Cast Iron or Aluminium Table? - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

shinzam · 03-22-2007, 09:45 AM

Hi All

I am going to invest in a Hegner and I need advice on the the important things that make a great scroll saw I have several question that need the experienced scrowler to answer which I know I can get from this forum with out the sales pitch.
1.Cast iron or Aluminium table The difference is about £100 ($200)
2.Multi speed or single speed.
3.stand or no stand
4. hold down arm or not
5.quick blade changer.
I know most of these questions are dependent on what type of scrolling I am doing but I would like an all rounder.
Are there any other things I should look for?
The reason why I am buying a Hegner is that I can buy it in the UK with out the hassle of the extra taxs we have to pay when we import into this country.

workin for wood · 03-22-2007, 11:45 AM

Aluminum ...no rust, but scratches easier, but repairable...I prefer aluminum
Multi speed a must
hold down, no need
quick blade...iffy...I don't need one for intarsia..but maybe for frets.
yes, get a stand...it's faster than making one and often cheaper too, unless you want a stand made of 2x4's or something ugly. You can always modify their stand to include weights or a shelf or drawers if you want.
I'd recommend wheels too, but only if you can afford them...otherwise, not a big deal to drag the saw around.

Rolf · 03-22-2007, 01:45 PM

Jeff is right,
Multi speed, No hold down (gets in the way) Aluminium (as you Brits say)
buy the stand, and the quick change blade clamps now or you will be changing them later.

ozarkhillbilly · 03-22-2007, 02:03 PM

I'm with Jeff, I have a cast iron top and while it's not a big deal to keep it maintained it would be nice to not have to. Multi speed is a must, the first thing I did when I got my saw was to remove the hold down. And I paid the extra to get the stand. And my DeWalt has a quick release for fast and easy blade change, I can't imagine scrolling any other way.

chrispuzzle · 03-22-2007, 05:06 PM

Cast iron is heavier than aluminium, and therefore does more to damp vibration. I would guess that is why Hegner offer it. Whether it makes much difference on such a well made saw is another matter. The difference in weight is 21kg vs 25kg. If it was me I would save the money and buy a Hegner stand. You're looking at the Multicut 2SV, right?

Chris

03-22-2007, 09:45 AM	#1
shinzam Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: livingston scotland Posts: 173	Cast Iron or Aluminium Table? Hi All I am going to invest in a Hegner and I need advice on the the important things that make a great scroll saw I have several question that need the experienced scrowler to answer which I know I can get from this forum with out the sales pitch. 1.Cast iron or Aluminium table The difference is about £100 ($200) 2.Multi speed or single speed. 3.stand or no stand 4. hold down arm or not 5.quick blade changer. I know most of these questions are dependent on what type of scrolling I am doing but I would like an all rounder. Are there any other things I should look for? The reason why I am buying a Hegner is that I can buy it in the UK with out the hassle of the extra taxs we have to pay when we import into this country.

03-22-2007, 11:45 AM	#2
workin for wood Master Scroller Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Eaton Rapids Michigan Posts: 2,474	Aluminum ...no rust, but scratches easier, but repairable...I prefer aluminum Multi speed a must hold down, no need quick blade...iffy...I don't need one for intarsia..but maybe for frets. yes, get a stand...it's faster than making one and often cheaper too, unless you want a stand made of 2x4's or something ugly. You can always modify their stand to include weights or a shelf or drawers if you want. I'd recommend wheels too, but only if you can afford them...otherwise, not a big deal to drag the saw around. __________________ Jeff Powell

03-22-2007, 01:45 PM	#3
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,808	Jeff is right, Multi speed, No hold down (gets in the way) Aluminium (as you Brits say) buy the stand, and the quick change blade clamps now or you will be changing them later. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

03-22-2007, 02:03 PM	#4
ozarkhillbilly Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,229	I'm with Jeff, I have a cast iron top and while it's not a big deal to keep it maintained it would be nice to not have to. Multi speed is a must, the first thing I did when I got my saw was to remove the hold down. And I paid the extra to get the stand. And my DeWalt has a quick release for fast and easy blade change, I can't imagine scrolling any other way. __________________ Bill DeWalt 788 A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. aut viam inveniam aut faciam

03-22-2007, 05:06 PM	#5
chrispuzzle Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 232	Cast iron is heavier than aluminium, and therefore does more to damp vibration. I would guess that is why Hegner offer it. Whether it makes much difference on such a well made saw is another matter. The difference in weight is 21kg vs 25kg. If it was me I would save the money and buy a Hegner stand. You're looking at the Multicut 2SV, right? Chris __________________ "If you march your Winter Journeys you will have your reward, so long as all you want is a penguin's egg." Saws: AWSF18, Meccano Mk II

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Saw Table	Indiana saw man	General Scroll Saw	6	03-06-2007 09:45 PM
G4 table	prunty@intergate.com	Tools and Blades	13	04-25-2006 03:26 PM
Scrolling Aluminium	Cory	Wood and Materials	4	09-28-2005 09:31 PM
IRON WOOD	muffy	Tools and Blades	17	08-11-2004 03:47 PM
Bending Cast Bird Feet	AlArchie	Animals and Birds Carving	3	04-19-2003 02:36 PM