Need Advice Scroll Saw selection ... down the rabbit hole

[Rick Mainhart]

With our first grandchild coming, I've fallen into a bit of a rabbit hole with scroll saw puzzles and toys. What a delightful place to play.

So, I'm looking for suggestions on scroll saws ... specifically one that is able to handle 3/4" cherry, walnut, and maple. I'd also appreciate some advice on blade selections.

My only experience is with a $10.00 yard sale Craftsman scroll saw that accepts 4" pinned blades (I have some Dremel blades on hand). This saw with the "coarse" toothed blade can't trim the splinters off of a piece of western white cedar, though the "fine" blade more or less did. Absolutely no fine control, no dust control, and the blades are too deep for cutting a 1/8" inside radius. Worth EVERY penny I think!

What are your experiences and recommendations?

Thanks and regards,

Rick

 

[LeftyTom]

DeWalt is a readily available model of scroll saw. An older model, the 20" DW788, was the Cadillac at one time.

 

[Hmerkle]

@Rick Mainhart
I think there is a VERY good Pegas saw that might be up for sale... I will PM you

 

[iclark]

I have a Hegner that I have been very happy with, but it doesn't get much use since I got a lathe. I think that the thickest that I have done was a bit over 2". No issue at all at that thickness. I just let the saw cut at its own pace.

I think that I would have to do some major tuning and replace the throat plate thingy with one that would be near-zero clearance if I wanted to cut single sheets of veneer, but I consider that a feature of most scrollsaws.

I also have a ShopSmith scrollsaw that came as part of a used SS purchase. It got good reviews, but I picked up the Hegner before I got around to a project that needed a scrollsaw.

 

[Artisan Pirate]

Love my Rikon Scroll saw

 

[Charles Lent]

Look for a saw that uses pin less blades and both the upper arm and lower arm are powered. Avoid the saws that use spring tension to pull the blade back up. Variable speed makes a big difference too. Most good scroll saws can cut 3/4" wood, but cutting it will be a very slow process, even with more aggressive blades. Thick wood needing faster cutting is better done on a bandsaw. Line following accuracy is better with a scroll saw.

My newest scroll saw is a DeWalt and it does well, but I have about wore it out, rebuilt it 2 times so far. One like it will do the job at a a reasonable price. Better saws like Pegas and Seyco are now available at higher prices. If buying any saw used, bring wood and blades, and make test cuts before buying.

Charley

 

[Berta]

I use a Dewalt 788 every day!
I recommend getting and using The Scroll Saw Workbook to learn exactly everything the scroll saw can do. This will teach you how.

 

[Berta]

I did hear that Harbor Freight has a saw similar to the Dewalt. The arm stays up when raised but…you have to stand up to reach and release the pin to lower the arm!

 

[ErinJ]

For hardwoods like 3/4" cherry, walnut, and maple, I’d look at a used DeWalt 788, Excalibur, or Pegas if your budget allows. They’re smooth, easy to control, and a massive upgrade from the old pinned-blade Craftsman saws. Even a good mid-range saw that uses pinless blades will open up way tighter cuts and cleaner detail work. For blades, Flying Dutchman and Pegas are both excellent. I’d start with skip-tooth or reverse-tooth blades in the #5 or #7 range for thicker hardwood toys and puzzles. The reverse-tooth blades really help reduce tearout on the bottom side too.

 

[Mvoorhes]

I’ll be honest with you big thing you have to understand is that everybody has an opinion on what is the best saw. I have both a DeWalt and a Hegner scroll saw, and I’ve used a Pegasus scroll saw, as well as the Dremel scroll saw. All have their pros and cons, but if you want an honest straightforward truth, for me. It is the DeWalt. Nothing bad to say about the others. I just like the fact I don’t have to have tools to replace blades and do a few other things which the Hegner does. The big thing is never buy new unless you have to. I bought my Hegner with the stand for $50 and it works fine. It is a 18 inch multi speed that I found at a yard sale and I bought my DeWalt with a stand and a light for $61 at a yard sale. So before you buy anything new check Facebook marketplace, yard, sales, etc. and get a good used one and then decide. I don’t know what it’s like where you live, but I live in California and we have lots of yard sales all year long. Hope this helps.!

 

[cyclopentadiene]

I have a Delta which works fine but the attachment of blades is not as friendly as the Dewalt. I do like the ability to change speeds with the belt and pulleys. I do not like how much shop floor space it takes for the one time per year that I use it. However, I have no issue cuttting 8/4 hardwoods and as fast as 4/4 or even 1/8” stock just by moving the belts. The cutting speed is the same and limited by my skill at staying on the line.

 

[Berta]

I have a Hawk that I will sell. I don’t like it.

 

[ScottM]

For me if I was buying a new one today it would be a Pegas but I am a heavy user and have been for 25+ years and willing to bear the cost. With that said most of the recommendations you received are ok but in my opinion people get too caught up on the saw and ignore the most important thing which is the blades. Yes, you need not want a saw that takes only pinless blades. The blades I recommend are Pegas Modified Geometry. For 3/4 hardwood you want a #3 or #5. The #3 will handle tight turns and fine details better but the #5 would be better for control purposes for a new user. Klingspor does sell those blades if you are near one of their stores. I personally buy in bulk, a gross at a time. I get them online from Artcrafters out of TN.

 

[Rick Mainhart]

Good afternoon all,

Thanks for all the recommendations and comments. I'm still contemplating whether this is a short-term interest or a long-term habit hobby addition.

Regards,

Rick

 

[whitecrane8]

I’ll be honest with you big thing you have to understand is that everybody has an opinion on what is the best saw. I have both a DeWalt and a Hegner scroll saw, and I’ve used a Pegasus scroll saw, as well as the Dremel scroll saw. All have their pros and cons, but if you want an honest straightforward truth, for me. It is the DeWalt. Nothing bad to say about the others. I just like the fact I don’t have to have tools to replace blades and do a few other things which the Hegner does. The big thing is never buy new unless you have to. I bought my Hegner with the stand for $50 and it works fine. It is a 18 inch multi speed that I found at a yard sale and I bought my DeWalt with a stand and a light for $61 at a yard sale. So before you buy anything new check Facebook marketplace, yard, sales, etc. and get a good used one and then decide. I don’t know what it’s like where you live, but I live in California and we have lots of yard sales all year long. Hope this helps.!

$50 for a $2000 Hegner saw and stand? Wow! Nothing like that here in NC, or maybe anywhere else. Congrats!

 

[whitecrane8]

For me if I was buying a new one today it would be a Pegas but I am a heavy user and have been for 25+ years and willing to bear the cost. With that said most of the recommendations you received are ok but in my opinion people get too caught up on the saw and ignore the most important thing which is the blades. Yes, you need not want a saw that takes only pinless blades. The blades I recommend are Pegas Modified Geometry. For 3/4 hardwood you want a #3 or #5. The #3 will handle tight turns and fine details better but the #5 would be better for control purposes for a new user. Klingspor does sell those blades if you are near one of their stores. I personally buy in bulk, a gross at a time. I get them online from Artcrafters out of TN.

@Rick, Artcrafters for bulk Pegas blades Artcrafters Scroll Saw an authorized Pegas dealer. Klingspor, if you only need a few. Mike's Workshop for Flying Dutchman blades Flying Dutchman | Mike's Workshop