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Tool Talk : saws
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 Message 11 of 12 in Discussion 
From: MSN Nicknamefoxcomp4  in response to Message 9Sent: 10/18/2007 4:42 PM
My sincere appreciation for you help and time involved composing both of your responses.. They were the most helpful of all the responses and are a big help.
Jim Fox

scroll saw portraits <[email protected]> wrote:
New Message on scroll saw portraits

saws

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  Recommend Message 9 in Discussion
From: SawTooth

I'm only guessing, BUT... I think many, many of us started with a saw in that price range... well, I know I did... and I used that Black&Decker, which was on sale at Menard's for ~$89 (~5yrs ago), for about 3 years... and I didn't replace it because it broke, either... it is still my back-up saw. 
 
I don't know all of your choices in that range... but do internet searches focusing on places that you'd trust for your purchase. 
 
The more features it has for the money, the fewer you'll need to add on your own... Almost none come with a foot pedal on/off switch, so consider buying one @ ~$25  (I use the kind that shuts off the saw when my foot is lifted off from the pedal.).  A pedal isn't mandatory, but it makes cutting a little safer.   A built-in lamp is nice, but it's possible to use any of many sorts of  table, desk, or floor lamps.  A blower is mandatory so you can see the pattern lines, but I strongly prefer the plastic gooseneck type because it is so easy to adjust and lets me direct the dust away from me.  Variable speed is very desirable.   A built-in vac port is very nice (but only if you connect a shop vac to it and run it while sawing... I bought an electric gizmo at Sears for $25 that automatically gives power to the vac whenever the scroll saw is on (ie. my foot is on the pedal.))( I used it with the Black&Decker because it has a vac port... I don't use it now cuz I have the no-frills DeWalt 788 that has no provision for dust evacuation.)
 
And don't forget the very important feature regarding pinless blades with tool-less blade changing (ie. some sort of know or thumbscrew... not an allen wrench.)  If you get to compare one saw to another at a store, favor the one with less vibration.
 
Once you've found some to choose from, post another question to seek advice from people who have actually bought and used them... and don't pay attention to anyone who insists that you shouldn't get a scroll saw unless it is the expensive one they're using... many people have done some very nice cuttings on lower priced scroll saws.
 
Lastly, find an online source for blades, because it seems to me that all the retail stores charge at least double if not triple the online prices.
 
Spence

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