So I'm currently doing some research on a future tool I want to buy which is a stroll saw.  I've been wanting one for a while but I also don't want to spend a huge ton of money.  Anybody in here have good luck with decent in expensive scroll saws?  If so what was the brand and where did you buy it?

Good or decent and, Cheap are mutually exclusive terms! I've owned a Wen and, a Delta. Both around $100 when I bought them back when. Neither one was worth a crap. I've tried out the Excalibur, Hegner and Hawk. If I had $1200 stashed away, I'd get the Hawk.

Well LOL looks like I maybe waiting a while to get a good scroll saw.

You might watch for a used one. I have a 220VS (20 inch with variable speed) I bought a few years back for $200 and it's still in really good shape. Mine was made in 1998.  I've seen a few others show up in the $250-$350 range ( a handful of times). RBI has been sold a couple of times over the years but you can still get parts and service for them. You may even catch a Hegner, though I've seen fewer of them show up than the Hawk.

Edited June 2, 20215 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

Yea with the 22vs thing I don't have that option at the moment.  So I wont be able to get one that has 220vs power.

1 hour ago, AndrewB said:

Yea with the 22vs thing I don't have that option at the moment.  So I wont be able to get one that has 220vs power.

Sorry, the 220 VS is the model number. It's a 110V saw with variable speed. It's actually a DC motor with a transformer to provide the variable speed.

ah okay that would make sense... Still a bit above my budget at the moment so that's going to have to be a wish list item.

Edited June 2, 20215 yr by AndrewB

Not a scroll sawyer here, but I do have an inexpensive Bridgewood (before they went out of business). It's similar to-

It was designed to use "pin" blades but came with adapters for non-pin blades- super difficult to make the adapters work. No variable speed. Tension adjustment not the best. The table does tilt. Even with all the negative features, it was about $200. If I did more scroll sawing, I'd invest in a better one but I only use it a couple of time a year.

I started with a PorterCable unit. I hated it, major pain changing blades. I bought a stand alone Shopsmith on Craigslist. I love it. Changing blades is fairly easy, got it for $225.

 

I have a Ryobi would love to get rid of, but too far to ship. Just not my kinda saw to work with

yea unfortunately with Ryobi wood working power tools they aren't the best.  and heavy weight objects cost a ton of money to ship so nothing to worry about.

Andrew go to Lowes and buy the Delta 40-694. Any one who owns a Dewalt 788 can tell you exactly what to expect from the 40-694 for the two saws operate the same.. I think both saws are the most friendly to the user than any other made today... and don't forget the discount they offer also. My Dewalt I bought in the latter part of 1998 and it is still used more than any other piece of equipment I have in my shop even though I have 8 more Dewalt 788's sitting in my shop just waiting to be used!!!!!

 

And hey...... any scroll saw will be harder to master than any other machine so get one that's tailored to the user.

Edited June 7, 20215 yr by Smallpatch