Excalibur vs Eclipse - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

cl112002 · 03-27-2009, 01:27 PM

I'm going to buy a new saw. I do 90% fret work. Is there a difference between the Excalibur and the Eclipse? Does the extra stroke length on the Eclipse make a difference? Are both as near vibration free as the other and are both as capable of precision cutting as the other?

I use primarily FD ns 2/0 spiral blades, so stability is important to me.

thanks

kerry parmenter

Pajaro · 03-27-2009, 01:46 PM

My self I am an Excalibur fanatic. I have had mine two years now. Love it. I haven't used an Eclipse but from what I hear it is and good machine. Good luck making up your mind.

wjbclocks1 · 03-28-2009, 12:59 AM

I have had my Excalibur for over 15 years and have no complaints.
I was looking into a Eclipse but I could not find any place near me to try one.
every scroller needs a backup

Tom J. · 03-28-2009, 02:18 AM

I had an old 3 speed Excalibur 19 and recently got a EX-21 which I am quite happy with. One of the main differences I see between the Excalibur and Eclipse is the Excalibur blade move forward slightly on its stroke due to the link arrangement. The Eclipse however is made so the blade goes straight up and down without the forward motion. This may provide additional blade control on fine work. The other difference is price. The EX-21 is running around $750.00 while the Eclipse is in the $1500.00 to $1750.00 range. I have never tried the Eclipse but if I had that amount of money to spend on a saw I would give it seriouse consideration.

Tom

lucky788scroller · 03-28-2009, 03:55 AM

There is quite a difference in the Eclipse and the Excalibur. RAINMAN has an Eclipse,he would be a good guy to get info from as he has cut some wonderful pieces . I do think either of those two machines would serve you well. I am hoping Ernie with bring his Eclipse machine to New Page 1 , thats coming up in just a few months.

JohnB · 03-28-2009, 09:30 AM

Dale, I wanna go and have a chance to win the Ex-21 it's PURPLE, mines just yucky green LOL

Jediscroller · 03-28-2009, 11:37 AM

One of the main differences between the Excalibur and the Eclipse is that the Eclipse is a bottom-feed only saw while the Excalibur is either top- or bottom-feed. This was the deciding factor for me when I purchased my EX-30 several years ago as I find top feed to be much more efficient for fretwork which is what 90% of my work is. If I did more intarsia I would've opted for the Eclipse. I think the Eclipse is actually a better saw mechanically but the lack of top-feeding ability was a show-stopper for me.

Mick Walker · 03-28-2009, 04:42 PM

Hey John, a can of purple paint would be a lot less expensive.

Tom J. · 03-28-2009, 07:50 PM

Isn't green the newer color since Excalibur was taken over by General International ? I just bought my EX-21 last Nov. and it is green.

Tom

lucky788scroller · 03-29-2009, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnB

Dale, I wanna go and have a chance to win the Ex-21 it's PURPLE, mines just yucky green LOL

Well John, IF you come to the scrollsaw tradeshow, and IF you win the Excalibur, I will gladly paint it purple for you!!! It will be a green machine though, it seems they just used an older stock photo of a purple one instead of the green one that will be given away (and yea..I like the purple color better too!). Sorry I ventured the thread from its original topic a bit.

03-27-2009, 01:27 PM	#1
cl112002 Geppeto Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northern Illinois near WIsconsin Posts: 39	Excalibur vs Eclipse I'm going to buy a new saw. I do 90% fret work. Is there a difference between the Excalibur and the Eclipse? Does the extra stroke length on the Eclipse make a difference? Are both as near vibration free as the other and are both as capable of precision cutting as the other? I use primarily FD ns 2/0 spiral blades, so stability is important to me. thanks kerry parmenter

03-27-2009, 01:46 PM	#2
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	My self I am an Excalibur fanatic. I have had mine two years now. Love it. I haven't used an Eclipse but from what I hear it is and good machine. Good luck making up your mind. __________________ 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. "

03-28-2009, 12:59 AM	#3
wjbclocks1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 213	scroll saw I have had my Excalibur for over 15 years and have no complaints. I was looking into a Eclipse but I could not find any place near me to try one. every scroller needs a backup

03-28-2009, 03:55 AM	#5
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,260	There is quite a difference in the Eclipse and the Excalibur. RAINMAN has an Eclipse,he would be a good guy to get info from as he has cut some wonderful pieces . I do think either of those two machines would serve you well. I am hoping Ernie with bring his Eclipse machine to New Page 1 , thats coming up in just a few months. __________________ Dale w/ yella saws

03-28-2009, 09:30 AM	#6
JohnB 1 Tin Soldier Rides Away Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Posts: 4,860	Dale, I wanna go and have a chance to win the Ex-21 it's PURPLE, mines just yucky green LOL __________________ Regards John "The Golden Mile" I got holes in both of my shoes Well I'm a walking case of the blues Saw a dollar yesterday But the wind blew it away Some of my Stuff Retired Medically Unfit WA Police Officers

03-28-2009, 02:18 AM	#4
Tom J. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Montreal area, Quebec Posts: 67	I had an old 3 speed Excalibur 19 and recently got a EX-21 which I am quite happy with. One of the main differences I see between the Excalibur and Eclipse is the Excalibur blade move forward slightly on its stroke due to the link arrangement. The Eclipse however is made so the blade goes straight up and down without the forward motion. This may provide additional blade control on fine work. The other difference is price. The EX-21 is running around $750.00 while the Eclipse is in the $1500.00 to $1750.00 range. I have never tried the Eclipse but if I had that amount of money to spend on a saw I would give it seriouse consideration. Tom

03-28-2009, 11:37 AM	#7
Jediscroller American Crafstman Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Galaxy far, far away Posts: 3,174 Blog Entries: 5	One of the main differences between the Excalibur and the Eclipse is that the Eclipse is a bottom-feed only saw while the Excalibur is either top- or bottom-feed. This was the deciding factor for me when I purchased my EX-30 several years ago as I find top feed to be much more efficient for fretwork which is what 90% of my work is. If I did more intarsia I would've opted for the Eclipse. I think the Eclipse is actually a better saw mechanically but the lack of top-feeding ability was a show-stopper for me. __________________ Kevin Scrollsaw Patterns Online Making holes in wood with an EX-30, Craftsman 16" VS, Dremel 1680 and 1671

03-28-2009, 04:42 PM	#8
Mick Walker Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 1,338	Hey John, a can of purple paint would be a lot less expensive. __________________ Mick, - Delta P-20 The future ain't what it used to be.

03-28-2009, 07:50 PM	#9
Tom J. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Montreal area, Quebec Posts: 67	Isn't green the newer color since Excalibur was taken over by General International ? I just bought my EX-21 last Nov. and it is green. Tom

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