New Saw

[Paul S WI]

Well after more than a year of drolling over the EX-21 I finally bit the bullet. Did I need a new saw? Not really - but I only had one saw and I see so many other scrollers with 2 or more I was envious so I thought why not.

Attended the Richland Center SS Picnic. Had a great time visiting with so many people (Pat & Ray Lupori, Rick Hutcheson, Jeff Zaffino, Garnet Hall, Jeff Powell, Dale Helgerson to name just a few). Attended several seminars which were very interesting. Always learning something new.

Of course the first day I walk in and at one of the first vendor booths is Ray Seymore of Seyco with SIX Excalibur EX-21 Scrollsaws (4 in boxes). Up until that very mement I had no intention of purchasing a new saw. But there they sat so motioning for me to come over a play with them so play I did for about an hour. Kept drooling all over the floor model so after an hour I had to leave. Ray Seymore (Seyco) did his best in trying to sell me one. Anyway it was time to attend my second seminar of the day. Plus, I needed more time to think about it as well as figure out how I could possibly explain the need for a second saw to my wife. I had a little time between seminars so I returned to the vendor area where I was surprised to see that 4 of the six EX-21's were gone/sold. With numerous scrollers standing around the remaining two floor models. Now this was on the first day and the day wasn't over yet. I finally told him to put my name on the floor model and I would speak with him the next day, which he was kind enough to do even though he could probably have sold it by the end of that first day.

Spoke with at least a dozen scrollers that night and the next morning about the EX-21's pos/neg points. Only one negative point came up and was minor in nature. Well, mid-day of the last day of the show and it is time to make a decision. And I am confident it was the right decision. I had done some extensive research this past year on the EX-21 so was quite familiar with it and confident that when it was time for a new saw this would be the one.

I am now a proud owner of a New (Mean Green) EX-21. Looking forward to setting it up in the shop on Monday and getting busy.

Well, thanks for listening. I just had to gloat.

p.s. My Wife was very understanding, as she always is. But I think I saw the, now it's my turn, twinkle in her eye.

[Hobbyhorse]

Enjoy it Paul!!

Rhys

[fretnmore]

Hi Paul,

Glad to hear that your wife was understanding. Also glad that you didn't actually try to keep it a secret from her

You missed all of the rain at the campground Saturday night. We met some folks for breakfast on Sunday morning and informed them that we had the two dogs for the ark, which animals were they bringing?

I'm sure you will enjoy your new saw. Make sure your first project with it is something really nice for your wife! And by the way - Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas, and Happy Anniversary (that saw is your present for all of those events in the next year - right?)

Pat Lupori

[Dragon]

Congratulations Paul. I do not have an Excalibur but I know the feeling of a brand new machine. You will have years of pleasure out of it.
Arent wives the best!
Diane

[lucky788scroller]

Paul... You just couldnt do it could you? You had it all planned out too, from where you were going to load the saw into the truck, to how you planned on pulling down to the shop and sneaking it in without her seeing!!!! Oh well, alls well that ends well, I'm anxious for your review once you get it all dusty! dale

[Paul S WI]

No I couldn't do it Dale. I did have her going for a while though.

Prelim on the EX-21 is I am enjoying it. Have a few more tests I am going to run yet. I did put it through its paces cutting out a fretwork piece using spirals (flat end) and #1 blades. As for Top-Feeding I am hooked already. As for the vibration factor - I think the Hegner still has the EX by about 100 strokes/min. Of course this was based on the tried and true scientific method of standing a 'Nickle' on its edge and running the speed from lowest to highest. Did I mention that I am loving this machine? But what remains to be seen is how it stands up to the use the Hegner has!? Time will tell.

By the way - Congrats on your Ribbon. I was not aware you entered or won until I saw your pretty face on Rick's site alongside Jeff's.

[woodintentions]

Hi Paul:
You sound like me. I've also drooled over the Ex-21. I've had a Dewalt now for many years, and don't know if I can justify another saw. I like the concept of the saw tilting instead of the table, but never hear anyone mentioning how well that works. Wonder if there's anyone out there that can compare the Dewalt to the EX-21, I need extra motivation to make the purchase.
Howard

[Paul S WI]

Howard, I have to say that tilting the arm and leaving the table flat is the only way I'll cut reliefs or any form of angle cutting now. Now having to fight gravity makes the process much more enjoyable as well as accurate, as far as my cutting goes that is. The double rack and pinion concept is easy to operate and accurate. I can''t compare to Dewalt 788 as I have never had one and only tried one out at a SS Picnic. I'm sure others will chime in here with their experiences.