On another page I have always extolled the virtues of buying a top quality Scrollsaw rather than an inexpensive model often made in the far east. However perhaps I have been a little biased in owning two top quality machines myself. There are of course many instances where the purchase of a lower quality cheaper machine may be perhaps a sensible option. So on this page I will offer some pros and cons of buying a lower quality saw.
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If you plan to take up the Fretworking (scrollsawing) hobby seriously and are wanting to do intricate work then I definitely do not recommend buying an economy scroll-saw, unless of course it is your only option due perhaps to financial straits. However in defence of the cheaper machines I should say that some hobbyists create some fantastic work using just a cheap saw.
Now before I discuss the economy type scroll-saws let me first give my definition of an economy machine. As far as I am aware almost all of the economy scroll-saws are made in the far east. There are a plethora of different brands available but in most cases they are all basically the same with perhaps a few extra trimmings, different knobs and levers and painted in different colours. There are a few that deviate from the general design but most are probably manufactured in just a few factories and very similar in design and working.
A word of warning, do not be deceived by the brand name as some manufacturers with quality brand names buy the basic machines and attach their logo and name on it hence giving the buyer confidence they are buying a quality machine. The 'badge engineering' manufacturer will no doubt say that they put more design thoughts and testing into their machines over the lesser known brand models but generally they are little different. Please bear in mind that some manufactures who sell these economy saws may also offer better quality machines in their range. On the right are pictured four saws two from quality names notice how similar in design they are!
If you plan to buy an economy saw you should ask yourself is it worth paying a premium for a cheap machine with a 'posh' logo attached to it when a less known name is not only less money but just as good in use.
Before you buy an economy scroll-saw it might be a good idea to look out for a better quality used machine rather than buying a new cheap saw. When I mention economy saws I am talking about new machines in the price bracket between £100 - £200 UKP, and for that sort of money you may be able to buy a much better quality brand name saw in good condition. There are often good quality used machines for sale on Ebay.
Now we come to the pros and cons of economy scroll-saws.
Firstly these machines are cheap to buy and readily available in different brand names from a plethora of suppliers. As mentioned above they are mostly all the same apart from colour and the covers etc. Almost all economy scroll-saws come with a fitting for pinned blades only (I discuss this on the Fretsaw Blade page as well as below).
Another plus point of the economy saw is that in general they are very heavily built which considering they are fairly cheap to buy is quite surprising, most that I have seen are sturdily built with a heavy duty cast iron work table, this in my opinion is a 'plus' point because a heavy saw I would imagine is less likely to vibrate than a lightly made one.
Also many of the single speed cheap saws feature small induction motors which in general are the most reliable kind of motor, not only do induction motors offer quiet smooth running they rarely give any trouble for the life of the machine. Models that feature variable speed control on these economy saws are normally fitted with so called DC motors which are series wound - carbon brush type motors which tend to be less reliable and are more likely to vibrate and run nosier than the induction motors, although I am in favour of having variable speed. it is possible to have speed control with an induction motor but the electronics is more involved and expensive and normally only used on high end saws.
Saw with variable speed.
Above I mention some good points about the economy or cheap scroll-saws so now I am shall point out some of their bad points.
Firstly most of the economy machines come equipped to take pin end blades only - although in fairness you can buy adaptors to enable you to use plain end blades, this may not be a problem to you depending on what use you are using the saw for (which I discuss below) but even with the adaptors you are stuck with very cheap bent metal blade holders, compare the blade holders in my images below of the cheap saws to those fitted to better quality saws like the Diamond or Hegner machines.
Even when using plain end blade holders you generally have to fit the Blade into the adaptor then fit to the machine compared to the quick release used on the better quality saws, this will cause issues if you intend doing intricate fretwork with many internal cuts. as I explain below.
The next issue I have with the economy saws is the time and effort it takes to remove and refit the blade. If you are doing proper fretwork it may well have quite a few internal cuts (with some designs hundreds) which means you have to remove the blade from its holder, put it through the work ,refit the blade and re-tension the blade. Now with the better quality machines you are usually provided with a quick release blade lever and a quick tension cam or lever, this enables you to remove and refit in a matter of seconds and you soon get so used to doing this you can do it with your eyes closed. Doing this on a cheaper saw is a lot more fiddly and tedious plus it takes a lot longer and after doing it for a while you will find it hard on your fingers and mental state! (I should say that some of the newer economy saws do feature a quick tension release.)
So in conclusion should you buy an economy scroll-saw?
Well in spite of all my reservations the answer is 'Yes' depending on what you intend using the machine for, if for example you want it as a general woodworking saw to do similar work as a bandsaw but with much tighter radius's to cut or other general sawing then one of these saws will be ideal for you and you will be wasting money buying a high end machine. Equipped with a fairly thick pin end blade (like a coping saw blade only shorter) you can quite easily cut fairly thick timber and in some cases it can be better than a bandsaw, it's definitely quieter and safer than a band saw.
However if you are buying a saw to do fretwork and by that I mean intricate fretwork with internal cuts rather than just cutting out simple shapes then I would strongly urge you to consider paying the extra to buy a quality machine rather than one of the economy ones discussed above. It will cost you quite a lot more money than a cheap model but once you have given it some use you will find it such a delight to use that you will soon forget how much you paid for it.
I bought my Hegner machine over 25 years ago and I still find it a joy to use and I never regret buying it.
Highly acclaimed Pegas Scroll-saw
Do consider buying a scroll-saw whether you want to pay little or a lot, or if you want it for general woodwork or fine fretwork. Scroll-saws are probably the most gentle and pleasant machines to use compared to other harsh and noisy woodworking machines in the workshop also the safest to use that even young woodworkers can use them.
One final piece of advice. Do consider getting a machine with variable speed control. If you are a new to scroll-saws you will find it helpful and even if experienced variable speed is excellent when cutting thin materials or delicate designs.
There is more information on choosing and buying a scroll-saw in the Help & Advice section under Buying a saw. Please also watch my two part in depth video on choosing a scroll-saw, the links to the video are on the Buying a saw page.
Next page. Hobbies Powered Saws.
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