Excalibur EX-21

table is 13.5" x 23.5 "

Motor is 120V 1.3 A  direct drive

Dust Collection it has an under the table dust collection port.

2 year warrenty

Again a straight armed saw ,the vibration must be there then? IDK?

On the EX-21 the arm lifts up and stays up if for any reason it doesn't then there's a black nut and screw at the back of the arm loosen the nut then tighten the screw re-tighten the nut then the adjustment is done. so easy to change the blades.

table is 13.5" x 23.5 "

 

Motor is 120V 1.3 A  direct drive

 

Dust Collection it has an under the table dust collection port.

 

2 year warrenty

Updated.  Thanks!  

Good saw and I enjoy using it.  I rank it higher than the DW788 (which I also have) and for the additional cost it should be a better saw.  However, I am not impressed at all with the dust collection.  A little ingenuity and some PVC can provide a better dust collection system.  If worth noting, the table is rectangular which I prefer to the teardrop tables.

This is my first scroll saw so I have nothing to compare it with. However talking with others I think I made a good choice.

Have had no problem up till now. Easy blade change, arm stays up when required and variable speed is nice to have.

Look to have this saw for a long time. 

I have used this saw for a couple hours finally. The saw cuts great. Easy blade change, I like how the arm stays up. no need for a block of wood or aftermarket arm lift(like dewalt). very little vibration and it is quiet. I'm happy I went with the ex21.

The only thing I didn't like was the clear dust collection thing on the bottom of the table, tiny pieces get stuck in it.

I removed the dust port and that plastic after a couple hours work with my EX.

the only scroll saw i have.i had it for 3 years now and i am very pleased with it.

Simply love it, the foot controller whilst an optional extra is worth the $

I'm thinking about getting one of these myself.

I have an EX30 - I'm a total beginner but read loads of reviews and finally went with the Excaliber and I am absolutely delighted with it. Low vibration - easy blade change - tensioning etc.

If I have a small gripe I would have liked a rounded blade change nut rather than the plastic wingnut type but I guess you could change this fairly easily. I find that with prolonged use my fingers get a bit sore locking and unlocking the blade. I find the tilting head excellent and the angle guage pretty accurate as well.

I am still learning how to get the best out of this machine but so far I do not regret getting this one bit and have already turned out some great stuff with it.

Would advise getting a footpedal and the stand to go with this - its a very heavy piece of kit if moving it around a bench etc. 5 stars from me !!

Pros (not in any order)

1.  Large Table

2.  Quiet/Smooth (Wife says is sounds like a sewing machine)

3.  Head tilts instead of table making it ideal for Bowls, inlay, or any angle cutting

4.  Saw is build solid, and the tilt mechanism is very accurate and smooth.

5.  Easy blade changes without tools

6.  Top feeder and Bottom feeder

7.  Blade Travel can be adjusted for more aggression/less aggression by turning motor.

8.  Stand height can be adjusted.

9.  Seyco is very EX focused and very capable in providing support

10.  Sealed/Protected Power switch (Though most users use the foot switch)

11.  Quick Tensioner is right up front, easy to access, and very fast to use.

Cons

1.  Clamps are Aluminum.  This means your are always trying to be careful "not to strip the threads".  Even still, I stripped the threads on the bottom clamp and had to re-order from Seyo.  These should be Hard Steel.

2.  More complex mechanics make repairs more difficult

3.  In a well adjusted saw, there is still more blade travel than Hegner/Hawk.  If I need less blade travel, I use my Hegner.

4.  No repair centers within easy reach of most of it's users

5.  It may be half the price of Hegner, but it is still quite expensive.

6.  Adjusting arm height with back knob changes blade travel, and on a tuned saw, always for the worse.

I've been using this saw for years, and every time I sit down to it, I'm still impressed.

------Randy

Randy,

What do you mean by "blade travel"?

I make puzzles and need a table to blade angle exactly at 90 degrees. Is there a fine adjustment to achieve this?

Also, I need quite a bit of tension on the blade to get perfect cuts so the puzzle pieces go in and out.

Do you think the Ex would bee a good saw for my purposes?

I have been using DW788's for 10 years and I also have a Hegner which I find difficult to adjust to the 90 degree angle.

I have never made puzzles, but I have owned a DW 788 and I do own an Ex.  If you liked the DW you will love the Ex.  Least that is how it is for me.  I also have a Hegner, for the type of sawing I like to do, (detailed pictures)  I prefer the Ex.  Just my opinion.

I am cutting puzzles 3/4" out of cherry walnut and other hardwoods. Problem with pieces dropping out. I know this is a line up problem

but after talking to Ray at Seyco I am still unable to correct the problem.  I have been very happy with this saw but where can you go when a problem comes up. Short of sending the saw back to Ray I am at a loss finding someone who works on these saws. Had I

known I would have not purchased this saw. Anyone who might know of a repair shop or someone who could help I am in the Cincinnati OH area.  rbv620@verizon.net  Thanks, Richard 

I am cutting puzzles 3/4" out of cherry walnut and other hardwoods. Problem with pieces dropping out. I know this is a line up problem

but after talking to Ray at Seyco I am still unable to correct the problem.  I have been very happy with this saw but where can you go when a problem comes up. Short of sending the saw back to Ray I am at a loss finding someone who works on these saws. Had I

known I would have not purchased this saw. Anyone who might know of a repair shop or someone who could help I am in the Cincinnati OH area.  rbv620@verizon.net  Thanks, Richard 

Might be better to start this as a new topic in General Scroll Sawing.  

I get roughly 3 years out of rough use of a dewalt788,mostly 3./4" plywood cutting.I've wore out a dozen Chinese saws and 2 Dewalts.I have 2 more new Dewalts to hold me but would like to torture test one of the infamous" EX" saws.The 30 or 31" they have fits my usage better. :zzz:

Kevin, I have a Type I DW and a 21" EX, and the EX is a much better saw than the DW.  I say this because the arm on the EX comes up higher and stays put so I can top feed 1"+ material.  Tension is good, about equal to between 3 and 4 on the DW provided  you lightly press down on the top anr and up un the bottom arm when you clamp the blade.  I found putting the bottom thumb screw in the left side improved clamping.  Having said this, the DW is a fine saw and I am glad I have it.

I'm very had with my excalibur ex21for approx 6 years. This saw is a pleasure to use. Changing blades is a snap. Love the tilting arm allowing the table to remain flat. Even though this a more expensive saw, anyone really hooked on scrollsawing, should consider this saw if possible.