what saw to start with? - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

David Gregg · 11-02-2009, 01:36 AM

I'd like to get into scrolling especially puzzles. Just too hard to make real nice ones on the bandsaw.
My old sroll saw is a reject from a school shop and is probably over 50 years old. It is the type that have the coil spring on the top to pull the blade back up and really lousy and worn out blade clamps. Because of all of this I never use it.
I'd like to buy a new scroll saw and am looking for recomendations as to what too buy.
I have spent a lot of time trying to see what is avaiable on the net but frankly most of the info you find for a product is a picture.
I would like to keep the cost down to $200-$250 range. What would you people buy in this price range for somone just getting back into it.

Thanks
David

lucky788scroller · 11-02-2009, 02:35 AM

in the price range your considering, I would say look at the Hitachi scroll saw, those that have one seem pretty pleased with it.

tomsteve · 11-02-2009, 02:31 PM

this is my opinion and my opinion only...stay away from craftsman.

Pajaro · 11-02-2009, 04:16 PM

I agree with tomsteve. But get the best saw you can for the money you have to spend on it. Dremel puts out a good saw for your price range. Just remember to save you pennies even after you get this saw, for an upgreade to higher end saw. In this game you get what you pay for. So get what you can pay for.

pat c · 11-02-2009, 04:24 PM

In that price range I'd get the Hitachi from Lowes. The same saw was sold by Sears for several years and I picked one up as a backup for $75 on Craig's List. If you have the time to wait, keep your eye on Craig's list, a friend of mine and I made a 120 road trip a couple of weeks ago to pick up a used twice Dewalt for $250, that was a heck of deal but they are out there. Pat

rippersmom · 11-02-2009, 05:28 PM

David,

My Dremel 1830 has been a good dependable saw for a few years. It has the side sander and that contributes to the vibration of this saw. I have padded it (the saw) and have it on a stand. Still have some vibration, but at the slower speeds it works just great. I really like it but have just ordered the Dewalt 788 to upgrade.

rja · 11-02-2009, 09:38 PM

Dremel has discontinued the model 1830 scroll saw.

mowerman1193 · 11-03-2009, 12:21 AM

I heard Dremel quit making scroll saws altogether? I have the 1830 as well and mounted on a padded stand as well and do not have a "bad" vibration problem..But there is some at certain speeds..I think its a great saw for the money..I see Menards still has them in stock so I am not certain they quit making them just read/heard it from somewhere..

Kevin

rippersmom · 11-03-2009, 06:03 AM

I think they still make them, Home Depot has them in stock. They don't make the saw with the sander on the side any more. (likely due to the excess vibration issue)

David Gregg · 11-03-2009, 11:01 AM

I was at the shop where I get all my sawblades sharpened. Their main business is industrial cutter sharpening. They also do a side business of woodworking tools.
Their showroom (if you want to call it that) has always been a cluttered mess. A lot worse than my shop or barn. They also have been moving to a new location about 2 blocks away for about 3 years so stuff has been stored at both places.
I don't really know how they know what they have but I have asked for different things and he moves boxes and so on and there it is.
Anyways I asked if they had any Scoll saws, I've never seen any there in all the years I've been there and we went over to another room and he lifted up a plastic sheet and had 4 of them.
3 are Delta's a P-20, ??350 and a lesser moldel Delta and another brand that had a real small table.
What are your guys thoughts on the Delta 350?

11-02-2009, 01:36 AM	#1
David Gregg Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 5	what saw to start with? I'd like to get into scrolling especially puzzles. Just too hard to make real nice ones on the bandsaw. My old sroll saw is a reject from a school shop and is probably over 50 years old. It is the type that have the coil spring on the top to pull the blade back up and really lousy and worn out blade clamps. Because of all of this I never use it. I'd like to buy a new scroll saw and am looking for recomendations as to what too buy. I have spent a lot of time trying to see what is avaiable on the net but frankly most of the info you find for a product is a picture. I would like to keep the cost down to $200-$250 range. What would you people buy in this price range for somone just getting back into it. Thanks David

11-02-2009, 02:35 AM	#2
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,260	in the price range your considering, I would say look at the Hitachi scroll saw, those that have one seem pretty pleased with it. __________________ Dale w/ yella saws

11-02-2009, 04:16 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	I agree with tomsteve. But get the best saw you can for the money you have to spend on it. Dremel puts out a good saw for your price range. Just remember to save you pennies even after you get this saw, for an upgreade to higher end saw. In this game you get what you pay for. So get what you can pay for. __________________ 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. "

11-02-2009, 04:24 PM	#5
pat c Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Woodbine,Ga Posts: 433	In that price range I'd get the Hitachi from Lowes. The same saw was sold by Sears for several years and I picked one up as a backup for $75 on Craig's List. If you have the time to wait, keep your eye on Craig's list, a friend of mine and I made a 120 road trip a couple of weeks ago to pick up a used twice Dewalt for $250, that was a heck of deal but they are out there. Pat __________________ Woodworking is Therapy.... some of us need more therapy than others.

11-03-2009, 12:21 AM	#8
mowerman1193 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bellevue Michigan Posts: 239	I heard Dremel quit making scroll saws altogether? I have the 1830 as well and mounted on a padded stand as well and do not have a "bad" vibration problem..But there is some at certain speeds..I think its a great saw for the money..I see Menards still has them in stock so I am not certain they quit making them just read/heard it from somewhere.. Kevin __________________ mowerman1193

11-02-2009, 02:31 PM	#3
tomsteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 407	this is my opinion and my opinion only...stay away from craftsman.

11-02-2009, 05:28 PM	#6
rippersmom Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 185	David, My Dremel 1830 has been a good dependable saw for a few years. It has the side sander and that contributes to the vibration of this saw. I have padded it (the saw) and have it on a stand. Still have some vibration, but at the slower speeds it works just great. I really like it but have just ordered the Dewalt 788 to upgrade.

11-02-2009, 09:38 PM	#7
rja Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Plum Borough, Pennsylvania Posts: 95	Dremel has discontinued the model 1830 scroll saw.

11-03-2009, 06:03 AM	#9
rippersmom Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 185	I think they still make them, Home Depot has them in stock. They don't make the saw with the sander on the side any more. (likely due to the excess vibration issue)

11-03-2009, 11:01 AM	#10
David Gregg Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 5	I was at the shop where I get all my sawblades sharpened. Their main business is industrial cutter sharpening. They also do a side business of woodworking tools. Their showroom (if you want to call it that) has always been a cluttered mess. A lot worse than my shop or barn. They also have been moving to a new location about 2 blocks away for about 3 years so stuff has been stored at both places. I don't really know how they know what they have but I have asked for different things and he moves boxes and so on and there it is. Anyways I asked if they had any Scoll saws, I've never seen any there in all the years I've been there and we went over to another room and he lifted up a plastic sheet and had 4 of them. 3 are Delta's a P-20, ??350 and a lesser moldel Delta and another brand that had a real small table. What are your guys thoughts on the Delta 350?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode