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Couldn't resist.................I just had to cut it.

I agree and I'll take that a step further and say.. IF you are NOT mechanical I suggest a Seyco over the others even though the Seyco would be my last choice of those you mentioned for various reasons.. But anyway Ray tunes the saws before they get shipped out.. and I believe he is the "only one" doing that.. Pegas or Hegner would be my own personal choice.. Actually Hawk for me but then.. there is the poor customer service and getting parts issues for those that don't realize that the company is run by farmers who care more about the farm than getting your parts made.. Great saws they build but when you need a part you might wait.

So you think they skip quality control for Lowes? It would be more believeable if box stores was assembling them.. Kind of like Walmart having young kids that aren't mechanical inclined assemble bicycles.. ( I bought one several years ago for my oldest son and the front tire was falling off before I got it to the car, turns out they seem to have tightened all the nuts / bolts etc. without any tools.. just finger tight, ).. 4 years later the same thing with my daughters first bike.. probably the same kid assembling them LOL.. Now.. possible the forklift truck driver rammed the box.. Almost everything I've bought in the last 5 years that was big and heavy had been banged up.. most times the box was all busted up but not always.. Supposed to have a forklift license to drive them.. ( I have one and drove for nearly 10 years full time ) I'm not sure if they have the same rules they used to or if they just can't get people that care about the job and " want to work their way up the ladder at a company " .. Before I quit working for others and became self employed 30 years ago new people come to the job and refuse to push a broom because the guys that had been there 50 years and fixing to retire never had to sweep.. People come to a job and are entitled to something in their first week.. This is what happens when the parents and schools give out 1st - last place trophies... everyone is entitled to something.. I say most of them are barely entitled to the paycheck they are getting because they barely worked for it.. Anyway back on topic.. I think it's more about the quality control at the factory.. and the luck of the draw.. certainly have issues and things with most every brand happen.. but when you see this kind of thing more and more.. you have to wonder who is the quality control or better yet.. the foreman of QC.. or the foreman's boss.. it goes right up the management line.. I personally am not afraid to buy Delta tools because I am my own repair kinda guy.. probably a little too far with it as I fix things that I most likely should have just returned and or exchanged..

I belong to several wood working forums and the story is really getting old across all of them. Both Delta and Dewalt are making junk and not just on scroll saws. Sure even in the "good old days" there were occasional lemons but now they produce lemons and occasionally they make an orange. Save up your money and buy a Pegas, Seyco, Hegner or King. Yes you will pay more but IMHO they are worth it.

This is from the second pattern by Steve Good. 5/16” oak with 321 finish. Thanks for looking.

Yes, for sure. But as stated prior, the old stuff was the good stuff. Cast iron doesn't go bad unless it's totally rusted out. These old saws had a bulletproof mechanism and used sealed bearings. Any motor will work as long as it has enough power. A belt now and then is all that's required as for maintenance. And one of those segmented belts will last forever and run smooth. If I run across one that appears to be in decent condition, I'm going to snap it up. The one pictured has both extension tables bolted to one side. Not sure why but that would have to be changed. These old saws are great for building into a cabinet with out-feed table etc.

The first for my wife, the 2nd for my grand neice, and the 3rd for my sister-in-law

I've wore out so many brands of scroll saws, Chinese and American and Canadian.Of all the ones i wore out I chose to stay with the DW788.Regreasing the Dewalt will give you a good 5+years of hard scrolling before. if ever the grease will need changing(car axle grease) Other than that the usual repairs like a broken bolt,bellows,Thumb screw.Best thing i ever did was switch to the Dewalt!!!

Interesting... On the table saw (I'm looking at them) What model, When did you get it? How much have you used it? Don't want to hijack the thread, but you made an interesting statement.

thank you for letting me join your site, I am 62 years old, live in Taree, NSW, Australia. I am an old bloke trying to learn more bad habits

Well I have been very busy and I like it that way. Keeps me out of trouble. Well have to head back to the saw it is calling me. and I miss it. Have a great day. Mimi

I have and still use my Craftsman table saw that I bought in 1957 and I use it almost every day, A lot of people don't like them but I upgraded the fence and it was the best improvement I could have done the rest of it is rock solid and I am pretty sure the same drive belt is still on the saw and works super smooth.

What does it take to clean up one of these "barn finds" to useable shape? How would you go about it...and would it be worth the effort?

