Opinions on scroll saws please!

[Lons]

Having sold some unused machinery and with birthday money coming later this month, (with a bit of luck ) I've decided to replace my cheap scrollsaw with a quality machine. My daughter has already claimed my old one

I was drawn to Hegner, probably a Multicut 2s but am very interested in the new Axminster EX-21 which is a rebadged Excalliber EX-21 with a couple of additional features and £150 cheaper.

My local Axi shop initially said they wouldn't be in store until the end of March but a little bit of pressure never fails and there's a couple coming on the first truck North this week, one with my name on it even though I haven't committed. There's nowhere local I can see a Hegner though I'm well aware of their reputation for quality.

There are some threads on UKW at the minute so have some info but either way, it's a substantial investment and I want to get it right so if anyone has experience of the Hegner or Excalliber would do me a huge favour by relating pros and cons.

 

[bassethound]

You couldn't go wrong with a Hegner Bob as far as I know about scroll saws, I would love one instead of the cheap SIP one I have!

 

[Woody]

Me to I have a cheep one its OK but the axy one does look good as for the Hegner well what can you say they are said to be the best

 

[yorkshireman]

Hegner all the way

 

[Jim]

Before Christmas i bought a Delta, an American one with the adapter, i haven't used it yet Bob, but before i went for this one i also looked at the Hegner as this had the best reviews by far ..

 

[Neil Lawton]

I've used the Hegner multicut 1, but it is basically the same.
The simplistic design combined with a high quality build, means they are easily maintainable, and spares are easily available.
The blade block clamps are brilliant, and easy to use, but are just as easily lost! If you break a blade the bottom block tends to part company from its cradle, and disappear down some crack in the space / time continuum!

I don't know the axi machine, but I know of one big difference between the Hegner and all other modern machines. The Hegner does not have a hold down foot for the workpiece. You are reliant on hand pressure to stop the work riding up with the blade. The Hegner is the smoothest scroll saw I have used, so it is not so much a problem, unless your fingers are as fecked as mine.

The problem with the more modern machines is that spares quickly either become not available, or extortionate in price.
I was recently quoted £25 for a replacement plastic guard for a sub £200 machine!

Saying that, unless you intend to take up scrolling full time, or want to hand the Hegner down as an heirloom, I'd probably opt for the axi.
If my electric scroll saw breaks down, I always have the Hobbies treadle one as backup.

 

[cookie21]

You couldn't go wrong with a Hegner Bob as far as I know about scroll saws, I would love one instead of the cheap SIP one I have!

I agree,I had an SIP real load of rubbish, packed up as soon as the warranty ran out

 

[wm460]

Hegner, or Excalliber EX-21

 

[Penpal]

Some years ago I bought a Series of Scroll Saws for SWMBO including a 1200 dollar Hegner the one she favoured for ease of and handiest saw was a cheap Dremel that used a pinned blade because it was almost instant blade removal and refit for through hole use. The Hegner remains on a shelf in the Shipping Container to this day the paint peeled off over these yrs. Our Wood Guild has a few but never Hegner preferring to use reasonably priced others one member of the Scroll Saw group using anto fret techniques never owned a Hegner.. has won Australia wide plaudits and has won best in show for ever it seems. I agree with Neils assesment using the Hegner the quick change blocks are both an asset and a pain to find.

Peter.

 

[Lons]

Thanks guys much appreciated, food for thought methinks.

 

[wm460]

This is what I like about the Excalibur EX-21 scroll saw

https://www.google.com.au/imgres?im...d=0ahUKEwiR1fKBt6HLAhXBJ5QKHQzIA6IQMwg_KBgwGA

 

[Lons]

Thanks Mark, interesting, I read the articles by Sheila Landry which links from that site, the one on tuning especially is valuable info.

If I do go for the EX 21 it will be the Axminster model rather than Excalliber. http://www.axminster.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=ex-21

It is identical but with a couple of additions including a NV switch and is £150 cheaper to boot. It's made on the same production line in the same factory in Taiwan.
The equivilent Hegner is out of my price range unless I go to a smaller machine as I definitely want variable speed and I would need to add a quick change blade system as well though that isn't too expensive.
The confusing thing is that they have very different mechanism in that the Hegner swings the whole arm whereas the EX 21 is just the end bars. Unfornunately there's no way to put them side by side for comparison.

 

[Penpal]

The stand you either make or utilise will have a bearing on the best use of whatever you buy sorry I am out of touch with our wood guild scroll saw group these days they go to bother fettling their own and the clubs few saws the design of base had provision for blades, lighting etc. All the best for your choice. Another good reason to check out club activity in your area IMHO invaluable.

Peter.

 

[wm460]

That Sheila Landry comparison is very informative.
If you get the Axminster model, I will be interested in seeing what you think of it, as it will probably be re-badged to a company that sells in Aust.