The difference in using the Delta and the Hegner is amazingly HUGE! I stack cut 5 pieces and had virtually no variance between the top and bottom piece. You can run the saw much slower for the tricky areas than with the Delta. There really is no vibration. I was testing that by having the bottom piece of wood in the stack be plywood. Vibration would have broken away pieces of those thin areas.
Speed choices - Hegner can run much slower which can be very handy. You can actually go slow enough to really be able to shave a very thin piece of wood, even out a line you didn't like, etc... My mantra with the Delta was that you could not fix an area on the saw - only make it worse.
Blade changes - the Delta was easier. Changing the blade in the bottom clamp requires a tool on the Hegner. Also the one I bought is an older version that doesn't have the quick tension release. It's not really a problem, just would be a little easier.
Vibration - hands down the Hegner wins. I can saw for hours and not be exhausted from fighting the saw.
Table size - The Delta has a larger table, but the table on the Hegner has not proven to be a problem. I will be using the slicksaw stuff on the table. There are bolts on the right side on the front of the table which holds the blade clamp in place while you change the blades (bottom clamp). I cut a piece to go over top a window or door that is about 17" inches long. The smaller table surface did not pose a problem, but it was kind of weird being that far from the blade.
Air flow for removing sawdust - the Hegner is again the winner. I really thought I liked being able to move the position of the "blower" on the Delta, but I was always trying to find the "sweet" spot, and then having to move it to change the blade. The Hegner's is in the top arm. You can't even tell it's there except that you never have dust on the workpiece.
I have the stand for the Hegner. We haven't bolted it down, though it is made to be able to. I haven't really decided where I want it in the shop.
I still think the Delta was a good place to start for me. I needed to be sure that I enjoyed scrolling before I spent more money on saw. I had decided to buy a Hegner new, so finding at that price and virtually local was quite a treat.
Speed choices - Hegner can run much slower which can be very handy. You can actually go slow enough to really be able to shave a very thin piece of wood, even out a line you didn't like, etc... My mantra with the Delta was that you could not fix an area on the saw - only make it worse.
Blade changes - the Delta was easier. Changing the blade in the bottom clamp requires a tool on the Hegner. Also the one I bought is an older version that doesn't have the quick tension release. It's not really a problem, just would be a little easier.
Vibration - hands down the Hegner wins. I can saw for hours and not be exhausted from fighting the saw.
Table size - The Delta has a larger table, but the table on the Hegner has not proven to be a problem. I will be using the slicksaw stuff on the table. There are bolts on the right side on the front of the table which holds the blade clamp in place while you change the blades (bottom clamp). I cut a piece to go over top a window or door that is about 17" inches long. The smaller table surface did not pose a problem, but it was kind of weird being that far from the blade.
Air flow for removing sawdust - the Hegner is again the winner. I really thought I liked being able to move the position of the "blower" on the Delta, but I was always trying to find the "sweet" spot, and then having to move it to change the blade. The Hegner's is in the top arm. You can't even tell it's there except that you never have dust on the workpiece.
I have the stand for the Hegner. We haven't bolted it down, though it is made to be able to. I haven't really decided where I want it in the shop.
I still think the Delta was a good place to start for me. I needed to be sure that I enjoyed scrolling before I spent more money on saw. I had decided to buy a Hegner new, so finding at that price and virtually local was quite a treat.
