Pizza Posted December 17, 2018 Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 Hi All, I would very much like to hear your thoughts on a good scroll saw. My budget is between $500-$800 for everything I am new to scrolling and was going to get a DeWalt DW788 with light and stand from Rockler for $500. After more research I was wondering if it was worth spending a bit more for another saw. Would love to buy an Excalibur 21 but now that they are made in China and there is no reliable reviews and one has to wonder why the price drop. Excalibur 21” with foot switch and stand $750. The King Industrial XL-16 is $730 for saw and stand but is sold in a different state (NH Woodcraft store, a couple hours away from me) Just trying to figure out which may be the most bang for my buck as well as availabilty for repairs if/when needed. Hawk and Hegner are out of my scroll saw budget. I have spent the last 6 months watching ads (while renovatng my house),FB and craigslist for good used scroll saws and there have been none near me. Thanks for the help OCtoolguy, SCROLLSAW703 and lawson56 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meflick Posted December 17, 2018 Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 Everybody had their opinions on saws. a quick search here would find lots of threads with lots of thoughts and opinions. Check out the Seyco Saw here: http://seyco.com/scroll-saws-etc/ just at or a little above your top end budget at $879 with stand and with free shipping right now. i have one of the first ones that was released for sale. Seyco used to sell the Excalibur’s here in the US and were the go to support for many for help and repairs. I have been pleased with my Seyco. I have it and an older Excalibur I had previously bought used. The Seyco is my primary go to Saw. I had a nice original Dewalt Type 1 Saw, first but I prefer my Excalibur and Seyco to the Dewalt. Lots of folks love their Dewalts though and if it best fits your budget, that is a pretty good deal I think. tomsteve and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted December 17, 2018 Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 Dewalt is China made too. OCtoolguy, SCROLLSAW703 and tomsteve 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted December 17, 2018 Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 If you have never used a Scroll saw before I don't think I would go for the top end saws, yow may not like scrolling or might not be able to do it I have some friends who tired it and didn't like it. they say that the porter cable is a good starter saw at $300 I had one and returned it after a week. didn't like the chaining of the blade. I had two Dewalt's 788 one used and one new Both were worn out with in 2 years and the cost was too high to repair. The new one was in the shop within 6 months the electronics went out on it and the service was rotten, so This time I B bought a Delta for $400 and ran it all summer with no problems and it has a 5 year Werrenty The delta is not a digressive as the Dewalt. so it takes a little longer to cut a project. IKE tomsteve, OCtoolguy and SCROLLSAW703 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomsteve Posted December 17, 2018 Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 (edited) i havent read anyone complain about spending the $$ for a quality tool. i have read-and complained myself- about spending too little on a lesser quality tool. Edited December 17, 2018 by tomsteve SCROLLSAW703, OCtoolguy and meflick 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrolling Steve Posted December 17, 2018 Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 I started with the EX21 and have never regretted spending a little more ...Ike makes a good point about being sure you will stick to the hobby !....Good luck with your choice ! SCROLLSAW703, tomsteve and OCtoolguy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneMahler Posted December 17, 2018 Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 I have an EX21 and love it. I started out on lower quality saws to see how it would go and if I was going to stay with it. I seriously would suggest something a long this path. Like said above, you may or may not like it. I know a lot of people that started with a DeWalt and were happy with it. tomsteve and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted December 17, 2018 Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 I have 2 used saws. One the Dewalt is a great saw once I tuned it up. The other is the EX21 that I fell into on a deal. It's a 2010 model and I love it very much. Like others have said the table is a bit on the small side but so far, I haven't had a problem with that. If you are really afraid of the Chinese EX's I'd spend a bit more and buy the Seyco. Same type mechanism. Very smooth operation. SCROLLSAW703 and tomsteve 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted December 17, 2018 Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 If buying new... personally I'd suggest a DeWalt for the simple reason they are popular saws and hold their value pretty well... heck 15 year old DeWalts are still bringing near $300 for used ones. probably the easiest saw to sell and recoop most of your money back from... if you decide the hobby isn't for you.. many times a DeWalt can be bought cheap enough on sale that if you don't like it you'd get all your money back in selling it as a used saw.. I bought mine on a Christmas special from Grizzly for $340 with stand and light.. now that was years ago ( 2008) but at that time they was regular priced at about $450.. at that time.. many used ones was selling for $300 - 350 so it was a no brainer for me to buy that saw.... Still have it and have put a lot of hours on that thing... OCtoolguy and SCROLLSAW703 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted December 18, 2018 Report Share Posted December 18, 2018 Where are you located? That may have a lot to do with what you have available also. Keep your eye on Craigslist in your area. Lots of used saws near what I live but I'm in a heavily populated area. SCROLLSAW703 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted December 18, 2018 Report Share Posted December 18, 2018 Usually the only time I find awesome deals on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace is when I'm broke... otherwise they are asking as much as new cost for stuff when I'm actually looking to buy something and have the cash.. That said though... I've found and bought more than my share of deals... Pizza, OCtoolguy and SCROLLSAW703 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pizza Posted December 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 Thanks all. Getting DeWalt. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgiro Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 1 hour ago, Pizza said: Thanks all. Getting DeWalt. Grizzly has it on sale with stand & light -- http://www.grizzly.com/products/DeWalt-DW788-20-Scroll-Saw-with-Stand-and-Light/H7414 OCtoolguy and Pizza 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotshot Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 (edited) Pegas saws will be here soon: http://scrollsawer.com/2018/12/05/product-review-pegas-scroll-saw/ That should shake things up a bit! -----------Randy Edited December 19, 2018 by hotshot OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 46 minutes ago, hotshot said: Pegas saws will be here soon: http://scrollsawer.com/2018/12/05/product-review-pegas-scroll-saw/ That should shake things up a bit! -----------Randy Another freaking knock-off. People can not think of new innovative ideas on their own so lets make the same saw paint it different and add a different name. Pretty red color. Goes with the green, blue and silver and black out there. Line them all up in a row and tell me the difference. Love my RBI even more now. JimErn, SCROLLSAW703 and OCtoolguy 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neal560sl Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 I just purchased a Delta 40-694 that is fantastic. Cuts great, no vibration and just like the Dewalt for less money. