Advice on Used Scroll Saw Purchase

[Gatoruss]

I am interested in learning to scroll.  I have virtually no scrolling or other woodworking experience - but I have lurked on many woodworking, woodcarving, scrolling and other forums, and have read quite a bit on various topics.

A big barrier for me has been a lack of equipment and the fear of taking the plunge and wasting money.  I have read advice about buying as much saw as you can afford, and avoiding something cheap that will discourage me.  The effect - deer in the head light syndrome.  BUT I recently turned 50! And I have decided that it is time to fish or cut bait!

I came across a used Dewalt DW788 for sale.  The seller tells me it is about 5 years old, but has only about 2 hours of use in that period - he purchased it to get involved in crafts, but never really did anything with it.  He says that its condition is a "10" and that there is no rust.  He is asking $385.  He doesn't have a stand.

I note that the local woodcraft store sells the unit with a stand and a light for $539.  A new unit on Amazon sells for $459 (no stand and no light).

Is $385 for a used unit a good deal?  I have never had great luck with used equipment and question whether the additional $75 for a new unit is worth the piece of mind of a warranty, etc.

Should I be concerned about the inactivity over 5 years?  That may not be as big a deal as it wold be with gas powered equipment, perhaps?

How do tell if it is in good shape?

Any advice wold be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Shogun]

Gatoruss, the dw788 is a good saw and a lot of guys use it. I honestly don't think it would have been hurt by inactivity but if it where me I would not buy it before I saw it. with that much sitting any rust what so ever on the outside could mean the motor has rust as well. It's just my opinion but if I had the money and wanted a 788 I spend the extra 75 bucks and get a new one.

[Scroll Down]

In the same boat.

Recently decided to try scrolling and battled the new/ used decision before finally buying a used saw off Craigslist.

It looked great, had low use, and of course cost less than new. I've had it apart twice in a month to fix things including the tension assembly. Not a big deal to me since I'm mechanically inclined and have worked on stuff nearly all of my 55 years.
Those are however hours I wish I had spent practicing, and if it was new the warranty would have given me back.

My advice, spend the extra money on new. The stand and light are a great addition and you'll regret not having it.

Spending the extra money for that and a new saw would be well worth it. I regret going cheap every time I flip the switch.

[julief]

I would go new, the additional money will pay off if you have any warranty issues.  If you decide this is not for you, that saw does have good resale value. 

It does not take a lot of tools to do this.  You can start off reasonably tool free and still accomplish great things.  A drill and sander are a must but you can start off with the very basics.  Build as your skills and wants build.  The key is to have fun and enjoy what you are doing.  Some practice and patience go a long way.

[Gatoruss]

Going "new" is my inclination.  Now, if the seller would come down in price (considerably), I might be inclined to give the used route a shot - what would be a fair price, or is the $385 already fair?

BTW - A new Delta 40-695 can be had on Amazon for $499, and that includes the stand and the light (http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Equipment-Corporation-40-695-Scroll-Saw-20-Inch/dp/B0081AYZ98/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359547285&sr=8-1&keywords=delta+scroll+saw+40-695) - plus free shipping.  Same deal is available thru Woodcraft (http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2084768/36615/delta-20-vs-scroll-saw-with-stand-and-light.aspx), but shipping is not free (although, I suppose, if you lived near a store and they had it in stock shipping would not be an issue).  I read somewhere that the Dewalt DW788 and the Delta 40-695 are essentially the same unit?

[Gatoruss]

Thanks to all for the quick replies and advice.

It does not take a lot of tools to do this.  You can start off reasonably tool free and still accomplish great things.  A drill and sander are a must but you can start off with the very basics.  Build as your skills and wants build.  The key is to have fun and enjoy what you are doing.  Some practice and patience go a long way.

I have no tools to speak of    I have a cordless drill, a jig saw, and a handheld circular saw - plus the usual assortment of basic hand tools (hammers, screw drivers, etc.).  I do have a set of chisels, but using them involves the learning curve of sharpening - which I have researched, but crashed on information overload!
 
What about a sander such as this one -> http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-x-36-inch-belt-6-inch-disc-sander-97181.html ?

[Shogun]

Gatoruss, when I started out my tool list was about the same as yours. Your cordless drill will do fine, and I think that bench sander you showed would be ok too, but a word of caution...a lot of Harbor Freight tool are junk. See if you can find any reviews for that make/model before you buy it. A decent palm sander may serve you just as well to start out with. Julie is absolutally right, practice and patience got a long way.

[Kepy]

You may want to consider either a palm sander or a random orbit as either would work fine.  Also, a benchtop drill press would help as it is sometimes difficult to get the holes straight with a hand drill.
If he would take off a $100, I would go with the used saw, otherwise go with the new.

[Gatoruss]

Forgot -- I also have a variable speed Dremel (400xpr).

Thanks again for all of the advice!

[GrayBeard]

That is a tough one.  One of our fellow members purchased a DW788 from Amazon right before Christmas (yyyyyguy) and received it. When he set it up it was terribly out of adjustment.
He visited me and saw mine and the difference, went home, called Amazon and they arranged for pickup and immediately sent him a new saw. Great customer service. The new one arrived and is fine.

The $25 HF random orbit sander is my go to sander.

Another good source for good buys on tools is <CPO.com>. I have never had a problem with buying their line of 'reconditioned' tools.

~~~GB~~~

[Rapid Roger]

I must go against the grain here. In spite of the suggestions of "Buy new it's worth it." and my own admonishment of "You get what you pay for.", I would at least go look at the used saw. (it is a local saw isn't it?) You might be able to get the price down a little and if you can meet the seller, you might get an idea of his honesty and integrity and a much better idea of the saw's condition. Ask if you can try it out for a few minutes to get a feel of it's condition. 
I have sold two saws in the past and tried to be honest with the purchaser. On the first one, I told the guy that it was NOT a good saw to keep around for long but, it might help him decide if he was interested in scrolling or not. I had ask for $50.00 but expected to take less (a lot less) but the buyer was satisfied with the price and bought it. The second saw, I sold to a good friend for $100.00 and explained and showed him the differences between the Delta and my new DeWalt saw and again told him that it was a good starter saw but, if he really "got into scrolling" he might want to move up to a better saw in a year or so.
I live in the back woods of Kansas (I have yet to find the woods however.) and we tend to have a bit more faith in others when buying and selling used items.  This attitude could spread to other areas around the country however. 

Rog

[IBMer]

Before buying a machine, may I suggest that you go and watch someone scroll saw, possibly try it yourself.   I believe that places like woodcraft will gladly demonstrate and allow you to try it.

I only suggest this because so many people buy one, then it ends up on Craig's list after a few months.    I think you'll know immediately if it's for you or not.    I personally find it a lot like running a large sewing machine, except that it cuts rather than stitch.  It's the type of tool that will allow you to make many things on it's own, without the need for a shop full of equipment.   

John

[Gatoruss]

Update - Seller was firm at $375.  So I took a pass - for an extra $75, new seemed the way to go.  Plus for $499 plus shipping Gizzly offers the Dewalt DW788 plus stand and light.

Before buying a machine, may I suggest that you go and watch someone scroll saw, possibly try it yourself.   I believe that places like woodcraft will gladly demonstrate and allow you to try it.

Sounds like good advice, John.

[chenewer]

At Home Depot they sell Dewalt DW788 for $449.10. Free Shipping.http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-203070202/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=dw788&storeId=10051#.USAuyjuwLXY