scroll saw stand or table

[BluesMatt]

Hello everyone. Matt here, still a newbie.

My question is about the stands or tables you use for your scroll saws. When I first (re)started using the Harbor Freight scroll saw, for convenience I clamped it loosely to an old kitchen table in my garage. The table is fairly heavy with a thick wood top. As I was using the saw, I was surprised about how little vibration there was. Then I started rearranging my shop and placed the saw on a much smaller (and lighter) wood table I had made from 2x4s and 3/4" plywood. When I turned on the saw, there was a lot for vibration especially at a mid-speed setting. So it seems to me that the table or stand needs to be heavy and rigid. Agreed?

I'm already thinking about my next saw which might be the Porter Cable ($200). It comes with a stand but I can't imagine it is very heavy or rigid. Anyone have any experience with that saw?

I think I might go back to the kitchen table and maybe even add some more weight to it (concrete blocks).

Looking forward to your insights.

[OCtoolguy]

I have two Ex's and I built stands for both of them. I like to sit at my saw. I made them with 7" wheels at the back end of the stand and rigged up some pvc handles so that I can move the saws around like a wheelbarrow. I now have incorporated small vacs on both of them with cyclones and cpap hoses for dust collection. I'll post pics one of these days.

 

[Rockytime]

3 minutes ago, octoolguy said:

I have two Ex's and I built stands for both of them. I like to sit at my saw. I made them with 7" wheels at the back end of the stand and rigged up some pvc handles so that I can move the saws around like a wheelbarrow. I now have incorporated small vacs on both of them with cyclones and cpap hoses for dust collection. I'll post pics one of these days.

 

I'm holding you to that Ray!

[meflick]

21 minutes ago, octoolguy said:

I have two Ex's and I built stands for both of them. I like to sit at my saw. I made them with 7" wheels at the back end of the stand and rigged up some pvc handles so that I can move the saws around like a wheelbarrow. I now have incorporated small vacs on both of them with cyclones and cpap hoses for dust collection. I'll post pics one of these days.

 

Ray, you’ve been here long enough to know, “no pictures, didn’t happen”

[JimErn]

The stand you use, regardless of the saw mounted on it, has to be rigid and firmly on the ground.

As far as saws go, if you are starting with a harbor freight, save your money and move up the line when you are ready.  Delta/dewalt are lower priced saws, or save up and get the pegas saw and never go back.  (pegas is new excaliber type saw)

[trackman]

Yes a solid foundation will make for less vibration. Mine is on the factory frame setting on concrete floor. No vibration. 

[WayneMahler]

I have the EX-21 mounted on a shop made stand. The stand is heavy and very sturdy and I get no vibration. Mount the saw firmly and have the stand on good ground. As for the Porter Cable. I had one, I would save up and get a better saw . DeWalt & Delta are good mid range saws. Pegas is a highly rated saw . 

[Bill WIlson]

I've had 2 saws with factory stands, a DeWalt and an EX-21.  Both have been very good.  I think the key to OEM stands is that the legs are splayed.  This adds stability without adding excess weight.  If you do experience some vibration, most stands have a lower frame, tying the legs together.  Add a piece of plywood on top and you have a shelf.  Put some weight on that shelf and it will help dampen vibration.

[NC Scroller]

I am a big fan of the OEM stands and I have owned or used Excalibur 21, Hawk VS226, Dewalt 788 and Hegners.  All on a concrete floors and without wheels.

[Rockytime]

32 minutes ago, NC Scroller said:

I am a big fan of the OEM stands and I have owned or used Excalibur 21, Hawk VS226, Dewalt 788 and Hegners.  All on a concrete floors and without wheels.

Yes, stable is the answer!

[OCtoolguy]

20 hours ago, meflick said:

Ray, you’ve been here long enough to know, “no pictures, didn’t happen”

Ok, I give.. It never happened. YET!

 

[danny]

I have my Make Shift way of doing the same as Rays Does.  Cheaper also.   

I use a Bad Ash Vac.  Quiter than normal vac.  Smaller also.  Sits under table.

Table I made and my Hegner Purrs like a Kitten with almost no Vibration.....    Thanks for putting up with this. 

Took the pictures upon completion of assembling it.  Lots of sawdust underside.  But this unit will Suck all the Dust

immediately....     Danny  :+}

Edited October 16, 2020 by danny

[OCtoolguy]

10 minutes ago, danny said:

I have my Make Shift way of doing the same as Rays Does.  Cheaper also.   

I use a Bad Ash Vac.  Quiter than normal vac.  Smaller also.  Sits under table.

Table I made and my Hegner Purrs like a Kitten with almost no Vibration.....    Thanks for putting up with this. 

Took the pictures upon completion of assembling it.  Lots of sawdust underside.  But this unit will Suck all the Dust

immediately....     Danny  :+}

Excellent! My system is much smaller and probably doesn't do as good a job as yours. I just wanted something totally portable. 

 

 

Edited October 16, 2020 by octoolguy

[danny]

Ray I came real close to buy the same thing as you use.  In the end it boiled down to the Cost.
Anyway I have been using this system for going on 2 years and sure makes the Breathing Quality

Much Healthier......................Danny  :+}

[Rockytime]

Nice looking system for sure!

[OCtoolguy]

4 hours ago, danny said:

Ray I came real close to buy the same thing as you use.  In the end it boiled down to the Cost.
Anyway I have been using this system for going on 2 years and sure makes the Breathing Quality

Much Healthier......................Danny  :+}

Not sure if you know what my system is. I have pieced it together from a vac on ebay, a cyclone from Amazon and some other odds and ends. I have about $80 in each one so far. I know the one that Seyco sells is pretty pricey and that's why I am doing my own.

[new2woodwrk]

I have my saw mounted at a slight angle on a home made cart.

It has drawers and shelves so I get extra storage with it as well.

It's also on wheels - actually my entire shop is on wheels since I have a small shop. Makes it very easy to move things around to work.

 

[Be_O_Be]

@danny, you may have covered this in another post & I apologize if I missed it but I was curious where you purchased the flexible hose on the end of your piping system? 

[Roberta Moreton]

In my opinion the Porter Cable is not a full step up. The Delta or Dewalt is. It’s just a little more and a much better saw. 

[OCtoolguy]

6 hours ago, Be_O_Be said:

@danny, you may have covered this in another post & I apologize if I missed it but I was curious where you purchased the flexible hose on the end of your piping system? 

Modularhose.com or Amazon.

[Be_O_Be]

 Thanks Ray, I'll have to look those up.

[FrankEV]

On 10/15/2020 at 7:23 PM, BluesMatt said:

...I'm already thinking about my next saw which might be the Porter Cable ($200). It comes with a stand but I can't imagine it is very heavy or rigid. Anyone have any experience with that saw?

I had the 18" PC  (a little over $300 at Lowes) and quickly upgraded to a Pegas for two reasons..  The blade on the PC jumps around a lot and is not instant on/off.  It takes a second or two to reach full speed each time yopu turn it on. Very difficult to start a cut that is at apoint.  Also the 18" throat is limiting.  I do not recommend this saw!  

The PC stand, however, is quite heavy and solid.  Minimum vibration.  Almost as good as the Pegas stand I now have. 

Do your research and save your pennies so you can get a better saw.  You would have to pay twice.