Thread: New to scrolling -saw recommendations?

The things you have to strive for, ease of blade changing, suitable table size, good dust extraction[lots of fine dust to contend with]foot pedal or a suitable device to switch both extraction and scroll saw on at the same time, perhaps depending on eyesight a magnifier of sorts and last but not least enough clearance to be able to scroll 50mm in height and power to boot preferably with variable control. If you can go and try whatever you decide on.

You get what you pay for. I found out the hard way and worked my up through the saws available at the time and that was about seven saws. Fortunately I didn't loose all my money. I now have a 16inch General. Really it is an Excalibur now known as as Carba Tec. It is very good.

I think you will get a lot of advise here. I suggest you take note of it all and I will be very surprised if any one advises the el cheapo saws.

John

+1 for the Excalibur 21” Carbatec have had one for 3 years ish, first and only scroll saw. No foot pedal, do I want one? Probably nice to have but I will put an aftermarket one on if I ever think I need one.
I chose not to go the cheap one first and work my way up, I have done this in the past and had more losses than benefits. The expensive tools I bought 20+ years ago are still going strong one exception is cordless drills, but that is due more to price drops and extended battery life.
i don’t use my scroll saw much atm but intend to I just have a few projects left on my (read SWMBO) list.
cheers
P.S. had a friend who came around with a bulkhead for a RC plane that was flown into the ground, I cut him a new one easy as, so he went and bought a cheap scroll saw as his hobby is planes not woodworking. He says my saw does it better and faster and easier, his saw does the job, just. Hence my +1 for spending $1200 not $400

Hi Lee roy,

Hegner, the german brand, make some lovely scroll saws. I have one and we also have one at our Men’s Shed.
Very well built and relatively quiet, Hegner machines have a strong reputation worldwide. Available in Australia through Woodwork Book and Tool Co: https://www.thewoodworks.com.au/shop...ls/scroll-saws

Regards,

Brian

I second the excalibur it has not had any issues with a lot of work.

Thanks all for the replies, I’ll wait for Carbatec to get the 21” Excalibur lookalike back in stock and go from there.

hello there,
Also looking to get a scroll saw to make small parts for wooden models/toys etc.

I understand better tools cost that bit extra and I'd love to be able to shell out $1200 on a high-end model but its not always possible.

Are there no other saws out there that scrollers have used that are reasonable ? I had been looking at the sherwood which seems to tick most boxes and has a 5 year warranty. But am not so sure now.

TIA

Cheers
Mal

No expert, and still to buy a saw.

But, have a look at the 18" scroll saw fm Carbatec (think it sells for$1k ish).

This saw, as I am lead to believe is a clone of the Hegner models mentioned elswhere in post, but at a better price point.

Again as mentioned parts (if/when required) should be easy to get, so might be worth looking at.

ta...yes I looked at that one...still almost a $1000 though....

Just as an aside, anyone know why Dewalt stopped selling their scroll saw in Australia ?

Looked like a decent machine in that empty space between bargain basement and the high end machines.

..is just an idle curiosity....


Cheers
Mal

As others have said you get what you pay for with a scrollsaw.

Cheaper models will get the job done for sure, however can be cumbersome on frequent blade changes and give you aches/pains up to your elbow after a long cutting session due to excess vibration.

I couldn't be happier with my Carbatec 16", can run it comfortably 6-8hrs a day on weekends with no side affects. My only regret ... is not outlaying the extra $100 initially to get the 21" (so I can make larger scrollsaw pictures).