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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    7

    Default To upgrade, Or not to upgrade. That is the question!

    Hi all.
    First off, Happy New Year.
    Now, down to business.
    I am currently using a Carba-Tec 16" saw, similar to the current Jet one. I have been using it for a bit over a year now.
    It works fine but is a bit difficult to work with at times. I don't do a heap of work on it, as I only have a small shed so it is put away when not in use.
    I am thinking of upgrading as Carba-tec have a sale at the moment.
    I am looking at the Carba-Tec 18" scroll saw. http://www.carbatec.com.au/carba-tec...bid/1/sort/20a
    Is it worth upgrading to this model?
    I know its a Hegner copy, but I can't afford a Hegner.
    Or should I spend a bit more and go for a General 21" Scroll Saw? http://www.carbatec.com.au/general-s...bid/0/sort/20a
    Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks
    Brad

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Washington State, USA
    Posts
    455

    Default

    I can't really help you but I can say the General is an awesome saw. Least I think it is the same as my Excalibur. I love mine. But it is expensive compared to the Carbatec. I guess you can look at it two ways. Is it worth the extra money if it is only to be used occasionally, or maybe if you had a better saw you would do a lot more scrolling. I know nothing about the Carbatec.
    Paul
    S.E. Washington State, U.S.A.

    My scrolling: https://imgur.com/a/f2Fj8

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Yenda NSW
    Age
    74
    Posts
    344

    Default

    I have had a carba-tec 18''variable speed for the last 18 months.It was all I could afford at the time & it has served me well,I have really given it a good workout in this time & find it a vibration free & accurate saw,I am not at all sorry I bought it,I don't think you will be sorry if you decide on this saw.
    Cheers Peter.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Shepparton
    Posts
    140

    Default which scroll saw

    Hi, I would suggest that you try both saws if possible I am sure you will go with the excalabur its is heap better to use with the tilting upper arm.only ting I wold suggest is that you insist on a pre delivery tune-up if you go with the excalabur

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    7

    Default

    Hi
    Thanks for the advice.
    DiRob, what do you mean by a pre delivery tune-up?

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    288

    Default

    I would highly recommend general scroll saw... I've started with the 16" Jet.. which was a bit of a disappointment to be honest... Upgraded to the biggest general... and have been very happy with it...
    comparison

    Jet vs general (personal experience)
    General beats Jet in pretty much everything.. I mean it should.. when you compare price tags...
    noise
    Jet is much noisier than general..
    With Jet.. the whole arm is moving thus creating fair bit of noise while general has only front part moving...
    General wins

    Blade replacement..
    Jet takes both pinned and pinless blades general just pinless
    Jet wins

    Jet requires allen key to replace blades general has hand twist mechanism
    General wins

    Blade tensioner on jet is at the back of the saw and tends to undo itself with prolonged use, general is at the front easy reach and cannot come lose

    Use.
    On general scroll saw you can lift whole arm up, thus when working on pieces that have drill through hole as a starting point, it is much easier and faster to position blade through pin hole than on jet


    Further notice...
    I've pushed jet through some serious work.. and it pretty much fell apart...
    The blower is almost a gimick, the screw attaching the arm to the motor started coming off... so i pretty much had to take half of the machine apart to be able to easily reach that screw which started to constantly come off.. the blade guard on jet has quickly became annoying feature which caused more of a danger than a safety and was promptly taken of. Work required constant poke of blade through hole and that was painful.. loose tension, get allen key, loose blade holder screw.. pull blade through the hole, get allen key, fix the blade, apply tensioner, start scrollin, figure out that the tension is not good as tensioner has loosen itself, re tension.. etc...
    Very frustrating

    general scrollsaw..
    flip up tensioner, undo bottom screw, lift the arm up, position and poke blade through the hole, screw back screw, flip down tensioner.. you're done...

    ALso general scrollsaw has dust collection and vacuum cleaner attachment...


    as you can see.. I am quite impressed with general scrollsaw.. although pricey.. it is definitely worthy expense...

    Additionally, general has updated their models a bit.. so previous issues seems to be alleviated.. Mine came in a nice sturdy packaging, fastened to a plywood panel and was fully tuned and aligned straight from the box. It was literary plug and use experience

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    7

    Default

    Hi
    I think I will probably go with the General Excalibur.
    Its a fair bit more than I wanted to spend, but after hearing your comments and a bit of research, it looks the better way to go.
    Would it be best to get new or if it can be found, second hand?
    Thanks again.
    Brad

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Shepparton
    Posts
    140

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Brad M. View Post
    Hi
    Thanks for the advice.
    DiRob, what do you mean by a pre delivery tune-up?
    What I mean is that you get them to run the saw before delivery to eliminate any possibilities of not running correctly.The saw is a big bugger and you don't want to get stuck having to return it for repair or tune up

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    12

    Default

    I have had Carbetec 18" Scrollsaw for the last 4 1/2 years. I find they are a great saw maybe not as smooth as the Hegner but just as good. I would recommend this over the General. Suggest you try both before you buy. If you are in a club should not be a problem.

    Barry.

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