Color me surprised - DeWalt replacement

[Jim Finn]

On 9/13/2017 at 4:06 PM, Iguanadon said:

So... the 2nd DeWalt that I wore out was still under warranty, so when I had my big event near Raleigh a couple of weeks ago, I took it to the DeWalt repair center in Raleigh (which is the closest one to me, 155 miles).  I dropped it off, the guy said they'd look it in about 5 days.  When I hadn't heard anything after 10 working days I called this past Friday, he looked it up, said he has only 1 guy that works on scroll saws and he'd work on it Monday.  No big deal, I'm in no rush.

Well, UPS just pulled up and Mrs. Iggy said "Did you order something heavy again?"  "Nope, not this time..."  Lo and behold the UPS guy rolls up with a brand new DW788 on his cart... I guess the technician looked at mine Monday figured it was dead and had a new one sent to me.  No phone call, no nothing, just SURPRISE! A new saw.  Finally, a nice surprise for Iggy.

A very pleasant surprise as I've decided I'm going to stick with DeWalt's and just use 'em til I wear 'em out and then buy a new one.  The Hawk just isn't working out, it's going back to Kansas at some point.  I just have to figure out how to box it up to send back.

The experience I have had with scroll saws brought me to getting Hegners.  My DeWalt died out of warranty and a friend of mine went through five motors on his Dewalt in five years before he gave up on them. He and I are both cutting thicker woods like you do with your puzzles.   (Inlay and toy making)  The induction motors on the Hegner can deal with extended use on these thicker woods.  Universal (brushed) motors not so much, it seems.

[tonylumps]

How could something so simple work so good.People say that Hegner should update there design after 30 years. It has 2 bushings and thats it .When my used Hegner arrived my heart skipped a beat.Half of the saw was hanging out of the box.i started ordering parts before i unpacked it. Well them parts are still sitting in the plastic bag. When I mounted the saw on  it's table, put a blade in it and passed the so called nickle test It has been running perfect ever since I cut a lot of 3/4 Hardwood  with that saw.And to me blade changes are simple and accurate.

[orangeman]

Iggy, I'm with you! DeWalt until it wears out. Alternatively, run the DeWalt for awhile and sell it and buy a new one.

I will never, ever buy a saw unseen and have it shipped! Risky business.

Returned a hawk several years ago because of bad vibration they could not solve. $90 return freight and well worth it! More today.

Then received a Hegner. Still have but should have returned that one too. No vibration but blade breakage and alignment is still a problem.

I will only buy a saw that I can test locally.

Two years ago DeWalt couldn't fix one under under warranty so they gave me a new one. I was thrilled at first but it was a bad saw. Wound up selling it to a guy for $150. And told him my problem with the saw - he thought he could fix it. Never heard if he could or not.

Local Woodcraft manager says DeWalt is the best value for the $$.

bb

[hotshot]

1 hour ago, orangeman said:

....Then received a Hegner.... blade breakage and alignment is still a problem.

 

I have no idea what the alignment issues would be, but the blade breakage I might have an idea about.

What size of blades do you use when you have the breakage on the Hegner?  I only have those types of issues on the Hegner with very small blades, and I think that is the nature of that saw (upper arm motion at top of stroke is slowed, then pulled back down by the blade itself).  When you reduce the speed of the Hegner, it reduces the stress on the blades during the change of direction at the top of the stroke.  I've seen this on both my Hegner and my Hawk.

The mechanics of the DW/EX style of saws independently drive each arm, and in my experience, they are easier on the blades (especially very small blades) at any speed.  But with that capability, comes complexity, and apparently higher failure rates.  I have a lot of miles on my EX, and it runs like new,  but I say a quick prayer before every use :-).  In order to protect my Ex and 788,  I now only cut thick stuff on the Hegner and Hawk, and with reasonably sized blades, blade breakage isn't an issue.

Edited October 1, 2017 by hotshot

[orangeman]

On 9/13/2017 at 5:06 PM, Iguanadon said:

So... the 2nd DeWalt that I wore out was still under warranty, so when I had my big event near Raleigh a couple of weeks ago, I took it to the DeWalt repair center in Raleigh (which is the closest one to me, 155 miles).  I dropped it off, the guy said they'd look it in about 5 days.  When I hadn't heard anything after 10 working days I called this past Friday, he looked it up, said he has only 1 guy that works on scroll saws and he'd work on it Monday.  No big deal, I'm in no rush.

Well, UPS just pulled up and Mrs. Iggy said "Did you order something heavy again?"  "Nope, not this time..."  Lo and behold the UPS guy rolls up with a brand new DW788 on his cart... I guess the technician looked at mine Monday figured it was dead and had a new one sent to me.  No phone call, no nothing, just SURPRISE! A new saw.  Finally, a nice surprise for Iggy.

