Beginner Buyer - Scroll Saw Research

[new2woodwrk]

I've started researching scroll saws so would like some recommendations for a new purchase for someone who has never used one...

Usage would more than likely be small items such as numbers for clocks, perhaps a few small template cutouts - nothing major or very intricate - at least not for awhile

The budget is as always a major concern. I am looking at other types of machines as well, so from a price perspective, the old Porter Cable for $119 seems like a decent enough unit at the right price. However, this unit is no longer available new without the table which now has a price tag of over $200 - out of my price range of less than $125- $150.

I also looked at the HF $99, but the reviews were terrible :( so I think I'm going to pass on that one.

I know there are good ones for $300+ but that is way out of my budget at the moment - I see there is a Wen for sale on Amazon as well as a Skill on CPO

https://www.cpooutlets.com/factory-r...efault,pd.html

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...k_ql_qh_dp_hza

I'm pretty skittish about Skil stuff (isn't this low end Bosch now?) as I've purchased 3 Skil tools and only one of them is worth its salt.

Thoughts and guidance requested please. I did read the review section but it wasn't a lot of help.

Thanks as always in advance

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

The saws below $200 are not going to be much. Take a look at the Ryobi. I suggest you look on craigs list or for yard sales and things of this nature. You can score a decent saw for $200 easily. 

[lawson56]

I agree with John T.your not going to find a good saw less than $200. Unless you get lucky   at yard sales.

[Bpardue]

Lowes sells a newer porter cable scroll saw for just under $200. I bought one a few years ago and it works pretty well. I have 2 other saws a Dewalt 788 and a new Hawk BM26 but i kept the porter cable for a back up. Before I bought my Hawk my 788 was in the shop for repairs more than in my shop cutting and I was using the porter cable and never had any real issues with it.

[stevan]

If you buy used, be very sure of the blade attachment/changing process.  Quick and easy blade changing is worth some extra money in my opinion.

[new2woodwrk]

10 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

The saws below $200 are not going to be much. Take a look at the Ryobi. I suggest you look on craigs list or for yard sales and things of this nature. You can score a decent saw for $200 easily. 

Thanks @JTTHECLOCKMAN

But isn't the Ryobi not a pin less? I was told to try and get a pin less like the Wen.

Thoughts?

Also, I'm not worried about getting a "final" saw, I just need one to learn on and use for small projects at the moment.

[ike]

I would stay away from the Porter Cable I had one years ago and it wasn't too bad. I burnt up the motor on my Dewalt 788 and bought a cable  {prter as a back up . It  was a real piece of junk so I took it back and got a full refund. There warentee says sif you are not satisfied with the saw take it back within 60 days for a full refund, but I would go on cregs list and find one trly it out before you pay anythin for it.

IKE

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Ryobi is pinless. My chiropractor has one and he asked me to show him a few things with it and I got to use it and play with it for awhile and did a decent job. Not sure what the model number was if they make more than one model. I know we were using pinless blades because I gave him a few of my Flying Dutchman blades. Other than any of the other under $200 saws goes, for me not worth the money. Tight underneath them to get blades in. Some saws require tools for blade changinging and that is a huge turn-off for me. You read it here many times people picking up very good condition top line saws from people for various reasons. That is the way I would go and then if you do not like the hobby it is easier for you to sell a better quality saw. I just noticed in Home Depot they sell a Ryobi scrollsaw and it was not the one my chiropractor had. His was red and I believe larger. Just wanted to clarify something. As I said I do not know what the model number was. 

Edited January 25, 2018 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[OCtoolguy]

Not knowing where you are located, let me tell you, Craigslist has a bazillion used scroll saws in my area.(So Cal). I see quite a few Delta saws on there and they have had quite a few good or great reviews here. I just bought a used Hegner with all the bells and whistles for $300. Great saw in like new condition. My first saw was a Dewalt 788 type 1 that I paid $225 for with stand and light. So, I would stay away from the low budget saws. Nothing but trouble and might just turn you off to the hobby because of their shortcomings. This is a great place to ask for advice before buying any saw. Be sure to ask questions and I guarantee you, you will get the information that you need to make a decision.

