What to buy? I'm confused - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

ajay · 04-07-2008, 01:02 PM

Hi everyone. I'm recently retired and brand new to scroll sawing (so new, I haven't purchased a saw yet and therein lies my problem). I was very interested in either a Hawk G4 or an Excalibur saw. Yesterday, I saw the Hegner 18v and was impressed by it. Why is it so difficult for me to decide?

Help

Rolf · 04-07-2008, 01:05 PM

We all have our opinions about our saws but I would go with a saw that is capable of both top and bottom feeding. The Hegner can't top feed.

Mike Crosa · 04-07-2008, 01:39 PM

Agree about the top feed. Especially as my neck gets older it appreciates not having to twist so much.

Pajaro · 04-07-2008, 02:00 PM

Top feed is the way to go. If you can afford it the EX-21. But their are very good less expensive top and bottom feed saws.

Barefoot1 · 04-07-2008, 03:04 PM

Try them all out; the one you are comfortable with and like the best is the one you want. Everyone has their own opinion and you cannot go wrong with any that you have listed.

Kevin12 · 04-07-2008, 05:25 PM

Welcome to the forum, Ajay, and Happy Retirement! I was fortunate enough to retire early last year, and I'm still getting used to it. (That was NOT a complaint!)

I think you've picked a fantastic, addictive hobby. I agree with Barefoot1 - you can't go wrong with any of those saws, and since everyone has their own personal favorite, go with the one that feels right to you, in your gut, after you've tried them.

Jim Finn · 04-07-2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pajaro

Top feed is the way to go. If you can afford it the EX-21. But their are very good less expensive top and bottom feed saws.

...........................What is ment by a top feed or bottom feed saw? You talking about feeding the wood into the saw? Or maybe installing the blade ?

Pajaro · 04-07-2008, 08:21 PM

Jim
The way you feed the blade into the wood. Saws like the EX-21 have the ability to thread the blade from the top of the wood, Bottom feed means to feed the blade from the bottom of the wood. Most Scroll saw in the mid to lower price range are only bottom feed saws. It is a matter of personal choice. When I first got my EX-21, I could not get use to the top feed at first. But now I like it much better, seems faster also. If all you ever used was a bottom feed saw, it will take some getting use to.

Mick Walker · 04-07-2008, 10:11 PM

ajay, when cutting internal cuts after drilling a hole for each one. Top feeding is when you remove the blade from the bottom clamp, raise the upper arm and blade, move the wood to the next hole, drop the blade down through the next hole, attach the blade to the lower clamp, tension and saw. Bottom feeding is just the opposite. Remove the blade from the top clamp, raise the wood, bend down to look for the next hole, insert the blade into hole, attach the blade to the top clamp, tension and saw. Top feeding you have to teach your fingers to "see" which takes some practice. I taught my fingers to "see" in about 15 minutes with my Delta P-20. Good luck with whichever saw you decide on.

Pajaro, I didn't mean to step on your toes, I just thought my explanation was more detailed for someone that is new to scrollsawing.

ajay · 04-07-2008, 11:09 PM

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the comments. I am now leaning towards the Hawk G4. That's the only one that I haven't had a "hands on" session with. Anyone in Central Illinois have one that I might see and touch?

Can't wait to get started. I just signed up for a Scrollsaw 101 class at my local Woodcraft store. Unfortunately, the class isn't until early May.

Meanwhile, I'll just lurk and read posts.

04-07-2008, 01:02 PM	#1
ajay Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Peoria, Illinois Posts: 196	What to buy? I'm confused Hi everyone. I'm recently retired and brand new to scroll sawing (so new, I haven't purchased a saw yet and therein lies my problem). I was very interested in either a Hawk G4 or an Excalibur saw. Yesterday, I saw the Hegner 18v and was impressed by it. Why is it so difficult for me to decide? Help

04-07-2008, 01:05 PM	#2
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,808	We all have our opinions about our saws but I would go with a saw that is capable of both top and bottom feeding. The Hegner can't top feed. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

04-07-2008, 01:39 PM	#3
Mike Crosa Land Locked Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 1,694	Agree about the top feed. Especially as my neck gets older it appreciates not having to twist so much. __________________ Mike C. Hawk G4

04-07-2008, 02:00 PM	#4
Pajaro Forever is a long time Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: If it ain't Texas, it Just ain't livin. Posts: 2,047 Blog Entries: 1	Top feed is the way to go. If you can afford it the EX-21. But their are very good less expensive top and bottom feed saws. __________________ 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. "

04-07-2008, 03:04 PM	#5
Barefoot1 Wood Mauler Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Jordan Utah Posts: 822	Try them all out; the one you are comfortable with and like the best is the one you want. Everyone has their own opinion and you cannot go wrong with any that you have listed. __________________ Thomas The Barefoot Scroller ~ Thomas@barefootwoodworks.com www.barefootwoodworks.com

04-07-2008, 05:25 PM	#6
Kevin12 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Indianapolis (Fishers) Posts: 565	Welcome to the forum, Ajay, and Happy Retirement! I was fortunate enough to retire early last year, and I'm still getting used to it. (That was NOT a complaint!) I think you've picked a fantastic, addictive hobby. I agree with Barefoot1 - you can't go wrong with any of those saws, and since everyone has their own personal favorite, go with the one that feels right to you, in your gut, after you've tried them. __________________ Kevin Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. -- Dr. Seuss NEW DeWalt 788 and that old, Jimmy- Jerry- and Kevin-rigged Delta 40-560

04-07-2008, 08:21 PM	#8
Pajaro Forever is a long time Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: If it ain't Texas, it Just ain't livin. Posts: 2,047 Blog Entries: 1	Jim The way you feed the blade into the wood. Saws like the EX-21 have the ability to thread the blade from the top of the wood, Bottom feed means to feed the blade from the bottom of the wood. Most Scroll saw in the mid to lower price range are only bottom feed saws. It is a matter of personal choice. When I first got my EX-21, I could not get use to the top feed at first. But now I like it much better, seems faster also. If all you ever used was a bottom feed saw, it will take some getting use to. __________________ 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. "

04-07-2008, 10:11 PM	#9
Mick Walker Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 1,335	ajay, when cutting internal cuts after drilling a hole for each one. Top feeding is when you remove the blade from the bottom clamp, raise the upper arm and blade, move the wood to the next hole, drop the blade down through the next hole, attach the blade to the lower clamp, tension and saw. Bottom feeding is just the opposite. Remove the blade from the top clamp, raise the wood, bend down to look for the next hole, insert the blade into hole, attach the blade to the top clamp, tension and saw. Top feeding you have to teach your fingers to "see" which takes some practice. I taught my fingers to "see" in about 15 minutes with my Delta P-20. Good luck with whichever saw you decide on. Pajaro, I didn't mean to step on your toes, I just thought my explanation was more detailed for someone that is new to scrollsawing. __________________ Mick, - Delta P-20 The future ain't what it used to be.

04-07-2008, 11:09 PM	#10
ajay Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Peoria, Illinois Posts: 196	Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the comments. I am now leaning towards the Hawk G4. That's the only one that I haven't had a "hands on" session with. Anyone in Central Illinois have one that I might see and touch? Can't wait to get started. I just signed up for a Scrollsaw 101 class at my local Woodcraft store. Unfortunately, the class isn't until early May. Meanwhile, I'll just lurk and read posts.

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