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolf Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 Like JT I love my Hawk G4 (2005 vintage). But I am also in the market for a new saw, not as a replacement for my Hawk but a lighter more portable saw to take to presentations and other events. I also want a saw that has some different features than my Hawk. The only big difference out there is the blade and motor assembly tilting vs the typical table tilt. So that means the EX style saws. I never liked the blade clamp assembly on these types of saws. If you are even slightly heavy handed you will spread the clamps and have to replace the arms. Pegas has resolved that issue with their replacement clamps. I was going to go for the King 16" and then upgrade the clamps to the Pegas. For the same money Introductory price the new Pegas combo is looking real good. JT regarding saw designs, not to many ways you can move the blade. The only really innovative saw with a true vertical stroke was the Eclipse. It was a complex saw. the rest are saws like the Hegner and Hawk. The Hawk won out because of the top feed capability. and then the EX style saws which are pretty much the same saw just rebranded and painted. Although the Pegas comes with significantly better clamps. The Seyco saw has supper support but his design made some strange changes like removing the the table adjustment gear and I am not a fan of the strange top. (just my opinion) OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 JT regarding saw designs, not to many ways you can move the blade. Understood. But just in the type of saw that Pegas is there are 4 saws all the same coming off the same assembly line with different colors on it. The blade clamping system that pegas is using is somewhat different and is available as an aftermarket thing. All in the same price group. Heck you can even throw in the Dewalt line because that was the basis of these saws too. Do we really need more saws. Well add this one to the many many many questions as to what saw to buy. OCtoolguy and SCROLLSAW703 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 Don't forget about the two newer Jet saws.. a 18" and a 22".. basically the same design as the Excalibur with a different clamping system.. Lower clamps are like the old style barrel lamp of the Hawks.. and the upper one is a complete different mechanism that I think I'd personally love.. well at least the concept seems cool.. haven't used it so cannot speak about it.. they sort of have a love hate deal with those that own them.. some love the clamps.. others hate it and bought the Pegas, LOL OCtoolguy and SCROLLSAW703 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotshot Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 (edited) 4 hours ago, Rolf said: .... I was going to go for the King 16" and then upgrade the clamps to the Pegas. For the same money Introductory price the new Pegas combo is looking real good.... The problem is that the Pegas 21" is going to be considerably heavier than the King 16". Ironically, after you upgrade the clamps to Pegas on a King, the price will be about the same for the King 16" as the Pegas 21" Edited December 19, 2018 by hotshot OCtoolguy and SCROLLSAW703 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill WIlson Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 1 hour ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said: JT regarding saw designs, not to many ways you can move the blade. ....Do we really need more saws..... Now what kind of question is that? SCROLLSAW703 and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 5 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said: JT regarding saw designs, not to many ways you can move the blade. Understood. But just in the type of saw that Pegas is there are 4 saws all the same coming off the same assembly line with different colors on it. The blade clamping system that pegas is using is somewhat different and is available as an aftermarket thing. All in the same price group. Heck you can even throw in the Dewalt line because that was the basis of these saws too. Do we really need more saws. Well add this one to the many many many questions as to what saw to buy. The one thing that comes to mind with the Pegas is, did they demand better product quality? The others coming out of China may or may not be very good. Nobody knows yet but with Pegas, I would think that they would demand high quality before they put their name on them. I can't imagine them accepting a "cheaply made knock-off". SCROLLSAW703 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill WIlson Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 1 minute ago, octoolguy said: The one thing that comes to mind with the Pegas is, did they demand better product quality? The others coming out of China may or may not be very good. Nobody knows yet but with Pegas, I would think that they would demand high quality before they put their name on them. I can't imagine them accepting a "cheaply made knock-off". That's the devil in the details. Chinese manufacturing is capable of making top quality products, so just because something is made in China, doesn't necessarily have to mean it's inferior. The parent company has to specify tolerances, components and testing protocols to achieve the level of quality they want. The fact that manufacturers aren't necessarily re-inventing the wheel doesn't mean they aren't building a better mousetrap. Pizza and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 3 hours ago, Bill WIlson said: Now what kind of question is that? Yea guess that was silly?? Ray what makes Pegas name that high quality?? Because of the blades?? Is that the same company?? SCROLLSAW703 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 1 minute ago, Bill WIlson said: That's the devil in the details. Chinese manufacturing is capable of making top quality products, so just because something is made in China, doesn't necessarily have to mean it's inferior. The parent company has to specify tolerances, components and testing protocols to achieve the level of quality they want. The fact that manufacturers aren't necessarily re-inventing the wheel doesn't mean they aren't building a better mousetrap. Well Bill by now then we should have that ultimate saw out there that has all the features us scroller are looking for. Can you name that saw??? Is this that saw?? Should be being the latest one on the market. Every manufacturer has their gizmos and gadgets and selling talk but in the end it still comes down to what you think will make scrolling easier for you and more enjoyable. Why has none of these companies come up with a dust collection system built into their saws. Can easily be done. They all should. Health issues are always a concern. Look at Saw Stop. SCROLLSAW703 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.