New to scroll sawin

[jameswhite]

Hi al,
I am looking into buying a scroll saw and was wondering what kid I should get and look for as a fisrt timmer. I am retired and am on limited income,so I can't afford the high end one. I want to start to make these whirlagigs. I think they are so neat. Alwys love to wtch them when I was a youngin.
Any advice would be great. And is there a magazine I should be looking for also?

[Huntter2022]

Welcome Jameswhite
I use a excalbur 21 but alot people use Dewalt and Delta you might want to check them out . you want to be able to use pinless blades and varable speed .I'm sure others will be posting and be able to tell you more about them
For magazine surely check out http://www.scrollsawer.com/freeissue.php
If you have a question surely ask , great bunch of people here and willing to help
David

[Steviegwood]

Welcome to the family jameswhite. There are several good quality saws that you can get. I would venture to say that Dewalt and Delta saws are a mid-range in quality and price in the $400 to $500 range for a 20" throat variable speed pinless blade and quick release blade change. I use a Delta 40-650 18" saw myself. I am sure that if you let us know what you want to spend on a saw someone will have one in that price range and give you some info on them. Again, Welcome. Steve

[Plaquerd]

Welcome to the group jaseswhite. Ditto to what Steve and David said. I have the Dewalt 788 (two), they have served me well. All you have to do here is ask, someone will have the answer, this sure is a great group of people.
Dave

[GrayBeard Phil]

James:

Stay out of Harbor Freight. You can buy all the HF scroll saws you want for under $20.00 on Ebay. Tells you something about the quality if people trying to sell at 80% discount on hardly used machines.

Keep in mind that scroll sawing is a skill, not hard to learn, and it don't take long, but it is eye-hand kind of thing. We move the wood past the blade without (well usually without) any jigs or fixtures. Just follow the lines. So that takes time at the saw to learn the eye-hand thing. Time equals practice. Practice a lot.

With that said, the saw you buy is the saw you will sit at as you learn and grow in the hobby. Don't just think about the saw, also think light (with magnification), table, chair (comfort and back support), place for coffee cup, place for shop dog or cat, music or radio if you are inclined, and don't forget a place for spare blades.

Each saw has good and bad features in the price range you asked about. Look (with your eyes wide open for what you don't like) at the Delta SS350.

I will not recommend any scroll saw that uses pin blades. You need to get used to pinless blades. That is an opinion. Others have their opinion. Some are happy with their Craftsman scroll saw, but I don't like anything with the brand name of Craftsman any more. Last I was at a Sears store, I thought the name should be Martha Steward's Outlet Store.

Phil

[munkytows]

Hello Jameswhite,
I'm very new at this as well, but I have done some research for scroll saws. A lot of my research has been on this site so check the threads out, people will say what they like and don't like about the saws they have or had before. I am starting with a Ryobi 16", I got it at an auction for $30.00cdn. Its not fancy at all, at the stores they sell for about $120.00cdn. It allows for pins and pinless blades and is variable speed. BUT blade changing is a pain in the behind!!!!! Hence my research on a higher end scroll saw began b/c I want to do fretwork and having to spend a lot of time changing blades...ugh!!! So, I am looking for variable speed, and easy blade changing (however its managed!), and decent quality. So far I am interested in the Dewalt 788, just by going off of the comments on this site then researching it on the sites that sell scroll saws. Its closer to my price range of $460-$490USD, but since I live in Canada they sell it for $760cdn. So, I am going to wait probably after Christmas and go over the border and get one in Michigan!!!
As far as a scroll saw magazine, I really like Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts, also Creative Woodworks & Crafts. They have patterns for all levels, and tonnes of info. Oh yeah....BLADES!!!! Very important to get good ones!!! I bought Olsen, I know a lot of the members here use Flying Dutchman too. That was my first piece of advice I got from a woodworker where I live!!!
Happy Scrolling,
munkytows

[Tor]

Welcome James. Others here have spent much more time evaluating entry level saws than I have, so I will simply welcome you to this wonderful place among great people.

Tor

[GrayBeard Phil]

Originally Posted by munkytows

...Its closer to my price range of $460-$490USD, but since I live in Canada they sell it for $760cdn. So, I am going to wait probably after Christmas and go over the border and get one in Michigan!!!

The exchange rate USD to CDN has changed drastically, as noted by W.Y. in a recent post. (as I write this $1.00 USD = $1.06 CDN)

You new saw might be even cheaper in late December if the exchange rate keeps drooping, and the retail stores in Michigan have a slow year as expected.

Your local retailer must have bought his stock of saws back a few months ago when the exchange rate was SOO-O-O much different.

Phil

[charpepper]

Just thought I would let you know I started out on a harbor freight saw. I vibrated so bad I went and bought a Dewalt. I really love it. I ended up giving my harbor freight to my redneck neighbor who gave it to his brother who gave it to his son who is making so really cool things with it. I guess as a starter cheap saw for a child (teeneager) it is good. but for someone who is wanting to make real projects I would go with a Dewalt . If you sell your projects you will make it back in the long run
Mimi

[SNAPPER]

Welcome. I wood suggest a Delta 16" vs model. I think this is a fine inexpensive model around $100. Have had one for 9yrs.
Happy Scrolling
Dean