Thread: Which scroll saw?

Most Scroll Saws nowadays are designed to take either the pinned, or pinless blades by simply changing over the Blade Clamps, which should be supplied with whichever machine ( Toolex, or Ryobi ), you deside to buy. Do suggest it does pay to ask the salesperson just to make sure, or, better still ask the salesperson to demostrate the Scroll Saw to you using both the pinned, & pinless blades,- then you will know for sure.
Although I have a Hegner myself, I have used other brands over the years,- WMS; Ryobi; etc.,- even had the, " fun," of showing a local, " know-all retired farmer," how to use a Scroll Saw once. - He was trying to cut with the blade fitted back-the-front, and upsidedown !! He would come and watch me using mine,- go back to his place for a while, then come back and watch me again, then go back home,- Finally I went round with him to his place,- solved his problem within, " 10 seconds, ' so to speak.
His comment, " Oh,- It goes that way Wondered why it wouldn't work "
Luckily I have a very good sense of humour,- and saw the funny side
Roger

Hi Shaunno,
Unfortunately you arent going to find a saw that takes pinless blades for under $200. You could get the Ryobi from Bunnings or the Toolex brand and then fit a conversion kit from CWS which will cost you about $40
CWS Store - Olson Scrollsaw Conversion kit | Carroll's Woodcraft Supplies

If your budget can stretch it, you might want to look at the Proxxon saw from CWS for $375: CWS Store - Proxxon Scroll saw DSH (220-240V) | Carroll's Woodcraft Supplies

I understand you dont want to spend a fortune on a saw when you are first starting out, but you also dont want to get a bad saw that is going to frustrate you and turn you off scrolling. However, I started on the old single speed GMC saw which was a good introduction for me, but I later upgraded to a better saw.

Hi,
Carbatec
Carba-Tec 16" Variable Speed Scroll Saw : CARBA-TEC
have one advertised for $139. Needs a pinless blade adapter see Timbecon, $14.90 (plus postage I guess)
Catalogue - Sawing - Scroll Saws & Accessories

Hope it helps.

Bob H.
p.s. A "starter" machine but I reckon would the job.

Like Brett, I started on a GMC single speed, and bit by bit worked up to my current Trupro. Had I bought the Trupro to start with I would have saved a fortune! lol. But, like everyone I suppose, I didn't know to start with that I would like the hobby so much.

A saw that takes pinless blades, and has variable speed, is essential, in my opinion.

Noel

Shaunno, you could try Gregory Machinery Pty. Ltd at Richlands Brisbane Qld. I bought a scroll saw from them at the last Working with Wood Show in Brisbane last May. My scroll saw was sold to me as a Woodman but the outside of the box states Trupro variable speed. My Trupro is an absolute dream to use and easily passes the fifty cents test. My saw is the same colour as the one on the Carrol's website and I bought mine for a very good price. It could be worth a phone call....

Marg.
PS I would not touch the Jet though as I was not impressed.

G'Day "shaunno",
When you've sorted out your purchase, here is a good source to buy your blades.
Helen Harris info attached - They are posted to you c/w the invoice, very good service.
Cheers, Crowie

ScrollSaw blades - A..letter to email.doc

ScrollSaw blades - AAA..INVOICE REVERSE.doc

ScrollSaw blades - Book list. May 2009.xls

Attachment 181358

ScrollSaw blades - WHAT BLADE SHOULD I USE v2.doc

Originally Posted by crowie

G'Day "shaunno",
When you've sorted out your purchase, here is a good source to buy your blades.
Helen Harris info attached - They are posted to you c/w the invoice, very good service.
Cheers, Crowie

ScrollSaw blades - A..letter to email.doc

ScrollSaw blades - AAA..INVOICE REVERSE.doc

ScrollSaw blades - Book list. May 2009.xls

Attachment 181358

ScrollSaw blades - WHAT BLADE SHOULD I USE v2.doc

Good links Crowie, thank you.
I purchased a Ryobi variable speed unit at Bunnings yesterday
and needed to know a few details - all covered in these links.

Thanks,

Allan

Originally Posted by Allan at Wallan

Good links Crowie, thank you.
I purchased a Ryobi variable speed unit at Bunnings yesterday
and needed to know a few details - all covered in these links.

Thanks,

Allan

Looking at where you live you could pop down to Eltham and district woodworking club, scroll saw group.Meets 1st saturday of the month we would be happy to look at your saw and provide information ect.
Graham

Originally Posted by greyhound

Looking at where you live you could pop down to Eltham and district woodworking club, scroll saw group.Meets 1st saturday of the month we would be happy to look at your saw and provide information ect.
Graham

Thanks Graham. I was a member of Eltham & Dist. Woodworking for a
couple of years before joining Northern Woodturners. I still have friends
there.

Scrollsawing will be a new interest for me. I have a sign to finish for
my son-in-law's birthday this month. The new scrollsaw will get a small
workout shortly to complete it.

Regards.

Allan

Allan, would you mind telling me if your Ryobi uses pinned blades only, please, and are you happy with it?

I have a Ryobi that came from Bunnings. It comes with adapters for pinless blades. Mine now has the WMS adapters on it, and they are more convenient to use. The ones that come in the box aren't too bad though.Mine is a few years old, but I just checked, and it is still the current model.

I live in Rockhampton a total newbe to scroll saws Looking at the information here a Hegner is a slow running machine , does this matter , is this a disadvantage .is there anyother disadvantages with the Hegner scroll saw I need to cut seasoned hardwood, pine most of the time but light metal will be cut at times. Is a cast iron base an advantage ? Is a 15 - in bevel any advantage. ? Noy co0ncerned about the cost because operation is where it is all important.

I know that the web site says that it's only good for pinned blades:
Carba-Tec 16" Variable Speed Scroll Saw : CARBA-TEC

But I bought one because they are so cheap (and at least a know wood working brand) and they take both pinned and pinless blades! When I opened the box I thought that it looked like it could take them, and then I used it with some pinned blades and then I read the manual (yes in that order) and it says that it can take pinned blades!
The adapter kit on this page shows what it looks like:
Catalogue - Sawing - Scroll Saws & Accessories

I'm enjoying the flexibility of blades and it's a good little machine. I called Carba Tec and they delivered it to me with a heap of different blades to try for $220.

Sorry, I meant that it can take pinless blades also.

On the negaitive side however it does vibrate a bit, next job is to bolt it down in a way that doesn't limit it's use.