Which Scroll Saw in the UK?

[Peter]

Sorry for any confusion caused, but the last thread I posted has disappeared. I think there was a problem with the links to the thread as I was unable to view any replies (hence my lack of replies) and I think to save any further confusion the thread was deleted. Anyway, at the risk of further confusion (and repleating myself), I'm posting again so forgive my boldness! Thanks in advance to all those people who took the time to read this the first time - sorry to spam the forum again.

HI all,

I'm looking to buy my first scroll saw. I don't expect to make a living from this - my main interests are to produce artistic pieces of work for my two young children, friends and family, so in that respect I don't think my requirements are too exacting. However, I do appreciate good tools, and to a certain extent, believe in the maxim, you get what you pay for (oft quoted on these forums it seems!)

Having done a little research I've realised that buying a scroll saw is not quite as easy as I thought. My thoughts at the moment are: 1) do I invest in an expensive Hegner scroll saw or 2) buy a cheap and cheerful one and buy a more expensive one later if I decide it's the hobby for me? Not an easy question to answer - I guess what I mean is at this stage it's not worth spending £1000 on a new saw. Plus in 6 months time I might be moving to the States where I can buy a better quality one for half the price!

Also, I'm finding it difficult to source reputatable and fairly cheap suppliers. Can anyone give me a ball park figure that would buy me a reasonable saw or point me in the direction for a reputable site?

At the moment I'm leaning towards the following saws:

Hegner Multicut 1 Fretsaw @ £269 (a highly regarded make of saw so it seems)

DELTA SCROLL SAW : 40-570 INT @ £215 (another good make)

Dremel Scrollstation @ £239 (all things to all men - but does it cut the mustard? Plus I've heard of reliability/QA problems so I would need a reliable source for this saw)

Can anyone recommend any of these or source a better price?

Finally, can anyone recommend (or not) any of the following sites?

http://www.diytools.co.uk/SearchResu...?kw=scroll+saw

http://www.alwayshobbies.com/products.asp?sid=137

As you can see, I'm not really decided on which saw, or which site to buy a saw from! I guess you can't really answer the first question until you've owned a saw and worked out what features are important to you. So, if anyone can lend a helping hand then I'd very much appreciate your input.

Thank you all very much for taking the time to read this,

regards Peter

[stevebuk]

hi peter
i will also re-write the reply
i asked the same sort of question about a week ago when i joined this forum, i left links to several items, and replies came and told me what they thought, after looking through a few of them i was led towards this machine :http://www.diytools.co.uk/Product.aspx/!TB_DEL40540
Fortunately for me, another member of this forum lives not 10 miles from me, and has kindly offered me a 'go' on his 2 Delta's to see what i think before i buy one, looking forward to it.
If i like what i use i shall order from the above mentioned site.
hope this helps
steveb

[Gill]

The thread is still there but it's inexplicably been closed. I've tried to re-open it but failed to do so. Hopefully, one of the admin staff will be able to restore it when they see these posts later.

Gill

[Peter]

Let me know which one you prefer Steve....although I suspect it will be the more expensive one.

I think the thread got closed Gill because of an invalid link problem I was getting with the thread and reported to the moderator.

Thanks for your replies,

Peter

[GrayBeard Phil]

Peter and Steve:

If you look at the link provided by Steve, you will notice that the Delta model has, for the most part, solid bars of metal for the upper and lower arms. The two arms with their weight and mass must travel up and down with the blade. In short, the movement of the arms up and down adds vibration to the saw. (The upper arm has a blade tension adjustment on the end of the arm, but the whole arm still acts as a unit.)

At the bottom of that web page, is a link to two modern designed Delta scroll saw models. Go to those links and expand the image, you should notice that the new saws have only the end 4 or 5 inches of the arms actually moving with the blade up and down. These end arm linkages have a much lower weight and mass. The result is lower vibration.

Aside: The much admired DeWalt 788 and other saws with low vibration have this design of just the ends of the arms moving with the blade.

All three saws are good saws, but you should be aware of the differences. If you can, please try out both design styles and make up your own mind.

Phil

[BobD]

The link is back open now...

Bob

[dwg69]

Hi Peter what part of the UK do you live in ? I have two good Scroll saws, if you are not to far you coluld come and have a go

Derek

[Peter]

Hi dwg69,

I live in Cheshire. I'd be interested to know where you got your saws from - finding a good supplier seems quite difficult,

Pete

[dwg69]

Originally Posted by Peter

Hi dwg69,

I live in Cheshire. I'd be interested to know where you got your saws from - finding a good supplier seems quite difficult,

Pete

I got one (the Deta) local in Norfolk and the DeWalt from ebay, but I think your would be http://www.craft-supplies.co.uk/ at Millers Dale

Derek

[stevebuk]

i have just looked through the millers dale catalogue (you can order it free from their site) and i can only see 2 scrollsaws in it, one for £69 and a 20inch throat with no price.
give diy tools a go.

EDIT: try this: http://www.saw-online.com/Resources/saws.htm