European woodwork machinery webshops?

[Ken M]

Hi everybody!

I´m a wannaby hobby scroller from Finland looking for my first scrollsaw.

Now, I´ve already got some very informative hints on what to get, but the problem remains where to get the scrollsaw.

I believe the Delta SS350LS would be a good choice for me, but as it seems only the older version, the 40-570 can be had for 230V here in Finland and probably the whole of Europe, I´m looking for this model. In Finland, however, this scrollsaw without a stand (and you cannot buy a stand for it over here at all) will cost over $400.

So, I would be very happy to hear from other hobby scrollers knowing of any European woodwork machinery webshops with good reputation of doing business that there is. Anyone know of any webshops in Europe?

I´m also interested in the Hegner scrollsaws, but not for the price they go for in Finland (over 1300 euros), sure wouldn´t mind a DeWalt788 either, but the factory told me they don´t make a 230Volt model and there is no service either within Europe for it, so I guess I´d better leave the 788 out of my search.

Any suggestions are appreciated!

Best regards, Ken

On the power difference. If you find a saw you really want that needs 120V, talk to a local electrical shop about getting a step down transformer. They should be able to wire it up for you with the correct plugs and all.

[Gill]

Hi Ken

There's a lengthy review of European/US/Canadian Tool Store Sites here on the UK Workshop forum.

Gill

[GrayBeard Phil]

Ken:

Welcome to the forum.

I trust our friend Gill has given you some leads to solve your quest for starting in the hobby.

BTW: I am glad you took my suggestion from the rec.woodworking newsgroup. That place is OK to pick up some hints and news, but sometimes you have to be real, and I do mean REAL, thick skinned about the suggestions that are offered to questions like you asked. You will find we try to be more polite here. So welcome.

Last Summer we had a long thread discussion on an English made Dimond Fretsaw. Our supplier of the great SS blades 'Flying Dutchman' brand added the following to that discussion

...other scroll saws made and sold in the UK. Like the Rexon DTS-16A, or the SS-13A3, The Clarke woodworker, Axminster FS 18, Record Power, Draper, Mini Craft,Kity.

When you google for these brand names, don't forget that many still call a scroll saw a 'powered fretsaw'. As in Rexon DTS-16A fretsaw, or Axminster fretsaw.

Again Welcome to the forum.

Phil

[Gill]

...other scroll saws made and sold in the UK. Like the Rexon DTS-16A, or the SS-13A3, The Clarke woodworker, Axminster FS 18, Record Power, Draper, Mini Craft,Kity.

How can I phrase this?

Some of the Chinese/Taiwanese saws listed above do have a following. I've heard good reports of the Ferm saw from Screwfix and in the past I recall someone speaking highly of their Axminster. I hasten to add that I've used neither myself. However, most of the machines mentioned do seem to be aimed at general woodworkers who might dabble in the occasional bit of scrolling as opposed to scrollers who might dabble in the occasional bit of general woodwork.

To my mind, Ken is right to be looking to Delta for his saw if the likes of Hegner are out of his price range. The De Walt is not available in Europe, to my knowledge.

A brand that Ken might encounter and which I've seen demonstrated is the SIP. I once ended a demonstration of one of these machines at a woodworking show simply by asking the operator to change the blade. 'Nuff said.

Gill

PS Do Kity make a scrollsaw? I'm a big fan of Kity, having one of their bandsaws, a tablesaw and planer/thicknesser, but I've never heard of them making scrollsaws.

[CanadianScroller]

Nick Englers book from the Workshop Companion series called "Using the Scroll Saw" has a great project in it that could be used anywhere.
It is a shop built 20 inch scroll saw with a top loading blade.
The upper arm lifts like the Dewalt.
The table tilts both ways, the tension control is up front.
It is inexpensive to build and would be a good choice for people overseas.

[Ken M]

Phil, Gill, Ed, Carl,

Thanks for your kind help

I took a look at many of the U.K. and German shops on the link Gill gave me. Somewhat surprised I found that I couldn´t locate a Delta SS350LS anywhere, but a few places did have the older 40-570 in the 230Volt version. All the Delta 40-570:s, however, were prized just like the one I found here in Finland, that is about twice what they´ll cost in the States. And that´s without postage, so I decided to "give in" and got the one from the hardware store for the equivalent of $410 (this was a special offer, by the way). I´m happy with the deal, knowing now that I cannot get it cheaper. At least I have a shop to turn to in case it brakes down.

