Help me pick my first saw, please..... - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

cary2crafty · 02-04-2008, 07:21 PM

So far, here are my choices. I can probably buy now, but I can wait, too - for the right one to come along. I can't put a lot of money into a saw, but I don't want one that's not going to hold up and cause me lots of trouble. Here's what I'm looking at so far:

Craftsman Model number 113.236090 - 16" variable speed ($65) - mounted on a wood block with sand to weight it down. Looks like an older saw, but maybe the older ones were better? Owner sold enough product to purchase a Dewalt, otherwise he'd still be using this one.

The new one: Craftsman 16 in. Variable Speed Scroll Saw ($99 on sale)
Sears item# 00921601000 Mfr. model# 21601

Or a new Delta: Delta 16 in. Scroll Saw ($99)
Sears item# 00998356000 Mfr. model# SM600

Or - none of the above?

kw

Tor · 02-04-2008, 07:55 PM

I did quite a bit on a craftsman 16"VS saw. Only problem I actually had was a blown bellows, which was easy enough to replace. Others on the forum like Delta saws, although the low end ones have a less than great reputation at the moment. Either of the Craftsmans you mentioned are likely to work well, I believe. Others here also have experience with other entry level saws. One that is liked by at least some people, but a little more expensive, is the Dremel.

Tor

workin for wood · 02-04-2008, 09:08 PM

I think it's good not to spend too much at first, but also not buy the cheapest saw you can find. If the saw is too cheap, you'll be turned off of scrolling due to the equipment problems, but if you spend too much on a saw and find scrolling isn't for you, then you have to find a home for the saw.

Janette · 02-04-2008, 09:22 PM

I've gotta say spend a few more $$ and get the DeWalt 788. I started with a 16" Delta and I wasn't happy. I guess too it depends on what you think you'll like cutting. Thinner stuff for fret work may be ok on the Delta, but if you're thinking 3/4" or more, I think you'd be happier with a DeWalt.

SNAPPER · 02-05-2008, 07:21 AM

I have had a $100 Delta 40-540 16" saw for 9+yrs with no problems. Has handled all of my Fret work projects, even 3/4" oak, maple, ash.
Dean

bigEd_H · 02-05-2008, 08:26 AM

I started out with a cheap Central Machinery 16" VS I got new for $59.95 from Harbor Freight. It was a bad choice.

I now have a Delta SS350LS 16" VS. The Quick-Set II blade chucks are a dream when doing a project with a bunch of inside cut like fret work or portraits. The Delta was just over $200 including shipping from Amazon. The SS250 isn't as good as the SS350 and can have a vibration problem as well as blade wobble.

The Craftsman is a good little saw for the price and should do well for you, but if you are thinking about getting serious about the hobby or decide to sell your product, you will be looking for a better saw in a hurry. The Dewalt 788 is popular here and is a decent price (you can find it for about $400 just about anywhere).

Another good intermediate saw is the Dremel 1830 for just under $200.

Just make sure that the saw you do get can use plain end blades without having to use tools or adapters to change them.

cary2crafty · 02-05-2008, 01:36 PM

Thanks for all of the advice - it has been very helpful. I'd love to go with the Dewalt, but I can't justify spending $400 on a first saw. Stuff like home, food, family medical bills, and college for my kids comes first....

kw

Pajaro · 02-05-2008, 02:12 PM

Go with the Dremel 1830, Was under $200 last time I looked at the BBS H/D & L. It has a useless LED light on it, but a good saw for the price. Comes with a disk sander attached, very usefull.

Then save you pennys and go for the Excalaber EX21, you will never be able to get the smile off your face after your first cut with that bad boy.

Magpie · 02-05-2008, 04:29 PM

If you look on Craig's List, Ebay, and your local newspaper, you can sometimes find a great saw for next to nothing. If you know someone who loves yard sales and so forth, you can really clean up on tools. I bought my saw from Tool King, rebuilt, and it was cheap, but they have gone up a bit since then. If you find a tool you love, go to the store and tell the guy you'd like to buy the floor model for half price--sometimes that works!

Magpie · 02-05-2008, 04:34 PM

Well, since I'm a research hog, I looked on Craig's list for ya

Here are the scroll saws they have listed right now for your area (says Cary, North Carolina on the side of your thread there).

Feb 3 - Scroll Saw - 16 inch Craftsman - Single Speed - $60 - (Holly Springs, NC) pic

Feb 1 - Craftsman 16 inch scroll saw - $65 - (Angier)

Jan 26 - Craftsman 16" Scroll Saw - $90 - (Henderson area)

Jan 21 - Scroll Saw - Must sell asap! - $100 - (Raleigh, NC) pic

Jan 16 - Scroll Saw 16 inch - $100 - (fuquay ) pic

Jan 14 - CRAFTSMAN Scroll/Sabre Saw - used - $15 - (raleigh) pic

Jan 11 - Scroll Saw - $95 - (Raleigh)

Jan 5 - CRAFTSMAN 1/8 HP SCROLL SAW 16" Operated Twice - $55 - (Clayton)

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/search...min&maxAsk=max

Hope that helps!

Edit: There are some good buys on Ebay, too, but I'd want some kind of guarantee from them--I've been burned a couple times. Watch those shipping and handling charges!

02-04-2008, 07:21 PM	#1
cary2crafty Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 5	Help me pick my first saw, please..... So far, here are my choices. I can probably buy now, but I can wait, too - for the right one to come along. I can't put a lot of money into a saw, but I don't want one that's not going to hold up and cause me lots of trouble. Here's what I'm looking at so far: Craftsman Model number 113.236090 - 16" variable speed ($65) - mounted on a wood block with sand to weight it down. Looks like an older saw, but maybe the older ones were better? Owner sold enough product to purchase a Dewalt, otherwise he'd still be using this one. The new one: Craftsman 16 in. Variable Speed Scroll Saw ($99 on sale) Sears item# 00921601000 Mfr. model# 21601 Or a new Delta: Delta 16 in. Scroll Saw ($99) Sears item# 00998356000 Mfr. model# SM600 Or - none of the above? kw

02-04-2008, 07:55 PM	#2
Tor Mad Marqueteur Join Date: May 2007 Location: The "Green Side" in Hawaii Posts: 1,528	I did quite a bit on a craftsman 16"VS saw. Only problem I actually had was a blown bellows, which was easy enough to replace. Others on the forum like Delta saws, although the low end ones have a less than great reputation at the moment. Either of the Craftsmans you mentioned are likely to work well, I believe. Others here also have experience with other entry level saws. One that is liked by at least some people, but a little more expensive, is the Dremel. Tor __________________ I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it. - Thomas Jefferson Garden Island Marqueteur http://www.fineartmarquetry.com

02-04-2008, 09:08 PM	#3
workin for wood Master Scroller Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Eaton Rapids Michigan Posts: 2,474	I think it's good not to spend too much at first, but also not buy the cheapest saw you can find. If the saw is too cheap, you'll be turned off of scrolling due to the equipment problems, but if you spend too much on a saw and find scrolling isn't for you, then you have to find a home for the saw. __________________ Jeff Powell

02-04-2008, 09:22 PM	#4
Janette Intarsia Moderator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 2,110 Blog Entries: 4	I've gotta say spend a few more $$ and get the DeWalt 788. I started with a 16" Delta and I wasn't happy. I guess too it depends on what you think you'll like cutting. Thinner stuff for fret work may be ok on the Delta, but if you're thinking 3/4" or more, I think you'd be happier with a DeWalt. __________________ Janette www.square-designs.com

