What saws do you own

[Rolf]

OK,
all you newbies need to add your saw information to this survey.

[cskipper]

My first was some version of a Craftsman that took pin blades. It bounced me all over the place, but it did give me enough of an idea that I would enjoy sawing. I then bought a Dremel at Lowes - not the current version. Unpacked it, cut once and put it back in the box and took it back to Lowes. I bought the Delta I currently have - unsure of the model number but it was around $150-$200. I knew I would enjoy cutting, but didn't know how much time I'd spend on it. Now I would like a big dog. I sold quite a few pieces to an art gallery (that's still pretty funny) so I will have $ I can put toward it. I discussed the reasons I would like to upgrade in an earlier thread, so I'll spare everybody that again.
Cathy

[Kevin12]

Just voted, Rolf!

My old 16" Delta is not the greatest saw in the world, but I can make some pretty decent stuff on it. I do want to upgrade someday, though.

What I'd like to see, in addition to price breaks (I'm more interested in the upper-end saws), is what features are more useful than others. I've looked at the expensive saws at the Woodworking Shows, and I think the saw for me would be a collection of the best feature from each one of them.

Oh, also -- Gill, you said early on in this thread that you use different saws for different purposes. What makes one saw better for one use than another?

ThanKS!

[dale]

Since I am a "newbie" then i will tell you what I have. I have a 16 inch Ridged Scroll saw. It is varible speed.
Seems easy to change blades. Works for me for now.

I do have a friend that has 8 peddle saws.
He can make them really go.
But thats not for me.

dale

[Gill]

Hi Kevin

I've got nice little Hegner which is great for piercing work because it has a quick release blade tension system. This makes blade changing pretty fast. However, one of the limitations of the saw is its variable speed which only goes as slow as 400 strokes per minute.

On the other hand, my Diamond takes much longer to change blades but it can be slowed right down to zero strokes per minute. This makes it great for delicate work or if I'm worried that the blade might overheat when cutting particularly thick stock. Also, I can rotate the blade holder through 360 degrees, making it possible to cut much larger projects than can be cut on the Hegner despite them having similar throat sizes.

At another extreme, the Spiralux works by the same principles that govern those saws used in hospitals to remove plaster casts without cutting the patient. It's a very weak saw and struggles to cut plywood more than 1/4" thick, but it's impossible to injure yourself with it. When you touch the blade with your finger, it doesn't cut you. This makes it great for people who are worried that they might injure themselves on the exposed blade. I've also used it with disabled people who would find it difficult to use conventional saws safely.

If you have more than one saw, you learn over time that each machine has its strengths and weaknesses and you exploit them accordingly.

Gill

[utbva]

I am new to scrolling. My first scroll saw was one my wife got for me from some internet store. I have no idea what kind it was. It was a cheap one from China. There is nothing wrong with Chinese tools as long as it is from a good factory, I have machinery built in China and have been to Beijing several times where we have the machines built. Anyway, the saw set on my work bench for about a year before I even turned it on. When I did try it, it shook like crazy and made lots of noise. I let it set again for a long time before I tried it again. Then I decided to look for one myself and I found a Dremel H3816 on ebay from someone in the local area, so I bought it and it was so much better that the first one. It was good enough to get me hooked to scroling and now after using it for a month, I am already looking to upgrade. I am impressed with the Dewalt (most of the tools in my shop are Dewalt), but I am leaning towards the new Excalaber. I would like to know from those of you who have the Excalaber what you think of it.

BTW Gill, I was wondering how long is takes to cut something out at zero strokes per minute? Do you move the work up and down on the blade by Hand? .

[Gill]

Originally Posted by utbva

BTW Gill, I was wondering how long is takes to cut something out at zero strokes per minute? Do you move the work up and down on the blade by Hand? .

He's made four posts and already he's extracting a sample of urine !

It's nice to see you're settling in .

Gill

[metoo]

We have 2 Dewalt 788, Dale wanted one and saw a really good deal after Christmas one year so I called Lowes all over and I finally found one in Florida, they shipped it to us, then a few months later we were at the picnic in Pontiac IL and Dale won one, so we can sit side by side and cut, which totally thrills him. LOL
I try but I am not near as good as Dale.
I hope someday I can be half as good as he is.

[Kevin12]

LOL
You're as funny as your photo would indicate, Gill.
Thanks for the reply. I had never heard of a Diamond and had never thought that a blade holder could be manufactured to rotate. Ease of blade changing is big with me since I do a lot of fretwork, but since my Delta is a 2-speed I haven't considered doing anything that would require a really slow speed. I don't know what my slower speed is, but I bet it's greater than 400!

Thanks again!

[utbva]

I don't know if I should put this in this thread or in the bragging section, but I just purchased an RBI Hawk 220-3 VS saw on ebay. It says it is brand new and I think I got it for a good price. Now I just have to wait until it is delivered to know what it is like. Now I would like to ask those of you that own RBI's what hints or suggestions you may have that will make it easier for me to learn to use this saw. Thanks for your help in advance.