Help me in choosing a scrollsaw

[leshko]

Instead of my old Jet JSS16, I want to buy a new saw. I choose in the price range of $300-600. In this price I can buy:
Delta 40-694 - $ 420 new, 300 - used. The price to be attractive, but few reviews. Is this reliable as a DeWalt?
DeWalt - 530 - new, 400 uzed
HEGNER Multicut 1 - used. The disadvantage is the smaller size of the table 14.
Hegner Multimax-18 - 450 $
RBI HAWK Scroll Saw Model 214 - 180$ old, it is not clear his condition.

What should I choose? Can I trust the quality of Delta?

[Rolf]

Out of that selection I would go with the Hegner Multimax 18 if it is in good shape.

[hotshot]

Leshko, are there repair shops for any of those brands in Russia?  You have a lot of good choices. I would take the Multicut 1 off you list.  If you don't like a small table, you might remove the Multimax 18 as well.

My personal opinion is that the Dewalt/Delta would be my choice if it were serviceable where you are because they are an absolute joy to use.  If not, I would have to go with the Hegner as those are pretty solid, and you could work on those easy enough yourself.  I had the plastic connection rod break on mine, and it was trivial to replace.

 

Edited June 21, 2017 by hotshot

[tuner]

Delta and Dewalt, in my opinion your paying for the yellow paint, both are good saws new, if I were buying used the upper end saws can be had in good condition if you look around and I think there built better,cut better, last longer, and just as easy to repair.also what you intend to do makes a difference..hobby, work, as for size I would stay as close to 20 as I could but would not turn down a good 14..that's still  over 2 foot cut to center. Well just thoughts. You seem to have the funds, if you don't rush you should end up happy

[Scrappile]

If the MultiMax is in good condition, yep would be my choice without a doubt. If the table seems small, there are always ways to add auxiliary table over it.  

[leshko]

Rolf, The new Hegner, Hawk or Excalibur is too expensive for me. It's a dream, far and not fast. I can buy this brand second-hand only.

hotshot, unfortunately, this is in America and Europe only. In Russia there is only new  Hegner and Jet or the Chinese for $ 150. Therefore, the presence of a service for me does not matter. There is no such thing. We will have to buy spare parts through the Internet and repair ourselves.
From this point of view, Hegner and Hawk are preferred with their reliable asynchronous motors, which can easily be replaced by similar ones at 220V. Other models in the event of a breakdown will require original engines.

tuner. That is, these models are equivalent to the user.
Scrappile As for the size of the table, I was referring to its depth. My Jet has a size of 16 ", which is often not enough for me." I can not imagine how to work on a 14 "saw. My love in scrolling is puzzles. The billet is large enough and sometimes the customers are forced to jump over the head (that is, overcome the limitations). Therefore, I would like a larger size.

I am very grateful to everyone for the answers. I'll think about it until Monday, then I'll make a choice.
Of course, it is convenient to have different tools, large and small. But For now I'm looking for one universal. Used have an attractive price, but its condition can be estimated only with the words of the seller and photos. This is a lottery. I sit and think - play or not ...

[Scrappile]

You said the MultiMax Hegner is 18".  That is the depth.  Bigger than what you currently have.  If it is variable speed and has the tension release lever at the front of the upper arm it is a good saw.

Edited June 21, 2017 by Scrappile

[jerry1939]

Best of luck with whatever you choose.  I have always been a firm believer in Preventative Maintenance. Depending on how much you use your saw, set up a schedule to disassemble it and grease all the bearings.  It is time well spent.  Also, when working with small parts with grease on your hands, before you start, build a "wall" around the saw to catch that tiny piece that will "fly away."

You are already getting good advice as far a brand name.  My Delta 40-694 is 3 years old an I'm well pleased with it.

jerry

[Dave Monk]

A lot depends on how much you use your saw. Currently I have a Dewalt.  I like the saw........it is not built for the amount of scrolling I do. I scroll about 6 hours a day. My first saw lasted 9 months. I got a new one under warranty. It is about 6 months old and showing some wear. I will upgrade this fall. Good luck on you decision.

