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At a crossroad


Hawk

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As some of you may know I'm on the hunt for a saw to take with me in my motor home while camping. I have been using a Delta P-20 for close to 20 years now. Love it! But it comes in at 70 pounds. About 10 years ago I picked up a bunch of spare parts so I'm well stocked in that respect.

My dilemma is do I get another P-20 for camping to avoid taking the one out of my shop which is in my basement or go with something like a Dewalt 788? My main concern is vibration, my P-20 is rock solid, smooth as silk, never having had any time on anything else (except my starter Ryobi) I'm concerned it won't be a smooth as what I'm used to.

I also ask because I have a line on 2 different P-20's that are calling my name.

So I'm reaching out to all you SSV folks and asking for your thoughts?

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Honesty agree with Paul on this.. That said and to answer your question.. I don't know how the "new" Dewalts are, I had a type 2 that I bought new in 2008.. It was smoother running then the P-20 I tried out at LL Johnson lumber.. They had a clearance out model that I almost bought. Glad I didn't as parts for them are really hard to find now days.

Are you sure the P-20 only weighs in at 70lbs? Those things are dinosaurs and all cast iron.. My Hawk weighs 110lbs for the smaller 20" saw.. I'd think that P-20 would weigh more than that since the Hawk is all light weight aluminum, other than the steel stand and motor.

As Paul said, Hegner is a quality saw and small footprint, fairly light weight too. 

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12 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said:

Honesty agree with Paul on this.. That said and to answer your question.. I don't know how the "new" Dewalts are, I had a type 2 that I bought new in 2008.. It was smoother running then the P-20 I tried out at LL Johnson lumber.. They had a clearance out model that I almost bought. Glad I didn't as parts for them are really hard to find now days.

Are you sure the P-20 only weighs in at 70lbs? Those things are dinosaurs and all cast iron.. My Hawk weighs 110lbs for the smaller 20" saw.. I'd think that P-20 would weigh more than that since the Hawk is all light weight aluminum, other than the steel stand and motor.

As Paul said, Hegner is a quality saw and small footprint, fairly light weight too. 

I'm not sure where I got the 70 pounds, I just know it's a real beast!! Funny you mention LL Johnson Lumber, thats where I bought my P-20 back around 2002 ish. I am leaning toward the Hegner, the 18" as I would want the adjustable speed. 

Prior to this post I would have leaned toward the something like the Dewalt, but thanks to SSV and all the info here I'm seriously looking at the Hegner.

Chris

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4 minutes ago, Hawk said:

I'm not sure where I got the 70 pounds, I just know it's a real beast!! Funny you mention LL Johnson Lumber, thats where I bought my P-20 back around 2002 ish. I am leaning toward the Hegner, the 18" as I would want the adjustable speed. 

Prior to this post I would have leaned toward the something like the Dewalt, but thanks to SSV and all the info here I'm seriously looking at the Hegner.

Chris

Chris,,, keep in mind a hegner is bottom feed only.... not a problem for me,, fact a +.  but you should know.. not a top feeder if that is your style...

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11 minutes ago, Hawk said:

Just learned that my P-20 comes in at a hefty 140 pounds which explains why it's a PITA to move! 

 

Anybody have any experience with the Pegas saws?

Yes, I have a Pegas saw. It is a little lighter than the DeWALT saw because the DeWALT hast a cast iron table and the Pegas table is plate steel. It definitely is a top feeding saw. And it comes with the world famous Pegas blade clamps. As for the actual weight, I don’t know for sure. Maybe Denny @Denny Knappen will chime in as he is a Pegas dealer.

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Reading all the great comments I sunk into thinking Harry Potter, the wand chooses the wizard.  Does the Scroller Choose the Scroll Saw OR does the Scroll Saw Choose the Scroller. Either way I would if you have a store to go to and try out the saws they have, pick them up and see how the strain is on your back and arms.

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45 minutes ago, bandaideman said:

Reading all the great comments I sunk into thinking Harry Potter, the wand chooses the wizard.  Does the Scroller Choose the Scroll Saw OR does the Scroll Saw Choose the Scroller. Either way I would if you have a store to go to and try out the saws they have, pick them up and see how the strain is on your back and arms.

You know, I'd have to agree with you on this, seems like I'm searching until I find one that calls out to me.  

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6 minutes ago, Scrappile said:

But, also include the foot print.... Hegner has a smaller footprint than the Pegas and other like saws...  Now I say no more... I am a little biased... You won't be sorry with either..

