Total Shop Scroll Saw

[kmmcrafts]

I think this is a Sakura scroll saw? Seems like a well made saw and a decent price.. I'd never heard of a Total Shop.. but going o P.S. Wood's site appears to be the same saw as the P.S. woodmachines and the Sakura.. run across it while searching out for a used jointer..

https://centralmich.craigslist.org/tls/d/21-scroll-saw-total-shop-model/6634947493.html

[dgman]

Total Shop is or was a modular system much like Shopsmith. The modules would fit onto the drive unit that would power it. Pretty good chance that saw does not have a motor or if it does, it’s not an original motor

[kmmcrafts]

1 hour ago, dgman said:

Total Shop is or was a modular system much like Shopsmith. The modules would fit onto the drive unit that would power it. Pretty good chance that saw does not have a motor or if it does, it’s not an original motor

If you look at the photos of the manual he provided in the ad.. it shows a motor in the manual mounted underneath the saw.. and the parts list he provided also shows number 35 is the motor.. I suspect it comes with the motor.. I believe that some of the shopsmith tools were individually powered as well.. I'm not sure of that.. but either way.. it appears this saw has a motor on it..

[OCtoolguy]

Worth every penny of $65. If it's near you, I'd buy it just to have one around. PS Woods makes great saws from what I have heard. Very heavy duty like a Hegner.

 

[kmmcrafts]

Yeah, I don't need another saw... having 5 and only able to use 1 at a time kinda sucks, LOL... I've actually been contemplating selling off 2-3 of them just because I really don't need them all.. I ran just 1 saw for 8 years or so but taking it apart and needing a back up was something I felt was necessary for my business.. just kind of went crazy when i started looking and finding real awesome deals.. some how a back up saw turned into 3 extra back-up saws, LOL..

I could sell them and buy something I could put to better use... such as a drum sander or a router and table etc. things I don't have but could be of use in my shop.. would also like another drill press.. or two.. and keep them set up with my clock drilling bits.. and my sanding mop etc..

 

[Rockytime]

IMHO it is a Sakura or now a PSWoods saw. The motor is mounted at the bottom and uses a belt change system. I used one as well as the 21" model. They are fantastic saws. I would own one in a heartbeat.

[OCtoolguy]

1 hour ago, Rockytime said:

IMHO it is a Sakura or now a PSWoods saw. The motor is mounted at the bottom and uses a belt change system. I used one as well as the 21" model. They are fantastic saws. I would own one in a heartbeat.

It's so nice to know that I am of sound mind. Somebody in that area needs to run, not walk, but run to wherever that saw is and snap it up. 

 

[kmmcrafts]

8 hours ago, Rockytime said:

IMHO it is a Sakura or now a PSWoods saw. The motor is mounted at the bottom and uses a belt change system. I used one as well as the 21" model. They are fantastic saws. I would own one in a heartbeat.

That's what I thought.. which is why I went to their web site and compared... then at the top of their page it says "Total Shop" as one of their brands.. would be a very nice deal for someone.. I sure don't need / want another saw.. Probably be hard to sell because most folks won't buy something they haven't heard of in fear of no parts or service... they'd go pay double or tripple for a DeWalt or Delta etc..

[dgman]

Just remember, the PSWoood  saw has been around as long as the DeWALT saw, and nobody has one! That says a lot to me!

[OCtoolguy]

3 hours ago, dgman said:

Just remember, the PSWoood  saw has been around as long as the DeWALT saw, and nobody has one! That says a lot to me!

I think price may have something to do with it. And of course brand name recognition. I had never heard of PS Wood before getting interested in the hobby. I had heard of Hegner most of my adult life though. I just figured that for $65, even if only used as a paperweight, is well worth the investment.

[Bill WIlson]

5 hours ago, dgman said:

Just remember, the PSWoood  saw has been around as long as the DeWALT saw, and nobody has one! That says a lot to me!

I always found this to be curious.  PS Wood is in my neck of the woods.  I've been scrolling for a number of years, yet I've never been there.  The only thing I've ever bought from them is a few dozen of their Super Sharp blades, which are good blades, just too expensive.  None of our members have a PS Wood saw and I don't recall too many on the forums who own one either.

