Thinking about getting a new saw - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

USMC1126 · 02-06-2009, 03:45 AM

Hey everyone,
I am thinking about getting a new saw with my tax return, I have the Hitachi CW40 and it has worked great for the past year. I do not really need a new saw but I have heard so much about the Dewalt that I want one, or something similar. Any recommendations? What would be the next step up from the Dewalt? Also has anyone with a higher end scroolsaw ever used the Hitachi and how do you think it compares?

Thanks

King

pat c · 02-06-2009, 09:01 AM

I can only speak to one of your questions. I had the Hitachi and got a good deal on a used Dewalt and bought it for the same reasons as you.....I wanted it. What I didn't like about the Hitachi was the access to the lower blade attachment and the tensioner way on the back of the "C" arm. The blower hose I thought was too short and the light wasn't worth spit.
I like the Dewalt, I hope the quality makes it last a long long time and it corrected the problems of the Hitachi. The absolute truth though is that I could have just as happy with the Hitachi for a long time. I don't regret buying the Dewalt, I have a good scrollsaw and a friend who has a good scrollsaw for less than half of the price of a new one. Pat

Hawaiilad · 02-06-2009, 09:11 AM

King I have owned a couple of the older DeWalts and at first I really liked them, but I was one of the unlucky ones that purchased a couple of the flawed saws. What it make me do is buy a Hegner...yes they cost allot more than the DeWalt, but since I was going to use it in my business allot, I felt I should have something that would hold up. I bought a second Hegner a couple years later. One is belt driven and the other is VIR speed. If you get a chance take one for a spin.

Larry

knothead · 02-06-2009, 01:42 PM

King,
The Hegner is pricey, but in my opinion it is the only way to go. I had a craftsman and a delta and use them both for a boat anchor. The most important to me was the front to back blade movement. The Hegner is only .006 and nothing holds a candle to it. You can start a cut, let go of the piece with the saw running and the piece won't move. Pop for the 22v and you will never be sorry.

Tom

azbison · 02-06-2009, 02:13 PM

If you keep an eye out on craigslist or local used woodworking equipment shops, you can find a hegner or RBI hawk for 400 to 600 bucks.

I bought a used dewalt and I'm very happy. But like you I'm curious about other saws. I wish there was a place where we could like them all up and take 'em for a spin.

rjr · 02-06-2009, 02:43 PM

I started out with a cheap pined Sears, then got a Ryobi. Kept the Ryobi for about 2 weeks and was not satisfied, returned it. Went to a tool show thinking I would buy a RBI Hawk and ended up with a Hegner, love it. The Hegner cost a little more, however, you get what your pay for.

Barefoot1 · 02-06-2009, 04:42 PM

i use an RBI Hawk V226 and love it. I got it off of e-bay, got a great deal and a great saw. The usual disclaimer of buyer beware when buying a used saw goes here. Do your homework, I think if you went with an RBI or Hegner you could not go wrong. Find a local club and see if there aren't some of those being used. Most guys would you let you test drive their saw so you can compare.

tony coleman · 02-06-2009, 08:43 PM

wish i could afford a hegner,just get the best you can afford.

ABlade · 02-07-2009, 03:35 AM

Lots of Hegner fans here. I tired one at a show last year and did not care for it. The whole machine felt "small" to me. I was using a DeWalt at the time and wanted a new one. The DeWalt is a fine machine and I have no complaints. But, it was time for a change. I got the Excalibur 21 and only wish I had gotten it sooner. It runs smoothly, cuts like a dream, and is quiet. The best thing about it is the tilting head. It is so nice to cut bevels on a flat surface.

Too bad you are so far away as there is going to be a "Saw Coral" at the Texas Scroll Saw Picnic where you try different machines and try them.

lucky788scroller · 02-07-2009, 04:56 AM

No complaints here on my yella saws.I still think for the $'s its a top value tool. The next one up the price is the Excalibur, which also is a great machine.Once you get up into the range of the dewalt or higher, you cant hardly go wrong, as there are a number of great ones.

