Anyone for a cheap Scroll Saw?

[bigbob]

http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?id=798

 

[Penpal]

With a three yr warrantee cant go wrong.

Peter.

 

[wm460]

Looks like the one I got but different colour.

 

[Baldy]

Don't have space. . [emoji25] [emoji22]
Other than that I would have one..

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

 

[donwatson]

Searched all round Aldi today and couldn't find anything.
Just looked up this post again duh
Will have a look before they close.

 

[AllenN]

Don, that'll be because it is from Lidl the other lot. I have just picked one up but have not even opened the box yet, I will report back when I get it on the bench.

 

[donwatson]

Just back from Lidl with my new scroll saw. I have opened the box and had a read through the manual (I know, I know, I have too much time on my hands:wink:).
The first thing I notice is it takes pinned/unpinned blades, it has a dust blower and a connection for a vacuum cleaner, it has variable speed, wow, certainly didn't expect all that at this price. Happy so far, will get it into the shed in the morning to see how what I can do with it. I will report back.

 

[Buckeye]

Just back from Lidl with my new scroll saw. I have opened the box and had a read through the manual (I know, I know, I have too much time on my hands:wink:).
The first thing I notice is it takes pinned/unpinned blades, it has a dust blower and a connection for a vacuum cleaner, it has variable speed, wow, certainly didn't expect all that at this price. Happy so far, will get it into the shed in the morning to see how what I can do with it. I will report back.

I would have gone and got one, but I don't have the space for it, if it really works well, maybe next year. I look forward to your full examination report and extended review

Peter

 

[Penpal]

Space has never been my problem I gave away four scroll saws kept the Hegner I bought them for SWMBO who had a dedicated workshop away from mine and used it for so many years there were cats hanging from doorways peeping around corners letter holders galore. Being a real beaut artist her figures were realistic and welcomed by the receivers. Just took two quick pictures will add them to this post of examples.

Peter.

 

[AllenN]

OK here are my first observations and Don feel free to chip in your findings. First I should say I have never been a fan of cheap tools, you get what you pay for most of the time in my experience. The machine looks pretty good especially for the price. Interestingly the machine badge on the side says Sheppach but it is of course made in China. All went together easily and as Don says it can take pinned or unpinned blades .....maybe. First problem I encountered was that the supplied hex/allen key is the wrong size. Probabaly that is just because it has been cheaply stamped out but no great problem just use a better one. Second problem is that with the correct Allen key the blade clamping grub screws jut do not clamp the blade. The reason is that the blade guides have not been properly threaded so the grub screw does not go in far enough to contact the receiving retaining screw on the other side. Also there are no brass heads either ( we have discussed those before) so it is steel to steel or would be if it reached. I tapped out the top blade guide after dismantling the retaining screw and with a bit of fettling it now clamps but the bottom one will be more of a challenge since I am not sure if I can get the tap in without dismantling the whole machine. Would be OK if I had a bottom tap but I don't at the moment.
Fitting pinned blades this is less of an issue and it is pinned blades that are supplied.
I fitting one of those in, set the table ( it is alloy not cast iron but for this price one cannot expect more.) The table has a stop retaining screw which you can adjust and set to ensure it is at right angles.
The machine is quiet and smooth running, so problem at all. I did a quick cut on a blank and it was clean and cut well.
So, my initial thoughts are for the money this looks pretty good. If I can get the bottom clamp sorted out and fit some decent blades I think it will be a good introduction to scroll sawing, which incidentaly I have never done before. I have always just used a fret saw.

 

[donwatson]

Thanks Allen,
I met much the same problem in setting up my machine.
" First problem I encountered was that the supplied hex/allen key is the wrong size ". This was the first thing I noticed and I reckon it was NOT a mistake.
On arrival the machine had a blade fitted, this is a pinned blade. The manual says to remove this blade and take out the pins and refit ? using the grub screw at the side to hold the blade in place. The allen key doesn't fit and anyone without some engineering knowledge may hit trouble here as I found the grub screw driven in to the bottom of the thread AND locked in with blue Loctite. Anyone using that key to try and remove the grub screw would be in big trouble with a knackered key and grub screw. I removed the top blade holder and held it over the gas flame on the cooker for a couple of minutes, removed the grub screw and re-tapped the hole 6mm. Fortunately there was no problem with the bottom blade holder and the machine can use pinned and un-pinned blades.

