Axminster AWFS 18 how does it compare to a Hegner?

[scrimper]

Reference the Axminster AWFS 18, this saw looks like a carbon copy of a Hegner saw, does any one here have one? Does anyone have any experience of this saw? How does it compare to a Hegner?

I am not buying one but I was just interested about it as I already have a Hegner but this saw looks exactly the same apart from the colour!

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-tr ... scroll-saw

 

[Stooby]

I have the axminster but have never used the hegner. I love my saw and am getting on really well with it. A few minor niggles with the safety features (the screen to protect the eyes attracts dust so I removed it and rely on my safety glasses and the gold down foot is always getting in the way so ditto). I love the variable speed and use it a lot. No issues so far.

 

[redmoorphil]

Hi Scrimper,
Looks can be rather deceptive! I purchased the AWFS 18 and because I hadn't used another saw thought it was OK and that the issues I was having were down to me.
It eventually became apparent that the saw was the problem and after emailing Chippygeoff for advice I ended up returning it after a repair made it even worse and purchased a Hegner (One of the best decisions I have ever made).
The 2 saws are like chalk and cheese and despite being told that they are made in the same factory (I don't beliece this for a second) I maintain that, if true, the cleaning staff must knock up the AWFS when the professionals have gone home.
The finish of it and the attention to detail and accuracy just aren't on a par with a Hegner.
Don't get me wrong, the AWFS is probably one of the better saws available when compared to most of the saws available in the UK but it just does not warrant the price charged for it now and I would choose a bottom of the range Hegner over it every day of the week.

 

[finneyb]

This looks awfully like a set up by the Hegner mafia

 

[redmoorphil]

Careful or you might end up sleeping with the fishes! 8)
I actually thought when typing that people will think "hegner snob" but you can only speak from personal experience and I wish that I had listened to the hegner crowd before I bought an AWFS. Buy cheap ( or actually not so cheap!) and buy twice. Guess thats why I'm a Mac guy, but that's a whole other argument

 

[toesy]

Mac guy, I have a Mac with Windows on it....

Sorry thread hi-jack - my bad,

 

[Scrollerman]

The 2 saws are like chalk and cheese and despite being told that they are made in the same factory (I don't beliece this for a second) I maintain that, if true, the cleaning staff must knock up the AWFS when the professionals have gone home.

Hi redmoorphil. I appreciate you say you don't beliece it (sic), but who told you they are made in the same factory ?

 

[scrimper]

This looks awfully like a set up by the Hegner mafia

It was a genuine question, I have seen this Axminster saw mentioned and looking it up it does (IMHO) look to be a copy or clone of a Hegner saw apart from the speed control and colour. I was interested to know how good or bad the saw was because IMHO Hegners are overpriced and if the Axminster is as good then it would be a good buy.

It's not a Hegner bragging thread, quite the opposite and I am interested in users opinions of the saw.

 

[toesy]

I have to agree with Scrimper, it looks like it came out of the hegner factory... So much like each other.

When you compare the AWFS18 against the Multicut 1 Variable, the axminster has more, the quick release tension at the front, the hold down bar thing, the arm which you can attach things to, the No Volt switch, the plastic guard.

It has an lot going for it and its already £70.00 cheaper..

I'd be tempted meself

And a 3 year warranty !!!

 

[finneyb]

Careful or you might end up sleeping with the fishes! 8)

And the extra weight of the AWFS18 over the Hegner 29kg/21kgs would come in useful to weigh me down

 

[Chippygeoff]

The AWFS 18 is an exact replica of the Hegner and what I don't understand is how the factory in Taiwan got permission to copy the Hegner as the Hegner is a patented design and they are clearly flouting copyright laws but they probably don't apply to Taiwan. The Hegner has always been made in Germany and like most machines from Germany are highly engineered using the highest quality materials available, the same as used on aircraft. The same cannot be said for the AWFS 18, the materials used in it's manufacture are cheap and cheerful. I know one guy who badly cut his hands lifting it out of the box, the edges of the table on the underside were sharp and ragged. Having said all that I endorse what Phil said, although it's not a very good saw when compared with a Hegner it is probably one of the better saws available in the UK although like the Hegner it is over priced for what you get.

