I see a lot of people talking about the Excalibur scroll saws...and I do want a new scroll saw since ours is a bit ancient! LOL But I will say right now ours is a Dremel and it is a pain to change the blade in between cuts...I want one that is easy to use and easy to change the blades in between cuts. So all of you I am asking is it worth buying an Excalibur or are there better ones out there for a better price??

Gee Pauline, I certainly know nothing, but I just purchased the Delta 20" that is listed in the Woodcraft ad and located on the right side of the screen. All of the reviews I read put it right up there. Blade changing with ease was one of the things talked about. 349.00 plus shipping is a pretty good deal.

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John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Pauline, the Excalibur is certainly worth the price. As John said, the Delta saw is on sale right now at Woodcraft, for less than half the price of the EX.. It comes with a stand and light also, I don't think the EX does. All the reviews on the Delta saw are overall very positive. The Delta saw was picked by Scroll saw Woodworking & Crafts magazine in last years buyers guide as the best saw in the mid price range. The 2 biggest differences I see in the two saws are that the upper arm on the Delta doesn't tilt, for beveled the table tilts, and the shape of the table, the EX does have a little more larger surface area. Having said all that I have not used either saw, so I'm just going on info from other scroll saw forums and the magazine reviews. Personally I would love to have the EX, which according to http://www.seyco.com/saws.html is on sale for $819.00 w/ a stand plus shipping, but looking at the price difference, the advantages of the EX over the Delta don't even out enough for me to spend over twice as much. Anyway that's just my .2 cents worth. 

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Greg
http://www.thesawdustfactory.net/

I've used the EX. I loved it! Loved the Hegner, too. But, my frame of reference was my old Delta 16". 

If I were contemplating a LOT of use, the EX would be my choice. If the old Delta ever gives up the ghost, I'll probably get another one, though. $349 is mighty attractive.

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

Pauline,

I can't tell you about the new scroll saws at all, as mine would make your Dremel seem rather new.

As you can tell mine is quite a bit more on the ancient side than your Dremel.

If that one's not old enough how about this one?

They are both from The Delta Specialty Company  Milwaukee WI. The big one dates from 1931-37, the small one 1923. 

If you think the Dremels a pain to use I'll let you try the 1923 American Boy, crank with one hand guide with the other.

 

Larry

Larry those are some beautiful saws 

Larry Buskirk said:

Pauline,

I can't tell you about the new scroll saws at all, as mine would make your Dremel seem rather new.

As you can tell mine is quite a bit more on the ancient side than your Dremel.

If that one's not old enough how about this one?

They are both from The Delta Specialty Company  Milwaukee WI. The big one dates from 1931-37, the small one 1923. 

If you think the Dremels a pain to use I'll let you try the 1923 American Boy, crank with one hand guide with the other.

 

Larry

i own an EX21, LOVE IT.   totally worth every penny if you can afford it.  the arm raising and allowing you to feed the blade from the top is worth the price difference alone in my opinion.   But as my father says. By the best you can AFFORD.    i will also say this.  When I demo at craft shows with my EX21 I have dozes of people wanna try and out and never had a single one say I like my old say better. Most have me write down where to buy it.    They have 3 sizes now. 16, 21, and 30.  I plan t buy the 16 when I can since it will be easier to take in my car to a show or a class somewhere.  I have not tried any of the other high end saws but it beats anything I have ever used.  hope this helps

Pauline which saw did you get? If you're interested in the DELTA 40-690, you may be able to contact a few of the Woodcraft stores and see if they still have one left.

I, too, own an EX-21.  Had it for a couple of years now and love it.  Upgraded from a 788.  With the new speed control, tilting arm (instead of base), lifting arm that raises plenty of height to get material in and out, heavy large stable cutting platform, and industrial grade - I'm very happy.

Hey, ya'll - I don't work for Sam or Excaliber.  I'm just voicing my opinion.

All the above being said - the saw for you is the one you are most happy with.  Doesn't matter if it's yellow, green, red or what.  It also matters who will support any maintenance problems you may have with your saw.  That was one of the other reasons I bought the EX from Seyco.

OK, I'm outta here - got to make some dust.

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Fred
aka Pop's Shop
www.pops-shop.com
EX-21
'Don't complain about the storm - learn to dance in the rain.'

Pauline,

I have never used an excaliber, but have hear good things about them.  I have a DeWalt and am very pleased with it.  I personally enjoy tilting the table top when I'm cutting out a bowl for example at a 40 degree angle.  I know it sounds silly, but I think I would miss that.  

SQ

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Happiness is wood chips flying!

Pauline - it's amazing the difference between a tilting table and a tilting arm.  I could never get used to the tilting table.  My brain, eyes, arms, hands get used to everything being level with the table then I go move the table.  Could never cut a straight line tilted.  With the EX, the arm tilts.  No more brain,eye,arm,hands getting screwed up.

Keep in mind, that the above is just my humble opinion.  I still say, if ya love the one your with, then ya got the right one.  (Oops, did I just give away a Valentine thing?)

SQ said:

Pauline,

I have never used an excaliber, but have hear good things about them.  I have a DeWalt and am very pleased with it.  I personally enjoy tilting the table top when I'm cutting out a bowl for example at a 40 degree angle.  I know it sounds silly, but I think I would miss that.  

SQ

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Happiness is wood chips flying!

Pauline - yep I'm sure - don't know how much traffic I have sent to Seyco, but it's sure worth it.  A little pricey and you know you get what you pay for.  

Pauline Brechlin said:

Fred, 

Are you sure you do not work for EX?? You would be a great spokesperson! LOL I was very pleased when looking at the EX all the goodies it had ...but the most thing that intrigued me about it was the easy blade change and the tilting arm :-) And ahh yesss a Valentines day present would be nice!! LMBO!

Fred Wilson said:

Great news, we want to see some projects when you get it up and running!

Congratulations on the new Tool Gloat!!!!

It is always special when a new member gets added to the tool family. Shoot us a picture of the new member when you can. Love to see and can't wait to see all of those wonderful projects that will come from it.

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John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

WOWOWOWOW - How many points does "hunny" get for this one?

Congrats - need pix of you at your new saw.  Be careful, though, ya gotta save some time for "hunny".

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Fred
aka Pop's Shop
www.pops-shop.com
EX-21
'Don't complain about the storm - learn to dance in the rain.'

Great score Pauline

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Greg
http://www.thesawdustfactory.net/

Congratulations!  You are the proud owner of the Maserati of the scroll saws!  Way to go!  

SQ

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Happiness is wood chips flying!