 

[Buckeye]

It must be frustrating to have these sorts of problems, but at least they were easily overcome, I would be interested to see how it holds up over time after using it a fair bit, does anything pack up. If I can clear some space I may get one next year, if they do them again.

Peter

 

[AllenN]

Well I have now managed to get the bottom screw out ( I didn't resort to heat just a good German hex key.) Anyway since I do not have a 6mm bottom tap there was no way I could retread the whole of the bottom blade holder without dismantling the whole machine so I could remove the far side clamp screw. I therefore made up a couple of brass plugs to fit the 6mm hole and then put them in before reinserting the grub screw. I did the same at the top. This now allows the screws to grip the blade so should work fine with the pin less blades. Time will tell if it continues to work.
The machine does not quite fit my dust extractor but I put together a connecting piece and it works fine.
Now all I need are some decent blades ( although those supplied seem fine) and once I have cut some suitable veneers I will have a go at serpentine blanks.
I think this is all down to poor quality control in China. The basic design is OK it's the execution that's the problem. The drawing says tap the hole but typically no one knows that one is supposed to use taps in sequence if you want the thread to run right to the base of the hole. As to Loctite why would one want to use that on a screw that is meant to be removed? Lack of understanding I guess.

 

[donwatson]

I think that the Loctite would help in retaining the grub screw if you only use pinned blades. I reckon the continual vibration would see them coming loose. I suppose it is better, now that I have slackened off both screws, to nip them up when using pinned blades (sort of belt and braces), I have a stock of 6mm grub screws or maybe remove the grub screws and only fit them when needed ie when using unpinned blades. Who knows either way is ok
Hope to have a play with it today but it is a bit wild and windy and the rain ain't far away.

 

[donwatson]

Well I did manage a bit of shed time today. I cut a piece of faced MDF to use as a zero clearance plate, then tried to cut a serpentine blank with a piece of Beech and some thin Sapele offcuts.
Just one (rhetorical) question, why did they supply blades with no kerf. These are a nightmare to use, and I think, dangerous. I would have thought supplying a couple of Olsen blades would result in better sales. Fortunately I have a very varied range of Olsen blades and the saw seems a good buy so far.

 

[wm460]

When I bought my table saw it didn't come with a blade, I asked why not, the dealer said "If they supplied a blade it would only be a cheap one, and the customer would complain, If they put a good quality one on it the price would go up."

 

[Dalboy]

It looks like the one I have which I cut the dog parts out with, I have had mine for quite a while and had to replace the clamps a couple of times. The bottom one all you need to do is undo the bottom cover under the table I think there are three or four screws holding it on and then a single screw to release the clamp. By the way you can get replacement claps from Axminster tools.

 

[Penpal]

What a beaut first buy coverage by kind members at that price. What was the warranty? Certainly beats hands down buying initially a high priced one if you only use it for a while and shelve it. Full marks for those who gave the heads up and followed through.

Peter.

 

[donwatson]

When I bought my table saw it didn't come with a blade, I asked why not, the dealer said "If they supplied a blade it would only be a cheap one, and the customer would complain, If they put a good quality one on it the price would go up."

I suppose this is a typical response from anyone selling cheap but I think it is self defeating. Supplying a couple of decent blades would result in happier customers I'm sure, and would surely lead to more sales. Dunno, just my thoughts.

 

[donwatson]

It looks like the one I have which I cut the dog parts out with, I have had mine for quite a while and had to replace the clamps a couple of times. The bottom one all you need to do is undo the bottom cover under the table I think there are three or four screws holding it on and then a single screw to release the clamp. By the way you can get replacement claps from Axminster tools.

Thanks a heap Derek, valuable information about the replacement blade holders. I will have a look on the Axminster site later and maybe invest in a set of clamps as I am sure they will be needed.