Hello from Virginia

[PTownSubbie]

Hello all,

I am an experienced wood worker and new turner looking at possibly getting some experience in scroll sawing. I have seen some of the stuff that people do and it is very cool and I want to get the wife into doing it also.

I am researching my first scroll saw purchase and have read many things about them. I understand that most like the Dewalt 788 but that is a bit pricey for the amount of stuff I currently plan to do.

Does anyone have any experience with the Craftsman 16 in. Variable Speed Scroll Saw - Model 21602 at Sears.com? I am a bit concerned that one of the reviews talked about trouble putting non-pinned small blades in the saw.

Any ideas on inexpensive but decent saws?

Thanks!!

[Peter Wright]

Save a little longer and get the Dewalt!!

I am in the finishing touched of setting mine up (taking a slight break) and tomorrow I WILL make sawdust!!!

Unless there is a required NASCAR pitstop type blade changing event, you have plenty of time to change blades.

I have done quite a bit of hand fretsaw work, and the blade changing ritual gives my eyes a chance to focus on something other than little black lines..........

[Sandy Oaks]

Hi and welcome to the site. I have had no experience with anything other than a DeWalt 788. Using pinless blades allows you to perform very small veining cuts. I could not use a machine that has pin blades.

[Plaquerd]

Subbie
Welcome to the group. There are many preferences to saws. I'm sure there will be more posts to your thread with different answers.
I would agree with Peter, save a little longer and get the Dewalt. I have two Dewalts and they perform very well, blade changing is easy and vibration is nil.

[Anneh]

Hi and welcome from another Virginian.
I bought the Craftsman scroll saw, brought it home to try out and took it back the next day. I found the pinless blade a real pain to change. I ended up going to Lowe's and bought the Hitachi CW40 and have been right pleased with it - at least until I can get a Dewalt.
Just my opinion
Anne

[miniwoodworker]

Hi Stubbie. Welcome to our house!

I also have a DeWalt and recommend it.

What's the possibility of having a yard sale to raise a few extra dollars? :-) Guarantee you it'll free up some shop space from the stuff that always sneaks in there. And, your wife will be proud of the fact that she helped contribute to the saw by cleaning out some of her extra "stuff".

On another note, if you/she decide scrollwork isn't for you, you'll get a great resale value for your DeWalt, as they are always in demand.

Just my 2-cents, this morn. Again, welcome aboard.

[PTownSubbie]

Thanks for all the honest responses. I have some tough decisions to make. I don't know if I will do enough to warrent the $500+ pricetag. Maybe I can find a used one shortly.....

I will keep looking and until then, try my hand at making some designs to cut when I get my new saw!!

Fred

[Rosebud]

Hi PTownSubbie,

Welcome to the board! Just wanted to say that you will do enough to warrant a very good saw! My original saw was a low-end $100 that was purchased for some ornaments; it was terrible (it took pin & pinless blades)! Finally wound up pulling the metal side piece back in order to make a "side door" into the blade area.

Granted, was new to scolling, but the cut pieces were embarrasing. Got a DeWalt 788 and the difference is night and day (don't think my skills improved that fast either).
Save your coins and get a good saw...pinless, so you can get into small spaces...and you and your wife will be amazed at what you can do and will want to do!

Rosebud
P.S. Sorry if you got an incomplete reply before this; this computer has a mind of it's own.

[miniwoodworker]

Here's one for $450 that includes the light and stand.
H7414 DW788/7880/7881 20" Scroll Saw W/Stand And Light I didn't go through order processing so I don't know how much the freight charge would be.

Unless you can find a new one on sale, locally, I believe this is a good price. If you can't buy, now, check Grizzly if you buy a new one.

Disclaimer: I'm just a satisified customer. No association with Grizzly or DeWalt for that matter.

Hope this helps, a bit more.

[lucky788scroller]

Watch ebay and craigslist, you may find a bargain on a dewalt. For the money, it sounds like many people are very happy with the Hitachi scroll saw. Do check that one out. Another one that many like is the Dremel one, not sure of the model number though.