Total Shop Scroll Saw

[stoney]

22 hours ago, JimErn said:

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

I had a Delta P20 scroll saw with belt drive and changing speeds was quick and easy.   The Delta also had an O ring type belt that was a piece of cake to roll over to a different set of pulleys.  That feature would not deter me one lick because as others have said changing speed is not something I do all that often.   JMHO  

[OCtoolguy]

On 12/13/2018 at 7:43 PM, PhotoWhit said:

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/

 

I look forward to seeing what you think of it once it's all tuned in. Please do keep the info flowing. I for one do appreciate it.

[Rolf]

I have tried the PS wood machines at several shows. They are simple solid machines. The belt drive did not deter me. But I felt that the saw blades front back motion was too aggressive for my liking. I am in the market for a travel saw, My Hawk has gotten too heavy to drag out of the basement I  think for $800 there are better options, for me anyway,  in saw capability, i.e. top feed etc.  JMO  No one in our club has a PS wood saw. 

 I also look forward to hearing your experiences and opinions. It is always good to have other options. and choices. 

Edited December 15, 2018 by Rolf

[Scrappile]

If I were to drag one around, I'd look for a used 16" Ex or  new 16" King.  I'd really look for a small used 14" Hegner, but you specified top feed.  That little Hegner, though would take the beating of being dragged around....

[OCtoolguy]

1 hour ago, Scrappile said:

If I were to drag one around, I'd look for a used 16" Ex or  new 16" King.  I'd really look for a small used 14" Hegner, but you specified top feed.  That little Hegner, though would take the beating of being dragged around....

I agree with you on the Hegner Paul. In all the woodworking shows I've been to in my lifetime, I never saw anything but a Hegner and it was always the little one. I take that back, I did see the RBI Hawk at a show in Colorado Springs back in about 85. They might have been brand new back then.

[Rockytime]

2 hours ago, Rolf said:

I have tried the PS wood machines at several shows. They are simple solid machines. The belt drive did not deter me. But I felt that the saw blades front back motion was too aggressive for my liking. I am in the market for a travel saw, My Hawk has gotten too heavy to drag out of the basement I  think for $800 there are better options, for me anyway,  in saw capability, i.e. top feed etc.  JMO  No one in our club has a PS wood saw. 

 I also look forward to hearing your experiences and opinions. It is always good to have other options. and choices. 

I agree with the aggressive cutting. My friend Clay that has the PS Woods machines cuts like a house afire. Makes me dizzy. He scrolls at top speed. I don't know how he does it. He cuts a lot of thick pieces and uses only PS blades. I guess everyone has their own style of cutting as I do. SLOW.

[OCtoolguy]

17 hours ago, Rockytime said:

I agree with the aggressive cutting. My friend Clay that has the PS Woods machines cuts like a house afire. Makes me dizzy. He scrolls at top speed. I don't know how he does it. He cuts a lot of thick pieces and uses only PS blades. I guess everyone has their own style of cutting as I do. SLOW.

Me too Les. To me, the scrolling of every project is the FUN part. Once the cutting is done, the work begins. But, I love the whole hobby. Just some more than others.

 

[Rolf]

What you like to cut and the level of detail certainly impacts what saw you should have.  Right from the beginning I was cutting very fine detailed ornaments.  my old Delta SS350 was a great saw but sneaking up on a tiny part with a blade that moved over 1/16 to almost 1/8 front to back made that rather challenging. So when they released the Hawk G4 with a adjustable stroke it was a no brainer for me.

[OCtoolguy]

5 hours ago, Rolf said:

What you like to cut and the level of detail certainly impacts what saw you should have.  Right from the beginning I was cutting very fine detailed ornaments.  my old Delta SS350 was a great saw but sneaking up on a tiny part with a blade that moved over 1/16 to almost 1/8 front to back made that rather challenging. So when they released the Hawk G4 with a adjustable stroke it was a no brainer for me.

I would really love to try one of those saws. I will have to see if there is anyone near me that has one.

[PhotoWhit]

So a quick up date, the parts were shipped out very quickly and received in 3 days.

As I mentioned I received a sort'a free DeWalt 788(V1), Payment for a debt I didn't expect to collect! I set it up on a wood work table inside and have been fooling around with it. It seems to have a bit more vibration than the PS Wood (I'm going to call the saw by it's current name). Of course it's not a fair comparison as the PS Wood was on a concrete floor and the DeWalt on a wooden table. Both were a lot better than my original cheap saw. The DeWalt is also a bit lighter (I think) the PS wood says a shipping weight of 85 lbs, but I think it's around 65 (guesstimate) It has a massive table, but it's made of aluminum also has a stand attached. 

I'm learning, I've heard aggressive being used in 2 terms, the cutting speed of the saw as well as the front to back motion and speed/stroke. From what I've read, the DeWalt has a lot of front to back motion and a 3/4 stroke and can run a bit faster. The PS Wood has a 1" stroke and a similar front to back motion, just from eyeballing and runs a bit slower speeds. I've lost the link/article but I understand there is a bit of adjustment in keeping the distance in the tensioner and the blade side can effect the front to back motion. If someone has read this and can point me to it, that would be neat. I love the mechanics of things.

Unless I can make room, or we have a mild winter, I may not have much more info on the PS Wood until spring and my un-heated space.