Delta 40-694 or Pegas Scroll Saw?

[Jackloganbill]

I searched for threads and reviews that might provide useful info to decide between the Delta 40-694 and Pegas scroll saws and so far, nothing. Can anyone provide some comparison or pro/con info to help me decide. The price difference is substantial, but they appear to super similar. I currently own two scroll saws (hegner and delta) that are both 30+ years old. 

 

Thanks

jack

[ike]

I would not recomend the Delta 40-694 due to there rep on repair parts, I have  one itn the repair shop for rarentie work 34 month wairting on parts.

IK

[dgman]

Hey Jack, welcome to the Village! I don’t have either saw but have followed comments about both saws on this forum and others. The Delta is basically a clone of the DeWALT of which I own. It uses unsealed bearings which tend to wear out prematurely. It does have a nice sized cast iron table that helps absorb vibration. I’ve owned DeWALT saws for over twenty years and enjoy using them, unfortunately, I’m currently on my third saw, and it’s starting to act up. So, that is what to expect with the Delta.

The Pegas saw is an upgraded version of the Excalibur EX 21. The bearings have been upgraded as well as the blade clamps. The advantage of these type of saws is the tilting head. The table stays stationary while the machine tilts when bevel cutting. Both saws have a lifting upper arm to facilitate top feeding of the blade. The only down side of the EX type saw is they have smaller tables, especially in front of the blade. Most folks using these saws don’t mind the smaller table. There is a larger table available.

Knowing what I know, I would definitely recommend the Pegas.

Edited November 9, 2020 by dgman

[Roberta Moreton]

The Pegas also allows for easy, repeatable tilting for bevels, inlay and such. It also comes with the Pegas clamps that will cost to upgrade the others.   If you’re going to choose you might as well get ALL the bells and whistles. 

[MrsN]

If you are even thinking about it, get the pegas. I consider the Delta an entry level saw. Although the Hegners were built to last, is there a reason to upgrade?

I have a delta in my school shop. Prior to having the delta we had a terrible cheap saw. I wanted something useable for the kids but needed the price to be low enough to get by the administration. The delta is similar to the dewalt, but not quite as nice.

[OCtoolguy]

If it's in your budget to afford the Pegas, that is definitely the way to go. I have 2 Excalibur saws that the Pegas is based upon. I love both of them. I owned a Dewalt and liked it. But after buying the Ex, I sold the Dewalt. I've also tried the Hawk and sold it because it was just too big. And I had a Hegner. I liked it a lot but it had a speed problem that was going to be too expensive to fix. So, I sold it too. Now I have what I consider to be the absolute best saws for the money. 

 

[meflick]

If interested in the Pegas saws, I would reach out to @Denny Knappen a member here In the village and a distributor through his shop Artcrafters.  His website is here: https://www.artcraftersonline.com several here have purchased their saw through Denny. I don’t have a Pegas, but read good things about them, I do buy Pegas blades from Denny. like others have said, the Delta is more of an entry level saw and I believe the Pegas is a better saw.

[Jackloganbill]

Thank you everyone, appreciate the detailed comments...

[Rockytime]

What's wrong with your Hegner?

[Jackloganbill]

1 hour ago, Rockytime said:

What's wrong with your Hegner?

Nothing, I have maintained it forever, just completed 30 nameplates for an office. But, new Excalibur-type saws are a bit easier to operate (blade threading, tensioning, etc.), as my saw is 30 years old. Plus, the additional 2 to 3 inches of throat is enticing. 

[Jackloganbill]

2 hours ago, meflick said:

If interested in the Pegas saws, I would reach out to @Denny Knappen a member here In the village and a distributor through his shop Artcrafters.  His website is here: https://www.artcraftersonline.com several here have purchased their saw through Denny. I don’t have a Pegas, but read good things about them, I do buy Pegas blades from Denny. like others have said, the Delta is more of an entry level saw and I believe the Pegas is a better saw.

Did not see a link to the saw on the artcraftersonline web site...????

[kmmcrafts]

12 minutes ago, Jackloganbill said:

Did not see a link to the saw on the artcraftersonline web site...????

Welcome to the village! 

Denny doesn't have the saws on his site, You just have to contact him to work out the details.. I don't think he stocks the saws.. they are drop shipped.. which I believe is the case for most every seller of them in the USA.. I could be wrong but I think that is how the US sales work. 

[new2woodwrk]

Your choice options IMO are quite drastic and kinda like comparing apples to oranges.

