Decent Cheap Scrollsaw?

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StephenM

StephenM

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Joined
Apr 16, 2011
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535
Location
Webster Groves, MO
I'm doing more curved pieces in my veneer work and need a scroll saw to cut either individual pieces or packets of the same shaped pieces.

I won't be using it very intensively so don't need to drop 500 bucks on a Dewalt. What are some opinions on the lower priced models? Throat depth isn't an issue either since the biggest piece I would ever cut would probably be 6".

(I've been checking Craigslist and haven't seen anything)
 
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The little Delta 16 inch models aren't too bad for the price. I've seen quite a few between $50 to $75. Then you should spend a few dollars for wood to build a nice heavy stand to soak up the vibration.
 
Whatever you get for a "cheap"scrollsaw,you should get one that is variable speed. Yes I know it'll cost you a bit more, but it'll work so much better for what you want.
Len
 
I bought a Ryobi variable speed, tilt table scroll that uses pinned or pinless blades with a 5 year warranty for $99. That was 6 years ago. I figured that it would "make do" until I could afford a "serious" scroll saw.

I was given a Dewalt scroll saw by a neighbor that was moving away. I ended up selling that saw. The DeWalt was a FABULOUS saw that I kept tripping over. It was so big that it wouldn't fit into my Gladiator cabinets. So it was always in the way.

With the little Ryobi, that I mounted on a board topped with rubber exercise mats, it's always dust free in my cabinet, UNTIL I pull it out and Kwik Clip it to my workbench, those 3 or 4 times a year I need it.

If you are planning to saw hundreds of little "doo dahs" to go into cast pen blanks, the Ryobi is THE WRONG SAW FOR YOU! BUT, I've found that those are actually easier for me using the Fordham or Dremel.

Respectfully submitted.
 
:confused::confused: I started many years ago with a then called Jig Saw from Sears. Looked like today scroll saw but had about a 6" square table on it. Had four rubber buffers of the feet, but still walked all over the table, and was extreemy loud. Couldn't cut more than a popclcle stick, and that even wasn't straight. Next came an AMT. Proably sold for $20-$30. For those of you who owned one, I won't bring back the downfalls of this unit. It turned me off of scroll sawing for many years. Than came the new Delta. Round table, VS, deep throat, foot controlled, pinless blades, and room to mount a lens and light. All it needed were two #70 pound sand bags to keep it from wandering around the workshop floor and keep your hands from going numb. One day, as I was buying blades for the Delta, the store owner asked me it I wanted to try out the new De Walt, he had just set up. I tried it side by side with the Delta he also had set up to demo. He showed me how he could put a nickle on edge on the De Walt table and procede to cut out a number of paterns without the nickle moving or falling over. I left the store with the saw and a new stand. The Delta still sits next to the De Walt with it's sand bags and dust covered table. Make me an offer !! Whatever you buy, you are going to be doing some tuning and jig building to make it do what you want to do. If you buy a less expensive one, the first thing you want to do is glue the rubber tires to the wheels !! If you don't do this, none of your other adjustments will hold true. Peace Jim S
 
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StephenM said:
I'm doing more curved pieces in my veneer work and need a scroll saw to cut either individual pieces or packets of the same shaped pieces.

I won't be using it very intensively so don't need to drop 500 bucks on a Dewalt. What are some opinions on the lower priced models? Throat depth isn't an issue either since the biggest piece I would ever cut would probably be 6".

(I've been checking Craigslist and haven't seen anything)
Click to expand...

Well my advice is out....I thought the $500 Dewalt fit the description of decent and cheap. I bought a $900 scrollsaw...lol.
 
Do you really think "cheap" describes the work you want to do? Seems to me you might want to think of a top-line "used" saw at a decent price. Several members of our woodturning club are serious scrollsawyers and they buy and resell saws as they become available and use the profits to buy their wood.
 
PenMan1 said:
I bought a Ryobi variable speed, tilt table scroll that uses pinned or pinless blades with a 5 year warranty for $99. That was 6 years ago. I figured that it would "make do" until I could afford a "serious" scroll saw.

I was given a Dewalt scroll saw by a neighbor that was moving away. I ended up selling that saw. The DeWalt was a FABULOUS saw that I kept tripping over. It was so big that it wouldn't fit into my Gladiator cabinets. So it was always in the way.