We had the owner speak to our scroll saw club a few years ago.  They used to travel extensively to and participate heavily in the woodworking and scroll saw show circuit, but have scaled back that participation in recent years.  Also, I think they sell exclusively through their own site.   They don't have a distribution network.  Their sales are all via internet, catalog and/or shows.  That isn't necessarily unique, but they seem to do a decent business, so I'm at a loss to understand how it is that scrolling communities like this, Steve Good's site and SSWW&C aren't more familiar with them.

[Rockytime]

People buy what the can see and touch. Where there is a distributor network there will be sales. I only discovered PSWoods during a Google search when I first became interesting in strolling. Since I did not hear of anyone on SSV using one I just sort of discounted them. However, since recently using both the 14" and 12" I have been completely sold on them. Price wise they are extremely competitive and tough! I love my Hawk but should I ever need to replace it it will be with a 21" PSWoods saw.

[OCtoolguy]

14 minutes ago, Rockytime said:

People buy what the can see and touch. Where there is a distributor network there will be sales. I only discovered PSWoods during a Google search when I first became interesting in strolling. Since I did not hear of anyone on SSV using one I just sort of discounted them. However, since recently using both the 14" and 12" I have been completely sold on them. Price wise they are extremely competitive and tough! I love my Hawk but should I ever need to replace it it will be with a 21" PSWoods saw.

Les, these pop up every once in a while at very good prices. Keep checking C/L and maybe you'll get lucky. I had a chance at a Sakura a while back for $55. I would have had to drive about 75 miles each way to pick it up so I passed on it. I have kicked myself many times since. I won't let the next one get away.

 

[Rockytime]

There has been one for sale in Denver on CL for about two months for $225. It is being sold by a used tool dealer (a real shyster) my friend looked at it and it even had parts missing." Buyer beware. I would be happy to buy one at a fair price. But alas, I do not have room. Remember your shop is 5 sq ft larger than mine!

[OCtoolguy]

52 minutes ago, Rockytime said:

There has been one for sale in Denver on CL for about two months for $225. It is being sold by a used tool dealer (a real shyster) my friend looked at it and it even had parts missing." Buyer beware. I would be happy to buy one at a fair price. But alas, I do not have room. Remember your shop is 5 sq ft larger than mine!

That's very true Les. Except that the 5 sq. ft. is all vertical. Now that I have put the EX on a mobile cart, I have much more room out on the driveway. I just have to be able to move it in at night. I'm thinking of a way to "screen" in my driveway. At least maybe 10 feet in front of my shop so it is a bit more private and secure.

[Woodmaster1]

I would consider it for price but I don't want to drive 140+ miles to get it.

[PhotoWhit]

On ‎7‎/‎11‎/‎2018 at 2:51 PM, Rockytime said:

 I have been completely sold on them. Price wise they are extremely competitive and tough! I love my Hawk but should I ever need to replace it it will be with a 21" PSWoods saw.

That makes me feel better about my purchase! I just bought a "Total Shop" labeled 21" scroll saw ($130)and found this thread while getting information about it.

As parts are interchangeable with the PS Wood and Sakura, I'm figuring it was either a drop ship relabeled saw for "Total Shop". or a custom run. I say custom run because mine came with a quick release head that is a bit different than the current one. I may add the current one (quick release head/chuck) in the future, after I see how serviceable this one is.

This saw is very quiet and some what heavier built than other saws. I'll post some photos of the Chuck and perhaps add to the data base of this saw. I need to order a new rubber belt and likely a spare 'V' belt. 

[Rockytime]

I'm anxious to see your saw and know how you like it. My friend has two and swears by them.

[fordamir]

I have been using my Sakura  21" saw for over a year and love it.  Service  parts very quick from PScWood.   Initially only bought a belt just recently got quick release.  The problem now is the band saw market has accepted their Timber Wolf Blades .  This is a small company and the blades have diverted their attention from the saws . That is how I initially got interested in their scroll saw.  Also do Stained Glass and bought the Sakura for cutting stained Glass.  I have fallen in love with saw and don't intend  to cut glass until I find another for $100 to $125 like this one. would have no problem recommending it since thye have a good returnn policy, excellent warranty and free shipping. The big plus to me is availablity of parts . 

[tgiro]

On 7/10/2018 at 8:40 PM, kmmcrafts said:

If you look at the photos of the manual he provided in the ad.. it shows a motor in the manual mounted underneath the saw.. and the parts list he provided also shows number 35 is the motor.. I suspect it comes with the motor.. I believe that some of the shopsmith tools were individually powered as well.. I'm not sure of that.. but either way.. it appears this saw has a motor on it..

All ShopSmith accessory tools come designed to mount to the ShopSmith unit. Having said that, they, also, sell stands, motors, and mounts to mount the tools seperately from the ShopSmith. I think TotalShop tools were the same way. TotalShop didn't last long enough to build up much of a following.

I speak as a previous owner of a Mark 5, that got upgraded a couple of times, over a period of 30 years. I have since moved away from ShopSmith, but, if you're a beginning woodworker, with minimal space to play in, they are great tools.

[Scrappile]

Just my 2 cents and not worth even that, but I think a lot of the turn off on these saws is the belt changing speed control.  I say this because I purchased a Nova wood lathe that speed control was done by changing the belt.  I never had a problem with it and never had any expensive repairs because of problems with a VS control unit going bad.  I did have trouble selling it, because the belt changing was a turn off to most people.  Would not bother me, especially on a scroll saw because I do not change speeds often.  They are built to have the belt changed and it is quick and easy.  And I know it is hard to believe, but I could be wrong......

[JimErn]

Scrappile, I agree with you, the first thing I thought is ahh shoot another belt change - I hate it when I have to change belt position on the drill press.

But watching the video it appears to be an o-ring type belt, as opposed to the v-belt on the drill press, sure looks easier.

Jim

[PhotoWhit]

10 hours ago, tgiro said:

All ShopSmith accessory tools come designed to mount to the ShopSmith unit. Having said that, they, also, sell stands, motors, and mounts to mount the tools seperately from the ShopSmith. I think TotalShop tools were the same way. TotalShop didn't last long enough to build up much of a following.

I speak as a previous owner of a Mark 5, that got upgraded a couple of times, over a period of 30 years. I have since moved away from ShopSmith, but, if you're a beginning woodworker, with minimal space to play in, they are great tools.

I saw a similar posting earlier in this thread. Just to put this to rest, this is certainly a stand alone tool!

The motor is in the section under the base. I had thought/hoped it was a section that the legs were mounted to, perhaps to make it a table top unit. I wanted to take the legs off for transport, but what looks like a rectangular base, actually used the legs to 'build' the corner. 

It uses the same parts as the Sakura or PS Wood saw, so I'm sure it was some kind of relabeled situation.

[PhotoWhit]

I was not opposed to the belt, I had quickly learned that a table saw had much less vibration working off a belt or at least I found switching from a direct drive to a belt drive made a huge difference. I think that was the norm.

The changing speeds is done with the saw off, but is simple, just rolls into place. and is accessed from above the base.



I guess there is a 2nd pully at the bottom to give a wider selection of speeds.

PS Wood was very nice and has parts at very reasonable prices and 'too cheap' shipping. I can tell they will be great to work with. They sent me a PDF of the manual for the asking.
A replacement urethane belt was $9, 'V' belt was $9, Bellows diaphragm $4.50, spare lower blade holder $6 and shipping? $3.50!!!

http://www.pswood.com/scroll-saws/

Edited December 14, 2018 by PhotoWhit
photo was flopped

[PhotoWhit]

Well found something interesting, The PS Wood web site only shows a few parts when you go to "Scroll saw parts" just the things that have normal wear and tear, bellows, belts and blade holders. The does come with a 5 year warranty. So I was wondering what if I needed a bushing... I checked out the 'exploded' diagram of parts and under that listing they show pretty much every part on the saw available!

I'm posting this here because I found information hard to come by for this saw. I'll try to do a more in depth review when I get it cleaned up and running. NONE of this is a review of the saw it's self, other than it has the feel of a good piece of equipment. FWIW - I may be sort-of given a DW788 so I'll have a standard to compare it to! 

http://www.pswood.com/all-21-parts/