02-06-2009, 03:45 AM	#1
USMC1126 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montgomery, NY Posts: 126	Thinking about getting a new saw Hey everyone, I am thinking about getting a new saw with my tax return, I have the Hitachi CW40 and it has worked great for the past year. I do not really need a new saw but I have heard so much about the Dewalt that I want one, or something similar. Any recommendations? What would be the next step up from the Dewalt? Also has anyone with a higher end scroolsaw ever used the Hitachi and how do you think it compares? Thanks King

02-06-2009, 09:01 AM	#2
pat c Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Woodbine,Ga Posts: 433	I can only speak to one of your questions. I had the Hitachi and got a good deal on a used Dewalt and bought it for the same reasons as you.....I wanted it. What I didn't like about the Hitachi was the access to the lower blade attachment and the tensioner way on the back of the "C" arm. The blower hose I thought was too short and the light wasn't worth spit. I like the Dewalt, I hope the quality makes it last a long long time and it corrected the problems of the Hitachi. The absolute truth though is that I could have just as happy with the Hitachi for a long time. I don't regret buying the Dewalt, I have a good scrollsaw and a friend who has a good scrollsaw for less than half of the price of a new one. Pat __________________ Woodworking is Therapy.... some of us need more therapy than others.

02-06-2009, 09:11 AM	#3
Hawaiilad Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Big Island in Hawaii Posts: 234	King I have owned a couple of the older DeWalts and at first I really liked them, but I was one of the unlucky ones that purchased a couple of the flawed saws. What it make me do is buy a Hegner...yes they cost allot more than the DeWalt, but since I was going to use it in my business allot, I felt I should have something that would hold up. I bought a second Hegner a couple years later. One is belt driven and the other is VIR speed. If you get a chance take one for a spin. Larry __________________ Hawaiilad Larry

02-06-2009, 01:42 PM	#4
knothead Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: ARIZONA Posts: 719	King, The Hegner is pricey, but in my opinion it is the only way to go. I had a craftsman and a delta and use them both for a boat anchor. The most important to me was the front to back blade movement. The Hegner is only .006 and nothing holds a candle to it. You can start a cut, let go of the piece with the saw running and the piece won't move. Pop for the 22v and you will never be sorry. Tom __________________ Tom ___________________ America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. Abraham Lincoln

02-06-2009, 02:13 PM	#5
azbison Jr. Sawdust Taster Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 494	If you keep an eye out on craigslist or local used woodworking equipment shops, you can find a hegner or RBI hawk for 400 to 600 bucks. I bought a used dewalt and I'm very happy. But like you I'm curious about other saws. I wish there was a place where we could like them all up and take 'em for a spin. __________________ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Jim DW788 My scrollin' blog The worst day scrollin' is better than the best day o' workin'

02-06-2009, 02:43 PM	#6
rjr Support Our Troops Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 344	I started out with a cheap pined Sears, then got a Ryobi. Kept the Ryobi for about 2 weeks and was not satisfied, returned it. Went to a tool show thinking I would buy a RBI Hawk and ended up with a Hegner, love it. The Hegner cost a little more, however, you get what your pay for. __________________ Ron

02-06-2009, 04:42 PM	#7
Barefoot1 Wood Mauler Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Jordan Utah Posts: 822	i use an RBI Hawk V226 and love it. I got it off of e-bay, got a great deal and a great saw. The usual disclaimer of buyer beware when buying a used saw goes here. Do your homework, I think if you went with an RBI or Hegner you could not go wrong. Find a local club and see if there aren't some of those being used. Most guys would you let you test drive their saw so you can compare. __________________ Thomas The Barefoot Scroller ~ Thomas@barefootwoodworks.com www.barefootwoodworks.com

02-06-2009, 08:43 PM	#8
tony coleman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: ireland Posts: 674	wish i could afford a hegner,just get the best you can afford. __________________ lets make plenty of sawdust and have fun doing it http://www.customcutz4you.webs.com/

02-07-2009, 03:35 AM	#9
ABlade Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sugar Land, Texas Posts: 63	Lots of Hegner fans here. I tired one at a show last year and did not care for it. The whole machine felt "small" to me. I was using a DeWalt at the time and wanted a new one. The DeWalt is a fine machine and I have no complaints. But, it was time for a change. I got the Excalibur 21 and only wish I had gotten it sooner. It runs smoothly, cuts like a dream, and is quiet. The best thing about it is the tilting head. It is so nice to cut bevels on a flat surface. Too bad you are so far away as there is going to be a "Saw Coral" at the Texas Scroll Saw Picnic where you try different machines and try them. __________________ Norm Don't let your memories be greater than your dreams.

02-07-2009, 04:56 AM	#10
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,260	No complaints here on my yella saws.I still think for the $'s its a top value tool. The next one up the price is the Excalibur, which also is a great machine.Once you get up into the range of the dewalt or higher, you cant hardly go wrong, as there are a number of great ones. __________________ Dale w/ yella saws

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