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135 Scroll Saw Recommendation




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This article is from the Woodworking FAQ Collection 5, by multiple authors.

135 Scroll Saw Recommendation

From: tatem@m2.csc.ti.com (Joe Tatem)
Date: 16 Jan 90 19:18:07 GMT

I have seen several ads in Wood for a scroll saw by Penn State
Industries for ~$120. Does anyone know about this saw? Is it any good?
How does it compare to the Delta of similar price?


From: carlp@frigg.isc-br.com (Carl Paukstis)
Date: 26 Jan 90 00:38:10 GMT

In article <106185@ti-csl.csc.ti.com> tatem@m2.csc.ti.com (Joe Tatem) writes:
>I have seen several ads in Wood for a scroll saw by Penn State
>Industries for ~$120. Does anyone know about this saw? Is it any good?
>How does it compare to the Delta of similar price?

I own this saw. I'm moderately satisfied. As near as I can tell,
it is identical to the Delta in all respects except cosmetics
(labels, color, etc.) I highly recommend the blade-holder upgrade
kit; I had lots of problems with getting the standard blade-holders
aligned. The pivoting standard blade holder would always tip all
the way back as soon as tension was put on the blade (especially the
bottom blade-holder). This may be my inexpertness, but I tried
pretty hard to get the blade set straight in the holder. The
optional saw-mounted holders are a great improvement, especially for
piercing cuts; it's much easier to get the top holder tightened down
when it's mounted to the saw arm. The bent-back position common
with the standard holders greatly reduces blade life, especially for
small blades.

I can't recommend the optional dustblower very highly, although I've
managed to get mine to work fairly well. It required some
creativity and bending of the crummy sheetmetal bracket to get it
installed, and it's very sensitive to the distance the pump (a small
aquarium pump mechanism) is mounted from the lower saw arm, this is
where bending the bracket becomes an art.

I haven't had personal experience with other scrollsaws, but the
design of some others looks nicer for only 5-10 bucks more. In
particular, the "Performance Tough" house brand sold by Home Club in
my area, and one Jet model look superior. I think perhaps the table
is ground smoother on some of these, maybe even the Delta, but I
haven't had any problems with roughness on my table - it's just
visually clear that it could be smoother.

Penn State has been VERY cooperative in trying to help me work out
my problems. You can call and talk to a person who obviously has
used the saw and knows some hints and common problems. They
cheerfully said they'd be glad to refund my money if I couldn't get
it to do what I wanted, but encouraged me with advice. I kept it.

Keep in mind that (around here, at least) you can often find the
Delta or others for similar prices, and you pay shipping for the
Penn State item (but not 7.8% sales tax, yecch!). I believe the
accessory blade holders would fit, but you might have to drill and
tap the arms, which is already done on the Penn State.




 

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