Scroll saw upgrading.

[Hobbyhorse]

Hi all
It seems that many people have started scrolling with an "entry level" saw and then moved on to better machines. I started with a Ryobi single speed and from there moved to a Makita variable speed before making the big leap to a Hegner. I have to agree with the comment made by "Little Flower" that every one needs a good saw and there should be no such thing as an entry level saw.


What is your experience?

Rhys

[Dragon]

I started with a $79 MasterCraft saw and liked it because I didn't know any different. I might still have it but something broke on it and when I tried to exchange it all the other ones were not working great.
I was going to keep this one for the duration of the warranty which was 3 years. I had it one year and problems started.
I saw the DeWalt 788 on sale at the local hardware store and did not hesitate to order one. Now I know the difference and I am enjoying my saw.

Most people start with a lower priced saw because they are not sure they will enjoy it or use it that much. This was my case. The saw was a Christmas gift from my husband and it was enough for what we were going to do at the time. As you start scrolling you want to make different things and the demand is more. Then comes the need for a newer and better saw.

Diane

[Kevin12]

I agree, Diane. For me, $450 is a ton of money just to see if I might like something. But that same money isn't much at all when I'm hooked and passionate.

[Hobbyhorse]

You both raise a valid point.
I bought my first scroll saw to do a specific job and found that it was just not up to it hence my second purchase. This was more satisfactory, but frustrating with its blade holders, and when it began to give electrical trouble I decided to buy the best I could get at the time and hoped it would be both reliable and long lasting. Happily it has proven itself to be a great unit ... I just wish I had bought a better saw in the first instance as it would have been much cheaper.

Rhys

[Rolf]

That is always a difficult decision for me in any endeavor. I tend to have a short attention span when it comes to hobbies. Scrolling ended up being very different. My first scrollings were with an inherited Craftsman, it did cut wood and that is all I will say for it. My wife then bought me the Delta SS350 for my BD ($180 with stand). That was a significant step up but still very limiting to my style of cutting. I now have a RBI G4 Hawk, for someone to make that kind of investment in a hobby they may or may not like is risky.
I am glad I made incremental steps and am happy that I have a saw that is only limited by my skills.

[Jediscroller]

If you have tons of money, by all means fork it over and buy an expensive saw to start out with. For the rest of us in the real world, there's nothing wrong with an entry level saw. I used a dremel 1671 2-speed for close to 10 years as it served it's purpose (simple appliques and cutouts for furniture). I switched to a Dremel 1680 VS as I wanted to try some actual fretwork. I liked the saw, I broke an internal spring 2 weeks before a craft fair on it and bought the equivalent craftsman (16" VS). The total cost of the 3 saws was less than $300 over a 13 or so year time span. I finally was in a position to buy a much better saw and finally upgraded to an Excalibur EX-30. I have no regrets whatsoever from using the less expensive saws. I learned how to scroll and that I enjoyed scrolling on those. They got me through 2 years of craft fairs as well.

[shinzam]

Like Hobbyhorse I started with a Ryobi but within a short period it started to brake down. It was still under gaurantee but it spent more time in the repair shop than it did in my workshop. when my mother passed away she made sure that there was enough money to by me a Henger, this was the only way I could have afforded a good machine. If it was'nt for the entry level machine I would not of been able to discover my love of scroll sawing.
If I had found this site before I had started scroll sawing I might have looked for a better second hand machine than the Ryobi so I can see both points of view.

[JimSawyer]

I remember getting my first S-saw. It was a Sears Craftsman. When I got it home and put it to task, it just didn't feel right. It was single speed, no blower and generaly didn't seem to be what I was looking for. So I brought it back post haste. I took that money and saved a little while longer and went with a mail order Taiwanese knock off of a better saw from Penn State Industries, (They don't sell scrollsaws anymore thought). It had a 15" throat, variable speed and a dust blower. When I got it, they were offering a package deal that came with a foot pedal, magnifier lamp, letter templates and some starter patterns. Cost about $250. Best thing I ever did. A little while later they were offering a quick blade change jig, so I got that. That was a really big boost to my scrolling abilities. 7 years later I first started drooling over the Excalibur 30". Then I found th Dewalt 788. It had all of the features of the Excalibur but at a more affordable price, (I still want the Ex-30" though). I'm really loving my 788. But that old knock off saw opened the door. I got 7 solid years out of it, in fact I still have it, it's kinda like saving your baby teeth, lol. Making a well thought out purchase will matter in the end. i haven't really priced saws lately but I wouldn't go for anything under $200, Things that make a difference are variable speed, a blower and an easy blade change. A foot pedal is a good investment too. It offers better control.

[core-eagle]

I started out with a 16" Makita SJ401 and used it for 3 years with good success. I upgraded to my Dewalt 788 twins and have enjoyed them very much. Big difference between the two. Now the Makita is my backup and the one my daughter has been playing with.

Tim

[Tor]

As with most (everyone?) here, I started with an entry level saw, the 16" craftsman. I have now upgraded, and would not consider giving up my 25" Diamond. For me, the extra 9 inches has made a huge difference, along with it being such a fine saw. Entry level saws are just that. Most here have gone on to purchase a fine saw.

Tor