Kevin, most all of the contractor saws are made that way. They are called "tilting arbor" and all have the motor hanging off the back. They do take up more room in the garage and that's the one plus for the motorized saws. More compact.

WOW...that is an antique!

@kmmcrafts, Today I posted a picture on "Lumberjocks" of the Fiona Kingdon Entwined tree that I finished cutting recently... I got this response from one of the members, "Could you share some info on how you set up your cnc carving (bits, feed rates, program used, etc) for this beautiful project?" Did not offend me,,, I took it as a compliment.

Every woodworker I've ever talked to that has had both the belt drive saw like Ray shows in his link and the direct drive all say the old-school belt drive is the only way to go.. Just as Ray said.. There are alot of end play in the bearings and shaft of these motors.. even if it is a good tight motor when brand new.. give it a few years and tell me what you think then.. I don't think you can buy a saw with the motor hanging off the back like that anymore.. Too bad too.. you can't beat them old saws.. built like a tank..

Part of it power. The tilting arbor saws usually have a bigger motor. Also, the motorized saws have quite a bit of play in their bearings and the shaft will start to wobble after a lot of use. I've had both types and the tilting arbor saws are far better. I've been seeing a lot of the old Crafstman saws for sale on C/L for $100 on up depending on condition. They seem to be a pretty good saw and have a small footprint. Some of them had table extensions that make the saw wider. I'm thinking of buying one of them just to tinker with and see if I can restore it to it's original look/feel. Here's one like I'm referring to. This one has a side extension but most don't. These things were really built. https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tls/d/laguna-niguel-table-saw-craftsman/7252826926.html

Love it, I also cut one and I have clients that wants some

Love it!

I agree Kevin..I buy things from H/F and sometimes I just fix what's wrong. Easier than returning to the store. Many times it's just adjustment.

I have to agree with you on the DeWalt being a really good saw.. ONCE IT HAS BEEN GREASED!.. I miss my old DW.. that saw was a workhorse after I took it apart and replaced every bearing / sleeve with high quality bearings and sleeves and good synthetic grease.. that saw production cut for a good 5 years before it started showing signs of another rebuild coming.. I ordered the new bearings etc and was ready to take it apart.. when the Excalibur deal showed up. Wasn't happy with the EX but these China made ones are pure junk.. Don't buy one.. not even a used one, LOL I now have it running good but it took replacing everything inside the saw and the blade holders etc to get it right.. I wouldn't say it's still perfect but much better than it was.. IF I where looking at buying a new saw again.. on a budget I'd go with DeWalt.. otherwise I'd go with another Hawk.. From my experience with the saws.. I have not had a Pegas or a Hegner.. so can't really comment on them from experience.. But best budget saw to me would be the DeWalt hands down.. but upgrade it with the Jim Dandy easy lift..

Found it Ray and it worked. I was clicking on the wrong settings button. Thanks.

That is absolutely insane I purchased a new Delta a few weeks ago from Amazon, set it up on a new bench and it's purring like a kitten. The wife uses it every other day or so and we have about 60 hours on it already - no problems An interesting aside and maybe it's nothing but... When I purchased my Delta Table saw from Lowes, the first one I got was a piece of crap. The legs didn't fit and I was unable to get it together. I had to return it - and man that thing is really heavy It took the wife and myself and a hand truck to get it in the car LOL. After returning it they had to have one sent from Delta (they were out) directly to me and I've had it ever since Maybe it's Lowes? I have not had good luck with power tools purchased from them at all Just thought I'd put that out there

Thank you all for your kind welcome

Save up. Buy quality.

King, Pegas, Seyco...?

Since you've had two lemons, I think I'd either change horses or call in a vet. Or, how about opening the box at H/D and putting it together right there in front of them? It's really a shame that you have to go through that to buy a decent product. Are there any deals on Dewalt saws? My first one was a used type 1 and it was great. After greasing all the bearings/sleeves it became "greater". Maybe there is a new Pegas in your future. Just sayin'.........

I forgot to order the tubes. So I had to solve this using stuff around the house. Drinking straws. Scotch tape. Labels from Flying Dutchman. Office stapler. Small neodynium magnets.

