley and amazingkevin 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 I'd rather have two used dewalts for the same money! sullyscroller 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Shockley Posted February 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 (edited) Thanks for the explanations. I bought it!!! Do you guys have any idea what is the thickest aluminum a scroll saw like this could cut? Edited February 17, 2015 by JonathanShockley Travis and Jim Finn 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Same thickness as a DEwalt can cut I think I think Chelcas knows??????????????????????????? It's early, I have one eye open and ... yawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Shockley Posted February 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Is one inch thick aluminum too much on the dewalt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 I have cut 1 inch Oak and Walnut but never aluminum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Finn Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 In my experience, cutting thick wood, even pine, on a DeWalt will kill it over time. It is great for fretwork with thinner stock though. You can fit 1 3/4" stock with a Polymax. Cutting thick aluminum will depend on getting the right blade for it and a very slow feed rate. If you call Mike's workshop he will advise you on which blade is best for aluminum. Congratulations on your purchase. I have my Polymax on a Polymax stand and have it bolted to the floor to dampen any vibration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multifasited Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Am I on Candid Camera ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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