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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: wsmith0896 on March 24, 2011, 03:52:51 pm
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OK all you scrolling fools out there, I need an honest answer.
I am in the market to purchase a new saw. I have looked at the Dewalt, Hegner, and Excalibur and so far I am leaning toward the Excalibur.
Forr the price and quality, what do ya'll think?
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I've owned a Dewalt and an Excalibur. I loved my Dewalt, but now that I've used an Excalibur, I'd never go back.
Can't speak for for a Hegner, but I've heard they're good.
Bill
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Well since the good old YELLER De Walt saw is on it's way out, they can be had new a little cheaper at the store. In the future they will be GREY and will say Delta on them. Same saw, just new name and color.
I have never used a Hegner or Excalibur so I can't speak for either. I just know they are more expensive so going by "You get what you pay for" I would go for the gold!! (If I could afford it.....My ship sank 4 years ago so it won't be coming in I guess.)
Rog
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I have a couple of dewalts in my highschool shop, and have a hegner at home. If I ever need a new saw, I think I would switch to an excalibur. I like the idea of a tilting head.
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I just happen to be in the Dallas area right now baby sitting my grandson, and brought my EX-21 with me. I decided to take it to Seyco for a "tune-up". Ray went over it with a fine tooth comb, made a couple of adjustments and I picked it back up today. There wasn't anything wrong with it, but I figured the Excalibur expert should take a look. There was no charge and as usual, a pleasant visit with someone who has been doing this for years and years. I can't say enough good things about the EX series of scrollsaws or the service provided by their distributors.
The biggest advantage of the Excalibur over any other saw is the head tilts, not the table. If you plan on doing bowls, spirals, inlays etc. it is an invaluable feature because you continue to work on a flat surface - not a tilted one. Gravity plays a role in sucessfully cutting a bevel and my last saw had a tilting table. Although I got pretty good at dealing with it, my work became unbelievably better when I no longer had to try to work at an angle.
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You didn't mention RBI and they are now back in production under Bushton Mfg. I have had two and loved both. I strongly suggest looking on Craigslist because sooner or later almost any brand you want will show up there and you can do well. (if you can afford to wait)
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I had a fews false starts with saws but its all sorted know thanks to the Excalibur EX21
Check out my reviews this forum link http://stevedgood.com/community/index.php?topic=5196.msg46425#msg46425 (http://stevedgood.com/community/index.php?topic=5196.msg46425#msg46425)
Hope this helps
Cheer's
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Hey Wade, Instead of recommending a saw, these are the features that are important to me. Because I am a top feeder, I must have a saw with a lifting top arm. Must have variable speed and easy toolless blade changes. I don't do much bevel cutting, however the tilting head of the excalibur is temping. The saw needs to have a 20" or greater throat, and little or no vibration. I don't care if it has a cast iron table or not but needs to be large and flat. Tension adjustment needs to be up front and easy to adjust.
I don't care what color it is as long as it does what I want.
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Exactly correct dgman. Little or no vibration (even at high speeds), lifting arm, toolless blade replacement, and tilting head.
Looks like it will be an excalibur for me, just waiting on that tax return so I can go hog wild. That is with the wife's permission of course.
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An Excalibur EX21 or Excalibur EX30 just can't be beat in my opinion. :)