dansnow Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 Was reading a notice from Steve Good about General international, the maker of the Excaliber, was having issues again. So checked the Seyco website, and sure enough, all of their Excalibers are listed as temporarily Out Of Stock! When I bought my Anniversary Edition a few years ago they had stopped shipments because of a design issue. I wonder what the problem is this time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 There is another thread here about this. Might have the answer in it. I haven't looked at it for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye10 Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 I bought the DW 788 because I couldn't buy an EX. I kike my DW but I am new to scrolling so I don't know the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 Nobody said life was easy,Twists and turns everywhere.I'm glad i have 7 saws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denny Knappen Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 My EX 21 broke down about two weeks ago. I called Ray and a modified replacement was shipped. Installed last Sunday and works great. Ray said that the part that broke was a common occurrence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotshot Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Many have sent letters, General is not talking. I sent several myself. Steve good mentioned it in his distribution that went to thousands, and I forwarded that communications to General also, trying to get them to reply. Not a peep. I love my EX, but this kind of behavior from the manufacturer is very disturbing. ----------Randy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Scroller Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 My EX 21 broke down about two weeks ago. I called Ray and a modified replacement was shipped. Installed last Sunday and works great. Ray said that the part that broke was a common occurrence. Denny as an owner of an EX-21 I would be very interested in knowing what part failed. WayneMahler 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denny Knappen Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Scott, there is a screw and nut connection on the upper arm between the blade holder assembly and the arm. The screw actually sheared off. The replacement eliminated this connection making the arms a complete unit. Hope this explains the problem. NC Scroller 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneMahler Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Scott, there is a screw and nut connection on the upper arm between the blade holder assembly and the arm. The screw actually sheared off. The replacement eliminated this connection making the arms a complete unit. Hope this explains the problem. Denny Did the saw give you indication of a problem before it snapped ? I had my EX-21 about 7 months when one of the bearings went bad. Ray was great over the phone and shipped the necessary parts very quickly. The reason I am asking is I am starting to develop a slight vibration at higher speeds. Appreciate any input. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denny Knappen Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Wayne, there was no indication before the break. Scrolling fine and all of a sudden the top blade holder went limp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrscroller Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Gee I am sure glad I have a rock solid older hegner that is like that timex that keeps on ticking Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotshot Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 (edited) Gee I am sure glad I have a rock solid older hegner that is like that timex that keeps on ticking Bill Bill, Hegners also have their issues. I have a 22v and had the connection rod, which is made out of freaking plastic, break. As I found out, this is a common Hegner breakage. Over time, the plastic breaks down and the integrity of that part diminishes, even on this saw which had very little use, and no abuse. Good thing about Hegners, they are pretty easy to work on. I was really hoping they would start making the connector rods out of something more sturdy, like they do on the Hegner Polymax. ------Randy Edited September 7, 2016 by hotshot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky2 Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 Dan, what's this "again" thing about, they've been unavailable for some time now. Len Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotshot Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 (edited) Dan, what's this "again" thing about, they've been unavailable for some time now. Len This isn't the first time the supply chain has run dry. A few years back when I ordered my saw from Seyco, the supply line had run dry, and it was several months wait because the manufacturer has to setup the line and do "a run." They only do "runs" periodically, so I suspect the factory was backed or something. This time around, we only have speculation, and nothing solid. General hasn't said anything to Ray or otherwise as far as I know. He was asked and said he didn't know, unless he has heard something since. That said, there seem to be EX saws available under the Pegas Brand, and also plenty of Jet's, so I'm not buying the theory that they lost their factory, although, who knows. I used to be able to get answers from General about stuff like this, but they have made some bad decisions lately, and have quit responding. Probably the worst decision it to put their name on a "CRAP" line of tools: You might recognize this saw as the HF/Ryobi/Taiwanese clone: https://www.amazon.com/General-Intl-Power-Products-BT8007/dp/B015R40F6W/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1473305131&sr=8-3&keywords=general+scroll+saw Edited September 8, 2016 by hotshot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blaughn Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 (edited) This isn't the first time the supply chain has run dry. A few years back when I ordered my saw from Seyco, the supply line had run dry, and it was several months wait because the manufacturer has to setup the line and do "a run." They only do "runs" periodically, so I suspect the factory was backed or something. This time around, we only have speculation, and nothing solid. General hasn't said anything to Ray or otherwise as far as I know. He was asked and said he didn't know, unless he has heard something since. That said, there seem to be EX saws available under the Pegas Brand, and also plenty of Jet's, so I'm not buying the theory that they lost their factory, although, who knows. I used to be able to get answers from General about stuff like this, but they have made some bad decisions lately, and have quit responding. Probably the worst decision it to put their name on a "CRAP" line of tools: You might recognize this saw as the HF/Ryobi/Taiwanese clone: https://www.amazon.com/General-Intl-Power-Products-BT8007/dp/B015R40F6W/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1473305131&sr=8-3&keywords=general+scroll+saw I certainly wouldn't try to argue with you. It does seem, however, that the pipeline has been empty too long. I have sourced product out of Asia for the past 15 years - machine parts, molded parts, assemblies as well as sewn products. When you have a molded product, the costs are 25% of what they are in the us. Machine parts, welded parts, sewn products come in with a "landed cost" (that is shipping, and duty added to product cost) at 50% of domestic production. The downside is you don't own the tooling and the factory you use has no loyalty to you unless you are constantly ramping up the number of units ordered. If someone else comes in with a larger MOQ (minimum order quantity) the asian factory kisses you goodbye with no warning nor apology. The process of "proving-out" a new factory with new tools, molds, fixtures, material specifications and quality control is a nightmare for a complex machine - especially if you own a "top tier" quality reputation. Asia is filled with contract factories who are more than willing to substitute cheaper materials, sloppier tolerancing and/or hidden defects. It is like Russian roulette with only one empty chamber. Excalibur cannot afford a shipment of product with fatal flaws. If they lost their factory, there are some folks who are spending far more time in Taiwan and the People's Republic of China than they ever wanted. Edited September 9, 2016 by Blaughn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 (edited) Well for some reason I do not have a whole lot of sympathy for them. Edited September 9, 2016 by Scrappile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Scroller Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 Well for some reason I do not have a whole lot of sympathy fir them. I go not feel sorry for the folks at General. I feel sorry for people like those are Seyco who sell and repair them. I feel even more sorry for us scrollers. Who are looking for a good mid range machine. Face it Dewalt went to check quality wise so once one graduates from an entry-level saw the have to go to a high end Hawk or Hegner. Scrappile 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolf Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 (edited) Maybe it is time to start buying more Hawks! I say gently not to generate any wrath towards an old guy (me) Another choice for companies like General is to bring the manufacturing back to the US where it is easier to control the quality of manufacturing. Edited September 9, 2016 by Rolf hotshot, woodknots and Scrappile 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 I should have clarified, I meant to refer to the parent company that sourced out their production to an overseas company. But maybe there is another reason for the shortage, that we don't know about. Time will tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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