Scroll Saws
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Scroll Saws
This site devoted to Hegner Scroll saws is a companion site for The Wood Works Book & Tool Co from where we manage the secure supply and customer support for these machines. Links in this site will take you to The Wood Works site for further information and purchase options.
See below for:
- An introduction to Hegner scroll saws
- Pre-purchase checklist
- Popular accessories
- Saw blade options
INTRODUCTION TO HEGNER SCROLL SAWS
A scroll saw is a powered version of a hand fretsaw. A scrollsaw has a fine blade which is driven in a vertical reciprocating action in a work table. The work table can be tilted which allows angled cuts.
Work is pushed by hand through the blade which is typically extremely fine and allows tightly curved cuts. By pre drilling an access hole in a workpiece then detaching and re-threading the blade through the work, inside cuts are possible.
Scroll saws work a wide range of materials, wood, plastics, soft metals, mother of pearl etc
Hegner scroll saws make little noise, are undoubtedly the safest mechanised wood saw available, have efficient dust collection and can be used in tight spaces which means there is no need to have a large work area. There is a complete library of books and visual media available to offer instruction and project ideas.
Hegner scroll saws are widely accepted in schools with thousands in use across Australia.
Hegner scroll saws are more than capable of producing commercial scale work such as veranda brackets, toys and the like.
Pre-Purchase Checklist
You might consider these issues when choosing a scroll saw.
- Country of origin - Hegner are made in the Black Forest region of southern Germany where scrollsawn woodwork has a very long tradition.
- Engineering - Hegner is the brand all others either try to copy or emulate. You get a German made motor and controller and starter set of blades. Above all you get a smooth running, superbly engineered machine with the use of plastic components only where appropriate and not for cost cutting reasons.
- Operation - The key operational issues for scroll saws are saw blade type supported, vibration, noise, cut accuracy, how fast you can do pierced work and smoothness & sensitivity of speed control (where fitted). Note that not all speed controls are made equal, cheaper ones are notchy. A quality speed controller delivers a 'flat torque curve' which equates to consistent delivered power at every speed setting.
- Duty cycle - code for how well the machine is rated for continuous use. Hegner excel in this regard.
- Warranty - Hegner are jealous of their reputation for quality and offer a 3 year warranty.
- Support - We routinely supply spares for machines over 30 years old which are still giving great service.
- Safety - Hegner machines are available with blade guards, workpiece hold-downs, have a standard dual dust management system (sucker or blower) and, most importantly for safety, a patented blade fragment retention system which aims to contain bits of blade when broken. Paradoxically perhaps, the main safety issue with scroll saws is not the risk of cutting yourself, which is in fact minimal but the eye injury risk from broken blade fragments. Hegner blade clamps aim to retain blade pieces when the blade snaps. Note that despite this feature we suggest the use of safety glasses for all work on a scroll saw.
Blade variety - there are currently only 3 or 4 blade options for pinned blade machines whereas there are dozens for pinless machines allowing metals, wood, shell, plastic and other materials to be worked. - Accessories - we can offer work lamps, lamp brackets, work hold down arms, safety guards and special blade clamps for inside cuts.
- Running costs - pinless blades are about 25% cheaper than pinned blades.
- Resale Value - Hegner machines retain their value longer than any other make and are sought after on second hand markets.
Popular Accessories
Quick Release Blade Clamp
For the disconnection & reconnection of blades for pierced work.
Work Hold Down
The work hold downs allow the workpiece to be held against the table and prevent chatter.
Lamp Bracket
Fits to the C frame and allows numerous brands of worklamp to be fitted. Versions for all models.
Blade Guard
Many educational institutions fit their machines with blade guards. Lifts away for blade change.
Footswitch
A footswitch helps with the on/off control of the machine. German made and high quality.
Blade Options
Hegner scroll saws use pinless blades held top and bottom by blade clamps. The advantages of this system are several. The blade is held more firmly in line with the cut, the absence of pins allows very fine pierced work - pinned blades require a larger hole to thread the blade through for inside cutting -, the clamps tend to retain blade fragments when breakage occurs. Unrestrained blade ends can be thrown around when breaking with an eye injury risk. Pinless blades are about 25% cheaper and there are numerous patterns available.
There are standard blades with the teeth all facing in one direction, blades with reverse teeth where both the downcoming and upcoming teeth cut thereby minimising tear out on the workpiece and spiral or twister blades where the teeth are cut in a spiral down the length of the blade allowing workpieces to be cut in any direction without rotating the workpiece.
Standard Tooth Blade
Reverse Tooth Blade
Twister Tooth Blade
OUR BLADE OFFERING
Note: To purchase go to www.thewoodworks.com.au and use the ITEM code in the table in the Home page Product Search search.
In this table ITEM is the purchase code, COUNT is the number of blades which come in either dozen or gross (12 dozen) packs, SIZE is the manufacturer's size code, PINS denotes whether pinless or pinned, KERF is the width of cut the blade makes, WIDTH is the front to back measure of the blade, REV. TEETH is the number of reversed teeth (if applicable), TPI is teeth count per inch, PITCH mm is the distance between teeth in millimetres.
2.54
25