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Thread: Ryobi vs Delta vs Makita
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9th May 2006, 01:42 PM #1Novice
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Ryobi vs Delta vs Makita
Hi team
I'm a newbie here, in fact only discovered this site yesterday while doing some research on a new scrollsaw purchase and was hoping to pick your brains.
I'm currently using a really old scrollsaw that's been in the family for at least 40 years. I'm told it was made in the railway workshops as a "foreigner", and this will have been in the 1950's or 60's. It's done sterling service over the years, but really isn't cutting the mustard anymore, to the point that I now avoid using it if I can. So, it's time to bite the bullet and spend some money on a new one.
I want to buy a good quality saw, the main use for which will be cutting out parts for RC Planes and Boats, plus some kids toys. Materials to be cut will be mostly 3mm - 12mm ply. Although I would like to have a go at a scrollsaw project at some point, just to have a go at something different, and I also like the look of the little sets of drawers cut from drift wood, old fence posts, etc - I could earn some brownie points there at mothers day, etc.
The models I'm currently looking at are the Ryobi ESW1240, Delta DE-40-540 and Makita SJ401.
The Ryobi seems to be getting fairly poor reviews from users on the internet, with a number of people upgrading fairly quickly to something better. The Delta seems to have a good reputation, and the Delta brand in general seems to be well respected although I've never seen one up close. Makita is a good name, and I'm happy with my Makita jigsaw, but I can't find much info on what users think of the SJ401 scrollsaw.
Have you guys/gals got any experience of these models? Or something similar that I can pick up here.
By the way the Ryobi is around $269, the Delta $388 and the Makita $439 here. I want a good one, not necessarily the cheapest, but of course price always comes into the equation.
Thanks in advance
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9th May 2006, 06:10 PM #2Novice
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Here's a pic of the old girl ...
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9th May 2006, 06:16 PM #3
Wow modelmaker - you wanna be careful oages will want to snap up the old-girl and add it to his collection.
I have none of the machines you talk about as I managed to get a Dewalt secondhand (near new) on ebay for just over $400 so I am a very happy vegemite.
From what I have read in the past and pretty much from what you have written you can see the guys like the Delta.Cheers
TEEJAY
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"
(Man was born to hunt and kill)
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9th May 2006, 06:18 PM #4
I have the Delta, it's a great saw.
I wouldn't have either the ryobi or the makita.
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10th May 2006, 12:59 PM #5Originally Posted by TEEJAY
Out of those three choices I would go the Delta, but I havent had an experience with the Ryobi and Makita.Brett
Only Robinson Crusoe could get everything done by Friday!
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10th May 2006, 05:00 PM #6Novice
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Well, it's looking like it's going to have to be the Delta. I can't find one locally, but even with the freight charges it still works out cheaper than the Makita, and sounds to be better.
I had a look at the local library today, and there's some good books in there with patterns. So I'll have to get one out and make something as practice on the new machine when I get it.
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12th May 2006, 11:30 PM #7
I also use a Delta and am happy with it. Does everthing I need it to do ( and probably a heck of a lot more) I like the quick blade change, watched the guys with the expensive Haegner and seems the Delta is easier. I mainly make toys... puzzles and stuff with 3/4' pine or whatever native timber I can get my hands on... the saw works great on that, but I also do some finer work and it still holds up well.
Juvy
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13th May 2006, 07:18 PM #8Novice
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Thanks for your help guys.
I've been right through this forum, and a few other places, to find what out I can about these scrollsaws before making a purchase, and thought that in the interests of expediency for the next person that wants to know about these saws I would list my findings here in one place.
The information below has been obtained partially from within this site, partially from other sites worldwide, and partially from my own observations. I don't pretend that it's all there is to know about these saw's, nor that everyone will agree with all that's written here. It is just a collection of other peoples and my opinions.
Ryobi ESW1240
Dust extraction port in the front of the machine to take dust from below the cut and a dust blower above the cut. Combined speed control and on/off switch on the front of the machine next to the dust extraction port. This works like an older radio on/off volume control - IE: Turn it clockwise to switch the machine on and continue turning to increase the speed. Turn it anti clockwise to reduce speed and keep turning until it clicks off. Therefore you can't just leave it set at your favourite speed.
It accepts pin blades only, but advertises that an adaptor kit is available to enable pinless blades to be used. Many people have stated that they have not been able to obtain this adaptor kit and have been told that it has been discontinued. Some people that have bought this scrollsaw have been happy with it, but most have upgraded within a few months to a new machine (normally a Delta), saying that the new machine was significantly better. Not really stated what the problems were, but enough people have said the same thing for it to be considered a fair endorsement.
Delta DE-40-540
No dust extraction fitted, dust blower fitted above the cut but not very effective below full speed. Most people fit an aquarium pump as a replacement blower, also possible to fit a tennis ball below the bottom arm and run the blower line to a hole in it. Separate speed control knob and on/off switch on the left side of the machine. Designed for pinless blades and has a tool less quick change mechanism on the top blade mount, and a tool change mount on the bottom.
