question

[kyle.w]

what is the difference between a 16'' scroll saw and a 18'' or 20''? will having a 16'' scroll saw let me do things that need to be done on a scroll saw or should i dig up the extra money to get a 18'' or a 20''???

[Jim Boyd]

16", 18", and 20" refer to the throat depth. How far into a piece of wood it will cut. My 16" has been fine for what I do but that is just me

[kyle.w]

thanks

[leehljp]

Kyle,

If you are not sure, go with the 16. It is a good introductory saw and will do for most things. The extra money for the larger ones, 99% of the time, only benefit those who know in advance what they need.

If you have the chance to get a larger one for the same or near the same price of a larger one, get the larger one. In your case, I would recommend exactly like Jim did.

By the way, I didn't get a chance to welcome you a few weeks ago, so WELCOME!

[gary]

quote:Originally posted by kyle.w

what is the difference...

What do you want to do with it? I'm using a 16" Ryobi for Marquetry and it's a real pain to thread the blade through the hole. The Dewalt arm lifts up on that saw making threading very easy. So it really depends on what you want to do with it

[kyle.w]

i want to be able to move the blade easy so i can thread it throught a hole to make bigger cuts. Also i want to be able to do basic things with it.

[gary]

quote:Originally posted by kyle.w

i want to be able to move the blade easy

Then I'd recommend the Dewalt. I've a ryobi and I'm going to trade up next year myself. Theading a hole is a real pain without the arm that raises up to give more clearance.

[kyle.w]

thanks

[DUD]

I have the RBI Hawk 220 and I love it. Bill

[Jim-Iowa]

Kyle: I have been scrolling for about 15 yrs, it is truly addictive.
You will not regret buying a better saw than you might initially think you want. You are absolutely correct in my opinion that blade threading can be frustrating and is a most important feature to look at. I have had a Dremel and currently have a Delta SS250, at around $100 its again in my opinion the best of the saws in that price range. For a little more the Delta ss350 and Dewalt are very good saws. Up the price range in the $500+ range some of the best are the Henger, RBI Hawks and Excaliburs.
The two things you gain by going up line is smoothness and ease of use.
I can`t say which is better. I have ran an RBI HAWK at the Iowa State Fair and intend to test an Excalibur before I decide.
But my wife and I both scroll and one of these two is in the not too distant future.
As far as the throat depth, that depends a great deal on what kind of projects you wish to make. The two saws I have owned have been 16". My next will be 18-20", my wife demands it.
She does Intarsia, which is like marquetry only with thicker woods and they are contoured to add another dimesion.
The best way I can describe it is to paint a picture by using grain, color and contour. Jo would pick a board and sometimes the grain or knot or swirls around the knot she wants are in the middle of a board. She wants more throat so she does not have to cut up boards to get to the grains she wants.
I on the otherhand see it as too much like a jigsaw puzzle for my liking. I much prefer fretwork which is a lot morre piercing cuts in the middle of a board. I can get along fine with the 16" saw.

This was a little long winded, if there is more I can do or have confused you don`t hesitate to ask and I`ll try to help.

[kyle.w]

at the shop at school we have a delta and i love it. it is so easy to change the blade.