Confused by Advertisements

[KC0JKF-Bill]

I am a "newbee" to this forum and really to scroll sawing. My previous woodworking experience has been with Oak furniture and larger pieces. However, my lifestyle of being on the road in a motor home over half of the time and down sizing homes necessitates smaller equipment and projects. I currently have a small Craftsman saw which is not at all satisfactory. I am considering one of four saws. They are necessitates, Hawk, Hegner, and DeWalt. I would appreciate your recommendations, comments both good and bad about these brands. I hope to purchase a "good" scroll saw in the immediate future. Thanks, Bill

[BobD]

Hi Bill,
All three are good saws...but my reccomendations can be more specific if I knew what kind of scrolling you are interested in.

The new Hawk G4 and the Dewalt are both set up for top and bottom feeding. I'm a converted top feeder, so I can't imagine doing fretwork without top feeding. You can't top feed on the Hegner...I've used a hegner for a lot of cutting (the advantages of my job) and like it as well as the other saws when bottom feeding, or cutting puzzles/intarsia/segmentation...

Bob

[KC0JKF-Bill]

Bob:
I plan on doing mostly fret work. Some fine detail, and other projects in thicker wood with larger spaced patterns. Thicker wood will be hard woods up to 1" thick.

Bill

[Rolf]

Bill,
We all have our favorites, mine is the RBI Hawk G4, but it is a BIG saw compared to the hegner. It also depends on what stand or table you use.
I have seen the Dewalt and the Hegner on tables the G4 needs to be on its stand.

[Mick Walker]

Bill, also check out the Delta P-20 which is a real work horse and you can top feed with it. Check out www.scrollsaws.com for a lot of great information before you decide. Good luck with whichever saw you choose.

[minowevie]

Hi Bill. I have a Hegner. and love it. As Bob stated, it is a bottom feeder. I have never tryed a top feeder. and I think that would be great, to leave the work lay on the table, while changing to a new hole. I have gotten used to feeding from the bottom, what I do like about that is. I don't have to look under the saw to fit my blade back into the clamp. but I have been told, that you can get used to it fast. they are all great saws. the table on my saw, is aluminum. so not to much matiness there. and it has a quick clamp with a tension release bar. I have a foot feed, and the vibration is close to none. my on and off switch is covered, so i have not had to replace it ever, in 5 years now. I only have to lube 4 places, and thats only once in a while. I have had hardly no problems with my saw, and when i have, it was user air, me.Ha Ha. I have done lots of fret work on it. good luck on you choice. it was a real toss up for me, between the Hawk, and the Hegner, also, the excaliper, and now I would like to have the Eclipse also. what can i say, I am a tool junkie. your friend Evie

[bobledoux]

On the road I assume you will move the saw outside for your work.

The small Hegner variable speed weighs 46 pounds. The Dewalt weighs 56, and the current production RBI's are all over 90 pounds. The Delta P20 is over 110 pounds. The Hegner and Dewalt can be operated on a table top. The Dewalt is harder to carry around because you cannot lift it by the upper arm mechanism. You are supposed to lift it by the motor and the table front.

The Hegner is probably the easiest to move, especially through an RV door. If its kept in exterior storage that's not an issue. It takes up the least amount of space in the RV confines. But it may not be the most convenient for complex scroll work.