As many people here know I am a scrollsaw artisan and that is my primary hobby. Have been scrolling for close to 40 years now. I started years ago with a 2 speed Dremel combination pin and plain end saw. Quickly moved up to a Hegner 18" ( German made) and it is a well designed well built industrial saw that will last a life time. I then expanded into the RBI line which is a USA made and own a Hawk 220VS and a Hawk 226VS saw. The 220 is my work horse and has never failed me. These saws are well built and are too industrial saw and last a life time. They are made for the serious sawer. Quiet and no vibration which is something you want when scrolling. I then fell into a deal when Home Depot was selling out the Dewalt 788 saws, that I could not pass up so I bought that one too but gets very little use. It has a different linkage system that takes some getting use to but works well. It is a sought after type #1 saw. They sold the rights and went to China and their saws have all kinds of problems before they started working out the kinks and they are a type #2 which helps tell the difference.
I am not going to tell you what saw to buy because as you see already there are different strokes for different folks as with any tools. I can give you FACTS if you want when you see something you may like. Again I am not knocking saws but be careful when people say they have an Excalibur saw. They were a good saw when built by Sayco but have been shipped to China over 5 years ago and I would stay far away from them. The King saw is an Excalibur saw just cloned and called that here in the USA. In Canada it is called an Excelsior. They are made in Twain where the original Excalibur was made. Pegus saw is fairly new and is built off the same platform as the EX and King and does get good reviews. It is about a $900 saw to $1000 with stand. I highly recommend getting a foot switch preferably a deadman switch to operate the saw. It saves wear and tear on the saw switch which is a vulnerable source because many fill with dust and that is usually a problem area. Mounted on top.
Stay away from the lower end saws such as Delta, Wen, Dremel, and any other $250 saws or any saw where you need a tool to change blades. . You will truly be disappointed and stop the hobby quickly. Always buy good quality blades. I prefer Flying Dutchman blades from Mike's Workshop. Pegas is a good blade also but both will have a different cut performance. But whatever you train with your body becomes use to. I stay away from Delta and all those other brand names. They do not last as long as good Swedish or German blades. Many different sizes and styles and this comes down to what you are cutting and complexity and material. You practice and learn what each can do and then usually fall in love with a few favorites. I use mainy a #5 FD Penguin Silver reverse tooth blade for 90% of my cutting.
I suggest you look at Craigs list and get a feel for some saws that are very good and get for lower price. Many times people take up the hobby and go all in and then just fall out for one reason or other and a good saw can be had for a good price. Anyway will tell you this and this is a no nonsense hint and is why many people bow out quickly, you need to be a patient person!!!!!!!!!! A scrollsaw cuts very slow and is a precision saw. You can not force your work or you will not like the results. As I said some saws cut more aggressive than others but still slow. Cutting fret work can be a a real mind relaxer. Have fun and happy scrolling!!
One last thing here is the web site to the very best scrollsawing site out there. Very knowledgeable people and friendly and willing to help. Ask these and any other questions there and they will get answered. They too have library with patterns and other good stuff. As here these questions have been asked and answered many times over but you maybe able to scroll through some past ones to get help.
https://www.scrollsawvillage.com/forums/
View attachment 247316View attachment 247317View attachment 247318