Might depend on which model Hegner he gets... and whether he plans to get the stand or not.. Not a huge difference in footprint when you're talking without stand and talking about a 18" plus sized Hegner.. The 14" is only a single speed if I'm not mistaken? That difference isn't much when considering the difference between a 18" and a 21.. Price difference is big though.. 

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At this point I looking at the 18" heg and 21" peg. No stand as it will be easier for me to stow when traveling. Just learning as much as I can about both before committing.

Either way I'm sure it will be an improvement over my P-20. Been on that for about 20 years now. WOW how time fly's. 

Edited by Hawk
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8 hours ago, Hawk said:

At this point I looking at the 18" heg and 21" peg. No stand as it will be easier for me to stow when traveling. Just learning as much as I can about both before committing.

Either way I'm sure it will be an improvement over my P-20. Been on that for about 20 years now. WOW how time fly's. 

Might want to consider the vibration aspect from both machines without a stand... I've read on the FB groups of folks talking about the bad vibration the Hegner has if it's not bolted down to a good heavy stand.. I can attest to that with the Hawks as well.. they're terrible if they aren't bolted down good and the stand planted to the level floor good too. However, I have ran my Excalibur and DeWalts just on a bench.. not even clamped down.. just sitting there.. Yes there was vibration but you wouldn't even be able to use a Hawk and from what I've read Hegner too without it clamped at a minimum.. I'm going to assume the Pegas is going to be about the same as the EX and DW since they are basically the same build. Just a thought. If you're looking for a small footprint check out the King 16" saw.. basically the same saws as the EX but smaller

IF I was looking for a small footprint saw to haul in my travel trailer.. I'd not even consider anything but a DW, EX, King, or Pegas etc. specifically for that reason. Unless of coarse I had a nice camper / toy hauler where I bolted some equipment down to the floor in the toy hauler area.. 

Also look at the Jet saw.. LLJohnson has or had when I was there both the 18" and 22" on the showroom floor.. They are bottom feed only saws though if that matters to you. I like the 18" over the 22" as the 18 has more table area in front of the blade..

 

 

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When I upgraded from a "see if I like the hobby" WEN to a serious scroll saw I knew I was going to transport it to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas for the winters. My choice was a 16" King saw. It's been a great one so far, and packs back in its box very easy. I put it, a bench drill press, the stand partially disassembled, some wood, and a few other items in the front storage.

Edited by OzarkSawdust
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8 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

Might want to consider the vibration aspect from both machines without a stand... I've read on the FB groups of folks talking about the bad vibration the Hegner has if it's not bolted down to a good heavy stand.. I can attest to that with the Hawks as well.. they're terrible if they aren't bolted down good and the stand planted to the level floor good too. However, I have ran my Excalibur and DeWalts just on a bench.. not even clamped down.. just sitting there.. Yes there was vibration but you wouldn't even be able to use a Hawk and from what I've read Hegner too without it clamped at a minimum.. I'm going to assume the Pegas is going to be about the same as the EX and DW since they are basically the same build. Just a thought. If you're looking for a small footprint check out the King 16" saw.. basically the same saws as the EX but smaller

IF I was looking for a small footprint saw to haul in my travel trailer.. I'd not even consider anything but a DW, EX, King, or Pegas etc. specifically for that reason. Unless of coarse I had a nice camper / toy hauler where I bolted some equipment down to the floor in the toy hauler area.. 

Also look at the Jet saw.. LLJohnson has or had when I was there both the 18" and 22" on the showroom floor.. They are bottom feed only saws though if that matters to you. I like the 18" over the 22" as the 18 has more table area in front of the blade..

 

 

 

3 hours ago, OzarkSawdust said:

When I upgraded from a "see if I like the hobby" WEN to a serious scroll saw I knew I was going to transport it to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas for the winters. My choice was a 16" King saw. It's been a great one so far, and packs back in its box very easy. I put it, a bench drill press, the stand partially disassembled, some wood, and a few other items in the front storage.

Thanks to all for bringing the King to my attention, I would have never given it a thought until now. The 16" looks like it fits the bill. I knew I could find a answer to my quest here, Thanks again to all who chimed in and SSV !!

Chris

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15 hours ago, dgman said:

The 16” King should be close to the same quality as the Pegas saw. Change over to the Pegas blade clamps and you will have a top notch saw!

I think all that design saw come out of the same building...except maybe the 21" Excalibur, which I've heard comes from China with some issues. 
Yes, I changed to Pegas blade clamps right away thanks to Denny at Art Crafters!

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