Scroll saw advice.

[Scrappile]

JUST MY OPINION!  I think the Type I versa Type 2 is blown way out of proportion.... Mine was a later model type 2.   Do I believe there were some problems with the first Type 2's yes or maybe.... but if there were,, it was before my Type 2.  I had NO problems with mine and if I was looking for a Dewalt, the Type 1, type 2 argument would not even cross my mind....  Oh, oh,, here we go now..

Edited January 12, 2021 by Scrappile

[GrampaJim]

Maybe another factor on the type 1, type 2 debate:  The type 1's were make a LONG time ago.  Any benefit to them over the type 2's has long ago expired.  They are a really old saw for that design and unless it has been rebuilt at least once with quality parts by someone who knew what they we doing, I don't see the benefit of even looking at one. 

[kmmcrafts]

Mine was a later type 2 as well and I really had no issues with it.. Not saying a DW isn't a good saw.. But if you're trying to decide between a DW and a Pegas.. In my mind the Pegas is way better saw.. If your budget is stuck at the $500 range look for a good used Hawk or Hegner.. otherwise if you are stuck on buying new.. then yes.. DW it is I suppose.. just plan on buying another one in a few years or rebuilding it.. 

[Brokentone]

I had the type 1 that I had bought used and did the service on it, the bearings were made in USA and Japan. When I took it apart most of the bearings still had adequate grease in them. I lost that and many other items to hurricane Florence. I bought a New Delta, not as good as the dewalt did a bunch of tuning to make it better but still not up to par. Was planning to buy Pegas when 20 RBI ultra showed up near me and meets all my needs at a much lower price. I studied the pegas trying to figure how they change the aggressiveness and came the conclusion that it is done by changing the length of the stroke. The arc of the blade is not changeable in that design so a shorter stroke will have less for and aft movement.

 

Bob

[Bill WIlson]

I agree that type 1's have been elevated to some sort of mythical status among scrollsaws, that I don't think is necessarily warranted.   

Mine was a type 2 and I never had any real problems with it, other than stripping out and replacing the top clamp once or twice.  In fairness, my saw was never used for heavy production cutting, just typical hobbiest level use.  I remember all the chatter on the forums about the type 2's when they first hit the market.  I think some of the problems were just due to poor quality control, with the move to the new facility.  That sort of thing isn't all that uncommon.  I also recall the complaints about how there was too much front to back motion in them.  I believe some of that was not just the natural arcing of the blade, but attributable to some manufacturing problems and misalignment of either the top & bottom arms and/or the table.  That is why shimming the table or modifying the arms solved the problem.  Some saws would over or under cut, because of this misalignment.  This was most evident when cutting thick stock.  You could actually see the kerf being deeper on top or the bottom.  However, when cutting thinner material, it just seemed like the saw was too aggressive.  If a saw is cutting more aggressively, due to a more pronounced arc of blade travel, it should still make a perpendicular kerf.  If the kerf is not perpendicular, then I believe there is something mechanically wrong with the saw.

That's one man's humble opinion.  

[SCROLLERNATION]

Go with your gut.  The pegas is an excellent choice.  The blade aggression can be controlled by rotating the motor in the back and setting the arm how you want it.  It is built more solid than a dewalt and can clear dust better and the arm stays up easier.  Both are actually really nice.  But the Pegas is a lot more robust.  If your going around town and doing actual scroll work for homes and doing the thicker woods then you want the dewalt for that.  Thats the only reason I keep my Dewalt around.  I honestly think the Dewalt was meant to be a top feeding saw and thats why the arm doesn’t stay up.  If your going to do very very delicate work like scrolling portraits then you want the pegas.  The dewalt is a very aggressive fast cutting saw and it cannot be changed which is outstanding for puzzles and exterior scroll work.  Both also have very light blade chucks and are easy to put a blade in.  The dewalt table will rust the Pegas will not so less maintenance.  

[Woodrush]

On 1/1/2021 at 2:47 PM, don in brooklin on said:

You don't say were you are from.  In Canada I would inquire how service would be obtained if required on a Pegas.

I have and older Excalibur EX-21 and it has been a workhorse for over 10 years. 

In the USA I would look at the Seyco as it has a great reputation for the machine and the service.  See Steve Goods post today.

In Canada, I would look carefully at the King as it made is the same shop as the old EX-21 and King has service all over.

 

 

I have a king Excelsior 21 and I live it

[danny]

Owned 4 brands.  Hegner has Proven Beyond a Doubt as The most

Reliable and Easiest to Operate and Change blades....  Danny  :+}