02-05-2008, 08:26 AM	#6
bigEd_H Makin' Sawdust Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lakewood, WA USA Posts: 114	I started out with a cheap Central Machinery 16" VS I got new for $59.95 from Harbor Freight. It was a bad choice. I now have a Delta SS350LS 16" VS. The Quick-Set II blade chucks are a dream when doing a project with a bunch of inside cut like fret work or portraits. The Delta was just over $200 including shipping from Amazon. The SS250 isn't as good as the SS350 and can have a vibration problem as well as blade wobble. The Craftsman is a good little saw for the price and should do well for you, but if you are thinking about getting serious about the hobby or decide to sell your product, you will be looking for a better saw in a hurry. The Dewalt 788 is popular here and is a decent price (you can find it for about $400 just about anywhere). Another good intermediate saw is the Dremel 1830 for just under $200. Just make sure that the saw you do get can use plain end blades without having to use tools or adapters to change them. __________________ Ed http://edsscrollsawbits.blogspot.com/ http://woodcarvingnsuch.wordpress.com http://www.facebook.com/ed.hulett Twitter: yaesu

02-05-2008, 07:21 AM	#5
SNAPPER Dino Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fergus Falls,MN Posts: 821	I have had a $100 Delta 40-540 16" saw for 9+yrs with no problems. Has handled all of my Fret work projects, even 3/4" oak, maple, ash. Dean

02-05-2008, 01:36 PM	#7
cary2crafty Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 5	Thanks for all of the advice - it has been very helpful. I'd love to go with the Dewalt, but I can't justify spending $400 on a first saw. Stuff like home, food, family medical bills, and college for my kids comes first.... kw

02-05-2008, 02:12 PM	#8
Pajaro Forever is a long time Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: If it ain't Texas, it Just ain't livin. Posts: 2,048 Blog Entries: 1	Go with the Dremel 1830, Was under $200 last time I looked at the BBS H/D & L. It has a useless LED light on it, but a good saw for the price. Comes with a disk sander attached, very usefull. Then save you pennys and go for the Excalaber EX21, you will never be able to get the smile off your face after your first cut with that bad boy. __________________ Pájaro Pete Hombre del pájaro www.pajarostudiowns.com Member " Scrollsaw Association of the world " Excalibur EX-21 fanatic One of the Chosen few "Never try to teach a pig to sing It is a waste of time and it annoys the pig. "

02-05-2008, 04:29 PM	#9
Magpie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Gainesville, Florida Posts: 353	If you look on Craig's List, Ebay, and your local newspaper, you can sometimes find a great saw for next to nothing. If you know someone who loves yard sales and so forth, you can really clean up on tools. I bought my saw from Tool King, rebuilt, and it was cheap, but they have gone up a bit since then. If you find a tool you love, go to the store and tell the guy you'd like to buy the floor model for half price--sometimes that works!

02-05-2008, 04:34 PM	#10
Magpie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Gainesville, Florida Posts: 353	Well, since I'm a research hog, I looked on Craig's list for ya Here are the scroll saws they have listed right now for your area (says Cary, North Carolina on the side of your thread there). Feb 3 - Scroll Saw - 16 inch Craftsman - Single Speed - $60 - (Holly Springs, NC) pic Feb 1 - Craftsman 16 inch scroll saw - $65 - (Angier) Jan 26 - Craftsman 16" Scroll Saw - $90 - (Henderson area) Jan 21 - Scroll Saw - Must sell asap! - $100 - (Raleigh, NC) pic Jan 16 - Scroll Saw 16 inch - $100 - (fuquay ) pic Jan 14 - CRAFTSMAN Scroll/Sabre Saw - used - $15 - (raleigh) pic Jan 11 - Scroll Saw - $95 - (Raleigh) Jan 5 - CRAFTSMAN 1/8 HP SCROLL SAW 16" Operated Twice - $55 - (Clayton) http://raleigh.craigslist.org/search...min&maxAsk=max Hope that helps! Edit: There are some good buys on Ebay, too, but I'd want some kind of guarantee from them--I've been burned a couple times. Watch those shipping and handling charges! Last edited by Magpie; 02-05-2008 at 04:46 PM.

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