One is $700+ and the other $300 - big difference

I have 2 Delta's now since I can't afford the higher end machines

We're doing a lot of work on them these days and they are holding up very well - although I did have to tighten the motor on my original

There are reviews on the Delta on this site which helped me to decide between the Delta and the DeWalt

Oh and BTW as to repairs, if you can repair it yourself, many of the parts are actually available (I guess it depends on what you need) - I have a site that claims they have all the parts and are the goto location for Delta Machinery when they are out.

Edited November 10, 2020 by new2woodwrk

[hotshot]

13 minutes ago, new2woodwrk said:

Oh and BTW as to repairs, if you can repair it yourself, many of the parts are actually available (I guess it depends on what you need) - I have a site that claims they have all the parts and are the goto location for Delta Machinery when they are out.

Cool, can you give us the link?

[new2woodwrk]

On 11/10/2020 at 6:14 AM, hotshot said:

Cool, can you give us the link?

As soon as I find it again - I have 200+ links for woodworking stuff I have to go through

Delta Technical actually sent me to the site and told me that's where they get their hard to find parts.

Ok Found it! Was on an older machine I seldom use anymore...

Pretty sure this is it... leneavesupply.com

Edited November 12, 2020 by new2woodwrk

[OCtoolguy]

1 hour ago, new2woodwrk said:

As soon as I find it again - I have 200+ links for woodworking stuff I have to go through

Delta Technical actually sent me to the site and told me that's where they get their hard to find parts.

Ok Found it! Was on an older machine I seldom use anymore...

Pretty sure this is it... leneavesupply.com

I've had pretty good luck using eReplacementparts.com. They aren't cheap but when you need something you just have to grin and bear it. I've also used the Dewalt parts line too. They have a parts/repair center about an hour from me.

 

[kmmcrafts]

I used to buy a lot of obsolete Delta parts from ( I think the name is ) mikestools.com I restored a few old Delta scroll saws that was my fathers that I gave me before he past on.. This place was the only place I could find some of the parts.. They have a parts look-up by model number etc. too.. This was several years ago though.. like 2005 -6 ish.. Not sure if they still have this stuff.. This was before I ever heard of ereplacementparts 

 

[LarryEA]

I have two 40-694's 

Blown fuse on one is the worst problem I've had....

One is about 20 yrs old and the other, 10+

I like them. They do all I need for scrolling.

[ScollSaw Slasher]

Have had the Delta for about 5 years. Tore it apart once to grease and clean. Really can't complain about it. Has cut some beautiful stuff both fretwork and intarsia. Having never cut with a Pegas I can't compare, but I don't know if it's worth double the price.

[Denny Knappen]

On 11/9/2020 at 7:15 PM, Jackloganbill said:

Did not see a link to the saw on the artcraftersonline web site...????

Thanks for your interest.  I do not include the Saw on the site as I have free shipping on orders of $35 or more and I can’t ship the Saw free.  If you would like more information, email me at ArtcraftersScrollSaw@gmail.com or call 423-775-1401 during business hours 11 AM to 5 PM Eastern Tuesday through Saturday.

[Dennis51]

I just bought the  Pegas and am very happy with it. ( for $750 I better be☺). I had an older Delta ( ss350?), It was ok but can't compare to the Pegas. They are really in different classes of saws.

[Scrappile]

Well to each his own... I have had an Excalibur, great saw and the Pegas may be a little better, because of the clamps.... I have a Seyco now, with Pegas clamps, and I have a Hegner.... I would not give up my Hegner... I love... It just feels so comfortable to me... There are those that don't feel the same.. that is why I say to each his own...  I spend most my time on my Hegner.... I did when I had the Ex also...  The Hegner fits me like a comfortable shoe...

Edited November 27, 2020 by Scrappile

[OCtoolguy]

1 hour ago, Scrappile said:

Well to each his own... I have had an Excalibur, great saw and the Pegas may be a little better, because of the clamps.... I have a Seyco now, with Pegas clamps, and I have a Hegner.... I would not give up my Hegner... I love... It just feels so comfortable to me... There are those that don't feel the same.. that is why I say to each his own...  I spend most my time on my Hegner.... I did when I had the Ex also...  The Hegner fits me like a comfortable shoe...

I totally understand Paul. I wish my Hegner would have worked out. I am constantly on the lookout for another one. But in the meantime, I've got the Ex's to satisfy my needs. I'll come across another Hegner someday.