New (to me) scrollsaw?

[Artie]

Hi, I am in need of advice from those more knowledgeable than me (so everybody). I’ve been looking on the various used items websites and have found two scroll saws I think I’m interested in. One is a 2004 Hegner Unimax, listed as brand new. This soon not seem to be sold any longer. They are asking $250 for it. Will it serve the needs of a newbie, and yet maybe last into journeyman status, or if I take to scrolling will it not be adequate in the future? Two is an RBI Industries scroll saw, used, and model number not listed. It also looks like the upper bar that holds the safety/clamp (I’m sure my naming of the parts is incorrect). That is next to the upper bar that holds the blade is missing. I have not received any contact back from the lister. This one is being sold for $75 which would give me some leeway parts wise. I got a lucky break over the weekend and got a $300 windfall, so either of these does not come out of the family budget (at least that’s what I’m telling myself LOL). Option 3 is wait till refund from taxes enters bank account, and dip into that for $250 and buy a new DeWalt 788 from Grizzly. I think that’s around $530 total, with shipping, stand and light. Any and all opinions wanted, and welcome. Thanks Artie 

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

Others will have better input, but I picked up an RBI 2 years ago and it really is a nice saw. A lot of that is tied to exactly which model it is, but the parts are still mostly available for them. The company has been sold out a couple of times, but the new owners are still helpful. Even at that, I think the RBI is probably second to the Hegner...though again it depends on the models being compared. The cost of the missing parts on the RBI should be easy to find, but I think either one might serve you well and likely be worth as much as you paid if you need to upgrade later. Fred Wilson may have some more specific input on them. I couldn't find much info about that Hegner, do you know the throat depth on the 2 saws?

[Artie]

I really don’t have much info on either other than what they posted. I’m pretty sure that neither is variable/multi speed. The RBI at $75 sounds really interesting, the less money that I spend there, can go elsewhere :). I sent an e-mail Saturday night, and one on Sunday, no reply yet. I haven’t contacted the person with the Hegner yet, because I don’t wan’t to be dealing with two possible sales at once. From what I info I can get on the Hegner, it seems to be a scroll saw that specializes in fretwork, if I’m understanding what I’m reading correctly. If I wait for their tax refund, get the DeWalt, I get a light, the stand, and a variable speed saw. If I get the RBI, it comes with the stand, I’m an electrician, the light is really inconsequential, I can rig up whatever I need, and $75b plus say $100 for parts leaves me another $300-$350 for the shop[. Pretty sure I could find a use for more spending money. The Hegner is in the middle, great reputation, just not sure the model here is what I will want/use.      Thanks for the reply.     Artie

[Harry Brink]

I have had the DW 788 for going on 3 years. No problem at all with it.

bought it on-line from Home Depot with free delivery in about a week. Both Lowes and HD have it for $489. When I got mine they were on sale for, I think, $389 or less.

Depending on what you plan on doing with it, you can get one for less $$.

The main thing is be sure it takes "pin-less" blades.

[Fred Wilson]

Artie - as a newbee to scrolling, I would say "cheaper the better" for a WORKING saw.  If you find you LOVE scrolling, upgrade later.  Initial investment is always a factor when starting anything new.  That being said, you are doing it the correct way, in my opinion.  I'm sure there are some good machines out there fo a great price.  Be sure you see it run correctly before shelling out your hard earned $$$.

 

There, that's my 2% of a buck

[Smallpatch]

Artie you mentioned the Dewalt has a stand.... If you want to call it that!!!! And if you have any age at all on you bones throw it away and build a table 20 inches high and use an office chair with rollers...The stand is made for a person to stand up while sawing....The saw don't have to be bolted down, especially the Dewalt.

   If you do any fret work at all then you will be sawing for long periods at a time..Not the same as using a table saw , cut two or three 2x4's and you are through.  Sitting down you might enjoy the saw and get good at it..

  I have a few Dewalts, #788  in my shop right now but I would not ship one to anyone.. I want who ever buys from me to come and use it for a while, day or two and be sure everything suits them then take it home .. 

   Also I would suggest to never start using spiral blades ..Its more important to learn to use regular blades like the saw was designed to use....You could start out using spiral blades and keep using them for 5 or ten years then buy some regular blades and try to saw a straight line...

[Cal]

7 hours ago, Fred Wilson said:

Artie - as a newbee to scrolling, I would say "cheaper the better" for a WORKING saw.  If you find you LOVE scrolling, upgrade later.  Initial investment is always a factor when starting anything new.  That being said, you are doing it the correct way, in my opinion.  I'm sure there are some good machines out there fo a great price.  Be sure you see it run correctly before shelling out your hard earned $$$.

 

There, that's my 2% of a buck

Fred, this is one tool that we will have to agree to disagree on.  I started with a cheap Craftsman.  Based upon that saw, I would have never gone any further.  It vibrated, blade changing was no easy thing (as I recall) and it was just a disappointment.  I did know, though, that it was not a good saw; so when my son wanted to get started I went ahead and sprung for the Dewalt.

You might get one of those boat anchors for free - and you might never get into scrolling.  Get a decent saw and you may find enjoyment in it.

[Artie]

Still have no reply to RBI saw on craigslist, and the Hegner has been sold. Didn’t see any others that impressed me on CL so I took some advice, and bought a started saw. Ordered the Porter-Cable from Lowes. Gonna get some 1/4 Baltic Birch this weekend, and hopefully by St Patricks Day, I will have scrolled something LOL. After a lot of reading the past week, I came to the conclusion that standing at the Shopsmith scroll saw, turning it off, every time I needed to, and then having to go through the process of turning it back on (4 or 5 steps) would drive me crazy. A saw that I can sit at, with a foot pedal, seemed the way to go. The Shopsmith scroll saw will be an excellent backup. Again, like my woodworking knowledge, this is all theoretical, but unless life kicks me where it hurts in the next couple of weeks, I should be making stuff soon.