Edited June 22, 2017 by Dave Monk

[leshko]

Thanks Jerry, this is a very valuable piece of advice. I lubricate my saw in 50 hours, but completely disassembled only 2 times. I used oil for sewing machines  usually. The last time I decided to make out completely. I carefully removed the old oil, very thick and hard as paraffin. I did not see any significant signs of wear on the axes and holes, but when measuring the dimensions I found gaps to 0.01-0.015". The new thick oil is much softer than the original and resembles a cream or petrolatum. Unfortunately, after that, the noise and vibration increased significantly. There is idea to replace simple bushings to ball bearings.
But then I decided not to change it yet, but to buy another saw.
Hallo Dave! My saw has an age of 5 years and about 1000-1200 hours. On average, I work 2 hours a day on weekdays, 6-8 - on weekends. I had the idea to change my Chinese appeared long ago, but I always put it off for later. Really already in a year of work even the devil has wear? I am glad that you were able to change it under warranty. At us deterioration as a rule it not a guarantee case for electrotools.

[leshko]

Thanks for the tips. Yesterday I ordered Delta, now I just have to wait. It did not last long, only a month - to cross the ocean and cross the customs office;)

[meflick]

Congratulations on ordering your new saw.  I pray for smooth sailing and breeze through customs for you. 

[Roberta Moreton]

Dewalt. Hands down!

[Woodmaster1]

Great choice, I have the Delta and very happy with my decision. At my woodworking club today I used an Excalibur and the Dewalt I like my delta better than either of the other saws. The Excalibur was hard to position the blade so it could be tightened, I am sure it was me not be familiar with the saw. The Dewalt I didn't like the arm holder because the Delta is real easy to use, that is about the only difference between the Dewalt and Delta saws other than color.

[amazingkevin]

On 6/21/2017 at 8:25 AM, hotshot said:

Leshko, are there repair shops for any of those brands in Russia?  You have a lot of good choices. I would take the Multicut 1 off you list.  If you don't like a small table, you might remove the Multimax 18 as well.

My personal opinion is that the Dewalt/Delta would be my choice if it were serviceable where you are because they are an absolute joy to use.  If not, I would have to go with the Hegner as those are pretty solid, and you could work on those easy enough yourself.  I had the plastic connection rod break on mine, and it was trivial to replace.

 

The great Oz has spoken,lol.small tables are not a lot of fun most projects require an 18" to 20" saw

[leshko]

I thank everyone for their advice and support. For a month now I have a new saw. I am very pleased with the purchase. Trifle, I can not use the guarantee, because sending back and forth will be more expensive than a new saw. This is nonsense, I was ready for this.

Afflicts only one thing - the manufacturer does not want to communicate with customers from Russia. I can not register on the Deltamachinery site, they also ignore emails and messages on Facebook. I guess they're afraid that I'm a terrible hacker and I want to steal their secrets or use their goods to make weapons for terrorists. I do not care, it's on their conscience.

The main thing is that there are businessmen who are ready to sell me the right product and there is this wonderful forum!

I'm also pleased that I chose Delta, not DeWalt. With many identical parts, the delta has several additional advantages:
* lower price
* box for blades
* Presence of a clamp of lifting of the upper arm
* Colour. I do not like yellow, distracting from work. The black-gray Delta palette is setting up for work.

Disadvantages:
* poor-quality table cover:
- there are black spots,
- the varnish is easily scratched,
- the varnish is not continuous. A few drops of water fell on the table, which I did not immediately notice. Under them, dark spots of rust appeared.
* Increased noise at medium speeds - knocking inside the case near the engine. I suspect not twisted nuts or lack of lubrication in bearings. Until I opened it, I'll have to look. 
As I wrote above, the manufacturer keeps silent.

[Woodmaster1]

When I got a knock it was the bolts on the motor that loosened. I tightened them and have had no issues since. Good luck if that is the problem it is an easy fix.

[leshko]

Thank you, I will definitely check out this.

Edited September 14, 2017 by leshko