A very pleasant surprise as I've decided I'm going to stick with DeWalt's and just use 'em til I wear 'em out and then buy a new one.  The Hawk just isn't working out, it's going back to Kansas at some point.  I just have to figure out how to box it up to send back.

 

21 minutes ago, hotshot said:

I have no idea what the alignment issues would be, but the blade breakage I might have an idea about.

What size of blades do you use when you have the breakage on the Hegner?  I only have those types of issues on the Hegner with very small blades, and I think that is the nature of that saw (upper arm motion at top of stroke is slowed, then pulled back down by the blade itself).  When you reduce the speed of the Hegner, it reduces the stress on the blades during the change of direction at the top of the stroke.  I've seen this on both my Hegner and my Hawk.

The mechanics of the DW/EX style of saws independently drive each arm, and in my experience, they are easier on the blades (especially very small blades) at any speed.  But with that capability, comes complexity, and apparently higher failure rates.  I have a lot of miles on my EX, and it runs like new,  but I say a quick prayer before every use :-).  In order to protect my Ex and 788,  I now only cut thick stuff on the Hegner and Hawk, and with reasonably sized blades, blade breakage isn't an issue.

Hotshot,

I have only used #5 and #7 blades on the Hegner with the appropriate blade holder supplied by Hegner.

There is no way the Hegner could accommodate a jeweler's blade like the DeWalt can.

bb

[hotshot]

2 hours ago, orangeman said:

 

Hotshot,

I have only used #5 and #7 blades on the Hegner with the appropriate blade holder supplied by Hegner.

There is no way the Hegner could accommodate a jeweler's blade like the DeWalt can.

bb

It is an interesting mystery about your blade breakage with the #5 and #7.  Those are pretty stout blades.  The top clamp has a top screw that should be a little loose to accommodate a little rotation, but other than that, I got nothing.  If you eventually figure it out, ping me with the answer as I'm very curious about this.

-----Randy

[orangeman]

10 hours ago, hotshot said:

It is an interesting mystery about your blade breakage with the #5 and #7.  Those are pretty stout blades.  The top clamp has a top screw that should be a little loose to accommodate a little rotation, but other than that, I got nothing.  If you eventually figure it out, ping me with the answer as I'm very curious about this.

-----Randy

The blades usually break about between 1 and 2" from the bottom blade holder.

Recently had a lady approach me at a craft show and asked if I wanted to buy her used Hegner. I said I had a Hegner and that there were blade breakage issues. She said she had the same problem.

I've called Hegner and the only solution they have is not to place the blade against the screw thingy in the blade holder so I have always backed off from that.

bb

[Jim Finn]

4 hours ago, orangeman said:

The blades usually break about between 1 and 2" from the bottom blade holder.

Recently had a lady approach me at a craft show and asked if I wanted to buy her used Hegner. I said I had a Hegner and that there were blade breakage issues. She said she had the same problem.

I've called Hegner and the only solution they have is not to place the blade against the screw thingy in the blade holder so I have always backed off from that.

bb

The only time I have had breakage issues with my Hegners was when I was using Flying Dutchman blades.   This is also true when using my Jet saw. Olsen precision ground blades are a lot stronger.  I still use some flying dutchman blades though.  Even with those cheaper blades I can usually do four or five inlays per blade. 

     (PS) I use all my blades until the break)

[JOE_M]

That's odd, all my blades are FD - I use the small "puzzle" ones and have rarely broken one in use. I use them until I can feel they're dull because it's harder to turn the wood.

[tonylumps]

The way they are giving the Dewalt scroll saws away. Something tells me they will not be making the Dewalt Scroll saw as we know it for long.So if you like them you better buy them while you can.I think the next one (if there is one)will be in the 1000.00 range.And if the new King saw starts having good reviews.You could kiss the 500.00 Dewalt saw goodby.Dewalt has always uped the anty along with there prices. Just a Hunch.

[kmmcrafts]

2 hours ago, tonylumps said:

The way they are giving the Dewalt scroll saws away. Something tells me they will not be making the Dewalt Scroll saw as we know it for long.So if you like them you better buy them while you can.I think the next one (if there is one)will be in the 1000.00 range.And if the new King saw starts having good reviews.You could kiss the 500.00 Dewalt saw goodby.Dewalt has always uped the anty along with there prices. Just a Hunch.

I'm wondering what the price of the 21" King will be once they start offering that one at woodcraft.. I really like the way my dewalt cuts compared to my Hawk.. maybe just because I'm used to the dewalt after 10 years of using it.. I've contemplated selling both my Hawks to buy a King.. I'd rather sell just one Hawk and buy a 21" King.. this way I keep three saws.. Dewalt Hawk 226 and a King.. but waiting to see the 21" price.