Scroll saws - buying advice?

[Xaromir]

A table and/or a band saw is out of range at the moment,

so i want to get a scroll saw.

They seem to go pretty cheap used.

I see them go for like 50 to 150euro at ebay, with metal tables,

those at the local store cost that much but only have plastic and stuff.

But what do i really have to watch out for when i buy one?

I guess plastic tables are bad?

For the moment i just have a wall-clock as a project that i want to do,

you know, cutting the teeth myself from ply/mdf.

It should give me a pretty nice and clean cut,

that doesn't require to much sanding.

What do i have to look out for?

[JimB1]

I'm not a big scrollsaw guy though I do have a Dremel scrollsaw and have done a few little things with it so take this for what it's worth.

Here's what I would look for:

1) Make sure the table is flat

2) Make sure there is not excessive vibration

3) Try to find one that takes both pinned and pinless blades. If it only takes pinned, it makes it tough to get the blade through a tight inner curve because you have to have clearance for the pins so you can put the blade in and then take it out again.

4) Verify the speed control works, front speed controls are easier to use. I've seen some on the side and you have to reach blind around the unit to use them or take your eyes off the workpiece.

5) Check and make sure any additional features like lights or dust blowers work (both are very handy)

6) blade storage onboard is nice to have

I'm sure there are guys here who use their scrollsaws more then I do who can give you more ideas of what to look for in a first scrollsaw...

It sounds like you are looking to settle on a less expensive tool to hope to get the functionality of a bigger one. You may also want to take a look at the new Rockwell Bladerunner. It's like a cross between a scrollsaw and a jigsaw and is a pretty neat tool and may fit what you want to do better then a scrollsaw. I haven't heard too much about them yet but it might be worth looking into...

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=26863&filter=rockwell

Good luck with it.

-Jim

[harryangel69]

Also look at how the blade changes are done. Some can have small pieces that can be troublesome if lost. If their is no blade in it make sure you can see how it attaches. Tool free blade changes are always a plus as well.

I have only rebuilt a couple of scroll saws so I am much more help than that.

[samhell]

Heavy flat and angle adjustable table is nice. Removable inserts are helpful so you can make a zero clearance insert. Variable speed is a good thing. How the blade changes are done is a huge deal for me. The ability to accept pinned or pinless blades (or both). I picked up a refurbed Dremel 1800 from CPO a couple years ago and couldn't be happier. The front easily accessible power switch and speed control is nice but I'd also recommend adding a foot switch. The Dremels blade changing system is awesome. You can swap whatever blades you want (pin or pinless) and adjust the tension without the use of any tools. Its built very sturdy. The 20" Dewalt and of course the Excalibur scroll saws are great but expensive.

[Xaromir]

Thanks guys!

The rockwell thingy looks interesting indeed, issue is:

It's not available here apparently,

but the mass of offers i consider shrunk quite a bit, which is a good thing.

Concerning dewalt and such:

I wish. They go for about 200-300€ used, i just can not afford it at this point in time.

100€ is my limit 150€ may be a painful maximum,

every € over that means hits on the head with the frying pan.

[Xaromir]

Ok guys... This topic got me thinking.

So i got my buttocks off the couch searched a bit and tried some,

from 50€ new to 500€ used, and it seems to be like: Either you get a great tool,

or basically a whole lot of rubbish.

So i guess the choice is getting hit with a frying pan and saving money.

I guess i will go for the dewalt, (i actually found a guy that uses one)

or a hegner since dewalt is hard to come bye here (used).

I haven't tried hegners smallest but it comes for about the same as the dewalt,

but is a bit smaller, takes stuff up to 2" high and about 14" long,

but i guess with a round blade, length shouldn't be a issue anyways,

as long i don't push like a maniac (i hope).

Could take really long till i would find a used dewalt.

Thanks again.