Basic Scroll Saw Purchase

[woodbird]

Need Advice,
I would like to buy three basic saws for a middle school woodworking class. I don't have the money for the Dewalt and would prefer just a simple, but sturdy machine that takes pinned blades. What should I get?
Thanks for your help,
Jim

[GrayBeard Phil]

Jim:

Why pinned blades? You do know your blade selection will be limited if you use pinned blades don't you?

To be honest, I doubt there will be a sturdy machine that is also inexpensive, or if your prefer "middle school budget friendly."

Just please, don't let the budget bean counters make you go to Harbor Freight for one of the $60.00 specials. Those scroll saws are just plain useless. I can sometimes find them for sale on EBay for about $20.00 USD as "slightly used".

Just for ease of spare parts for the first 2 or 3 years (don't plan on any parts support beyond that!) and pinned blades, and budget restrictions, you may have to live with craftsman scroll saws at Sears. I recommend you ask the tool dept. manager if the store would consider a discount price for the Middle school. Or better yet, let the purchasing manager (buyer?) for the school district negotiate a price for the two saws with follow up pricing for replacement blades for one year.

You and your students would be much better off with a DeWalt or better saw in the long run. But as you pointed out--Middle School Budgets.

Best of luck
Phil

[minowevie]

Well Jim, if you wont a pin blade machine, and cheap. I guess I would say craftsmon. whooo. ok, for school woodworking class, do you think the pin blades would be easyer for the kids to use?? that would be my guess. and I just gave my old craftsmon saw to my best friends son. and I have to say He just loves it. he is just leaning, and not cuttin small frets, He likes that it only goes one speed, and don't know any differant. he is just zipping away at the wood. without worrying about the blade jumping out of the clamp, and easy to chang. they wont to go fast at first anyway. so why worry about the blade. the only thing is. they do bounce around some. so you have to bolt them down. they have to tention it every time they change blades buy hand, and that will make them or breake them. but beaing a team, the compotition will keep them learning. you just don't have to worry much about the saw so much. just the kids getting hurt, these saw only use bigger blades, so they will learn fast how to make them do what they wont. but in the end. IF, they are interested, they will learn and they have some options to upgrade, at mom, and Dads exspense. not yours. pin blades can cut lots of fun stuff. so don't be discuradged, is that a word. on the high dollor saws right now. and as far a patterns. there is so many wonderfull patterns that can be cut with pin blades, inclueding sementation, and even intasia, or yard art. gotta keep it simpale. I think. hope this helps. craftsmons are every where. you can probley get them free if you advertise. your friend Evie

[marshall]

Jim : { woodbird } I agree with Phil , I would not go with just the pinned blades. Now this is my 12 years of scrolling speaking out, just wish this site had been around when I started scrolling> or better yet , I"d had a PC !! Sure hope that more speak out to you on this Subject . Now their is some good so-called scroll saws out their, but now as far as lasting or getting your or somebody elses moneys worth. This is something your going too have to do some thinking about. I wore out a Craftsman 16 inch variable speed in about four years or less. Good Luck Marshall

[Barefoot1]

And from what I understand, middle school kids are going to be very hard on what ever saw you choose. You may want to consider approaching a tool rep to see what they can do for you.

[greatdane2]

I quite often see scroll saws in the local auction that have not been used. and wonder if you put an add in your local paper could you buy some used ones. Before buying a used one I would put blades in it and make sure it is ok.

Alan.

[A. Lo]

Hello Jim!

May I suggest that you 'look-up' your choices by browsing the web. There are a myriad of brand names, manufacturers, models and specifications available at almost everywhere.

You may also (recommended) want to compare features, specs, user friendliness, after sales support, durability, and performance before looking at the offered price.

Also, you may want to be on the lookout for tool fairs, picnics, and other promotional activities in your immediate vicinity. You may stumble upon a really nice unit for your needs at rock bottom prices.

Cheers!

[JimSawyer]

Definetly do your homework before you buy. And don't go for pinned blades. You wouldn't want to turn any future scrollsaw artists off. Pinned blades are a thing of the past. You can get some decent saws for around $200. Along with the others advice, you will want to give these kids every edge you can. Good luck, and let us know how you make out.

[greatdane2]

1 more idea, I have seen different companies that sell factory reconditioned tools. Dewalt for example has a return policy on all its tools. If you do not like it take it back for a full refund within 30 days. Those saws end up being sold as reconditioned after being checked to make sure they are in new condition.
I just bought another Dewalt scroll saw and if I could of got a recondition one I would of.

Alan.

[flyboy]

Originally Posted by JimSawyer

And don't go for pinned blades. You wouldn't want to turn any future scrollsaw artists off. Pinned blades are a thing of the past.

HUH? Gosh, I hope not!

Just my very beginner's opinion, and worth exactly what you paid. Thanks to the reading I did here and other places, I just figured out how to install the blade with the teeth in the right direction. It makes worlds of difference in the cut!)

I LIKE pinned end blades. I know, BLASPHEMY! But for my very beginner needs and clumsy fingers, pin end blades are easier to mount in the ridiculous tight and dark areas that lurk under the scroll saw's table, and will do just about any type of cut a beginner would care to make. That is why I think that saws/blade holders that accommodate the two types of blade are good. I can always "upgrade"(?) to the different blade, when/if experience and increasingly intricate work indicate the need.