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This article is from the Woodworking FAQ
Collection 5, by multiple authors.
151 Re: Scroll Saws
From: parnass@ihlpy.att.com (Robert S Parnass)
To: jack.cs.wisc.edu!leut%att.UUCP@cs.wisc.edu
I bought and read Spielman's "Scroll Saw Handbook" before
buying my first saw, and have reread it often.
Having been interested in getting a scroll saw for a long
time, I spent many afternoons looking at the pictures of the
Delta 18" variable speed digital readout scroll saw (model
40-601). It seemed to be just too much money and I didn't
need such a good tool.
Instead, I bought a Sears 16". After one year of use how-
ever, I found the lack of a blower to be a real hindrance
and the whole saw vibrated a lot, even when clamped to a
table. It had only one speed, too fast for cutting Plexi-
glass as I found out when trying to make a see-through base
for my router. The heat of the fast cutting caused the
Plexiglass to remelt together after the cut.
Thoughts of getting another scroll saw became more frequent
after my wife showed interest in using my Sears for craft
work. Since buying the Sears, Delta introduced a new 2
speed Taiwanese scroll saw and I went to a tool store for a
look. This tool store lets customers try tools in the show-
room. Instead of the new 2 speed (Taiwanese) Delta, I tried
big 18" (American) Delta instead. The cut was so smooth, it
POLISHED the wood! I was impressed and ran right out and
bought that big Delta model, but at Farm and Fleet which
usually beats the other local stores on price. Delta was
offering a $100 rebate on this tool which sweetened the
deal.
Making a few dozen toys last December afforded a good oppor-
tunity to try it, and what a pleasure it has been! The con-
tinuously variable speed is a great feature, although the
LED readout is a frill. I've cut hardwoods and softwoods up
to about 2" thick without the saw (or my bones) chattering
much. Very tight curves are a snap.
Luckily for woodworkers, there are plenty of scroll saw
brands and models from which to choose. I like the 18"
Delta, but it is a pricey $600-$700.
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crafts, woodworking, bandsaw, biscuit joiners, dust collect, jointer, miter saw, motors, planer, router, sander, shop heat, toy safety, ammonia, antique tool, hide glue, motors, wood bending, workbench
