Jean-Marc Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Goodmorning to all members , no doubt I will have good advices here. I have a Hegner 2s, bought 18 yrs ago / 18 inches depth. Since november 2013, I'm very active ih scrollsawing. For the last 18 yrs, the Hegner has been on the shelves a good 10 yrs. But now I'm back for long I guess, I'm looking forward to buy a new scrollsaw, and keep reading reviews, I would like to choose between the Hegner and Excalibur. Dimension is not an issue, since the Hegner I have now will be taken on trade show. I'm intending to make a gift for a friend "fireman", I would like to do a cross, 17 x 11 inches http://www.scrollsawartist.com/fire-dept-emt-cross.html?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=scrollsawartist&utm_content=Scrollsawartist+patterns+-+Autism For those who cut crosses of this dimension which scrollsaw will be the best buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Scroller Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Jean-Marc this is where you get flooded with info from who ever owns one and I will always say EXCALIBUR easy to change blades top and bottom the saw tilts not the table and no vibration what's not to like. Roly PS: A floor insulator Wow loads of wood. Lucky2 and Nick@tinkers-cove 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bendita Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Jean-Marc Both saws you have selected are of great quality no doubt, personally I cant speak of experience with either but following the great reviews from other members in the village. I have a 788 myself and know its quite capable of cutting those crosses you want to cut. As a matter of fact I'm quite confidant that it will cut anything its a matter of, can you? I often hear oh that's easy for you cause you have a great saw, all the while I was cutting stuff like I am now with an old delta shopmaster I nicknamed shaky. So besides the saw you'll need a ton of patients a good wood selection and I think good blades would be an option. I look forward to seeing this cross done please post a picture for us to see. Thanks and the best of luck it sounds like you have the bug my friend. .../Hans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Finn Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 I have two Hegners and an old Jet. All have the same Hegner blade clamps. In the past I have had a Harbor Freight saw and a DeWalt. In My experience, the main advantage of the Hegner saws is durability. All my current saws have induction motors. Much longer lasting than brushed ,"Universal" motors. A friend of mind, that makes toys mostly, replaced his DeWalt, universal, motor five times before giving up on it. I do not know what motor is on the Excalibur. Something to consider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Johnson Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Good morning Jean-Marc My advice if you've narrowed your decision down between an Excalibur and a Hegner would be to try both machines out at a retail outlet that have them on display. You'll then nail your final decision down to one or the other either because of features, ease of use, size, looks may be a factor, service after purchase, budget in mind, longevity and etc. Both are high end and fairly high priced machines. Also search reviews on each but take them with a grain of salt. Like Hans mentioned size of crosses you plan on cutting can be done on any scroll saw. I have an Ex 30 that I've been using for the past 15 years. The reasons I chose it was size, quality (domestic made), ease of use, and service after purchase. I've never had to look back on decision made then. Good luck with your decision. Nick@tinkers-cove 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Marc Posted March 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 (edited) Thanks a lot for the answers, will check concerning the motor, brushed or not. What I like with Hegner is aven after 18 years I was able to upgrade the top arm, with a quick tension release. I'm afraid that with Excalibur, in some years, the machine become obsolete. Will check the motor, of the Excalibur. But since I change the top arm, with the quick tension and the big alumunium knob, the blades breaks more often, comparing with the standard clamp. The quick clamp is a universal model, even cutting with a N° 2 / 3 / 5 / 7 / 9 it's the same clamp, comparing to the standard model with different clamp dimensions. A point that I'm thinking about, what about the Excalibur, did anybody had any issue about the quick clamps? Edited March 10, 2014 by Jean-Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick@tinkers-cove Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 Ron is absolutely right. It's always worth checking both machines thoroughly. Your decision can only be made when you're comfortable with the correct saw for you. I've researched thoroughly for my new saw, and have found that I'm destined for an Excalibur EX-30 (the 30 is because some of my work is quite big). If you search and ask enough questions...you will come to the right decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Johnson Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 Thanks a lot for the answers, will check concerning the motor, brushed or not. What I like with Hegner is aven after 18 years I was able to upgrade the top arm, with a quick tension release. I'm afraid that with Excalibur, in some years, the machine become obsolete. Will check the motor, of the Excalibur. But since I change the top arm, with the quick tension and the big alumunium knob, the blades breaks more often, comparing with the standard clamp. The quick clamp is a universal model, even cutting with a N° 2 / 3 / 5 / 7 / 9 it's the same clamp, comparing to the standard model with different clamp dimensions. A point that I'm thinking about, what about the Excalibur, did anybody had any issue about the quick clamps? Regarding Excalibur discontinuing certain models and will you be able to get parts after certain number of years is an important consideration to give thought to. Mine is a discontinued model and parts are no longer available. For instance if I had to replace the blade clamps I would have to upgrade to the new style which includes the rocker arms at a cost of $300.00. But like anything today there is no guarantee parts will be availbe x number of years from now. Regarding the blade clamps on the new Excalibur they have been upgraded due to blade slippage issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 Decisions decisions what will it be ? i'll stay with proven Dewalt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky2 Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Jean Marc, my preference would be the EX, I own one and am completely satisfied with it and I've owned it for three years. I did try out a Hegner, but I liked the EX better. One of the biggest deciding factors was how easy it is to cut things on an angle, the table stays in the flat position and the upper portion of the saw tilts. As for the blades breaking, I tend to think that it is just a matter of a slight adjustment of a screw. Good luck with whatever you decide, I hope it works out for you. Len Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwright Posted March 13, 2014 Report Share Posted March 13, 2014 Hegner for me, parts availability, durability, simple design, cuts great....... Jim Finn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Marc Posted March 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2014 I love the Dewalt 788, unfortunately it's not available on the Belgium market, even in France / Germany and Holland. Cannot know why, all od these countries sells Dewalt tools, except the scrollsaw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Marc Posted March 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2014 Hi Nick, will be happy to know about the projects you do, for choosing the 30 " Excalibur, this may help me deciding about the dimension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Marc Posted March 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 After some investigation, my choice is going towards the Excalibur, love the Hegner very much, got one for the last + - 15 yrs, but the top arm do not lift up for the Hegner, quiet inconvenient for bottom feeding. The Excalibur , the top arm can de raised and very easy for top feeding. I took notice since I change the quick clamp with the big knob on the blade holder, the blades breaks more often., because the screw on top of the blade holder need to remain tighted, but with the old method, using the key, the top screw can be release about a quarter turn, to let the blade ocilliate easier. For the Excalibur, does the blade clamp remain tighted or it can oscillate easily. I have'nt seen the machine yet, because we do not have it in Belgium, will have to order it from France. Just need some info about the blade holder of the Excalibur, thanks to all you for your advices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick@tinkers-cove Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 Hi Nick, will be happy to know about the projects you do, for choosing the 30 " Excalibur, this may help me deciding about the dimension. Hey Jean-Marc. I'm going with the EX-30 because some of my work is quite large - but more importantly, I have plans to do larger pieces (they mean more scope to add extra detail, which I love). I'm currently working on my site, but if you want to see examples, try: http://tinkers-cove.com or http://www.flickr.com/photos/119852665@N07/sets Hope this helps, and let me know what you decide. Kindest Regards, Nick. Phantom Scroller 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Finn Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 .....the top arm do not lift up for the Hegner, quiet inconvenient for bottom feeding....... You can remove the stop with the rubber bumper on it at the rear of the saw and the Hegner arm will go up a lot more to help with bottom feeding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Marc Posted March 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 (edited) Jim, I check the rubber on the Hegner, have'nt seen any thing about it, could you please send me a picture of it if possible. Will be glad to be able to lift the arm further up. Edited March 25, 2014 by Jean-Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Finn Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 http://www.advmachinery.com/manuals/m22v%20parts%20diagram.pdf Go here and look for item #54. I do not know if your saw is the same or not. Mine is a bit different. Removing the bumper and the bolt that holds it is what I am talking about. I had to cut the one off of my Jet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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