patrol681 Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 Hi everyone, I Just wanted to introduce myself, as a new member. I have been a wood working hobbyist for a little while, but am an old guy (83) with arthritic problems which don't help my standing around. I figured that if I could continue my woodworking hobby in any way, it would likely be in scroll sawing, since I feel I could do that while seated. I have been researching scroll saws online, and think that the DeWalt 788 seems like the best choice for me. I don't want to go on too long about this, because I am probably in the wrong section of the forum to discuss this. However, I am wondering now, since I have read that the Excalibur, and the DeWalt were both originally made by the Sommerville company, but have now been lately manufactured in an Asian country, and that quality control has deteriorated. I will search further in the forum and see what I can learn, and will then update my intro. when I decide on which saw, and then make my purchase amazingkevin, bobscroll and Rob Roy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don in brooklin on Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 Hi fellow Canuk I am on the other side of the GTA just north of Whitby in Brooklin. Our club has 7 of the DeWalts and I have and Excalibur at home. I have use both quite a bit but I still prefer my Ex-21. I have the foot switch on the EX-21 and that does make a difference. I have had my EX-21 for almost 4 years and the only time I a problem with the clamp I called general in Montreal and they sent me a new clamp the next day. We have not have had any issues with the Dewalts and they do get a work out. I think it really depends on your budget. I got mine from Federated in London when the Kitchener Wood Show was on as they had a 10% off deal plus they shipped it for free. Check with them to see what they will offer. You often see used Dewalts for sale on Kijiji or Cralglist. Good luck Welcome to the Village Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 Welcome Edmond ,Were just as happy as you are and would love to hear all you know about wood working I too love to sit and work and this is the perfect hobby for that.Angle your saw forward so you can have a birds eye view of were the saw blades cutting. A foot switch to turn the machine on and off is a plus.Great lighting is a plus too.i have two dewalts now and the third i gave to a friend interested in scrolling.Everything you'll ever want to know or learn or share will be the forum.You can go back many months in each forum to see whats been talked about too.I've had two type 1 dw788's and the lastest one is a type 2 .Let us know your findings on both machines.We love shop talk here and pictures really gets our attention.Welcome aboard ,make some friends and have a ball and thanks again for finding us !ENJOY ! Rob Roy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjR Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 A big HI from the west side of Oregon. AMAZING K just summed it up! I actually use my saw flat and have a Salvation army special for a stool. A bar height with a back rest and swivels; WITH NO casters! They can have you move at the wrong time. It is a good saw; a DeWalt 788-. I did add extra light and a shelf between the saw and the factory stand! Start with smple things first.. A cut into the waste area mistake is easier to fix than into the project. The tip about using clear packing tape over your projects work well. I put my pattern onto the tape. (I use a fine point RED permanent marker & make templates if I plan on a repeat). .Easier to get rid of slight error that way that shows, but, does not matter. Just remove the tape and only you know there ever was a mistake! Make things to please you! If they do NOT like it --TOO BAD!--just so you DO! Make a comfortable work station that fits what you need! Not like anyone else's just for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
areynoldsre Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 welcome - I've got the deWalt and love it. Get yourself a good shop stool - something with a back, that will help. Looking forward to seeing your work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatie Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 Welcome to the Village Edmund. I am Marg from Australia. Edmund I have a DeWalt and a Ex21 and truthfully I prefare the DeWalt, it is quite a few years old though. At the end of the day the decision is yours though. Marg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 Edmund, Welcome... A tall bench to sit on so you can slde down to where your snacks are. Seriously, organize so everything is nearby, within arms reach. stand up less that way. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Johnson Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 Good morning Edmond Welcome to the village. I've been using an Excalibur for the last fifteen years and love the saw. Spoke with Cindy the other day from Seyco regarding quality control since they moved production off shore. She assured me they have their own people over there maintaining quality control. As to which saw to chose I think you'd be happy with either one and the budget you have in mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 Good day Edmond- I now have a DW 788 I love it. I had a craftsman, a 20 incher for about 15 years. The new craftsman's don't look that good so I then bought a Porter Cable( for the price) It lasted about a year and then it fell apart, I tor it down and there was 2 broken parts in it. Then I bought the DW 788 and it is great, but the choice is yours. Good Luck c raftman 20 inch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrol681 Posted February 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 Well....., Right off the mark It is pretty easy to see that I am going to enjoy this site! I thank you all for your warm and encouraging responses to my initial message. Having read what you are saying, I think the DeWalt is probably going to be my choice as soon as I can afford one. Marg from Australia kind of tipped the vote in the direction of the DeWalt when she said she has both that, and the Excalibur, but she kind of prefers the DeWalt. Lets see, if she can use one "down under" then they must be really good, ((cos' it has to be a trick, using it upside down eh?) Kidding apart, they do appear to be pretty similar in design and operation from all that I have read, but the DeWalt is about $200.00 or so cheaper in Ontario, so I think that is the one I am going to go for. Again, thank you all for your warm acceptance and I will keep you posted on my progress. Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobscroll Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 Hello Edmund, And welcome to the village, Also thank you for your good intro, Will see you soon, Bob from England Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 Edmund, I am looking forward to seeing your projects when you get your saw. Be sure and start with something not too complicated and in no time there won't be much that you will not want to try, and successfully too. Nice to have you with us. be sure and come back often. Dick heppnerguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgloyn Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 Welcome to the forum. I am in Georgetown just a stone throw away currently using a type 1 Dewalt and just setting up an ex21. The Dewalt is a good saw so just find some patterns and give them a try. If you have any questions just ask away lots of help here and enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted March 1, 2014 Report Share Posted March 1, 2014 Edmund, The one saw no one mentioned that will meet all your requirements is a hand held scroll saw. See Thumbnail. Think I am kidding? Go to "Works in Progress & Tutorials" Post on ' Dec 10th 2013 ' Title - ' The Munch Swiss Mountain ' by Gabry Sawyer and she uses the saw pictured here. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Scroll-Sawing-Outfits-31.pngEdmund, The one saw no one mentioned that will meet all your requirements is a hand held scroll saw. See Thumbnail. Think I am kidding? Go to "Works in Progress & Tutorials" Post on ' Dec 10th 2013 ' Title - ' The Munch Swiss Mountain ' by Gabry Sawyer and she uses the saw pictured here. Larry Isn't she amazing with her saw? She leaves me breathless every time I see her work Dick heppenrguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Roy Posted March 4, 2014 Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 Well....., Right off the mark It is pretty easy to see that I am going to enjoy this site! I thank you all for your warm and encouraging responses to my initial message. Having read what you are saying, I think the DeWalt is probably going to be my choice as soon as I can afford one. Marg from Australia kind of tipped the vote in the direction of the DeWalt when she said she has both that, and the Excalibur, but she kind of prefers the DeWalt. Lets see, if she can use one "down under" then they must be really good, ((cos' it has to be a trick, using it upside down eh?) Kidding apart, they do appear to be pretty similar in design and operation from all that I have read, but the DeWalt is about $200.00 or so cheaper in Ontario, so I think that is the one I am going to go for. Again, thank you all for your warm acceptance and I will keep you posted on my progress. Ed Hello Edmund welcome to the forum. I'm Roy from Scotland, you'll enjoy it here. Look out for Marg,she'll have you round her little finger in no time . Kevin couldn't have put it any better. Rob Roy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Scroller Posted March 4, 2014 Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 (edited) Hi Ed a big WELCOME from a EX-21 user come over to the dark side you won't regret it. best of all have fun with what ever you decide on. Roly Edited March 4, 2014 by Phantom Scroller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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