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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: chelcass on November 15, 2011, 09:26:19 am

Title: Need opinions and advise
Post by: chelcass on November 15, 2011, 09:26:19 am
We have two scrollsaws, one is 8-9 years old and can not get tension on the blade.  Second one is a used Dewalt same problem.  Anybody have this kind of problem?  Can't find parts for the 1st. saw (Menard's brand). Dewalt can't get the case open because of stripped screw. 

Hubby wants to buy a New Saw.  What are your suggestion and Why do you like this particular saw?


Thanks, Chels
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: GrayBeard on November 15, 2011, 10:25:31 am
I think I would put both on Craigslist with the appropriate disclaimer and see if I could get a few bucks for them.
Then I would go out and get an EX-21!

~~~GB~~~
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: stipes on November 15, 2011, 12:33:29 pm
I think I would put both on Craigslist with the appropriate disclaimer and see if I could get a few bucks for them.
Then I would go out and get an EX-21!

~~~GB~~~

+1 !!! Thats the saw I'm savin up for too!!!
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: tux_linux on November 15, 2011, 02:13:24 pm
get a DeWalt again. Works fine and is not too expensive.
Hegner is also an option, simple and works without any remarks.
When money is not so important - go for the suggested EX-21.

Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: jimbo on November 15, 2011, 02:19:21 pm
Get the Dewalt checked out it may be worth saving
Jimbo
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: glenn wouters on November 15, 2011, 02:59:55 pm
I'm also saving for a new saw.
Since we can't buy a dewalt scrollsaw in Belgium i'm looking for a excalibur.
Last week i was in the local woodworkshop and there was the excalibur.
Looks great.
It isn't a cheap machine, (? 710,00 ) but i think it's worth every euro( dollar).
I hope i can buy it in december or january....
(can't wait) ;D
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: chelcass on November 15, 2011, 03:03:23 pm
The Ex 21 is out of my price range right now.  Which DeWalt?? I see a 20" heavy Duty and a DW788.  Whats the difference between the two, besides price?  What model do you have??
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: joey65746 on November 15, 2011, 03:09:48 pm
the dewalts are the same saw  788 is the modle number i have 2 rbi saws and love them they are awsome i got them off criegs list  gave 400 for the first one and 250 for the 2nd one  i all so have a delta q3 that burn up it was a good saw tell it did it if you are looking for a cheaper saw the grizzlys shop fox 16 inch saws are good to i started out on them i got them at there tent sale for 25 bucks each   one day i will try out the dewalt they seam to be good saws  but give a look on criegslist  and give alook at the rbi saws
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: KarlB on November 15, 2011, 07:53:43 pm
I would still consider repairing the DeWalt saw.  A stripped screw can be removed, but probably by a service technician if you are not tool savvy.  As a last resort you can drill the head off the screw.  :o

Karl
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: GrayBeard on November 16, 2011, 09:55:33 am
Karl is correct...
the screw can be removed.
I have done it by taking my Dremel and using a very small, straight diamond tip and cutting a slice thru the head just big enough to fit the blade of a screwdriver.
Then you can get the saw opened up and try to determine what the problem is.
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: chelcass on November 16, 2011, 11:10:24 am
Thanks everybody.  I believe we have a tap set that will remove the stripped screw,  will give it a try.


Chels
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: tux_linux on November 16, 2011, 04:19:01 pm
@ glenn

consider a Hegner. Works fine.
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: scott312 on November 16, 2011, 10:28:51 pm
We have two scrollsaws, one is 8-9 years old and can not get tension on the blade.  Second one is a used Dewalt same problem. 



Hello there, Im new to scroll saws, what would be the reason you cant get tension?


Scott
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: tux_linux on November 17, 2011, 02:16:02 am
when the tension system brakes. That happens more often than expected.
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: scott312 on November 17, 2011, 09:47:38 pm
when the tension system brakes. That happens more often than expected.



Oh hec, I better lighten up then.  Now I'm paranoid
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: chelcass on November 18, 2011, 05:44:39 pm
Update on our saw situation.

Showed hubby all the saws suggested and because money is an issue (he's been out of work for two years and we are still playing catch up), he chose a craftsman saw.  One he likes their tools and two the price was right.  Went on line ordered the saw, as luck would have it they were running a online special and I got 10% of the price and they are shipping to my local sears for free.................Can't get better then that......................or can I! ! ! !

Working in my shop this afternoon listening to a local radio station that has a swap and shop hour long program. People call in with items they have for sale.  A free service to the listening audience.

Well a guy calls in about a yard sale he was having.  Mostly tools..............Yep!  first tool out of his mouth was a Scrollsaw...........I'm all ears!  got the phone number, called.  It's was a Craftsman, less then a year old.  Price $200.00.........thanks!  No Thanks!   Few minutes later the guy calls me back and says he quoted me the wrong price...........s/b $100.00. Got my attention:  Scooted over to the sale.   Saw was brand new  (almost).  Before I could say anything the lady who was selling the saw said she could probably come down on the price.  OK!!!!!  Checked saw out worked perfectly........new price...................$75.00 ..................Now done yet!  Sitting next to the saw was a Craftsman planer.........$100.00.  Damn!  I been wanting one of those...................plugged it in ran a board thru it worked just fine.  new price.  $75.00......................Well you can bet they both went in the trunk of my car. Couldn't pay the lady fast enough.  Happy Dance!!   Those are both sitting in my work shed.  Even got the manuals for each. Can't wait to get my saw going.  Hubby can put the new one in his shop I'm keeping this one..........................
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: termite on November 18, 2011, 09:34:27 pm
dont give up on the Dewalt. take it to a  service center & let them take the stripped screw out for you. they  shouldn't charge very much
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: chelcass on November 19, 2011, 02:18:20 am
Actually the broken saw isn't a dewalt (I was told wrong) it is a Dremel and I am going to try and fix it as I like this saw.  Not a lot of vibration and easy to work with.
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: termite on November 19, 2011, 07:29:18 pm
if there is no service center near you try a lawn mower or chainsaw repair place. you could even try a mechanic if all else fails.
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: KarlB on November 19, 2011, 10:27:11 pm
Way to score on the tools!!  I love to see deals like that!

Karl
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: chelcass on November 20, 2011, 09:22:35 am
Have to see if we have a service center or as you say maybe my mechanic can back the screw out.

Thanks Karl.  I was thrilled to get these tool.  The saw has a light, blower and a bevel.  I think it is one of the pricer sawd Craftsman makes.  There were other tools there but we have most of them already.  She did have a pile of impact nailers.  We have a paslode framing nailed and a pin nailer already but maybe I should go back a take another look.  Can always use a backup.
Title: Re: Need opinions and advise
Post by: Paw Paw Ray on November 20, 2011, 09:59:19 am
I would drill out the stripped screw, once inside clean out the channel for the tension set and then re tap and dye a new screw to put it back together.