What we need is a British manufacturer to produce a scroll saw with a cast iron table. Variable speed and a speed range up to 2000 strokes per minute. Quick release clamps similar to the Hegner and it would have built in suction rather than a blower and come complete with a decent light and stand. If it was priced at around £500-£600, which is feasible, then the manufacturer would sell hundreds in the UK and thousands across the globe.

 

[finneyb]

I have to agree with Scrimper, it looks like it came out of the hegner factory... So much like each other.

When you compare the AWFS18 against the Multicut 1 Variable, the axminster has more, the quick release tension at the front, the hold down bar thing, the arm which you can attach things to, the No Volt switch, the plastic guard.

It has an lot going for it and its already £70.00 cheaper..

I'd be tempted meself

And a 3 year warranty !!!

The true comparison is between the AWFS18 and the Hegner Multi-cut 2S variable speed, both 18" throat and variable speed

AWFS18 = £399; 120w motor; 10/20mm stroke length; 29kg self weight
Hegner multi-cut 2S = £719; 100w motor; 12/19mm stroke length; 21 kg self weight

Brian

 

[Stooby]

My axminster was fine underneath, no issues at all other than a missing plastic roller on the tension release, axminster quickly sent a couple of spares. They have fantastic customer support.

 

[scrimper]

The AWFS 18 is an exact replica of the Hegner and what I don't understand is how the factory in Taiwan got permission to copy the Hegner as the Hegner is a patented design and they are clearly flouting copyright laws but they probably don't apply to Taiwan.

Is it possible that the patent has expired? Is it correct that Patents only last for 20 years? Hegner started making the now famous saw in the mid 1970's I know they patented their unique knife edge blade suspension system in 1974. I know the Chinese have zero respect for patents but if Hegner had an iron cast patent on their machines surely they could stop clones being sold here?

I bought my Hegner in 1999 but had I seen this Axminster clone I would probably have been very tempted as it does look the same sort of design, however things are not always what they seem and it's possible the Hegner is worth the extra but it is interesting hearing different opinions especially from those who have tried both saws.

 

[scrimper]

What we need is a British manufacturer to produce a scroll saw with a cast iron table. Variable speed and a speed range up to 2000 strokes per minute. Quick release clamps similar to the Hegner and it would have built in suction rather than a blower and come complete with a decent light and stand. If it was priced at around £500-£600, which is feasible, then the manufacturer would sell hundreds in the UK and thousands across the globe.

I do so wish for that! If only the once great Record company of Sheffield were still manufacturing in the UK I bet they would be making a decent fretsaw by now, they dabbled with an RBI made quality saw before they were taken over but then ditched it in favour of cheap far eastern made junk saw which they stuck a Record of Sheffield badge on!

The last Quality fretsaw made in the UK was the Diamond manufactured by the late Doug Woodward, I have one and it is a quality machine but would have been much improved had it been fitted with an induction motor rather than the noisy series wound one fitted and it lacked a quick way of tensioning the blade, had Doug lived I am sure that by now his saw would be similar to what Geoff and other would like.

 

[scrimper]

I have the axminster but have never used the hegner. I love my saw and am getting on really well with it. A few minor niggles with the safety features (the screen to protect the eyes attracts dust so I removed it and rely on my safety glasses and the gold down foot is always getting in the way so ditto). I love the variable speed and use it a lot. No issues so far.

That is good to hear and I would have done like you and removed both those annoying items.

What you really need to do though is buy yourself a Hegner then you could do a full in depth appraisal of the 2 saws alongside each other!

(lol only joking about buying a Hegner)

I would love to see a full comparison between the two, do these Axminster saws ever appear cheap on ebay? it wouldn't mind buying one to do an in-depth comparison.

 

[finneyb]

I think the patent run out some years ago, if there ever was one.
This treadle scrollsaw looks like the early Hegner/AWFS18 parallel motion with a tensioning thread.

 

[powertools]

I think the patent run out some years ago, if there ever was one.
This treadle scrollsaw looks like the early Hegner/AWFS18 parallel motion with a tensioning thread.

Now were talking I have one of those but I think that first patent for a true parallel motion saw was granted to Hobbies for there Royal fret saw this is a picture of mine.

 

[finneyb]

Very nice, with variable speed as well.

Brian

 

[powertools]

Very nice, with variable speed as well.

Brian

You are right there it starts off fast but very quickly slows down.