Oh, and if you are new here, welcome to the SSV. Great place to hang out.

Ray

Here is a prime example of what I saying. I realize the table looks rusted but that will clean up.

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/tls/d/dewalt-scroll-saw/6467808395.html

 

Edited January 23, 2018 by octoolguy

[hotshot]

If you are in the U.S., you probably have some much better options.  The Ryobi is not a good saw.  I bought that model of Ryobi to use as a "portable" saw.  Getting to and changing blades in that bottom clamp make the saw very very painful to use.  As JT said, the clamps will take pin or pinless, but you pretty well have to feed that bottom clamp through the hole in the top of the table, then a long tool is used to put under the table to tighten the clamp.   Harbor Freight/Ryobi/Skill, and countless other brands have slapped their Name on that same basic design, but regardless of the variances between the various offerings, they all have inaccessible bottom clamps.

Tell us where you are, and we can help you to see if there is something better in your area within your price range.

------Randy

[amazingkevin]

On 1/22/2018 at 9:54 PM, new2woodwrk said:

I've started researching scroll saws so would like some recommendations for a new purchase for someone who has never used one...

Usage would more than likely be small items such as numbers for clocks, perhaps a few small template cutouts - nothing major or very intricate - at least not for awhile

The budget is as always a major concern. I am looking at other types of machines as well, so from a price perspective, the old Porter Cable for $119 seems like a decent enough unit at the right price. However, this unit is no longer available new without the table which now has a price tag of over $200 - out of my price range of less than $125- $150.

I also looked at the HF $99, but the reviews were terrible :( so I think I'm going to pass on that one.

I know there are good ones for $300+ but that is way out of my budget at the moment - I see there is a Wen for sale on Amazon as well as a Skill on CPO

https://www.cpooutlets.com/factory-r...efault,pd.html

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...k_ql_qh_dp_hza

I'm pretty skittish about Skil stuff (isn't this low end Bosch now?) as I've purchased 3 Skil tools and only one of them is worth its salt.

Thoughts and guidance requested please. I did read the review section but it wasn't a lot of help.

Thanks as always in advance

I've spent a lot of happy years with chinese saws.They had problems but with SSV and trial and error i was a happy camper scrolling every minute i could.Then i got a chance to get a used dw788.What a day and night difference,no vibration ,no noise except for the wood being cut,All controlls up front ,no reaching to the back of the saw to tighten the blade.I highly suggest getting a used dw788 off of "offer Up" ,craigs list,or E-bay,

[Woodmaster1]

I bought a delta 40-560 scrollsaw great little saw for $60.00.

[SCROLLSAW703]

Avoid the entry level saws if at all possible. You're just throwin' money to the wind! 

And welcome to the site! 
There are scrollers all over the country that can help with findin' ya decent beginner saw.

What do want to do with your saw? What type of projects are you interested in doin' with your saw? Is this something you're serious about?

Those are questions ya should ask yourself in lookin' for a saw. It will make lookin' for a used saw much easier. And, tell us your location. 

[new2woodwrk]

Thanks @SCROLLSAW703

I'm in NW Florida

I don't know what I want to do so I bought a Wen 3920 for $88!

This should work for me for awhile until/if I decide I want to upgrade

[hotshot]

Depending on the type of work you do, if you are not changing out blades often, the Wen might not be that bad. 

There is a PC in Gulf breeze, though not a great saw, is much better than what you got:  It is $75 and has very little use.  $75 for that saw is a Steal.

 

https://pensacola.craigslist.org/tls/d/scroll-saw/6468659051.html

[new2woodwrk]

3 hours ago, hotshot said:

Depending on the type of work you do, if you are not changing out blades often, the Wen might not be that bad. 

There is a PC in Gulf breeze, though not a great saw, is much better than what you got:  It is $75 and has very little use.  $75 for that saw is a Steal.

 

https://pensacola.craigslist.org/tls/d/scroll-saw/6468659051.html

Thanks @hotshot

Yah I saw that - Pensacola =  2 hours away :(minimum 5 hour trip both ways) (

So $75 + 3 tanks of gas @ $30 per = $165 - If I didn't haggle it down.