Still, the big supermarket type hardware store, allthough specializing in tools, didn´t have a person even knowing what a scrollsaw is. I had to show them which machine I was talking about and where it was in their own tool display...

Today, however, they had phoned the importeur of Delta here in Finland to ask if they had a stand for it. They didn´t, but that´s no news to me. Reading their Finnish interpretation of the scrollsaw manual, they tell you you mustn´t use the machine unless you use the stand or bolt it to a table that is in turn bolted to the floor... Makes one wonder why then they don´t sell that stand, saying it´s important.

Ok, so now I have the box at home, have read the Finnish manual and will take a look at the English one also, for my own safety. The scrollsaw is very wisely packed in a plastic bag and litterally soaked in presevative oil to avoid rust. The Finnish manual talks about using CRC to wipe off the excess oil from the working table and the rest of the machine, and to avoid using anything else for this like acetone, thinner, gasoline or the like, so I just bought a big can of CRC and will do some cleaning up this evening. Guess I shouldn´t use CRC on the plastic parts though, any hints on what to use to degrease these parts without bleaching?

Then I´ll need to start the hunt for that stand. Guess I could order one from Delta U.S.A., they did send me an item number. Maybe one of the U.K. shops have one too. I don´t really care if I can get the stand for a reasonable price shipped to me, I already know it is not a possibility to combine those two words in the same sentence, affordability & possible

Still, I don´t have a suitable place for the scrollsaw in my hobby corner unless I get a real stand for it, so I guess it´ll be a few weeks up to a month until I´ll get a stand from abroad shipped home and can start using the saw. But as the famous saying goes: slowly does it.

Ok, enough written, time to go tinker a bit!

Cheers, Ken

[Gill]

Hi Ken

Thanks for the update. I hope you enjoy your new saw and show us pictures of some of your produce soon. Don't be shy !

I'm currently trying to persuade my other half to build a stand for my saw out of concrete breeze blocks, with a wooden bed on top to hold sand. Then I'm going to put a marble base (you could use paving slabs) on top of the sand and mount the saw onto the marble. The idea is that any vibration from the saw will compact the sand; by tightening bolts that will run into the sandbox from the marble I'll have a vibration free pedestal.

Well, that's the theory . I'm just trying to say that there are alternatives to manufacturers' stands and some of them are a lot better and cheaper.

Gill

[sheltiecarver]

Ken,

Congratulations on the aquisition of your new saw! You must be a whole lot more patient than I - I'd have that baby cutting already, stand or no.

My first introduction to a scroll saw was a Dremel, which was a good tool for the money, but it was a "traveler and a shaker". Using it on a benchtop or a table at first meant holding the saw with one hand while controlling the cut with the other hand. (Not recommended procedure). I helped the situation quite a bit by adding an "anti-vibration pad" (basicly a thick closed cell rubber pad) and bolting the saw on it's pad to a somewhat larger piece of plywood (any sheet goods would probably do). Then, when sawing, the whole shebang could be clamped to a sturdy table with whatever clamps seemed appropriate. The arrangement, while makeshift, really worked quite well.
When I replaced the Dremel with a Delta, I expected to go through the same process, but it was almost rock-steady on a sturdy table with no added precautions needed. Eventually I did bolt it down, but just to keep it from being moved by other activities (my shop is teensy).
The point of all this?? I think you should get that new saw out of it's box and fire it up - and see just what you're dealing with. Could be you can have it functional a lot sooner with just a sturdy table or shop-made stand, and you can start scrolling.
Whatever, be sure to let us know how it goes - we're all pretty enthusiastic about creating more scrolling devotees (or addicts)
Sandy

[millwab]

Ken,
If you want to make your own stand, go to Woodmagazine.com and search their site for "scrollsaw stand". They have a plan that is a free download that looks substantial enough. They give you written instructions as well as an exploded diagram and materials list.

Bruce