I have a folding Dewalt jobsite saw that works fine for me. I was going to upgrade to a contractor's saw but decided what I have is ok. Now that I have "tuned" it up it works fine. And I saw a video where a guy has installed a 7 1/4" 40 tooth blade in his and it leaves a really small kerf and very smooth edges. It is fine for most cuts.

Top shelf accurate lettering skills!!!

John it puts a smile on their face that i could not do other wise. It keeps me occupied and out of the stores flirting, Thanks friend!!!

awesome job

Nicely cut!

Gorgeous. !

Lovely. Fabulous work. Marg

NICE!!

That is my current combo also....

I own several Delta products a 8 year old Unisaw 5hp, 18-900 drill press, 13" planer and the 40-694 scrollsaw. The only thing I have had to replace was the planer blades. I have not had any issues with the machines. I wouldn't trade my Unisaw for any Tablesaw on the market. My machines see heavy use because being retired I am in the shop almost everyday.

I'm asking out of curiosity. I have been dipping my projects in natural color Watco oil and once dried I shoot a couple of coats of Zinnser's spray shellac on them. So far so good. How does this compare to the blo/ms? Just asking.

Gave it to a mechanic friend

I keep MS in a spray bottle for pattern removal, clean-up etc. I think it's just one of those plant misters you can get at Walmart. I've used it for several years with no problems.

I use the hammer on kind and use a miniature ice tongs to find the balance point. As soon as I seen the ice tongs I knew exactly what I was going to do with it. I sharpened it up to just leave a tiny hole in the wood, unseen!

My original use for a scroll saw was to use up some of my scrap wood left over from building larger projects. Now, by the time that I consider the pieces too small to be anything but scrap, my son complains that they don't even make good fire starter for his wood stove, because they burn up too quickly. I know he'll keep using my scrap though, because he's too cheap to buy any fire starter wood. He keeps complaining, but then he keeps coming back every year for more of it. Charley

when My Delta scroll saw broke down It was sonly a little over 1 year old so rather than me dtearing it down to see if I could fic it i let them do it, not realizing that it would take 5 1/2 months to get the parts to the repairshop. When I called Delta to see what the problem with getting parts they said maybee I should go out and buy a new saw That is service for you !! I did like the saw it ran sweet for the 1st year then That was it. My father in law had an old Delta Drill press thatwasprobably 40 years old and it was still running good But I will never buy another Delta any thing, and I will not recomend one to anybody. IKE

Unless it fell off the back of a semi it should be just fine. All you need to look at is the price if it runs. They are nearly indestructible.

I did finish it up after this photo was taken, added some black tacks around the edge of the scrolled piece to help hold it in place and to make it look less like it was just glued on. I got the tacks from Lowes, but they can be found at any hardware store. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-2-oz-5-8-in-Black-Cut-Tack/3036042

Thought I would provide an actual review of the Pegas bandsaw. I owned a Grizzly 19" bandsaw for years, fully intending to resaw veneer and never did. It was typical Grizzly quality level, worked okay, but not great. The wife and kids have all the furniture that they want for a while, so I recently started working my way through JGR Beginning Intarsia book. I have never used a scroll saw before, but it is kind of fun. Very happy with the Pegas scroll saw, so I sold the Grizzly and bought the little Pegas bandsaw. It has been some time since I fell in love with a tool. This BS is built fine. The fit and finish is superb. Table is flat. Support arm is beefy. Wheels are balanced and coplanar. Every hole and bolt fit exactly like it should. Well engineered, well made machine. Setup was intuitive. Within a couple hours, I cut a 4.5" thick curly maple blank into my first bandsaw box. This saw makes BS boxes easy. Machine negatives: Do remove and discard the bearing shields in order to adjust the bearings. Assembly is better with two people due to weight, but I managed by myself. Dust collection is average at best, but that seems typical for bandsaws in general. Small blades mean less dust. Yes, it is expensive. But I am willing to pay for high quality, precision machines. When something messes up, it is user error, not machine tolerances.

I started puttin' my blades in pvc with capped ends from the start 26 yrs ago. And I took the blade size label off the little bag they come in & taped it to each tube. What the pia for me is, I've got so many different blade sizes in inventory, it takes about as long to find blades as it does to cut a project! I like your idea, scrappile, with the way you've got them set up. I've thought about gettin' me some of those tubes & makin' a wood box for them that you could close up when ya ain't usin' them. But time never lets me rest long enough to do that.