The reviews I've been reading say the Wen is good beginner saw to start with - it;s cheap, so if I decide I like scrolling, it won't be that bad to resell it and upgrade to the Dewalt.

That's what I think anyway

.

Edited January 26, 2018 by new2woodwrk

[Bill WIlson]

I know nothing about the Wen, so in fairness I can't criticize the choice.  However, I would say that my experience with sub-$100 scroll saws is that they are more likely to discourage someone from continuing in the hobby than encourage them.  So a general word of advice is to be patient with it.  It may be a fine saw for you, but realize that it's limitations will become evident very quickly, especially as you improve your skills and attempt more challenging work.

Good luck and have fun making sawdust! 

[Brianr24]

On 1/23/2018 at 7:19 AM, Bpardue said:

Lowes sells a newer porter cable scroll saw for just under $200. I bought one a few years ago and it works pretty well. I have 2 other saws a Dewalt 788 and a new Hawk BM26 but i kept the porter cable for a back up. Before I bought my Hawk my 788 was in the shop for repairs more than in my shop cutting and I was using the porter cable and never had any real issues with it.

I agree 100%. I have this PC and love it.(for the price)

I do plan to upgrade to an excalibur at some point . but I wouldn't have any problem recommending this saw to someone. I think I paid 180 bucks and although it has it's issues one being plastic insert around blade being junk. Its a very good starter saw and IMO ur best option for price point. 

[OCtoolguy]

On 1/26/2018 at 10:34 AM, new2woodwrk said:

Thanks @hotshot

Yah I saw that - Pensacola =  2 hours away :(minimum 5 hour trip both ways) (

So $75 + 3 tanks of gas @ $30 per = $165 - If I didn't haggle it down.

The reviews I've been reading say the Wen is good beginner saw to start with - it;s cheap, so if I decide I like scrolling, it won't be that bad to resell it and upgrade to the Dewalt.

That's what I think anyway

.

What kind of car are you driving that it would burn through that much fuel? 

Ray

 

[new2woodwrk]

8 minutes ago, octoolguy said:

What kind of car are you driving that it would burn through that much fuel? 

Ray

 

I get 300 miles on a tank of gas - the car I would take is the Equinox. I never drive with less than 1/4 tank

So maybe not 3 tanks, but 2 - 240+ miles give or take round trip

Edited January 27, 2018 by new2woodwrk

[new2woodwrk]

 

20 hours ago, Brianr24 said:

I agree 100%. I have this PC and love it.(for the price)

I do plan to upgrade to an excalibur at some point . but I wouldn't have any problem recommending this saw to someone. I think I paid 180 bucks and although it has it's issues one being plastic insert around blade being junk. Its a very good starter saw and IMO ur best option for price point. 

Thanks @Brianr24

The $199 for the PC was double my budget.

I bought the Wen for $88 - it seems to be an ok saw so far

So far so good.

[Brianr24]

4 hours ago, new2woodwrk said:

 

Thanks @Brianr24

The $199 for the PC was double my budget.

I bought the Wen for $88 - it seems to be an ok saw so far

So far so good.

Lol yeah I didn't notice you already purchased a saw before I posted that. Wow 88 bucks that's pretty cheap. Can't really go wrong there. It will get you going for a while anyway. Good luck.

[new2woodwrk]

11 hours ago, Brianr24 said:

Lol yeah I didn't notice you already purchased a saw before I posted that. Wow 88 bucks that's pretty cheap. Can't really go wrong there. It will get you going for a while anyway. Good luck.

No worries @Brianr24 I Appreciate you taking the time to respond

Yah, it doesn't have to last me a life time, just long enough to see if I'm even going to use and enjoy it.

So far, my bandsaw is on my crap list and that only cost $100 as well - no big loss there

It's just how I do things - for example: I had a craftsman table saw for many years and hardly used it - I think it cost me $60 at the time on sale (maybe that was expensive back then, not sure). Then I started getting into woodwork about 1.5 years ago and quickly outgrew that saw. I bought a Delta 36-725 on sale before they were discontinued and sold the craftsman.  I really enjoy using the delta much more than the old craftsman.

 

Edited January 28, 2018 by new2woodwrk