It appears reasonably common that the bearings fitted to the top and bottom arms are near dry as new and should be lubed before being used, although apparently the manual states this shouldn't be required until after 20 hours use. The table may need to have some minor grinding done underneath it to enable it to sit perfectly at 90 deg to the blade. Some people seem to have vibration issues with the machine, but this is easily cured by bolting the machine down using the provided mounting points.
Overall users all seem to be very happy with this machine and there are lots more recommendations out there for this machine than the others.
Makita SJ401
Dust extraction port in the front of the machine to take dust from below the cut and a dust blower above the cut. Combined speed control and on/off switch on the front of the machine next to the dust extraction port. Turn the knob clockwise/anticlockwise to increase/decrease speed and pull the knob to switch the scrollsaw on, push the knob to switch it off. It appears to accept pin blades only and requires an allen key to change blades.
I haven't found much on this machine from other people. I have read of an unreliable speed control, which doesn't always maintain a constant speed, complaints of excessive vibration, but also people that are very happy with it.
I think this about covers what I have been able to find out about these saws.
There are other machines out there too - some are below these 3 machines in quality and price and some above. I merely looked at 3 in the price range I was prepared to pay that would do the job I wanted well, without being overkill. However, these other lesser and better quality machines may be the perfect machines for you and the job you want to do with them.
My choice has been the Delta, due to the use of pinless blades and the greater choice these offer, plus the quick change mechanism fitted and the great number of recommendations this machine receives compared to the others. I've ordered it from Carba-tec in Auckland and it's winging its way to me now. It should be here in a couple of days, so I'll let you know what I think of it then, and then show you its first born.
Ummm ... Sorry for the long post, but hopefully it'll be of use to someone.
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18th May 2006, 11:21 PM #9Novice
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Not happy !
OK, the Delta arrived today. Assembled with no trouble, cleaned the grease off the table with kerosine initially, then followed up with meths to get the last traces off grease and kero off, then waxed it with car wax - it's nice and smooth and clean now. Cut up a few scraps of wood that were lying around, just to have a play and see how it went and was impressed with the quality of the cut. I'm not bothering with the hold down foot as it doesn't seem to need it. The quick change mechanism worked well intitially but now isn't :mad:
The small blue lever that clamps the blade in position wont stay closed unless the small black adjustment knob on the right hand side is used to reduce the clamping force to the point that the clamp wont hold the blade when the larger blade tension lever on the top is closed. The spring tension on the blade clamp lever just keeps popping it open. I've no idea why? It worked fine intitially, now wont. I thought that maybe I had got oil off my fingers and onto the end of the blade and into the clamp, and therefore the clamp wasn't able to exert enough friction to hold the blade anymore, so I cleaned it all thoroughly - but no good. Then I tried some 600grit paper on the end of the blade and inside the clamp - still no good.
If I hold the blue blade clamp lever closed with the tension set at the minimum needed to hold the blade in the clamp while the larger blade tension lever on the top is closed it's fine, but as soon as I let the blue lever go it pops open.
This machine has run for a total of 30 mins at the most with and without cutting wood, and I've buggered around for an hour or so trying to sort this clamp out. Needless to say I'm not very impressed.
Anyone got any ideas?
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18th May 2006, 11:46 PM #10
I have the same model Delta, sounds like the little lever isn't going "over centre", bit hard to describe but I doubt anything's wrong with it, just fiddle about until it goes "back in the groove"
No real technical help there, but hope you get it sorted.
If you get desparate, you could disassemble the quickclamping mechanism, then put it back together. Fiddly, be very careful to not lose any bits, including the little spring (DAMHIKT ) but it may come to that.
Good luck...............cheers................Sean
The beatings will continue until morale improves.
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19th May 2006, 12:24 AM #11Originally Posted by model maker
as to your problem sorry cant help out as I dont own a delta
PeteWhat this country needs are more unemployed politicians.
Edward Langley, Artist (1928-1995)
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19th May 2006, 07:33 AM #12Novice
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Originally Posted by fxst
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19th May 2006, 07:48 AM #13Novice
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Originally Posted by scooter
Thanks for that
One other wee thing ... What's DAMHIKT and SWMBO short for?
I've seen the 2nd one in a few posts and figure it somehow relates to the ball and chain?
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19th May 2006, 09:29 AM #14
SWMBO She Who Must Be Obeyed.
On the subject of wax, as FXST pointed out, don't use asnything with silicone.
I used to use Johnsons floor wax but now use Ewe Boot (thats the NZ version) Traditional Wax.
Available in NZ from Carbatec and Sherwoods, have a look at the U Beaut site for distributors.Stupidity kills. Absolute stupidity kills absolutely.
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19th May 2006, 10:25 AM #15
Model maker,
don't ask me how I know this but DAMHIK is an acronym for Don't Ask Me How I Know.
Mick"If you need a machine today and don't buy it,
tomorrow you will have paid for it and not have it."
- Henry Ford 1938
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