With the little Ryobi, that I mounted on a board topped with rubber exercise mats, it's always dust free in my cabinet, UNTIL I pull it out and Kwik Clip it to my workbench, those 3 or 4 times a year I need it.

If you are planning to saw hundreds of little "doo dahs" to go into cast pen blanks, the Ryobi is THE WRONG SAW FOR YOU! BUT, I've found that those are actually easier for me using the Fordham or Dremel.

Respectfully submitted.
Click to expand...

I, too, have a Ryobi that I use for doing intarsia pieces and really like it.

Tomas
 
Gilrock said:
StephenM said:
I'm doing more curved pieces in my veneer work and need a scroll saw to cut either individual pieces or packets of the same shaped pieces.

I won't be using it very intensively so don't need to drop 500 bucks on a Dewalt. What are some opinions on the lower priced models? Throat depth isn't an issue either since the biggest piece I would ever cut would probably be 6".

(I've been checking Craigslist and haven't seen anything)
Click to expand...

Well my advice is out....I thought the $500 Dewalt fit the description of decent and cheap. I bought a $900 scrollsaw...lol.
Click to expand...

Same here, I had a cheap one (Dremel) and before I knew it was into projects the saw simply couldn't perform the necessary task. So, after alot of research comparing the requirements/specs I purchased the Excalibur 21 (International General) with the intent to "grow" into it: General EX-21 - 21" scroll saw

Couldn't be happier and its already paid for itself. I'm on my 4th Intarsia and 6th Fretwork project. I've used it on a few pen projects as well, now getting ready to dive into a potential "gallery" like Intarsia project inspired by artist Kathy Wise.


With that said, I'm a big fan of Craig's list for buying and selling.
 
Druid said:
Gilrock said:
StephenM said:
I'm doing more curved pieces in my veneer work and need a scroll saw to cut either individual pieces or packets of the same shaped pieces.

I won't be using it very intensively so don't need to drop 500 bucks on a Dewalt. What are some opinions on the lower priced models? Throat depth isn't an issue either since the biggest piece I would ever cut would probably be 6".

(I've been checking Craigslist and haven't seen anything)
Click to expand...

Well my advice is out....I thought the $500 Dewalt fit the description of decent and cheap. I bought a $900 scrollsaw...lol.
Click to expand...

Same here, I had a cheap one (Dremel) and before I knew it was into projects the saw simply couldn't perform the necessary task. So, after alot of research comparing the requirements/specs I purchased the Excalibur 21 (International General) with the intent to "grow" into it: General EX-21 - 21" scroll saw

Couldn't be happier and its already paid for itself. I'm on my 4th Intarsia and 6th Fretwork project. I've used it on a few pen projects as well, now getting ready to dive into a potential "gallery" like Intarsia project inspired by artist Kathy Wise.


With that said, I'm a big fan of Craig's list for buying and selling.
Click to expand...

Yep that's the exact scroll saw I bought...the 21" Excalibur. I know most people couldn't justify spending the money on one and I really couldn't either. But now I'm glad I did...it's an absolute dream to use. On the lower speeds its quiet like a sewing machine. I love being able to move the blade to a new hole in 10 seconds when I really get rolling good.
 
nativewooder said:
Do you really think "cheap" describes the work you want to do?
Click to expand...


No, but it describes the price I want to pay for a tool that I'll use very occasionally. :biggrin:

Up to now, most of my veneer work has been straight lines and angles but my next project is an interpretation of the compass rose in the floor of the Library of Congress. It has a lot of curved pieces and cutting them by hand will be a pain. I don't need a 500 dollar saw if a 200 dollar saw will do the job and do it well. If I were a full time production shop, I could see an Excalibur and if I had the time, I'd buy an old one and restore it like I did with my tablesaw which is a 1964 Powermatic 65 cabinet saw. However, the kids are 8 and 12 now and it's hard to find the time to turn and veneer much less to restore machinery so I have to pick my poison.

Thanks for everyone's input and suggestions!

p.s. this won't be a one time project, I also have been wanting to try my hand at Celtic knotwork for the border of a chessboard but cutting the curves has put me off.
 
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